Advice on which cycle (from Halford's as cycle to work scheme)

[Manxdiver]

There seems to be a lot on keen cyclists on here, so just looking for some advice on which bike you'd choose.

My employer offers a discounted bike purchase under the cycle to work scheme and I've elected for the maximum £1,000. Has to be spent at Halford's and I can't bust the limit, but can go lower and make difference up with accessories.

Knowing very little about bikes, I'm tempted to go for either

Boardman Team Road Bike http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165710

Carerra Virago Carbon
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165710

or - my favourite - only because I like the way the cables are buried inside the frame

Cinelli Experience
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165710


Any help in choosing appreciated

Thanks
Dave

[BRGRSP]

Are you limited to Halfrauds ? ( I see your based on IoM) I think you'd get better choice and value if you could find a Specialized Dealer, just my humble opinion.

B.

[Josh B]

From those 3 I would go with the Cinelli.

[BSB]

The Boardmans ride very well and al have had rave reviews. I had a Team and then changed it for a Pro which I still have. I then bought the missus a Team Carbon. If you can afford the little extra for the Team Carbon, it's a worthwhile upgrade but, if not, the Team is a very capable bike.

[Mr Seamaster]

I think it is important to take them for a test ride to see which one you feel comfortable riding and also test out the mechs as well as two has Shimanos and one Campag.

At the end of the day, it's a matter of choice.

[dulux]

Worth checking with some of your other local bike shops as more & more are now taking Halfords cycle to work vouchers. Widen your choice.

[andrew e]

What he said - I used Pearsons to cash in a halfords voucher to buy some Specailized bikes, very nice people to deal with. Several other cycle shops would take the halfords voucher too. Ask for Jim, a proper geezer and good for a deal.

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store...Cycle-to-Work/

[Red Steve]

I'm wouldn't say I'm an expert, but of those 3, I'd go for the Boardman. The 105 groupset is extremely efficient. The Cinelli, is perhaps the "looker" of the 3, but I don't like the mish mash of Veloce/Miche group set. Internal cable routing does look neat, but can be a hassle for the home mechanic come servicing time.

Like others have said, it's not just Halfords that administer the Cycle to Work scheme, Evans also do as well as many more. Perhaps looking at other dealers could widen your options.

All the best with whichever you go for.

[deryckb]

Like others have said, it's not just Halfords that administer the Cycle to Work scheme, Evans also do as well as many more. Perhaps looking at other dealers could widen your options

I would guess Halfords administer the scheme the the OPs employers use.

http://www.cycle2work.info

Others shops will accept the vouchers, but may charge you.

"3. Nationwide Independent Bike Shop Network

If your employees can’t find what they’re looking for and they want a different brand, we can source it for them. We partner with an extensive national network of over 150 of the very best Independent Bike Shops enabling us to access ALL of the UK’s top bike brands. We can easily add to our Partner Store Network at your request, before your scheme launches.

If you are an employee and you would like to choose an additional brand, call our cycle2work Special Order Helpdesk on 08450 77 88 50 and one of our team will help you with your enquiry."

http://www.cycle2work.info/siteadvicecentrebrand

[thieuster]

If you're a 'novice' when it comes to cycling (you wrote: 'knowing very little about bikes') I'm not sure that the models you're showing us are really the models you should be looking for. The ride is hard, uncomfortable even. A bike's geometry is very important as well. Some bike are 'lively' according to seasoned bikers, new bikers will call these bikes 'nervous'. I know nothing about the cycle market in the UK, but personally, I would go out and start looking for a bike like a Specialized TriCross or Sirrus and add mud guards etc. At first glance, these bikes look similar to the ones you've showed us, but there's a lot of difference: More upright position, comfortable geometry etc.

Living overhere in Holland where there are still 6 big bike factories (and lots of small companies), the choice of these urban bikes is a lot easier. My everyday bike is this handbuilt RIH:



Alloy tubes, Shimano Deore LX 27 speed, Schwalbe kevlar re-enforced tires (no punctures anymore), 'randonneur' type handle bars etc.

Oldfashioned perhaps? Yes, perhaps but it gets the job done. In all sorts of weather: snow, rain, you name it. And next year's model will have a Rohloff Speedhub and a belt drive instead of the chain and Shimano parts.

Menno

[samswatch]

I would echo the previous posters advice. Race bikes are exactly that race bikes and they do take getting used to. If you are quite fit already and run etc it may not be an issue. However, I wasn't and I bought a race bike. Luckily one that had a more relaxed geometry, even then I had to get a much higher rise stem to get comfortable.

I am not sure if halfords do test rides but I would definately recommend a good 45 minute ride on one.

I would also echo the Specialized Tricoss as mentioned above and a boardman

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165534

and this one

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165499

Its a bit different to what you have selected, a 29er mtb but you are run slicks on it and hopefully get a pretty good mtb and a sort of hybird.

good luck

[Manxdiver]

Thanks for the advice guys. I hadn't considered a hybrid, but the Boardman suggested is probably a better choice than an out and out racer (thanks Samswatch).

Expecting the voucher in the next few days. Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers