New bike decision

scottarm

Ok looking to get a new bike but due to the CTW rules I have to go to Halfords my budget is 1600

I can't decide do I get

an Alu frame (1000) and spend some money on 50mm carbon wheelset (600)
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710

or spend all the money on an aero carbon model

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710

any views????

Dougall

Thought the CTW limit was £1k unless your employer has a Consumer Credit Licence in which case it's £4.5k apparently.

Halfords C2W scheme dows now allow you to go to certain LBS. If you give their helpline a call they can advise what LBS in your area will take Halfrauds voucher.

ShutUpLegs

Probably go with the aero model. Ultegra and Mavic equipes will be useful if the frame is gash, but I doubt the frame design & geometry was plucked from thin air....

owenjones

Halfords will allow you to pay cash on top of the £1000.
They can also source bikes from other stores...
I'm torn between the Boardman Team Carbon or a Pinarello Uno

Salsa

owenjones wrote:

Halfords will allow you to pay cash on top of the £1000.

No they wont.
http://www.cycle2work.info/siteemployeefaqs#a1

owenjones

Yes they will.
Call up your local Halfords.

Rodders30

I would get the Pinarello just because I love the shape of the forks and frame.

Not really a great justification, but thats my choice.

paul_mck

they wouldnt take cash on top last year.

the blue carbon frame one is stunning they have one in my local branch. Sell the KSYRIUMs and get some carbones or something and it will be a real nice bike.

scottarm

probably go for the carbon as I already have a 2010 boardman team comp with tiagra and 105 so doubt I would see much difference between the Alu model

might have a look at the Pinarello Uno too

cheers for the views!

Scott

[Deleted User]

I have a similar decision. Sounds like your scheme is quite generous though, I only get a £1000 voucher for either Halfords or Evans.

I can't even decide whether to buy a road or mountain bike yet. My road bike is a nice but old steel framed Battaglin running all Campag. After my trials in the Pennines this weekend I fancy a lighter bike with compact gearing, but my Scott MTB has seen better days.

ilm_zero7

get the boradman, worth it

declan1

The carbon Boardman looks a better choice. It's got Ultegra vs 105 and that plus the carbon frame would make a bigger difference than carbon wheels.

owenjones

I think the £1299 boardman team carbon has 105. The carbon pro has ultegra, but I'm not sure if you can get hold of those at the moment?!?1 Think they are more like £1599.

I have the £1000 Halfords cycle to work voucher and was convinced I couldn't 'Top up'...the website and helpline clearly state that you can't! But I went into my local halfords and asked and they said it's not a problem

My only issue with the boardman team carbon is the boardman decals...I'm a massive poser and don't want the same bike as everyone else

Any good suggestions for removing decals or covering them up so it looks good?

scottarm

hair drier and a lot of patience

paul_mck

youd be there a while they are painted on.

you could get the frame sprayed just

Spaniard

Get the best frame you can afford and then upgrade the wheels etc as and when you can afford.

knownothingbozo

How does accepting an extra amount of money as a top up affect the onwership of the bike - it after all belongs to your company until the rental period ends, then you have to pay an amount to buy it off them, rent it again for a nominal amount or hand it back?
I'm wondering if Mr Taxman would even consider it legal?

vfast1

jamesherbert wrote:

I have a similar decision. Sounds like your scheme is quite generous though, I only get a £1000 voucher for either Halfords or Evans.

I think you'll find its at the shops discretion whether they accept cash on top of the £1000. I bought my Cannondale Supersix last weekend for £1449 but the cycle2work scheme only lets you go up to £1000 so the shop let me pay the extra out my own pocket.

rolf_f

vfast1 wrote:

I think you'll find its at the shops discretion whether they accept cash on top of the £1000. I bought my Cannondale Supersix last weekend for £1449 but the cycle2work scheme only lets you go up to £1000 so the shop let me pay the extra out my own pocket.

No it isn't at the shops discretion. It is quite clearly against the rules. That's not to say that plenty of shops aren't happy to break the rules. Ultimately, the £1000 is an arbitrary value and the tax is payable on the overspend so it doesn't make any real difference to the Chancellor.

imsimon

Id just go for a new credit card that offerd 0% for over a year then you dont have the same restrtictions on bike choice and dont have to buy the bike at the end of it

dmclite-3.0

knownothingbozo wrote:

How does accepting an extra amount of money as a top up affect the onwership of the bike - it after all belongs to your company until the rental period ends, then you have to pay an amount to buy it off them, rent it again for a nominal amount or hand it back?
I'm wondering if Mr Taxman would even consider it legal?

My you are a little ray of sunshine, aintcha ? :P