If not a Boardman, what?

ohteddy
ohteddy Posts: 11
edited October 2010 in Commuting general
After weeks of flicking through sites, I opted for the maximum £1,000 Cycle to Work voucher to upgrade from a Specialised Sirrus hybrid to a road bike for my 20-mile daily round trip. The choice seemed pretty straightforward - a Team Carbon Boardman looked excellent value and handy for longer weekend rides too
So after haggling Halford's down from £1,200 back to the £999 price it was until last week, I got out my voucher. Aghhhhh. They don't take Cyclesheme which is restricted to Evans and shops which stock Marin, Giant, specialised, Trek, Ridgback, GT and Gary Fisher etc.

Suddenly I'm stuck for a full carbon bike. Does that really matter? I'd be grateful for your advice. What's the best road bike for about £1k.

Thanks

Comments

  • sc999cs
    sc999cs Posts: 596
    If you're more interested in a fast tourer than a full out racing machine then the Tifosi Audax with a Campag group set is a very nice bike. Distributors are Chicken Cyclesif you want to find out more about it. Last year's model was about £900 so that doesn't quite use up all your voucher.
    Steve C
  • ohteddy
    ohteddy Posts: 11
    It looks gorgeous - I'm probably going to head to Evans now because I can't wait any longer. How do people find the Cannondale Caad8 or the Pinnacle Aeos which is carbon and £500 off in the sale?
  • Zachariah
    Zachariah Posts: 782
    From Evans, also consider the BMC bikes which look very nice and get good reviews (I almost went for the 2009 Streetfire (now sold out) but instead went up a notch to the Planet X SL Pro with Sram Red). They have alu frames at that price but don't be put off.

    (Planet X will take the voucher but only with a 10% surcharge, so I just paid up front for mine)

    Also look at the bikes Ribble has. Some very nice carbon frame models there for a grand (you have to check which groupset you want to see the prices).
  • hfidgen
    hfidgen Posts: 340
    Definitely recommend BMC - I topped up my voucher to get a CX02 from Evans and so very pleased I did! Awesome piece of kit, just perfect for London commuting.
    FCN 4 - BMC CX02
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    Cyclescheme? That's not Evans, that's a large network of LBSes and independent chains. Go to the cyclescheme website and it'll link to the local shops. You should be able to get any bike (except Halfords and Evans own-brands).
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    When I get my C2W voucher from my employer in February I'm heading straight to Ribble.

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/publish.a ... n&page=1rc

    I really don't think there is much better value for money.

    If your buying over the internet it's probably best you can to a basic service yourself, as there is no LBS to take it back to (unless you live local).

    Already decided what I'm buying, just waiting for the feckers to get off their ass and sort out my voucher. ;)

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