This or That?

islwyn

Yo...

So I've been riding a BMC SR02 (105) for a while now, it's nice - but it's heavy and it's time for a nice little pride and joy bike that doesn't break the bank - mainly used for Club runs, sportives, CAT3/4 from time to time & a trip to TdF.

Do I buy this, comfortably for £1500
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec032125

Or do I buy this at £2000
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/tre ... e-ec040348

I know it's only an extra £500, but only another extra £500 bike could get me a £2500 bike and it keeps on going like that!

Thanks for your advice, it's always good to hear someone else's point of view!

Grill

Have you tried either one as fit should be the determining factor. That said I fail to see the added value of the Trek over the 'Dale.

nawty

I'm not sure I see the value in getting the Supersix when it has the same groupset as your current bike - all you are doing is upgrading the frame (not a bad thing in itself but do you need to spend £1500 doing that?).

The Trek looks great but it is getting pricey and as you say, it's easy to suddenly find yourself speccing up something that is twice your original budget.

I had the choice between that Supersix and this:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec032130

In the end I went for the CAAD 10 is it is only something like 7.8kg (in 56" and mine is 54") which is lighter than pretty much all other CF bikes in the price range and it has the nice Ultegra groupset, plus it's all black

islwyn

Sadly the CAAD10 isn't available in a 58'! So at the moment it's pointing towards a Cannondale over the Trek?

Grill

It is...

Is there a reason you're only looking at Evans? Personally I'd rather buy from a guy selling bikes out of the back of a van in a dimly lit ally...

jotko

Neither - this for £2k :twisted:



http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBC ... _road_bike

islwyn

I'm going to take the advantage of £1000 ride to work scheme, that only being accepted at Evans.

Grill

I was under the impression that those schemes cover you for a maximum of 1000 and you can't put anything towards it (as you don't own the bike). Also I've found if you're not in the 40% bracket these schemes don't have any real advantages and even if you are, you're better off putting it on a 0% introductory card or financing option.

nawty

You can buy a £1000 voucher which will cost you either -32% or -42% by the time you've saved your tax and NI and the 7.5% Evans give you, either way that's a pretty nice saving.

I'm pretty sure that you can add cash on top of the voucher too (it's not like Evans care, the voucher is cash to them) but best to double check.

I'm lucky enough that the company I work for has a consumer credit license which means I could buy a voucher up to £3k and also the company re-invested then NI saving so it was 43 or 52% saving (depending on tax band), which was nice

rolf_f

Grill wrote:

I was under the impression that those schemes cover you for a maximum of 1000 and you can't put anything towards it (as you don't own the bike). Also I've found if you're not in the 40% bracket these schemes don't have any real advantages and even if you are, you're better off putting it on a 0% introductory card or financing option.

Officially you are limited to 1k but the shop maybe flexible (though the savings are still only on the 1k). I've bought three bikes on C2W over the years and only one was less than 1k (by a penny irrc!).

It is still worth considering C2W, even if not on the 40% bracket - I'm not and I got good deals despite having to pay the VAT as well (being public sector). It is only of marginal benefit if you can find the bike you want at a good discount (that might unavailable on C2W) - but if you are buying a bike that tends not to be discounted, C2W is always worth a look.

Finance is always a bad idea unless it is truly free.

islwyn

Thinking to go with the Cannondale and then upgrade wheels with some American Classics Areo 3 420s.

essjaydee

I've got the Supersix apex, and think it's a great bike 8)
My reason for buying was because of the great reviews on the frame. Everything else can be upgraded, and wheels are top of my list, but I'll be taking a close look at some Race 23's from Wheelsmith 8)

Good luck with your decision