Commuter bike needed from Evans (Cycle 2 Work scheme)

The Big Cheese

I am going to start riding into work soon.

Its approx 15 miles each way which isn't a problem but obviously it's not going to be possible on any of my MTBs so am in the market for a commuter.

Have just found out that I can get a commuter through my firms (new) cycle to work initiative which we have only just subscribed to.

Originally I didnt want to spend more than £400 but with the C2W scheme I can afford this:

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86910 which works out to just over £400 deducted from my salary for the next 12 months which I will make back by not traveling on London transport, in fact I won't even miss the deduction and will SAVE £100 per month

I don't want another disc MTB - I want a specific road bike but has to have flat bars and rim brakes and this seems to fit the bill.

What do you think - any other suggestions, must be from Evans

ride_whenever

Is it flat? If so then you could buy one of the singlespeeds that evans are selling, the charge plug has bullhorns, that are almost flats. Or you could fit some yourself. Not exactly difficult.[/i]

papasmurf.

you'll have 799 deducted from your salary, but you won't be taxed on it

I quite liek the Kona Dew bikes, the dr and phd are in the sale.

The Big Cheese

Nope - there are moderate hills in both directions otherwise I would have gone singlespeed. Bloody good workout!

Another bike I was looking at was:
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70084

Of course I would change the bars and levers to a flat setup

The Big Cheese

Reading the small print it says that the bike isn't actually yours at the end of the year, and that your employer is the actual owner and you have to pay a transfer fee (this is on Evans website) WTF??

papasmurf.

yeah you can agree a fee with you're company to buy the bike..its supposed to be mark value. Ask your company probablky won't be that much

ride_whenever

yeah, IIRC your employer buys the bike, you then rent it from them out of your pre-tax wages. Then at the end of 12months or so they charge you a transfer fee, set by the employer, but usually equal to the rest of the value of the bike

Chaka Ping

I've just paid my transfer fee for last year's scheme, it was 10% of the voucher value.

seven7

My employers are doing the cycle2work scheme too (but with halfords).

I've gone for the Kona PHD myself.

With the c2w scheme, you can only buy 2008 model bikes.

I don't know about evans, but with halfords, if you want a specific bike, not advertised on their website, they can order it for you. so like with my Kona PHD, i saw it somewhere else and called halfords to see if they could get it.

with regards to the transfer fee... i would have to pay £20 + vat or 5% of the current market value (which ever is more). which means i would probably have to end up paying about £40 (assuming the market value for the kona phd then is £800)

Andy

Why not a full on road bike?

papasmurf.

if its nto to late try get your work to use cyclescheme, then you get to use local shops

The Big Cheese

andrew156 wrote:

Why not a full on road bike?

Dropped bars - no thanks - Ill be wearing lycra next..

Andy

Do it! Do it! Do it!

The Big Cheese

Not with my 'chunky' self - no thanks!

moggy12

i have just bought this http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70821 great light bike if you want higher spec go for these
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86292
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86295