Cycle scheme bike options

davidkirk

Dear all,

I currently have a very basic mountain bike (Apollo Phase) and at present only use it on pretty not challenging bridleways.

I am looking to experiment a little more with some challenging and exciting routes and maybe even some trips to Cannock etc. With this is mind I am not sure my current ride will really provide me with the support I need.

I have the opportunity to take advantage of the cycle scheme in the new year so would like to use this to fill the gap.

So in short - I would like to stay around £700 but will go up to £1000 limit on the scheme if it is worth it (I would like to use some of the additional allowance to also upgrade kit such as helmet etc).

I already have these on the shortlist:
Voodoo Bizango
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
Boardman Comp
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

I would prefer not get to them from Halfords due to a couple of bad previous experiences but these do seem very good value.

Any help appreciated both in terms of bikes and also decent places to get them from (based in Leicestershire but willing to travel or order online).

Antm81

I'm pretty certain the voodoos and boardmans are only available from halfords. What you can get and where from would depend on your particular cycle scheme as I believe they are tied in to certain retailers

davidkirk

Thanks for the reply - yep both of those are just from Halfords which gives me a potential problem. In terms of the retailers - the scheme looks quite broad with most retailers I am aware of on it. I am just looking for some viable alternatives to the Halfords bikes.

The Rookie

Rock rider 8.1 from Decathlon is available through the cyclescheme cycle to work operation.

Antm81

The 2 bikes themselves are well regarded and some halfords are better than others. I believe a forum member on here works for a branch in the midlands, oxocube1 I believe, but I could be wrong, hopefully someone who knows for sure will be along soon

passout

The following retailers take cyclescheme and are great value: Merlin Cycles, On One, Real Cycles & Winstanleys. They will take the scheme on sales bikes (may be a surcharge) but other places don't allow this at all. The cyclescheme website allows you search for particating stores too. These do not include Halfords, Evans, Wiggle or Chain Reation - some of these run their own schemes.

There are advantages to staying local too- test rides, servicing etc.