Cyclescheme £550 to spend on an Hardtial

Sah1990

Hi all,
I am thinking about joining cyclescheme from my employer at Cambridge University. I Just have a few questions about the scheme before I start asking what bike is better lol.

Once the hire period has finished, how much will my employer/cyclescheme sell me the bike for? I have read a few places its about £25 and spoke to somone today from my LBS and they also said its around £25. I was just wondering if somone could confirm this but I have taken into account its a different price for different bikes/people.
I know its my responsibility to look after the bike etc but is insurance mandatory? I will be getting the bus from home to Cambridge then biking another 3 miles to work, the bike will be stored within a secure building with a lock around the wheel or stationery object. So there is not much chance of it getting stolen there.
At weekends I will be using the bike to go to Thetford Forest and other places but then it will be secured within my house.
If somone could post some information on the question's above that would be much grateful.

Now down to the good part.
I have set my self a budget of £550 as my original was £450-£500.
I'm going to post some bikes I like then maybe you lot could say whats good/bad about them, which ones are better and why. Also if there is any I have missed that you feel are a good price and spec please could these be posted.
I have searched my area within the cyclescheme and Halfords don't seem to be on there but maybe in another Town/City they are, I'm not to sure if Halfords are part of the cyclescheme anyway?

The list I have for the bike I have read a little about etc are;

Specialized Hardrock Pro - £549
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-pro-disc-2010-mountain-bike-ec019397
As I mentioned above this bike was within the top for 2009 and 2010. To me it looks like a nice bike, I read a couple of reveiws and a few people moan about the tyres tho but i quess these can be easily changed?
There is a store around me that can get this bike in so I have no problem with that.

GT avalanche 2.0 disc 2010 - £569
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/GT_Avalanche_20_Disc_2010/5360045421/
To me this bike looks a bit more eye candy as I must say I prefer the straighter frame rather the slight curve in the Hardrock Pro.
I havent phoned around any LBS but I'm sure they wont have a problem with getting it in stock.

Trek 4500 - £550
http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/4_series/4500e/
Havent looked much into this bike but I must say I like the look of the blue and white combination. Apart from that I no nothing about this or any other bikes lol.

GT Aggressor XC 2 - £399
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_512545_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
As I mention above, I'm not to sure if Halfords are part of the cyclescheme as I cant find any stores around my area on the cyclescheme website. If I do choose this bike will any LBS store be able to order it in or are they only for halfords?
I have read good reviews on this bike and I spose its a bonus for the lower price tag.

Carrera Fury - £549
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_518247_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
Same as above about Halfords but if somone could shread some information about getting a bike from Halfords on the cyclescheme that would be good.
I also have read really good reviews on this bike and must say it is up there if i can get a bike from Halfords.

Boardman 2010 - £549
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_561395_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
Looks like a really nice bike, but same problem lol.

These are some of the bikes I have read good things about and would be happy to pay for. But now I need some adive and help on which one to go for or in some cases not to go for.
As I said if somone could tell me some information on how to purchase a bike from Halfords on the cyclescheme that would be grateful.

Any adivce will be much appreciated.

Cheers
Scott

P.S. Sorry for another cyclescheme / which bike thread

supersonic

The scheme sets a guideline of 5% of the bikes original price. But that can vary place to place. Have a look at the c2w web page for full details of the scheme.

As for the bikes, all good value choices! Your voucher may not be redeemable in some shops though, again the scheme provider should be able to advise you here.

Try the bikes out for size and fit/feel. Go for the one that feels best. On paper the Fury and Boardman are the best value, the Trek props them up courtesy of its underwhelming fork given the price.

bails87

As for insurance, it's up to you, but if it get's nicked you owe your employers a bike.

Sah1990

Thanks for the fast reply.
For the voucher, I looked on the cyclescheme website and alot of shops around Cambridge that are within the scheme sell GT, Trek and Specialized and many more. Apart from the obvious Halfords bikes which is a pitty as you have just mentioned they are properly the better 2 out the bunch.
Sorry but I don't understand what you are saying about the Trek and its forks for the price?

Cheers

alfablue

Insurance isn't mandatory, though your employer will tell you that you should insure it as you are responsible for it. Personally, I would "self insure" on a £500 bike; custom bike insurance is usually 10% of the value per annum, and they usually carry significant conditions that may make claiming awkward. They are also likely to have a £50 excess, and require specified (expensive) locks. If it gets nicked you still have to pay the monthly payments and the final transfer fee, so just consider if you could bear the loss or not (note that your £550 budget will probably mean you are paying nearer £350, so less the cost of insurance/excess/lock of £150, your insurance covers £200 of net payments).

Better than specific bike insurance is to get it covered on your house insurance; policies vary widely, but some will do good cover for bikes included (M&S being notable as it covers any number of unspecified bikes up to an individual value of £4000).

supersonic

The Trek has very heavy, clunky, and minimally damped suspension forks. They are far better on the other machines.

Sah1990

As mentioned above I will look to see if the house insurance does cover bikes or will look at updating the house insurance.

Thanks for the adivce about the forks on the Trek. I have just rang cyclescheme and they said that Halfords are not withing the stores as they have there own scheme.
So looks like the Boardman, Fury and XC 2 are out of the equation.
That leave me with the Hardrock Pro, Avalanche 2.0 disc or any other bike somone mentions.

What about the;

Giant Talon 2.5 - £475
http://www.giant-cambridge.co.uk/bikes.php?main=0&cat=2&sub=1&series=0&range=0&id=3

or

Giant Talon 2 - £550
http://www.giant-cambridge.co.uk/bikes.php?main=0&cat=2&sub=1&series=0&range=0&id=2

supersonic

Talons suffer like the Trek does - horrible, clunky forks. The Hardrock and Avalanche are better all round bikes with superior forks.

Sah1990

How about;

GT avalanche 1.0 2009 Model.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s2p2232 - £499
From pauls cycles and there part of the cyclescheme.

Or

GT avalanche 1.0 2009 ltd edition Model
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s2p2441
also from pauls cycles.

supersonic

Are they on the scheme? Some only allow full RPP.

But better bikes yes.

Sah1990

Just rang paul at paulcycles and he said he will need another 11% on top of the £499 for cycleschems commission.
So - £499 for the bike + 11% commission = £553 for the bike + another £15 delivery that = £568 in total.
Is this a good price for a last years avalanche?
Is there a better spec out of the two?

Cheers

supersonic

They look pretty much the same. But as is a mail order company there is no way of trying them.

Sah1990

Very ture I do see your point.
I'm going to pop to halfords tonight and try some bikes for size and im not to sure on it.

How about;
Kone Cinder Cone 2009 - £499
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b7s2p1939

Pudseyp

To be honest I would not discount the Carrera Fury....nice frame with a decent spec...I had one about 4 years ago and it was a little cracker. Usually paying for a name on a frame costs you spec wise...so don't be blinkered by "GT,Kona,Trek" etc....as you will get far less

Sah1990

I'm not sure if you have read my post up the page, but I can't get any bike from Halfords as they are not part of the cyclescheme as they run there own.

Cheers for your input tho, I'm sure I would of had the fury if I could but to me it lolls like the 2009 avalanche 1.0 is the best deal.

Pudseyp

Sah1990 wrote:

I'm not sure if you have read my post up the page, but I can't get any bike from Halfords as they are not part of the cyclescheme as they run there own.

Cheers for your input tho, I'm sure I would have had the fury if I could but to me it lolls like the 2009 avalanche 1.0 is the best deal.

Oooooops should have gone to specsavers...sorry wasn't aware they they had stopped as I used my cyclescheme voucher there a few years back....

Sah1990

Yeah I read that a few peopl used halfords under the scheme but now they have changed it.

Sah1990

How about this;
Giant XTC 2.5 2007
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b4s2p1264&tbv=GIANT_XTC_2.5_
Its an older bike but would it be better than the GT avalanche 1.0 evan tho its a newer bike.

Cheers

supersonic

More racy, better components. But just one size.

You could pick a dozen out lol. But try the same model for sizing as they vary between brands.

Sah1990

I only just noticed the frame size once I posted lol.
I think I might be off to paulcycles tomorrow for a look and try.

What about this Kona Cinder Cone - £499
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b7s2p1939

Sorry about all the questions but if I'm going for a look tomorrow I need to know what bikes to keep my eyes on:)

*AL*

Pudseyp wrote:

To be honest I would not discount the Carrera Fury

Me neither.

I've spent several hours on a 2010 Fury and it's a cracking bike for the money.

Sah1990

Sah1990 wrote:

I'm not sure if you have read my post up the page, but I can't get any bike from Halfords as they are not part of the cyclescheme as they run there own.

Cheers for your input tho, I'm sure I would have had the fury if I could but to me it lolls like the 2009 avalanche 1.0 is the best deal.

Sah1990

I have requested the voucher from cyclescheme today and have just has confirmation that my employer (University of Cambridge) has approved my application for the participation in the scheme and that I should receive my vouchers within the next four weeks.

Could someone tell me a roughly how long there vouchers took to come as four weeks will kill me! Also the bike I want may sell out and the shop cannot get anymore in as it is last years stock.
I want the GT avalanche 1.0 2009 either in white or the ltd edition gray and green.

As im waiting for the bike I am looking at get some bits and peices for it, such as tools, repair kit, spare inner tube, drinks bottle, etc etc.
Is there anything on the bike that is worth upgrading? such as tube less tyres, pedles etc etc.
If somone has a good shop online that would be much appreciated.

Thanks for all the help.

alfablue

Sah1990 wrote:

Could someone tell me a roughly how long there vouchers took to come as four weeks will kill me! Also the bike I want may sell out and the shop cannot get anymore in as it is last years stock.
I want the GT avalanche 1.0 2009 either in white or the ltd edition gray and green.

Why not put a holding deposit on the bike, the shop should be fine with this.

The process for me (Cyclescheme) was about 10 days between signing the hire agreement and receiving the voucher (the voucher got sent to my employers, then they posted it to me).

Elwick

Sah1990,

I got my voucher a couple of weeks ago and it did take 3-4 weeks to arrive from applying for the scheme with my employer.

I would also recommend (if you have your mind set on a particular bike) to phone and ask the shop to hold the bike if you pay a deposit.

Are you thinking of buying your 2009 GT from from Paulscycles? If so then I can definitely recommend them, I went over to pick my bike on Cyclescheme there last weekend. Impressive set up, lots of stock, very knowledgeable. They are only just over an hour drive from Cambridge - and they will build the bike for you to have a look at and at least sit on in the shop to try before you buy. I went for the Giant XTC 2.5 in the end - seems a really good bike - good fit (for me) and better than average forks & other components.

Depending on your Cyclescheme budget you can get your accessories on the voucher too, to save money. Accessories wise - everyting you mention will be useful. Knowing Cambridge, I would say to make sure you get a very good lock for when it is not at work......and a good helmet.

Elwick