Cycle to work + BIanchi = 6 months wait

yinya

all this hassle for a Via Nirone? that is basically another entry level bike. planet-x, aesthetics aside, looks like a lot more value... edit: or the 12K Ribble that has been discussed here...

dmckayuk

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=71007

bought one last week. dream machine for the money - in my opinion!

Derky

kball_9

just wondered why you could not get on with campy

Derky

acorn_user

Challenge accepted!
http://www.epic-cycles.co.uk/Viner.htm
Viner Dedalus - £849.99
Viner Dedalus aluminium frame with Deda Force carbon fork
Campagnolo Mirage 10s compact groupset
Campagnolo Khamsin clincher wheelset
Vittoria Zaffiro Pro tyres
Selle Italia Initiale saddle
Deda Finishing Kit (oversize) - seatpost, bars and stem

http://www.ciocc.net/acatalog/Ciocc_Radius.html
Frame and fork for 500 pounds.

Simoncini
http://www.cyclesclements.co.uk/ frames from 250 pounds.

Of course, Condor's frames are also Italian made and can be had with nice groups for well under 1000 pounds.

Btw, I realise now I meant Raleigh Airlite Carbon...
http://www.raleigh.co.uk/bikedetails.aspx?ID=2920

I could probably find some more, but I need to fix my wifes blinky light

kball_9

Derky,

I could get on with campag's but on test riding i initially got on better with the shimano, more comfort. Do you prefer campag?

Nuggs

Just out of interest, how much of one's cycling must be 'to work' in order to qualify for the scheme (IYSWIM)...

mea00csf

to be honest, i'd guess as long as you turn up on the bike at work a couple of times a week you'll be fine. What are they gonna do? report you? to whom? More hassle than it's worth for the company I'd think

thebikeliker

Just out of interest, how much of one's cycling must be 'to work' in order to qualify for the scheme (IYSWIM).

50.01%
The condition is that you use it mainly for work and so above 50% is mainly. But unless the IR got lots af people saying its a tax fraud then I can't see anyone checking.

Ste_S

star_rover wrote:

Then I'll stand by my suggestion of the colnago primavera. OK, it's not one of the fancy colnagos and it's made in Taiwan, but it's a pretty machine and is not one of your common Spesh, Trek, Giant, etc.
Sigma sport in Kingston and DeVere's in Steatham stock them.

I had the same dilemma as you a couple of months ago (not cycle to work though). Same budget, etc. It's nearly impossible to find something different from the norm for that money.
Every shop you go into has the same bikes/brands.

You do know the Taiwanese Colnago's are made by Giant, right ?

star_rover

Aye, but at that price bracket most bike are much of a muchness, no? What differentiates is aesthetics. The colour of paint job, the look of the bike, or whatever. I'm generalising, of course.
I thought the OP didn't want the same bike as every other kid in the park, which is why I suggested the colnago, which is a nice looking bike (and rides well) and one not commonly seen, even if it is a Giant underneath.

Ste_S

star_rover wrote:

Aye, but at that price bracket most bike are much of a muchness, no? What differentiates is aesthetics. The colour of paint job, the look of the bike, or whatever. I'm generalising, of course.
I thought the OP didn't want the same bike as every other kid in the park, which is why I suggested the colnago, which is a nice looking bike (and rides well) and one not commonly seen, even if it is a Giant underneath.

You're paying around £2-400 extra for the Colnago stickers though unforunately, compared to a similarly equipped 'actual' Giant

JMag

Or so Halfrauds have just told me, im so very annoyed that i never got an Evans cycle to work scheme as i would have been able to walk in and walk out with a bike on the day!

I got my bike through cyclescheme, and though the shop had the bike I wanted in stock, there was quite a bit of paperwork to sort out. In all, it took about three /four weeks before I could pick it up. I think a lot of that was down to having a payroll department staffed by idiots though...

acorn_user

Just because Giant weld the frames doesn't mean that those bikes were actually designed by Giant, or have much in common with their range (well, other than the two wheels etc). Would agree that Giants are good value though.

That just make the Colnago worse value imho. Given that you can get actual Italian frames/bikes for less.

Lagavulin

Is the CLX rubbish value for money?

I mainly go out on my todd and have a Allez Sport Double but fancy something a bit better.

Am considering anything from £800-£1600 though may go to £2k.

Does anyone have a CLX, are they any good or would simply riding a Colnago with Shimano 105 or Ultegra do nothing more than guarantee my place in hell?

Widdle

Paddy

I popped in to Condor Cycles in Grays Inn Road and got fitted for a Condor Squaddra. They take the Halfords voucher there and you can top up over 1k if you want. Lead in time about four weeks or quicker if you fit a stock bike.

Widdle

MrGrumpy

what do you mean they take the Halfords voucher ? Is that the same as the letter of collection ?

Widdle

yes, I asked for help to spec bike at Condor and then order through Bikehut in Putney (they stock Condor) but guy at Condor called Wei said they could take the voucher and deal with it their end.

IanLD

I had the same problem as Halfords couldn't get me a Bianchi. They offered to source alternative bikes with Campag components and suggested Condor or Orbea.

Ended up with an Orbea Aspin (not in the 2008 line up ) with Campag Mirage groupset.

Great bike and gave me the excuse to get Euskaltel Euskadi gear

Both really distinctive and nice to have a proper European setup.

I'd recommend Orbea and the bike came through much quicker than Halfords thought.

afctumike

Just getting an Orbea Elgeta - from their Cross-Sport range. Sadly I'm not eligible for the Cycle to Work scheme One of the drawbacks of being a Vicar as there's no journey to be cycled on the trip from breakfast table to my study However I can claim 20p per mile (IR approved rate) for work mileage so I suspect the church members living the furthest distance away may be getting a few visits.

Widdle

Got my bike . Top marks to Condor, slick service every time I was there, pretty busy place too. They take Halfords Cycle to Work vouchers for those that have them.

Recommended.

MrGrumpy

any other bike shops take the vouchers ? Would be nice to able to top it up opens up my choices a wee bit.

bossman13

BUMP!

(can anyone answer grumpy's question?)

thanks!

spasypaddy

i decided on a planet x in the end. very excited

juankerr

Good lad.. that's what I'd get.

benvickery

spasypaddy - do you know how long you are going to have to wait?? After waiting for weeks my cycle2work scheme is restarting on Monday

I hope I don't have to wait too long for my superlight pro to show up!

spasypaddy

ben - i dont know to be honest, ordered it just over a week ago and they said they only pay Planet X once or twice a month (around the middle of the month and possibly towards the end as well if there is sufficient orders) and only after that will it be delivered. I'll let you know when i get it with some pics

benvickery

I'll better get my order in quick then, otherwise I could be waiting ages!!

Thanks for answering my question

spasypaddy

benvickery wrote:

I'll better get my order in quick then, otherwise I could be waiting ages!!

Thanks for answering my question

thats the best bet, ring them as soon as you get your voucher and check when the next payment goes in

redjedi

I ordered my Bianchi with Evans last week, and it is already there.

I did pick one which was showing in stock on their website, which will have helped.

Now I just need my Cycle2Work voucher, which will probably be delayed because of the effing post strike.

I can't wait, I've been thinking about it all weekend.