Cycle2Work suggestion

jlammy
jlammy Posts: 43
edited May 2016 in Road buying advice
Hi guys,

I am currently wanting to sign up for the Cycle2Work scheme with my employer and I would like to have some recommendations on which road bike I should choose to go for, once I get my collection letter. I’ve only had MTBs in the past, so this will be my first ever road bike.

The cycle to work is around 13 miles within London.

I will be going for the maximum amount of £1000.

I believe there is an option to obtain the bike from independent retailers, other than Halfords. However, I’ve been told that there are some benefits to getting the bike through Halfords:

The following benefits will also be available to you (restricted to purchasing bikes from Halfords rather than independent retailers)


• 7.5% free accessories (based on the value of the Letter of Collection) if you select any of the 32 bike brands stocked and sourced through Halfords stores. The accessories voucher forms a part of the Letter of Collection and needs to be redeemed at the same time as the Letter of Collection.

• 20% loyalty card sent a month after the election window which give you 20% off cycle safety accessories for the length of the hire term.

• Free 6 week Service on all bikes supplied through the scheme.

• Free 1 year bike care providing over £100 worth of annual service and repair benefits:

- Comprehensive 25 point annual service (normally £29.99) including wheels and tyres; brakes; gears; drive chain and frame

- Free professional maintenance and repairs throughout the year by fully trained cycle mechanics – paying only for the parts used

- Free labour charges for parts and accessory fitting

More than happy to go for a bike through an independent retailer if the bike is better value for money – I’ll be more than happy to just spend the ~£75 on accessories from my own wallet.

Any help or advice is much appreciated! J

Comments

  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    One option from Halfords to consider is the Boardman CX Team. Recently came top in a shoot out with other similar bikes in Cycling Plus (current June 2016 edition)

    http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... oCoFPw_wcB

    It's slightly unconventional as it is equipped with a single chainring up front (44t) and a wide range 11-speed cassette (10-42t) based around SRAM shifters and rear mech. Has mudguard and rack mounts which you might welcome for commuting. Also features SRAM hydraulic brakes which is a bonus. All for £999

    Many disparaging comments about Halfords on here but if you choose your site carefully there are some decent staff to be found
  • fenix
    fenix Posts: 5,437
    Whatever you choose make sure it can take proper full mudguards if you're serious about commuting on it. And wide tyres.
  • deejaysee
    deejaysee Posts: 149
    Pretty sure that the cycle2work voucher is Halfords own voucher scheme and cant be used anywhere else.
    Pitty you had to go for this voucher as Halfords is probably the last place i'd buy a bike as their range is pants
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    deejaysee wrote:
    Pretty sure that the cycle2work voucher is Halfords own voucher scheme and cant be used anywhere else.
    Pitty you had to go for this voucher as Halfords is probably the last place i'd buy a bike as their range is pants

    It really isn't. There's absolutely nothing wrong with much that they sell even down to Carerra. There are bike shaped objects at the bottom range but the Boardman, Carerra, Vodoo and 13 bikes are all good bikes.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • darkhairedlord
    darkhairedlord Posts: 7,180
    You don't need full mudguards and a CX bike to commute!
    Plenty of reasonable bikes at halfords, just make sure it gets screwed together properly.
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    Is it valid at theri cycle republic shops to? They have a wider range of bikes and kit
  • jlammy
    jlammy Posts: 43
    alan sherman wrote:
    Is it valid at theri cycle republic shops to? They have a wider range of bikes and kit

    I believe it is valid at the Cycle republic shops, just that I'll lose out on the Halfords benefits listed above. More than happy to lose out on the benefits of the bike is better overall.
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    We had Halfords come to work promoting the C2W scheme and I was told it was Halfords only by the guy from Halfords :shock: There was a phone number on the leaflet I picked up and was given a list of IBDs in my area that I could use the LoC with but there are several C2W schemes.
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • jlammy
    jlammy Posts: 43
    So it turns out that there are a few places that accepts the Halfords Cycle to Work scheme:

    Tredz (Filted on £900-£1000):
    http://www.tredz.co.uk/road-bikes/price/900-1000

    Wheelbase (Filtered on £900-£1000):
    http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/bikes-frames ... .8-1004.01

    Dolan Bikes:
    http://www.dolan-bikes.com/road/road-bi ... arbon.html

    Please could someone suggest whether any of the bikes from one of these retailers are better value than the Boardman Team Carbon? By buying from them I'll sacrifice all of the Halford benefits mentioned in my first post.
  • the_cyclist_of_catan
    the_cyclist_of_catan Posts: 354
    If that Boardman CX bike had thru-axles instead of QRs, I'd be sorely tempted.
    They use their cars as shopping baskets; they use their cars as overcoats.
  • jlammy
    jlammy Posts: 43
    I've finally filtered it down to these 6 bikes. Now I need someone to help me choose decide...

    Road bikes:

    - Giant Defy 1 2016 (Shimano 105): £999 from Tredz
    - Merida Reacto 400 2016 (Shimano 105): £999 from Tredz
    - Dolan l'Etape (Shimano 105): £849.99
    - Dolan l'Etape (Ultegra 6800): £1049.99
    - Boardman Team Carbon 2016: £999

    CX bikes:

    - Cannondale CaadX 105 2016: £899.99 from Tredz
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    JLammy wrote:
    I've finally filtered it down to these 6 bikes. Now I need someone to help me choose decide...

    Road bikes:

    - Giant Defy 1 2016 (Shimano 105): £899 from Tredz
    - Merida Reacto 400 2016 (Shimano 105): £999 from Tredz
    - Dolan l'Etape (Shimano 105): £849.99
    - Dolan l'Etape (Ultegra 6800): £1049.99
    - Boardman Team Carbon 2016: £999

    CX bikes:

    - Cannondale CaadX 105 2016: £899.99 from Tredz

    FTFY. Are you going to try these bikes for size/fit before you buy?
  • jlammy
    jlammy Posts: 43
    DJ58 wrote:

    FTFY. Are you going to try these bikes for size/fit before you buy?

    I definitely will be. However, not all stores sell all of these bikes in one go. :cry:

    Another bike to throw into the question is:

    Cube Attain SL for £999
    http://www.cyclesurgery.com/cube-attain ... sting=true

    or, if a shop would allow me to pay the extra:

    Cube Attain SL Disk for £1199 - I like the fact it has hydraulic discs
    http://www.cyclesurgery.com/cube-attain ... sting=true

    Really hoping to buy within the next 2 weeks, as my voucher will be coming soon.
  • dj58
    dj58 Posts: 2,223
    If you prefer disc brakes there are the Defy Disc 1 and 2 bikes, though not hydraulic brakes.

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