which bike?

samuraiblade
samuraiblade Posts: 6
edited January 2008 in Commuting chat
ok im in the halfords cycle to work scheme , i have a full blown mountain bike as i used to race them (kona explosif custom build) , now im stuck between two choices for what to get as a commuting bike , ill have to commute http://www.multimap.com/maps/?t=r#t=r&m ... SO14%203QN which is 15 miles roughly.
these are the two choices:

http://www.boardmanbikes.com

either the boardman road comp or the boardman hybrid team possibly even the hybrid pro


(the multimap link needs copy and pasting as it doesnt hyperlink all of it for some reason btw)

Comments

  • ChrisLS
    ChrisLS Posts: 2,749
    ...it would be the Hybrid Comp for me...nice commuting bike :):) 8)
    ...all the way...'til the wheels fall off and burn...
  • BentMikey
    BentMikey Posts: 4,895
    Road bike with drops definitely for 15 miles.
  • Sailing7
    Sailing7 Posts: 38
    Don't think you are limited to bikes in the shop as Halfords will source 'any' bike you want for the Cyclescheme. There, your options are wide open now!
  • DavidTQ
    DavidTQ Posts: 943
    I would defintely recommend a road bike over hybrid for all tarmac riding of any sort of distance. I started commuting on a road biased hybrid, but quickly found I was spinning the pedals too much in top gear, and that the lack of hand position options were causing me some wrist problems.

    Once I got a road bike I found it far faster and far more efficient for climbing hills, my travel times are way down from what they were on the hybrid and my legs are finding it far more comfortable etc. I find my road bike far more comfortable than my hybrid, the hand position options on a road bike really help a lot as well.
  • Mayhemwmb
    Mayhemwmb Posts: 108
    Try the planet x web site, they use the halfords scheme (I think), they are doing specials aimed at the cycle to work scheme.
  • Bassjunkieuk
    Bassjunkieuk Posts: 4,232
    Over 15 miles I'd say get a road bike, it'll be far more comfortable and faster then the hybrid.
    Also not knowing what you have for your MTB you might want to consider allocating some of your budget for lights and a decent lock to, I think these also fall under the remit of "accessories" as far as these ride to work schemes go and your allowed to get them with the voucher.
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  • BigBlackShed
    BigBlackShed Posts: 60
    All of the Cycle to Work Schemes include accessories as well. Lights, locks, computers, clothing, helmets, bags or panniers. And anything else you can think of up to the value of the voucher, which should be calculated based on your salary.

    Being as you work at Halfords, why not a Kona. Dr Dew or the PHD.

    When I tried to apply through my employer, the final valuation / settlement payment, what is supposed to be a very small amount to then own the bike, was calculated at £400. Half of the orginal cost of the bike. Because of the way my company calculates depreciation I would of paid full whack.

    That's why I'm looking for a new employer.
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  • Matteeboy
    Matteeboy Posts: 996
    I had the wierd siuation of being both.

    As a director of our company, I am an employer and an employee!

    Made the sums a bit tricky but got there in the end and got two nice MTBs.
    Two Stumpjumpers, a Rockhopper Disk and an old British Eagle.

    http://www.cornwallmtb.kk5.org
  • BentMikey
    BentMikey Posts: 4,895
    Matteeboy wrote:
    I had the wierd siuation of being both.

    As a director of our company, I am an employer and an employee!

    Made the sums a bit tricky but got there in the end and got two nice MTBs.

    Ahahahahaha! That's awesome dude!
  • jefferee
    jefferee Posts: 80
    BentMikey wrote:
    Matteeboy wrote:
    I had the wierd siuation of being both.

    As a director of our company, I am an employer and an employee!

    Made the sums a bit tricky but got there in the end and got two nice MTBs.

    Ahahahahaha! That's awesome dude!

    Not even the best part... ask Matteeboy how far he commutes!
  • BentMikey
    BentMikey Posts: 4,895
    2 miles?
  • jefferee
    jefferee Posts: 80
    I believe his company HQ is also his residence...
  • DavidTQ
    DavidTQ Posts: 943
    jefferee wrote:
    I believe his company HQ is also his residence...

    Youever tried cycling up a set of household stairs? Think Id rather my 7 mile commute thanks :lol:
  • samuraiblade
    samuraiblade Posts: 6
    after speaking to a few people , ill probably go for the cboardman hybrid pro , the gearing is exactly the same as a roadbike (50/32) and it seems like the bikes designed for commuting in mind , i considered a road bike but the road leading into my work is abysmal pot hole wise and im not sure road wheels would be up to it , also i prefer a more relaxed riding position , being 6.2' tall a pure race bike tends to leave me lent over alot. to resolve hand position ill probably get a tri-bar of some sort. i agree a dedicated road might be a little faster but looking at the spec's of the hybrid im interested in it wont be by much. ill have to buy some road spuds and ditch the rat traps though , the C2W scheme doesnt allow for these so ill have to delve into my own pocket but nvm , the LoC amount i have left after getting the bike will be used up on decent lights , a new road helm and hi vis wet weather gear anyway.

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