Bike2Work - Carbon Road Bike from Evans...

ZeroK66

Hi Guys,

Well I am keen on the bike to work, I have a decent MTB, but looking for a road bike so I can mix up what I use to cycle in depending on my mood.

The road bike will mostly be used for social cycling rather than commuting.

I am limited to purchasing through Evans only by my company. My budget is 1500 - will stretch to 2k for something very special.

I am 6'2 and have been told I probably need a 61 frame. Having spoken to one of the guys at Evans - they have suggested the following bikes:

Bianchi Carbom 928 C2C
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70436

Trek Madone 5.0
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70719

Scott CR1
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70561

Cannondale Synapse
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70670

Specialised Tarmac Expert/Comp
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70131

If I were to choose, I would simply pick the one I thought looked coolest, I wouldnt really know why to pick one over the other. The guy I spoke with said first choice be the Scott second be the Trek or Cannondale.

I really wanted the Focus bike, but sadly I cannot get this through Evans/my company. This leaves me with the choices above - or anything else Evans can offer.

Any recommendations/comments?

Thanks,

photojonny

Can you spend that much on the Bike to Work scheme? I thought the limit was £1000? I may be wrong.....

mercurykev

The limit is only £1000 if your company does not have a consumer credit license. If they have one the sky's the limit apparently.

Greenbank

It's not a case of "have CCL = no limit". The company I work for has a CCL and our limit is £1500 (because that's the limit of the company's CCL).

You can always top it up with as much cash as you like (this is allowed under the scheme).

photojonny

If that's the case, buy the Bianchi. Cos it's a Bianchi. But get Campagnolo instead of Shimano.

edwardvarla

I'd have said a 61 frame is a bit big for you. I'm 6'2 and a bit but I would only go for a 58 or a 59 frame. You really need to try them out of course, even if it is just on a trainer in a shop.

If you're new to road cycling, you probably would enjoy a bike that is designed for a slightly comfier ride than one that is an out and out racer. The C2C geometry of the Bianchi is apparently designed for that, but I think it looks ugly as sin!

Spec wise they're all pretty similar so I wouldn't worry too much from that point of view. Buying a bike you think is cool is actually a very good reason as you'll want to ride it more if you like the look of it!

Enjoy your new bike

Edward

PostieJohn

I love my 928 C2C, and I think it looks fantastic.
I'm 6ft and ride a 59 which fits brilliantly. So no prizes for guessing what I think you should do.

PostieJohn

I love my 928 C2C, and I think it looks fantastic.
I'm 6ft and ride a 59 which fits brilliantly. So no prizes for guessing what I think you should do.

ZeroK66

You are right... limit is 1k through my company, but I am happy to top up.

I dont like the look of the Bianchi to be honest... I guess I need to try a few frame sizes to see what suits me best?

as50215

ZeroK66 wrote:

Hi Guys,
The road bike will mostly be used for social cycling rather than commuting.

Although I cant see how they can enforce this but the rule from the tax office on this scheme is the bike must be used for at least 50% of your commuting to and from work but as I said I cannot see how they can enforce/check if this ever happens

ZeroK66

I will be using this bike far more often than my mountain bike I expect, and social riding will just be that. Cycling into work will be very regular, so I am sure i will abide by the terms and conditions of the scheme.

Anyways, any more thoughts on what bikes I should be looking at?

bladerider

I recently bought the Cannondale, because of its more relaxed riding position and comfortable ride whilst still being very stiff. It also looks great and the finish and build quality are second to none.

The Trek for me has a too racey geometry and accordong to the reviews the scott is a great bike with superb handling but harsh. I just don't like the look of the Bianchi.

My choice was between the Cannondale and the Spesh (Roubaix or Tarmac).

I preferred the look of the Cannondale and it fit me really well. I've had it about a month and I'm really happy with it.

Have a look at some of the reviews and you'll also need to decide what kind of bike you want - Relaxed or Racey Geometry.

sqwerl_mk2

ZeroK66 wrote:

Hi Guys,
The road bike will mostly be used for social cycling rather than commuting.

In that case take a look at the Specialized Roubaix range, rather than the Tarmac.

RufusA

ZeroK66 wrote:

You are right... limit is 1k through my company, but I am happy to top up.

Be aware that topping up for part of the bike cost may invalidate the salary sacrifice and open you up to extra tax!

The reasons are complex but in effect if you've paid for part of the bike, you own part of the bike with the expectation of owning the rest. This changes the loaning of the bike from a simple long-term hire, to a hire purchase. A hire purchase will have to be paid for out of net and not gross salary!

It may also be outside the scope of the Group Consumer Credit License issued by the dft for the scheme, which just covers Category B (Hire only) and not Category A (Hire purchase).

I believe that Halfords have withdrawn this top-up facility from their scheme, and I wouldn't be suprised if Evans didn't follow suit soon!

YMMV - Rufus.

andy66

I had a similar price limit and the same kind of choice. Rode the Specialized Tarmac and Roubaix and Cannondale and bought the Roubaix because the ride was so much more comfortable - slightly more upright and a bit more compliant. I'd certainly ride the Roubaix too - it was the best for me - I'm 6'4" and ride a 58 btw.

Andy

bill poster

59 inch frame sounds about right

What about planet X or wilier(spelt wrong i think)?

Gussio

I am 6'4" and ride a Roubaix Pro 61 frame, which is incredibly comfortable. Your body proportions are important, moreso than height alone, and I would strongly recommend getting measured properly in a bike shop. Some shops have bike geometries stored in the computer and can feed in your various measurements to help ensure that the bike is a good fit for you.

allaction

I bought the Cannondale (it comes in two colours btw the one you posted is the all black version and the one I bought is half blue and in my opinion looks stunning). It is lovely to ride and cannot fault the fit and finish, which looks top class.The 2006 model was Cycling Weeklys' bike of the year, so can't be too bad! I nearly bought a bike from Evans but they didn't have the model my wife wanted, but they said that they would ship one from any branch there for you to try if you paid a refundable deposit which I thought was more than decent service.