What to do with C2W...

londonbairn

Another year, another C2W opportunity :P

I own a set of decent road bikes already (Wilier La Triestina Mirage, ROI Dura Ace 7800 & Bianchi 928 Veloce), and tempted to go for another road bike for £1000.

However, I am quite tempted to use the £1k voucher to get myself a Dura Ace 7900 groupset instead, put on the ROI, then the 7800 can go on the Wilier or Bianchi, or I could just go get a 1K bike (like a Planet X 7800, a Viner etc)

What to do? I don't need another bike, but I like the fact I am starting to build a collection :P

bigmat

You don't need four road bikes, just keep one of the three as a winter bike, sell the others and add the money to your CTW money and get something really nice as a best bike.

markos1963

MatHammond wrote:

You don't need four road bikes, just keep one of the three as a winter bike, sell the others and add the money to your CTW money and get something really nice as a best bike.

:shock: :shock: :shock: You can't say things like that on here!!! Four bikes are the basic minimum to start in the sport let alone call it a collection.

londonbairn

I'm not selling any, every bike has its signficance wether it was my first road bike, my first Dura Ace equipped bike etc 8)

thebikechain

Are you aware you can't buy 'parts' on the c2w?

It has to be a complete bike.

Abuse like this is what is going to close the scheme down.

londonbairn

thebikechain wrote:

Are you aware you can't buy 'parts' on the c2w?

It has to be a complete bike.

Abuse like this is what is going to close the scheme down.

A few places will redeem for parts, some even encourage it. It's a fairly loose process where I don't know any employer or heard of any employer proactively checking if you use that gear to commute....not sure how it will "close it down", it may make it tighter but hardly close it down given the exploison of interest and use in recent times....

thebikechain

A few places will redeem for parts, some even encourage it. It's a fairly loose process ...

It's not a loose process - it is quite clearly stated on all documents that you must buy a bike, not parts.

The loose bit you may be thinking of is the use of the bike, that's fine. They do encourage you to use it for leisure also.

How would you feel if at the end of the 12 months your employer asked for your groupset back - something they are entirely right and legal in doing?

The spirit of the scheme is to buy a bike to go to work on, not for you to add shiny parts to your existing collection.

You may not be aware of the hundreds of random spot checks on voucher redemptions then across the country - it really is a matter of time til someone is made an example of.

thebikechain

This is a useful document:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/c ... df/518054/

Section 2 and 8 are quite clear.

STEFANOS4784

thebikechain wrote:

A few places will redeem for parts, some even encourage it. It's a fairly loose process ...

It's not a loose process - it is quite clearly stated on all documents that you must buy a bike, not parts.

The loose bit you may be thinking of is the use of the bike, that's fine. They do encourage you to use it for leisure also.

How would you feel if at the end of the 12 months your employer asked for your groupset back - something they are entirely right and legal in doing?

The spirit of the scheme is to buy a bike to go to work on, not for you to add shiny parts to your existing collection.


You may not be aware of the hundreds of random spot checks on voucher redemptions then across the country - it really is a matter of time til someone is made an example of.

Does it come out of your wages or something :roll:

grim3ur

This is how the computer scheme got closed down, people abusing the scheme and buying ipods instead.
Lets be sensible people.

thebikechain

Well it kinda would if i did it and got prosecuted for fraud. Yes.

passout

I'd bend the rules and get what you want, don't listen to them :roll: they are just jealous!

fastercyclist

PX SL Pro carbom SRAM rival £1000

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... Rival.html

That came through my email earlier.

I don't understand C2W if you can "top it up" or not but I'd be tempted for the SL Pro Carbon Elite SRAM Red - £1499.

Just my 2 pennies worth. Maybe it'll help you make up your mind.

thebikechain

That's not a rule bend, it's a break.

grim3ur

Can I just say, if the scheme gets closed down because of such abuse, thats a bunch of people who have lost their jobs too? Is your group set worth say 20 jobs?

Slow Downcp

The Home Computer Initiative got closed down because everyone who wanted one owned a computer anyway. The scheme was originally set up to encourage IT development in homes, and as PC's got cheaper there was no reason to offer the incentive.

Garry H

I'm buying a frame on mine. If you can find a shop that will sell you bling against the voucher, so what?

rjh299

I got a credit note from my LBS to spend on anything. Treated myself to some £1.50 energy bars!

cougie

Well its definitely against the rules - does seem a bit silly to offer the C2W deal every year ? If you want a fixie - why not buy one with it - much more fun than a groupset ?

STEFANOS4784

But if he didn't get the voucher do you think he'd spend a grand of his own cash? I doubt it. I see this as a win win situation for all concerned. Rather help pay for that than some sponging smack head.

edeverett

Your signature says you want a fixed...

Get something fixed with mudguards and a rack that will actually make a good commuter and be different from what you've got.

crimsondynamo

A mtb?

A folder?