recommend me a single speed

[garrykiller]

In April i can get the C2W and i am looking for a single speed to add to my collection. I have to get it from Halfords and i have already alocated £380 of it for a Garmin Edge 810, so i have up to £620 on a single speed.

i like this http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
but have no expirence with Viking, i like the fact it has a flip flop rear hub so i can use it as a fixie as well, and i like the "vintage" look. Its also under budget so leaves me money for new gear jerseys, shorts etc.

So PH what do you recommend?

Edited by garrykiller on Wednesday 19th February 12:16

[47p2]

Look for something with mudguard eyes, then you can use it all year round

[TwistingMyMelon]

Looks a "nice" bike but Im dubious about the quality at that price point, then again it could be fine

[garrykiller]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Looks a "nice" bike but Im dubious about the quality at that price point, then again it could be fine

this was my thought, it seems cheap.

[richardxjr]

Does it fit?

Charge Plug 1 or 2 through cyclescheme, or don't Halfords offer other brands through a catalogue?

[47p2]

I bought a used (it had done 20 miles in 4 years) Genesis Skyline in November, it has mudguard eyes and I've done about 1500 miles on it since buying it. The Skyline is not available any longer but the Genesis Flyer which is the same bike but without mudguard eyes is still available, sadly though much more expensive than the Viking above.



EDIT:- Just read the Flyer does come with mudguard eyes and costs £699 retail so suspect you could get it within budget.

Genesis Flyer specifications here




I took the wheels off and gave it a clean on Monday and have to say it really is holding up well considering everything that its been through including snow, rain, sleet, salt, gales...It just keeps going on and on and on...







So far I've managed to go through a set of brake blocks, and that's been my total spend on this, would I recommend it...Yes and I'm in no hurry to put it away for the summer and get the geared bike out

Edited by 47p2 on Wednesday 19th February 14:11

Edited by 47p2 on Wednesday 19th February 14:11

[anonymous-user]

Depends what you want, for bimbling about the Viking is cheap and cheerful but its style more than substance... to me the geometry just looks so uncomfortable for a ride of any notable distance. I'd go for something like this Pearson the Genesis above or the aforementioned Charge Plug with drop bars. Sure they are more money but they will last longer and also encourage you to ride more.

[garrykiller]

pablo said:

Depends what you want, for bimbling about the Viking is cheap and cheerful but its style more than substance... to me the geometry just looks so uncomfortable for a ride of any notable distance. I'd go for something like this Pearson the Genesis above or the aforementioned Charge Plug with drop bars. Sure they are more money but they will last longer and also encourage you to ride more.

riding more is not much of an issue i did more than 3500 miles last year and will be close to double that this year, it'll be for the odd commute and around town, ill look at the pearson and Genesis.

[uncinquesei]

With C2W the budget is an issue - as I understand it, the bike is invoiced to the scheme at RRP - the difference is where the scheme makes its money. Consequently, you can't get a discount on the bikes, which is significant in view of the £1k limit. (Comparison would probably be a company car - we all know they aren't transacted at list (however they're bought) but P11D value is list). With that in mind, you could consider a Specialized Langster. My mate uses one for commuting and swears by it (has flip flop hub).

[garrykiller]

uncinquesei said:

With C2W the budget is an issue - as I understand it, the bike is invoiced to the scheme at RRP - the difference is where the scheme makes its money. Consequently, you can't get a discount on the bikes, which is significant in view of the £1k limit. (Comparison would probably be a company car - we all know they aren't transacted at list (however they're bought) but P11D value is list). With that in mind, you could consider a Specialized Langster. My mate uses one for commuting and swears by it (has flip flop hub).

i cant get specialized at halfords.

[uncinquesei]

garrykiller said:

i cant get specialized at halfords.

Sorry, should have read it more closely...
The scheme onlyuses Halfords? That is a bit more tricky.

[garrykiller]

uncinquesei said:

Sorry, should have read it more closely...
The scheme onlyuses Halfords? That is a bit more tricky.

yeah, my company provide the money in form of Halfords vouchers.

[uncinquesei]

garrykiller said:

yeah, my company provide the money in form of Halfords vouchers.

All is not lost, quite a few places take the Halfords vouchers:

Tredz Website said:

We accept vouchers from most national schemes like Cyclescheme and Cycleplus. We also accept vouchers from in-house schemes run by independent companies, as well as Halfords vouchers.

Tredz

[Quickmoose]

My employer only offered Halfords as their C2W partner.
Dig deeper and you will find a massive list of potential brands and bike shops that 'deal' in Halfords vouchers.
I ended up getting my bike from Velorution in London.

[richardxjr]

Interesting. I wonder how other shops redeem the vouchers?

[garrykiller]

Quickmoose said:

My employer only offered Halfords as their C2W partner.
Dig deeper and you will find a massive list of potential brands and bike shops that 'deal' in Halfords vouchers.
I ended up getting my bike from Velorution in London.

hmmm

I'll have a look, I have to admit I do like that Specialized.

[pembo]

Halfords should be able to order you a Specialized, when I was looking for my bike last year I went to my local Halfords and they had a Tricross in at discount that someone had ordered and decided they didn't want.

[JQ]

pembo said:

Halfords should be able to order you a Specialized, when I was looking for my bike last year I went to my local Halfords and they had a Tricross in at discount that someone had ordered and decided they didn't want.

This.

Last time I investigated Halfords would source any bike you wanted, it's not what is available in their retail outlets, they have a completely seperate department for the C2W scheme. You phone them up, tell them what bike you want and they'll give you a price.

[garrykiller]

so my LBS takes Halfords C2W! :0 happy days!

i am now looking at

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/...

or

http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/...

[anonymous-user]

they are both fixed gear track bikes, Sure some people rid ehtem on the open roads but then they also wear their sisters jeans and have dubious facial hair.

Although the Langster states that it has textro brakes, it also states it has a fixed screw on cog at the back and it isnt cleat if it is a flip/flop hub which would explain the brakes?

The Charge Plug 2 or Genesis Flyer seem far more sensible options. They have a freewheel and brakes, both are very useful things on a bike...