Cyclescheme Bike

infinitydreams
infinitydreams Posts: 56
edited December 2011 in MTB buying advice
Hi

My company has just signed up to the CycleScheme and I was looking previously at getting a Boardman HT Pro but I'm not sure Halfords is part of this scheme, does anyone know?

If not what bike would people consider? I'm after a quality HT and looking to spend the max £1000 available.

I guess even if the Boardman is available I'm still open to suggestions, I think I saw a nice Cube bike a while ago....

Comments

  • *AL*
    *AL* Posts: 1,185
    infinitydreams wrote:
    I'm not sure Halfords is part of this scheme, does anyone know?

    Yes, they're not, they use their own "Cycle2Work" scheme.
    infinitydreams wrote:
    If not what bike would people consider?

    Depends, what's your commute like ?
  • infinitydreams
    infinitydreams Posts: 56
    It's not purely for commute more weekend rides...wanted Boardman HT Pro but obviously can't get that now so need suggestions for similar.
  • infinitydreams
    infinitydreams Posts: 56
    Been looking over the weekend and highlighted a few possible options:

    Kona Cindercone
    Genesis Core 40 or 50
    Cannondale Trail 1

    Any thoughts or other suggestions? I want to purchase asap as there seem to be some big discounts at the moment.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    Be aware that if you see a discounted bike you will not get it on cyclescheme...some will charge the full RRP...this is because cyclescheme charge the supplying dealer around 10%.

    I di purchase a bike on cyclescheme from Pauls Cycles....the bike I chose had 40% off so what Pauls did was add on their cost of what cyclescheme would charge them so basically I got a £1,500 bike for £1,100 (paid the extra hundred myself) then taking into consideration the £1,000 voucher would cost me around £680 through the scheme it was well worth it.
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • infinitydreams
    infinitydreams Posts: 56
    I'm really liking the look of the Cannondale Trail SL1 2012 so will go and have a test ride. But anyone got any feedback on this bike or other suggestions?
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Pudseyp wrote:
    taking into consideration the £1,000 voucher would cost me around £680 through the scheme it was well worth it.
    Is that before or after paying your FMV at the end?

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    The Beginner wrote:
    Pudseyp wrote:
    taking into consideration the £1,000 voucher would cost me around £680 through the scheme it was well worth it.
    Is that before or after paying your FMV at the end?

    Simon

    My ex employeer did not charge any FMV as I think at the time it was 5%...the FMV is also affected by the length of the term. What they may have done is increase my amount of tax paid to recover.

    http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/eim21667a.htm
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • infinitydreams
    infinitydreams Posts: 56
    I just popped to Evans in Reading and looked at several bikes but nothing jumped out apart from a Trek 8500 but that was £1500.

    I was shown BMC, Fuji and Pinnacle and there was a Pinnacle at £800 which had some good kit on it, however nothing felt right or got me excited!

    Any suggestions? I'm really keen on something with similar geometry to the Cannondale.
  • handful
    handful Posts: 920
    Evans are like Halfords in that they have their own cycle to work scheme so if you are on cyclescheme you won't be able to buy from Evans. If you are on the Evans scheme however the good thing is you can buy at sale prices because they run the scheme themselves so don't have to pay a middle man.
    Vaaru Titanium Sram Red eTap
    Moda Chord with drop bars and Rival shifters - winter/do it all bike
    Orbea Rise
  • infinitydreams
    infinitydreams Posts: 56
    No evans are def part of the cyclescheme as it says so on the work info pack and it's one of the shops cyclescheme pointed me as well as AW cycles and a number of other places.

    Think I'm going to look at the 2011 Cannondale SL1
  • infinitydreams
    infinitydreams Posts: 56
    Also just seen the Cube Ltd Race, looks good any feedback?
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Pudseyp wrote:
    The Beginner wrote:
    Pudseyp wrote:
    taking into consideration the £1,000 voucher would cost me around £680 through the scheme it was well worth it.
    Is that before or after paying your FMV at the end?

    Simon

    My ex employeer did not charge any FMV as I think at the time it was 5%...the FMV is also affected by the length of the term. What they may have done is increase my amount of tax paid to recover.

    http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/eim21667a.htm
    The requirement has always been to charge an FMV, sounds like you got it through before HMRC tightened up and issued the guidelines you linked to, you won't do it now......the extended rental period is the only option to save now!

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Jamieg285
    Jamieg285 Posts: 98
    infinitydreams wrote:
    Also just seen the Cube Ltd Race, looks good any feedback?

    Where have you found that for £1K? Or are you planning on topping up?

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