What Bike? :-)

[GreatGranny]

Apologies if this has been done to death.

I am wanting to buy through my companie's cycle to work scheme (Cyclescheme.co.uk).
Its only open once a year towards the end of November and we have about 2 weeks to choose and supply a quote.
The vouchers then arrive end of the year where we can purchase and collect the bike.

I don't want to spend more than approx. £1100 including admin costs which are usually 10-12% of the bike cost which means £1000 max for the bike.

Wanting a "proper" road bike, best spec as possible obviously.
carbon would be nice but not at the expense of decent kit.

Can't get a Boardman, scheme doesn't cover Halfords or eles the Sport Carbon would have been top of my list.

Realise prices may fluctuate between now and end of November but I have a little play in the budget.
Its just suggestions of makes and models around that price which I'm looking for.

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

Have a play with the bike builder on the Ribble website, you should be able to spec one of their carbon sportive frames with 105 for under £1k. I see their "Evo Pro Carbon" looks suspicioulsy like the Planet X frame. Thewir 7005 alu frmae is ok too, spec that with some nice wheels and 105 for under £1k? If best spec is what you want you cant really beat Ribble or Planet X. If you want a brand like trek or giant you will take a hit on the components.

Alternatively, have a look at the usual suspects for deals but know what size you need and be quick as sales are approaching. Try Pauls Cycles, Julies Cycles, Chelmer Cycles, Wheelbase etc etc its just a case of finding something you like and making a quick decision if its a slae bike

[GreatGranny]

Thanks, forgot about Ribble.
Had a look a few months ago and was impressed.
They do a nice Alu winter training bike which may be a better idea if I want to ride it all year round.

[Barchettaman]

Carbon is waterproof, it won´t fall apart in the rain ,-)

[GreatGranny]

Barchettaman said:

Carbon is waterproof, it won´t fall apart in the rain ,-)

I know :-)

Its more the soaking I will get and the crap thats thrown up from the road onto the bike that bothers me.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I've seen a few posts in threads similar to this that state "Halfords can get you any bike you want" on CTW schemes, you just have to ask them. It may be it needs a savvy manager at the particular Halfords you go into, or it could just be an internet rumour, but I will be checking it out myself (hopefully!) in the near future.

Also look at Dolan, they seem quite Ribble-like in their customisation options.

[Barchettaman]

Ah, OK. So the priorities are:

-fast road bike
-clearance for decent width tyres
-all year round usability
-clearance for decent mudguards

am I right?

in which case, what about a Pnnacle Arkose Two?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/arkos...

Something a little different - a road/CX bike with hydraulic brakes for those nasty wet evenings!

[GreatGranny]

Interesting but I have a Boardman Rigid MTB with slicks which will do nearly exactly what that does :-) but thanks
Looks a nice bike.

[GreatGranny]

Daveyraveygravey said:

I've seen a few posts in threads similar to this that state "Halfords can get you any bike you want" on CTW schemes, you just have to ask them. It may be it needs a savvy manager at the particular Halfords you go into, or it could just be an internet rumour, but I will be checking it out myself (hopefully!) in the near future.

Also look at Dolan, they seem quite Ribble-like in their customisation options.

They have their own Cycle to Work scheme so can't see them accepting Cyclescheme.co.uk vouchers or even quoting.

[Sideways Tim]

Have a look and see if there's anything Genesis offer that you fancy and drop me a PM if there is. We offer cyclescheme and I'm happy to sort out a bike for a PHer.

[GreatGranny]

Sideways Tim said:

Have a look and see if there's anything Genesis offer that you fancy and drop me a PM if there is. We offer cyclescheme and I'm happy to sort out a bike for a PHer.

Excellent thanks.
I will have a look.
I have an old Genesis Day 00 Hybrid (2006/7 I think) which I commuted on for 7 years with no issues at all.
For the money it was excellent value

[Daveyraveygravey]

Kinesis maybe?

[GreatGranny]

Daveyraveygravey said:

Kinesis maybe?

Heard of those but don't know anything about them.
I will have a look, thanks.

[Roman]

Moda Bolero - great value at £1k with excellent wheels as standard which is rare at this price:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

Reduced to £700 in all sizes here AND they also offer cyclesheme:

http://www.discovercycling.com/bikes/Sportif-Road-...

[GreatGranny]

Roman said:

Moda Bolero - great value at £1k with excellent wheels as standard which is rare at this price:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

Reduced to £700 in all sizes here AND they also offer cyclesheme:

http://www.discovercycling.com/bikes/Sportif-Road-...

Cheers Roman

So many bikes to choose from so very useful to have suggestions.

[Roman]

GreatGranny said:

Roman said:

Moda Bolero - great value at £1k with excellent wheels as standard which is rare at this price:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...

Reduced to £700 in all sizes here AND they also offer cyclesheme:

http://www.discovercycling.com/bikes/Sportif-Road-...

Cheers Roman

So many bikes to choose from so very useful to have suggestions.

No problem, it's certainly what I would have if my Boardman CX didn't already double up as a 'winter bike'..

[GreatGranny]

Roman said:

No problem, it's certainly what I would have if my Boardman CX didn't already double up as a 'winter bike'..

very good price.
Just need to see if they will hold one until after Christmas :-)
And if any admin charges but they are normally no more than 10%

[Matt_N]

Daveyraveygravey said:

I've seen a few posts in threads similar to this that state "Halfords can get you any bike you want" on CTW schemes, you just have to ask them. It may be it needs a savvy manager at the particular Halfords you go into, or it could just be an internet rumour, but I will be checking it out myself (hopefully!) in the near future.

Also look at Dolan, they seem quite Ribble-like in their customisation options.

Isn't it the other way round, some shops will take Halfords CTW vouchers?

[TheLemming]

GreatGranny said:

Daveyraveygravey said:

Kinesis maybe?

Heard of those but don't know anything about them.
I will have a look, thanks.

Nothing but good things to say about kinesis kit - and I've heard nothing but good things about them too

[GreatGranny]

TheLemming said:

GreatGranny said:

Daveyraveygravey said:

Kinesis maybe?

Heard of those but don't know anything about them.
I will have a look, thanks.

Nothing but good things to say about kinesis kit - and I've heard nothing but good things about them too

Just been looking at these.
Not a huge range but the Racelight T2 looks like the kind of bike I would want.
Just doesn't seem as good value as offerings from Ribble or Planet X or the Moda Bolero mentioned above but it probably rides really well.