C2W scheme

[benb]

So, even with the tightening up of the HMRC guidance, there are still pretty decent savings to be made, especially if you're on a higher tax bracket.

Given that there are a couple of carbon road bikes for under £1,000, it might be worth a look.

My scheme only allows from online: Planet X, Ribble, and Dolan.

What do you all think of these:
Planet X
Ribble1 Ribble2
Dolan

Worth it?

 

[FreeFlow Bikes]

Although your voucher is for £1000, you can put the difference to it if you decided to go for a £1500 bike etc

 

[subaqua]

Although your voucher is for £1000, you can put the difference to it if you decided to go for a £1500 bike etc

but at the end of the loan/hire it can open up cans of worms that are not easy to close . especially on the fair market value. norm would have been abkle to confirm

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Although your voucher is for £1000, you can put the difference to it if you decided to go for a £1500 bike etc

Not within the rules of the scheme you can't.

 

[The Brewer]

So, even with the tightening up of the HMRC guidance, there are still pretty decent savings to be made, especially if you're on a higher tax bracket.

Given that there are a couple of carbon road bikes for under £1,000, it might be worth a look.

My scheme only allows from online: Planet X, Ribble, and Dolan.

What do you all think of these:
Planet X
Ribble1 Ribble2
Dolan

Worth it?

I'm seriously looking at the Dolan, test ride me thinks

 

[400bhp]

The bikes have very different geometries, so what do you want from the bike?

 

[benb]

The bikes have very different geometries, so what do you want from the bike?

Light, but comfortable for longish distances (100 miles)
Sportive geometry rather than all-out race.

Maybe the Ribble Gran Fondo?

 

[400bhp]

You do know that Ribble & Dolan charge an "admin fee" for C2W?

I'd steer clear of the 872 for your needs then. It's still worth reading pedrosanchezo's thread about his though.

Do you need to fit mudguards? I think the Dolan has eyelets?

Bloody all good bikes and you won't be disappointed with any.

 

[benb]

You do know that Ribble & Dolan charge an "admin fee" for C2W?

I'd steer clear of the 872 for your needs then. It's still worth reading pedrosanchezo's thread about his though.

Do you need to fit mudguards? I think the Dolan has eyelets?

Bloody all good bikes and you won't be disappointed with any.

No, I've got the Croix due Fer for mudguard duty.
I'll do the sums, taking the additional fee into account, and maybe try and get a test ride from somewhere.

 

[FreeFlow Bikes]

but at the end of the loan/hire it can open up cans of worms that are not easy to close . especially on the fair market value. norm would have been abkle to confirm

It's at the discretion of the company if they impose a final fee at the end of the term.

 

[subaqua]

It's at the discretion of the company if they impose a final fee at the end of the term.

if they don't then you are to hand the bike back. if i had stumped up an extra £500 i wouldn't want to be giving back £500.

if the company do let you keep the bike with no fee then you are liable to tax on that, based on the original purchase price and fair market value so you lose out again.

HMRC website details all the requirements. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/eim21667a.htm http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM21667.htm it is quite simple.

you can have more than a grand but it involves getting a consumer credit licence - something most companies won't do.

 

[benb]

OK, I think it is definitely worth it, so my choices are:
Planet X Pro Carbon SRAM Rival
Ribble Sportive Bianco Shimano Sora 3500
Ribble Gran Fondo Shimano Sora 3500
Dolan Mythos Shimano Tiagra
Dolan Mythos SRAM Rival

What do you think the best spec is? I'd probably look to upgrade the wheels at some point.
My inkling is the Ribble Sportive or the Planet X.

 

[400bhp]

what are the geometries of the bikes?

can't tell what wheels you've selected. what's the differences?

 

[benb]

what are the geometries of the bikes?

can't tell what wheels you've selected. what's the differences?

They have the geometries in links on the pages, but I can't link directly as they pop up within the page. TBH I'm not sure what I should be looking for with geometries. If it makes any difference, my existing bike is a cyclocross geometry, and I have no comfort issues with it.

I mentioned the wheels, as I think it's probably the best single upgrade you can do. I'd stick with the standard to start with and save up to upgrade in the future.

 

[jowwy]

i would go with the ribble gran fondo if it was me - just my 2cents