Which £1k Road Bike?

[anonymous-user]

TallTony said:

Thanks for all the replies, most useful. I have decided to test the CAAD9 alongside the CAAD8 and see what I think. The Tiagra groupset is a slight issue, I had wanted 105 for obvious reasons, but the wheels are the same and I can always upgrade here and there over the years.

seriously, dont worry about groupsets. keep it well maintained and it will be fine but if you really cant be seen dead with tiagra...

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/campagnolo-shimano-a...

you can get 105 5600 Black for £350 at merlin cycles to include;
Chainset - (New Hollowtech 11 model)
English bottom bracket
10 speed cassette
Chain
Brake calipers
STI Brake/gear levers
Front and rear mech

[Justayellowbadge]

swerni said:

Jimboka said:

AyBee said:

Does it have to be Evans because the Boardman bikes for that price are hard to beat for spec?

unfortunately Boardman are only available in Halfords, Halfords are not in Cyclescheme. Their scheme is different. Also their price is now 1199 so too expensive for scheme...

how can it be "too expensive" for the scheme?

You aren't limited to spending £1000, only limited to a £1000 voucher.

They are more than happy for you to pay more on top

HMRC say a big no to that though. Just because retailers will allow it doesn't mean you might not be asking for trouble.

It does seem an odd move by Boardman though, hands the carbon choice to Planet X and Ribble.

[anonymous-user]

wait until the tour is over and then see if the prices come down..... al lhat advertising cant be cheap you know

[ratbane]

Well, I took my spanking new Trek 2.1 out for a 25 miler last night in the rain. First time on a road bike since going 100% MTB in 1991!!!!

It rode incredibly well, balance, fast, and with great interface. Saddle is comfortable too. The 105 gears worked flawlesly.

[Magic919]

Justayellowbadge said:

swerni said:

Jimboka said:

AyBee said:

Does it have to be Evans because the Boardman bikes for that price are hard to beat for spec?

unfortunately Boardman are only available in Halfords, Halfords are not in Cyclescheme. Their scheme is different. Also their price is now 1199 so too expensive for scheme...

how can it be "too expensive" for the scheme?

You aren't limited to spending £1000, only limited to a £1000 voucher.

They are more than happy for you to pay more on top

HMRC say a big no to that though. Just because retailers will allow it doesn't mean you might not be asking for trouble.

It does seem an odd move by Boardman though, hands the carbon choice to Planet X and Ribble.

The £1000 'limit' is only for employers that do not have a Consumer Credit licence though isn't it? It's not a restriction of the scheme itself.

[okgo]

Some places do offer more than £1k on a voucher.

[Justayellowbadge]

Cyclescheme for one.

As mentioned, it's the CCL that limits it to 1K.

[t84]

Yeah if they have a credit licence it can be any amount

[Raven Flyer]

I read right up on these schemes as I was trying to get my company to start one. As said above there is no upper limit but your company cannot finance more £1000 (to you or anyone) without a Consumer Credit Licence.

You can contribute to the cost as the scheme does not have to fund 100% of the bike cost.

[CerbitonFlyer]

Justayellowbadge said:

swerni said:

Jimboka said:

AyBee said:

Does it have to be Evans because the Boardman bikes for that price are hard to beat for spec?

unfortunately Boardman are only available in Halfords, Halfords are not in Cyclescheme. Their scheme is different. Also their price is now 1199 so too expensive for scheme...

how can it be "too expensive" for the scheme?

You aren't limited to spending £1000, only limited to a £1000 voucher.

They are more than happy for you to pay more on top

HMRC say a big no to that though. Just because retailers will allow it doesn't mean you might not be asking for trouble.

It does seem an odd move by Boardman though, hands the carbon choice to Planet X and Ribble.

this raises an interesting question as far as the final valuation is concerned. What happens if you get a £1k voucher but spend £2k on the bike. As the final payment is suposedly a proportion of the value of the bike at the end of 12 months, technically you could end up getting shafted???

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

I Love the look of that Bianchi however this also seems like a good deal? reduced and carbon frame and forks and 105.

Fuji Team Pro 2010 Road Bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/team-pro-...


anyone got any experience, Im aiming to buy somehtin ghopefully in a month or so once I get "Bike fit" so keeping an eye on here with interest.

[Raven Flyer]

The jump to £1200 opens up a whole lot of bikes and removes a whole lot of parts compromises.

The 2011 bikes will hit the shops in a couple of weeks. I'd hang on to see what's new and to see what discounts you can get on the 2010 kit.

[CerbitonFlyer]

Raven Flyer said:

The jump to £1200 opens up a whole lot of bikes and removes a whole lot of parts compromises.

The 2011 bikes will hit the shops in a couple of weeks. I'd hang on to see what's new and to see what discounts you can get on the 2010 kit.

Like wiggle who are offering a full carbon Focus Cayo with 105 groupo for £1k. An absolute bargain me thinks.... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Cayo_105_C...

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

hmm, wonder if I can get this on Cycle to work?

[billybskoda]

Best thing to do is get to your nearest Evans (if its close enough) and ride a choice, then you know if you'll like the bike.

Minor changes in geometry / equipment, etc can make huge changes to how you bond with the bike...

I personally went for an Allez when our scheme was introduced, and ahem.. cough cough... with the money spare in the budget, bought some time trial upgrade parts for my spare frame.....

Nick

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

I will pop over to evans today as the fit is important. Ive been riding a friends spare bike for acouple of weeks now and find it a bit small ( its a medium - 54" i Believe) im 5'10" and find my kness really close to my chest when riding.

Im not even convinced I need to spend this much, but the CTW sheme entices you to go ever upwards! although I keep reading about shimano 105 bing a must at this level.

Edited by Obiwonkeyblokey on Monday 2nd August 09:07

[billybskoda]

My allez cost £500 on the ctw scheme. Im 6' 4 1/2 and ride a 56. If your knees are toucing your chest, its just the saddle / bars adjustment thats wrong.

[TallTony]

I went for the CAAD9 with tiagra in the end, bit of hassle getting hold of it but the guys in Evans were brilliant.

Decided that the benefits of having the CAAD8 with 105 were somewhat outweighed by having the far superior frame. When I get it next week I'll give you all some feedback, maybe a photo ot two as well.