£500-£1000 to spend on a Hard Tail

swedenuk

Hi All,

I am looking to spend £500-£1000 on a new hard tail bike. I am 6ft 3" and will be using the bike for trail riding + work commute.

I was about to order a Carrera Fury (2011) - Large 20" as they seem to get great reviews.

However, I have just found out that I can purchase via a Cycle to Work scheme and save quite a bit...but the scheme does not include Halfords.

So I can buy the Carrera Fury @ £600 or save at least 20% via work and shop elswhere. I don't really want to spend £800 for a badge and find out its just as good at the Fury. Any suggestions?

swedenuk

For example...

Trek 6000 2011
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... RRWidgetID

Would the Fury still be a better buy than this?

redh12345

top end of that budget will get you a onone 456 steel, great bike and the fame will last forever,

Anonymous

At 6'3" I wonder if it's worth looking at 29" bikes also.

Oh, and viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12640231

Personally I'd be looking for the best spec of components and compare well rated frames. Both the above mentioned are fine frames, but see what you get in the spec and work out value for money there. On the cheap end I'd prefer air forks over coil especially those coils without damping.

swedenuk

deadkenny wrote:

At 6'3" I wonder if it's worth looking at 29" bikes also.

I did look into that... but I'm scared that my friend @ 5ft 10 (rides a Cube Acid) will leave me for dust through twisty sections and sharp corners :-)

I read on some posts that tall riders try and get away with a small bike for its agility.

Anonymous

Oh and seeing as another thread was looking into it, check out the Genesis Core range (viewtopic.php?f=20005&t=12812790)

Was looking into them myself a while back and seem to be a good spec and look like good frames. Not sure how they come out in reviews.

On One 456 I can recommend too, but pushing the budget for a full build. Not much more though and you can get it in carbon

swedenuk

Thanks for all your input guys. I think I am sold on the On-One Carbon 456 :-)

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOCAR456T ... -trail-slx

The cycle scheme brings it inline with my budget....and it looks epic.

The Rookie

swedenuk wrote:

However, I have just found out that I can purchase via a Cycle to Work scheme and save quite a bit...

You are aware what the FMV will be at the end of the year if you want to buy the bike from your employer aren't you?

Also the 456 is over £1000, the scheme is limited by law 9for the tax break) to bikes costing £1000 or less - are you aware how cycle to work schemes actually work?

Simon

swedenuk

Thanks for the heads up Simon :-)

bails87

I....have a friend....who may have topped up his C2W voucher with an online bike shop, allowing him to get a bike worth £1100, pay the £100 in cash and use the voucher for the £1000.

Anonymous

Does it have to be for a complete bike? Could get On One to do it on the frame and maybe some components and then charge separate for the rest of it

swedenuk

I think you could buy elements of the bike using the scheme as it also covers accessories as far as I am aware.

What is the maximum value bicycle and safety equipment package employees can select through the scheme?

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has issued a group consumer credit licence to cover Employers implementing Cycle to Work Schemes that are limited at £1000 inc. VAT per Certificate. To view and download a copy of the licence please click here.

Employers who have their own Consumer Credit Licence Category B (consumer hire) can allow employees to request Certificates of a higher value. Alternatively, employers wishing to increase the Cycle to Work Certificate value can apply for their own individual Consumer Credit Licence from the Office of Fair Trading. For further details please contact our Helpdesk on info@cyclescheme.co.uk.

cooldad

Bike and safety equipment is not the same thing as bits of bike.

gmacz

http://www.fortdunlopcycling.co.uk/GiantAnthemX4.html
Under £1000 for a full suspension bike and a good bike it is as well.
Large is big enough for a 6ft 3 guy.

The Rookie

If you get the company to buy some bits and you the rest, what happens at the end of the year if the company decline to sell it to you, it is only 'permitted' to get a whole bike plus safety gear by the rules.

Guidance for the FMV at the end of a year on a £1K bike is 25%

Simon

ciducantcme

2012 Kona Cindercone

bails87

Yes, you can only use the voucher to buy a whole bike. If the shop wants to say that they sold you a £1500 bike for £1k then that's up to them, they shouldn't do it though.