Cycle2Work Bike

andyparker

Hi all

Usual scenario - cycle2work scheme - £1000 to spend - hoping you can advise on what to get.

I had initially picked out the Planet-X SL Pro Carbon. However my employer uses Halfords to administer their scheme and HAlfords today advised that they can't/won't get Planet-X in even on special order as they have no relationship with them.

This leaves me with a dilemma now - bar some pleading with Halfords it looks like i will have to seek an alternative.

My next two on the list would probably be either the Giant Defy 1 or the Boardman Road Team.

Are there any other obvious choices i am leaving out or does someone have some other suggestions?

Help greatly received

bails1310

andyparker wrote:

However my employer uses Halfords to administer their scheme and HAlfords today advised that they can't/won't get Planet-X in even on special order as they have no relationship with them.

Had the same problem with my work who only wanted to use 'reputable Halfords as they will give more choice'. Managed to explain that 200 different indipendant shops with all brands was far better than 1 chain with a one decent brand, especially if you want something for £1k. We ended up with http://www.bike2workscheme.co.uk hwo have been great.

I ended up with a Cayo and love it.

Sounds like your opting not your first choice so I'd maybe go back and speak to your work. If you have any others who are interested in the scheme see if they will also speak from the same song book - if you've already signed with Halfords then tell me to shush.

springtide9

As a PX SL owner, get the Boardman. Nothing wrong with the PX, but the Boardman is just as well regarded.

You used to be able to get the Boardman Carbon for £1k, but times have changes unfortunately, unless you find a Halfords that allows top-ups.

andyparker

Thanks for the help all

Unfortunately I work for a big company (135,000 employees), so my chances of getting the, to change the scheme are slim to none.

I spoke to Halfords again and seemingly most of my choices are unobtainable being, Ribble andPlanet-X. The focus Cato only comes in Nader £1k for the 2011 model and seemingly only small sizes left. The 2012 model likely to be over £1k so that is out.

The Giant Defy 1 is on back order until May/June so that's also out.

Which leaves we with only one choice left being the Cube Peloton Race or Streamer. There are some 2011 streamers available for £999. The components look pretty good with 105's and even an Ultegra rear derailleur although from reading reports I may be advised to replace the saddle!

Stanley222 - agree with your sentiments but the C2W scheme effectively saves be 50% which is a lot more to shell out to get the PX

alihisgreat

I've got the 2012 Giant Defy 1 (managed to sneak one before the great reviews started coming out )

its fantastic and i wouldn't advise anyone to get anything else in the price range -> providing you don't want a super stiff racing bike.


The Boardman team was also on my list of bikes as it also gets great reviews, has a decent spec like the giant, but in the end the Giant just felt better to me with the shorter reach.


Its may also be worth looking at the Cannondale Caad8 as that's got good reviews too.

andyparker

Stanley - yes unfortunately we can only go through Halfords as they administer our scheme - you can have their own range or anything else they can/will order in. They don't have agreements with PX or Ribble although they say they are in discussions...

I need the bike for May latest so I can't afford to back order the Defy and not receive it.

Did consider the CAAD8 but only the model with the Tiagra group set comes under the £1k mark and felt those with 105/Ultegra mix were better value

alihisgreat

andyparker wrote:

Did consider the CAAD8 but only the model with the Tiagra group set comes under the £1k mark and felt those with 105/Ultegra mix were better value

review here: http://road.cc/content/review/50515-cannondale-caad8-tiagra


if you want a decent groupset and spec on paper then i'd go for the boardman.

andyparker

Stanley222 wrote:

Are you able to top up extra money on top of the £1k voucher limit?

The website says specifically not however I'm yet to ask...

ALIHISGREAT wrote:

andyparker wrote:

Did consider the CAAD8 but only the model with the Tiagra group set comes under the £1k mark and felt those with 105/Ultegra mix were better value

review here: http://road.cc/content/review/50515-cannondale-caad8-tiagra

if you want a decent groupset and spec on paper then i'd go for the boardman.

Thanks for bringing this review to my attention - seems like I may have dismissed it too quickly!

Brownyboy

My employer said no to top ups. Bike shop said yes and gave me a reduced quote and I'll just pay them the difference.

Score

sexysi

You should be able to pay extra on top for a bike you want. I just got a 2012 Bianchi Impulso from evans, £1,000 voucher and £200 for me!!! Best pleased, pay for it for a year and then buy the bike for £250, then just sell on ebay for £600!!!!! very good scheme.

si

andyparker

So I did the deed and went with the Cube Peloton today.

Halfords aren't very flexible with the scheme - no to top ups and they wouldn't let me have a 2011 model that was reduced from 1299 to 999 as they only work off RRP

Other goodies are starting to arrive - Look Keo classic pedals, Shimano R106 shoes and some carbon planet x bottle cages

Can't wait to get out on it now