Halfords Bike2Work scheme - which sub £1000 bike?

oomidamon

My company has just signed up to the Halfords Bike2Work scheme so I want to get a second bike for commuting, the odd race and general thrapping about. I’m looking for a hardtail with a list price of up to a grand. I’ll probably get a spare set of wheels with road tyres for commuting, to get the best out of it (but this won’t be covered by the initial purchase). Any suggestions of what I should go for? I don’t think the scheme will let me top-up to buy anything over a grand, so it’s got to be £999.99 or less. I’m 6’2” and 13.5st so don’t want anything too spindly but I don’t want to lug anything too heavy around either. I may consider a 29er but I haven’t ever ridden one. Having 26" wheels and shimano components would help as it's likely to get 'hand me downs' as and when I upgrade bits on bike no1. A Merlin Malt 4 is looking good so far.

johnsav

im on this scheme as well.

My first choice was the boardman pro but they messed be about with delivery estimates far to much so i scrapped that idea.
Next i tried the merida matts xc 900 d but i found it a little too heavy and not massivley comfortable - shame as it looks sexy
Settled for the carrera titan carbon in the end and im very happy with it.

And no, your right, the scheme wont let you top up over the grand mark to buy anything else. Unfortunately!!

nigel f

Halfords also have a special order department where they'll source most bikes for you. When I enquired they could get hold of Marin, Orange and Charge although Marin bikes had to be collected from Leisure Lakes. I was considering a trail hardtail such as the Rocky Ridge, P7 or Duster. Prices have now gone up so the Marin Rocky Ridge is above the limit. E-mail them at cycle2.work@halfords.co.uk. Not sure whether one of the Rock Lobsters from Merlin would come in under the grand?

Hope this helps

Chaka Ping

Yeah, I've had a couple of Merlins through Halfords on the scheme, you can custom spec their bikes if you need to - although the Rock Lobster bikes are an excellent package for a general purpose XC/trail hardtail.

Strongy

have a look at the rocky mountain vertex 30
the 50 looks lovely but a tad over a grand, for a handmade frame it seems a good price.

Tara911

nigel f wrote:

Halfords also have a special order department where they'll source most bikes for you. When I enquired they could get hold of Marin, Orange and Charge although Marin bikes had to be collected from Leisure Lakes. I was considering a trail hardtail such as the Rocky Ridge, P7 or Duster. Prices have now gone up so the Marin Rocky Ridge is above the limit. E-mail them at cycle2.work@halfords.co.uk. Not sure whether one of the Rock Lobsters from Merlin would come in under the grand?

Hope this helps

I ordered my Marin via the special order department... Took me ages to get through on the phone though.

Hopefully picking it up from Leisure Lakes in Bury on Friday! Yippee!!!

Father Faff

Will they let you buy just a frame such as a titanium Charge Duster at £999?

oomidamon

Father Faff wrote:

Will they let you buy just a frame such as a titanium Charge Duster at £999?

Nice idea Faff, but I need a complete bike.

Thanks for all the other replies - they're very helpful.

rwalworth

The saracen Zen 3 at 999.99 is a very nice buy, fox vanilla fork, absolutely gorgeous frame shape and pretty much a full xt finishing kit (except for the truvativ chainset)