C2W £1K bike dilemma

rplavery

Hi,
My works C2W scheme for this year is open for the next 6 weeks, with Halfords, unfortunately. However I have found 2 localish shops who will take the Halfords LoC, which is great. Trouble is, I would have liked to get a Specialized Allez Elite, but apparently they are all sold out this year (!). Should I get the LoC, and hope they get stocks in by the autumn for 2010 build, or I have been thinking along the lines of a Trek 1.7.
I wanted another Spesh, as I have a 2 year old basic Allez, which I am quite comfortable with, and want another compact frame. I would ideally like a Roubaix, but thats above the C2W spends limit.
One of the things for the Trek is that it can be had in a triple, maybe I should get myself a test ride, and go from there.

Thoughts?
Richard.

kingrollo

Whats a Loc ?

Ive been looking for a new bike today - no one seems to have the stock of what I want - but they seem very eager to try and sell something else. Like you I have been told there will be no more delivieries of wilier bikes this year (yeah right - it ain't even May yet !)

I have also people say that if you get in touch with Halfords HQ - they can source any bike you want - not just halfors bikes - sure someone else will be able to advise.

£1000 is a lot to spend on something that isn't your number 1 choice - however if you only have six weeks that forces your hand........but don't forget the 2010 bikes hit the shops in september, usually this means current stock is discounted .....you may find this discount is more than the scheme voucher saving......depends how patient you are !

rplavery

A LoC is Halfords voucher - Letter of Collection.
Trouble is with the bikes we want selling out, there wont be many to discount come september.

BrianTrousers

I bought a Merlin Malt 4 MTB through Halfords C2W last year. all you do is ring C2W and they can source virtually any bike you wish with few exceptions. They can even get bikes from Wiggle and Ribble. If it were my cash I'd go for the Focus Cayo 105 which is full carbon with 105 group (funnily enough!) and rave reviews. Currently on Wiggle at £989.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360037591/

UnworthyPapaLazaru

BrianTrousers wrote:

I bought a Merlin Malt 4 MTB through Halfords C2W last year. all you do is ring C2W and they can source virtually any bike you wish with few exceptions. They can even get bikes from Wiggle and Ribble. If it were my cash I'd go for the Focus Cayo 105 which is full carbon with 105 group (funnily enough!) and rave reviews. Currently on Wiggle at £989.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360037591/

That is a sale price. The SRP is 1099 so that takes you over budget (you cant top up or pay a sale price)

Boardman Team Carbon is the way to go. Again, stock might be an issue but you could do what i did and visit the shop every few days just so they get the message! Luckily for me it was on my route home.

As for the bike, I've only had it a week, but it is very impressive.

kingrollo

rplavery wrote:

A LoC is Halfords voucher - Letter of Collection.
Trouble is with the bikes we want selling out, there wont be many to discount come september.

don't fall for that sales pitch. I have today contacted the uk distrubutor of wilier, who told me there is a big delivery end of may - and mid July. No good to you if you only have six weeks - but don't be fooled that all 09 bikes will be in short supply

AntG

Few quick points as my company also offers the C2W scheme through Halfords.

I've actually declined to take part this year mainly because the claim Halfords can source ANY bike is somewhat inaccurate - they don't deal with Wiggle or Ribble (I called Ribble and they themselves told me this).

You can get the Dolan that several have referenced here before and main stream manufacturers like Giant (if your bike of choice is in stock)- they did of course recommend the Boardman bikes!

I looked at the Boardman range and indeed they look great, but I was not impressed with the Halfords staff at my local branch (you may be luckier as some are reportedly quite good).

I also found, after pressing our HR department for an answer, that the 'fair market value' price that you have to pay at the end of the hire agreement is not (as I thought) set at around the 5% mark - my company's accountants have advised them that 15% was a realistic figure - ie £150 for a £1000 bike.

When I did the maths I calculated a saving of around £200 on a £1k bike, so I swallowed the hit and went for my first choice of a Ribble....

guilliano

Halfords can't get Giant bikes. Giant will only deal with independant stores and will completely cease trading with any shop that then supplies Halfords. Trek used to allow Halfords to sell Trek bikes via a LBS with the profits split, but no longer.... Trek decided that a Halfords association was not good for their reputation and stopped the third party dealing

guilliano

Oh..... and as for the sales pitch thing..... shops can only tell you what they are told. If a shop stocks Wilier and are told that there will be a delivery they would be more than willing to take your money as they can then secure the stock early. By the time a delivery comes in at the end of May all of that stock will be sold and again you will be disappointed

CumbrianMan

You can certainly get Specialized via Halfords.

Phone them up and ask what special offers they have.
In the past, they've had Dolans and Viners, both which looked good.