Cycle to Work Options
Discussion
Morning all,
Need a bit of help from the PH hive mind for this one as it's been living rent-free in my mind for a few weeks!
My next C2W window opens in mid-May, and I've got £7k available. I either need to spend it or put the cash into my pension for tax reasons.
I've already got a 2020 Specialized Tarmac SL6 with some aero bars and 50mm Prime wheels, so I don't particularly need a new road bike, but I have a hankering for a Canyon Aeroad. I've also got a Boardman ADV8.9 gravel bike that I'd like to upgrade or replace, but I know the scheme doesn't allow for more than one bike at a time.
Initial option thoughts:
1. Do the sensible thing and ride the bikes I have - stick the £7k into my pension via salary sacrifice to make things better for future me. NB. I already have a pretty decent-sized pension pot.
2. Order a Canyon Aeroad (or potentially an Ultimate or Endurace) - the only annoyance I have here is that they're not great colours in the spec I want (looking for AXS gears as I have the batteries already for my MTB and emtb, and would like a power meter).
3. Order a different road bike from another supplier, which would open up the options for getting some parts too (e.g., new Garmin, potentially a new groupset for the gravel bike).
4. Order a gravel bike replacement and just keep my Tarmac.
5. Order a new AXS groupset for the Tarmac and one for the gravel bike, and put the remaining balance into the pension.
What are people's thoughts? It's a nice conundrum to have!
I'm a relatively quick amateur rider, and most of my rides are hilly (based in Aberdeen, Scotland). I've got a 65km gravel race coming up in mid-June, but there's the option to switch to a road ride if I'd prefer (Stonehaven Mid-Summer Beer Happening). I did that ride on the Boardman a couple of years ago and have just got some Hope RX4 brakes to fit as the GRX ones are leaking and contaminating the pads.
I like the Tarmac, so there's the potential to just get an upgraded and newer version but I'm struggling with the poor value for money there.
Need a bit of help from the PH hive mind for this one as it's been living rent-free in my mind for a few weeks!
My next C2W window opens in mid-May, and I've got £7k available. I either need to spend it or put the cash into my pension for tax reasons.
I've already got a 2020 Specialized Tarmac SL6 with some aero bars and 50mm Prime wheels, so I don't particularly need a new road bike, but I have a hankering for a Canyon Aeroad. I've also got a Boardman ADV8.9 gravel bike that I'd like to upgrade or replace, but I know the scheme doesn't allow for more than one bike at a time.
Initial option thoughts:
1. Do the sensible thing and ride the bikes I have - stick the £7k into my pension via salary sacrifice to make things better for future me. NB. I already have a pretty decent-sized pension pot.
2. Order a Canyon Aeroad (or potentially an Ultimate or Endurace) - the only annoyance I have here is that they're not great colours in the spec I want (looking for AXS gears as I have the batteries already for my MTB and emtb, and would like a power meter).
3. Order a different road bike from another supplier, which would open up the options for getting some parts too (e.g., new Garmin, potentially a new groupset for the gravel bike).
4. Order a gravel bike replacement and just keep my Tarmac.
5. Order a new AXS groupset for the Tarmac and one for the gravel bike, and put the remaining balance into the pension.
What are people's thoughts? It's a nice conundrum to have!
I'm a relatively quick amateur rider, and most of my rides are hilly (based in Aberdeen, Scotland). I've got a 65km gravel race coming up in mid-June, but there's the option to switch to a road ride if I'd prefer (Stonehaven Mid-Summer Beer Happening). I did that ride on the Boardman a couple of years ago and have just got some Hope RX4 brakes to fit as the GRX ones are leaking and contaminating the pads.
I like the Tarmac, so there's the potential to just get an upgraded and newer version but I'm struggling with the poor value for money there.
If you want a Canyon Aeroad, that "need" will not go away if you're anything like me. Might as well go ahead and get it now for the nice weather. There is no better feeling than that first ride on a new bike when it's working just right.
If you can live with yourself for not getting what you really want, then get a good gravel bike. I've an Aspero and it's an absolute weapon. 7k will get you a very tasty 5 model. Again, a top end gravel bike will run rings around your current one.
Basically get a new bike.
If you can live with yourself for not getting what you really want, then get a good gravel bike. I've an Aspero and it's an absolute weapon. 7k will get you a very tasty 5 model. Again, a top end gravel bike will run rings around your current one.
Basically get a new bike.
Thanks folks, I think I'm going to go for an Aeroad in their racing ruby colour... https://www.canyon.com/en-gb/road-bikes/aero-bikes...
That would leave a little bit of funds which I'm hoping I can use to get a new Garmin 1050 to replace my 1030 with its scratched screen! Turns out that Canyon are about to start selling those too, which tidies everything up nicely and comes in at £6,987 - rather convenient!
Should get a bit of cash selling on my Tarmac and will move the carbon wheels from that over to the gravel bike...
That would leave a little bit of funds which I'm hoping I can use to get a new Garmin 1050 to replace my 1030 with its scratched screen! Turns out that Canyon are about to start selling those too, which tidies everything up nicely and comes in at £6,987 - rather convenient!
Should get a bit of cash selling on my Tarmac and will move the carbon wheels from that over to the gravel bike...
Edited by dirtbiker on Friday 25th April 10:58
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