Another what bike - £1000 road

[cramman]

Hi.

I’m stuck and can’t decide so looking for some help.

I have a £1000 cycle to work cheque for Halfords, I was holding out for a boardman but it’s looking like the £1000 one is going to be alu with 105 all round. Therefore, I’m looking around although this is still a consideration. It’ll have to be good as IMO they’re a bit dull.
So options;

Felt - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/felt/z85-2011-... - 105 all round and looks to me to be a decent spec. And, it looks good which is important, well to me anyway.

Fuji - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/team-10-2... - similar spec to above from what I can see, looks good but I’m not sure this is available through Halfords (will check tomorrow)

Cannondale - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/syn... - Bit dull looking IMO but with the carbon back end, possibly it’s the better bike?

Specialized - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/se... again, a bit dull, not sure on the SRAM gear, never really tried it although I’ve heard only good things.

Another Cannondale - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caa... - anything like the CAAD 9 of last year then I’m sure this will be good.

Sorry for the long post but I appreciate people opinions.

Cheers,

Cramman.

[Chicane-UK]

Focus Cayo 105?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-105-ltd-2011/

Slightly over but I'm sure you could work something out with Wiggle!

[cramman]

Chicane-UK said:

Focus Cayo 105?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-105-ltd-2011/

Slightly over but I'm sure you could work something out with Wiggle!

Its worth an ask but I think halfords will say no. Not sure how ordering something they don't sell works.

[Chicane-UK]

Sorry - didn't read the original post properly and completely missed the fact you could only spend the money at Halfords Apologies!

[Bonefish Blues]

IIRC whilst Halfords might not like it, they do have to order the bike, don't they?

[Raven Flyer]

Bonefish Blues said:

IIRC whilst Halfords might not like it, they do have to order the bike, don't they?

No, they don't. Just as you can walk into an Audi dealer and insist they sell you a BMW.

[anonymous-user]

is £1000 a cyclescheme limit or a self imposed limit?
if its self imposed, up it by £100 and get this. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-105-ltd-2011/
the cheap carbon nay-sayers will be out in force but its a fantastic bike for the money and wiggle now offer 30 day money back ride guarantees.

if its a cyclescheme limit, the caad9 is probably the best frame out there for the money, dont get hung up on groupsets, budget for a wheel upgrade in the next 12 months and away you go....

[louiebaby]

I've been struggling with availability on the Cannondale bikes. Probably at least in part due to the fact that I'm massive.

Good luck with them.

[cramman]

pablo said:

is £1000 a cyclescheme limit or a self imposed limit?
if its self imposed, up it by £100 and get this. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/focus-cayo-105-ltd-2011/
the cheap carbon nay-sayers will be out in force but its a fantastic bike for the money and wiggle now offer 30 day money back ride guarantees.

if its a cyclescheme limit, the caad9 is probably the best frame out there for the money, dont get hung up on groupsets, budget for a wheel upgrade in the next 12 months and away you go....

It's a scheme limit, I'll try Halfords later and see what they say about the focus. They may just send me to wiggle, who knows.

By all acounts the CAAD9 is very difficult to get a hold of at the minute, I'll do some research into that as well.

[louiebaby]

cramman said:

By all acounts the CAAD9 is very difficult to get a hold of at the minute, I'll do some research into that as well.

As far as I'm aware, the CAAD9 is last years model.

This year, you're looking at the CAAD8 or the CAAD10. This may explain your difficulty.

[Captain Beaky]

I looked at the Felt Z85 last year and nearly bought one. I ended up with a Z5 instead as I found one at a very keen price and Evans price-matched.

[anonymous-user]

rarely are the cycleschemes only limited to evans though. you should have a look at the likes of hargroves cycles, ribble, j e james, tredz, rutland cycles and wheelbase to name a few off the top of my head.

they may not have the buying power of evans but they do some really good deals. people always default to evans and evans know this so their prices tend to be higher. i am pretty sure a few of those listed above are part of the cyclescheme.

[PH5121]

Halfords are selling the carbon Boardman for £999, but I don't know if that is in all sizes.

[Mr Will]

pablo said:

rarely are the cycleschemes only limited to evans though. you should have a look at the likes of hargroves cycles, ribble, j e james, tredz, rutland cycles and wheelbase to name a few off the top of my head.

they may not have the buying power of evans but they do some really good deals. people always default to evans and evans know this so their prices tend to be higher. i am pretty sure a few of those listed above are part of the cyclescheme.

Evans will price-match against online stores, even on a CTW voucher. I got enough knocked of the price of my bike to pretty much pay for the pedals and computer.

The only downside is that they don't stock all brands, which does exclude you from some of the best bargains, but if they stock the bike you want, they will be the cheapest place to get it from.

[The Walrus]

Mr Will said:

Evans will price-match against online stores, even on a CTW voucher. I got enough knocked of the price of my bike to pretty much pay for the pedals and computer.

The only downside is that they don't stock all brands, which does exclude you from some of the best bargains, but if they stock the bike you want, they will be the cheapest place to get it from.

Well that would be handy if it was with Evans and not HALFORDS

[cramman]

PH5121 said:

Halfords are selling the carbon Boardman for £999, but I don't know if that is in all sizes.

Aye, already checked, no xl's available.

[cramman]

Aye, it's a Halfords voucher, I just used Evans as it has all the specs etc.

Having a look in town today I have seen a number of Cannondale’s and the Felt (no CAAD 8 though) and looking at the other CAAD bikes I think I'm leaning towards the CAAD 8.

I guess I just have to wait until the Boardman bikes are properly announced, this week according to twitter.

Thanks for all the replies.

[ratbane]

Try the Trek 2.1. I have a 2010 model. Love it.

[Bonefish Blues]

Raven Flyer said:

Bonefish Blues said:

IIRC whilst Halfords might not like it, they do have to order the bike, don't they?

No, they don't. Just as you can walk into an Audi dealer and insist they sell you a BMW.

Halfords site says:

Range of bikes
Halfords has more than 435 stores nationwide and around 97% of UK population live within 30 minutes of a Halfords store. Employees have access to more than 31 brands via our store network, but if they are unable to find what they're looking for in-store, our "Special Order Helpline" will help them source most bikes available in the UK.

I do believe it's as I originally stated.

[The Walrus]

Bonefish Blues said:

Halfords site says:

Range of bikes
Halfords has more than 435 stores nationwide and around 97% of UK population live within 30 minutes of a Halfords store. Employees have access to more than 31 brands via our store network, but if they are unable to find what they're looking for in-store, our "Special Order Helpline" will help them source most bikes available in the UK.

I do believe it's as I originally stated.

Exactly they only problem is they may not be as competitive on price.