Insurance settlement: £1300 at wheelies or £1K cash

pingtiao

Hello there- first post so be gentle.

My 2001 Kona Manomano FS got nicked which has turned out to be something of a bonus as the insurance company have decided I can have £1300 worth of bike/accessories at wheelies or a paltry £1K cash to spend where i like.

I've not been out too much of late, but have moved to Bristol and have loads on my doorstep and would love to get back into it. I mostly ride XC, very rarely do anything too hardcore.

I'm happy to have a hardtail instead of a FS, as I think I'll get more bike for my money.

Wheelies seems to have a bit of a limited range, but the best I can see is the Specialized Carve expert
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p47019/Specia ... -2012.aspx

or the Giant XTC composite 3
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p48820/Giant- ... -2012.aspx

I've not ridden a 29er before, but I'll take out the specialized for a spin from an LBS.

If I could get anything I wanted for that price I'd go for either a
Canyon nerve xc 7.0
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2556
or Canyon AL 8.9
http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2545

but thats just going on reviews and chatter.

but I'd appreciate advice.

Thanks

milko9000

I'm going through a similar thing - Wheelies have been pretty good on the phones is all I can really say yet as I'm waiting for the actual bike.

Anyway - they seem quite happy to order other things in so you don't necessarily have to limit yourself to what they've got on the site if you had something in mind. Not much in my order is actually available on their site at all. Probably not Canyon though, since they only sell direct as far as I know, it'll need to be something that actually gets sold in normal bike shops/websites. No harm in asking though!

On the other hand, you're likely to be at RRP with Wheelies on anything they order in, so with £1K cash you might be able to get a better deal elsewhere if you spot a bargain. I would agree that you have either the choice of a pretty amazing hardtail or a fairly boggo full sus at that price.

pingtiao

Thanks for the reply. I asked the woman on the phone about ordering other things in and she said I was limited to the website stock. Not what I've read on here though.

It seems like you don't get much for your money these days!

kieronsbaker

Speak to your insurance company again. I wasnt happy with getting a bike from wheelies, so they allowed me to get one from evans instead. Much better choice, and you can sometimes get more for your money. The insurance company will get a discount with evans, so for my claim of two bikes totalling £1050, i got two trek 6000's worth £700 each.

hope this helps.

Kieron

pingtiao

Thanks for the advice so far.
Any comments on the bikes mentioned? Good enough for the money or should I attempt to get the company to deal with a different bike shop?

Any recommendations for bikes at that pricepoint?

milko9000

I guess the dilemma you'll have is choosing a bike you really really want. I reckon it's pretty hard to buy an actual bad bike, but you could spend weeks researching reviews and getting test rides to find your actual perfect steed, if you wanted. Or you could look at those ones you mentioned, check that reviews and forum discussions about them are generally positive and just give it a shot.

(I find googling [bike] + review gets a few decent results, also mtbr.com forums may have a bit more discussion of some models than here, its got a lot of worldwide and American posters so big numbers)

kieronsbaker

If you want value for money have a look at the new cube 2012 range. Great spec for the money. But also, for a grand, the 2012 Trek 6500 looks mint. We have one in our reception at work (advertising the cyclescheme). On-One Whippet fits that price range too, and gets great reviews on MBUK.

One last thing... I wouldn't personally want a bike from Halfords, but they always give the Boardman bikes a great write up. Again great spec, and my incurance company offered me evan more to take halfords vouchers....!!

Good luck

njee20

The insurance company will get a discount with evans

Not necessarily. I'd go back to them and ask about alternative suppliers though, you should be able to push for the same amount in cash as they'll offer you for the goods. Or at least a choice of shops.

pingtiao

The insurance company won't budge- a cash settlement will be discounted to £920 or thereabouts as wheelies 'can supply a bike with the same specifications' as what was stolen. So I'm stuck with their stock to choose from.

Would love a cube or canyon bit they aren't stocked.

Looks like either the 2012 specialized carve expert or the 2011 stumpjumper ht comp

pingtiao

Or take the money and get an on-one carbon whippet

blablablacksheep

the canyon 29" look good but only 100mm of travel might not be enough compared to the other ones listed.

id be tempted to try ask for another store as im sure there is room to negotiate with them

mattv

TWheelies give around 18% discount, so you will never get the full amount of cash as it is bad business. You are entitled to have cash, but it is up to them how much. Don't forget, if you get a bike locally you also build up a relationship with your lbs for servicing, warranty, advice and sizing.