Cycle to Work Scheme - recommendations needed

[RussellZero]

CX.....

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caadx-disc-6-tiagra-2014-cyclocross-bike-ec053953

Thats the exact same one I was going to recommend - didnt buy it but if I was going for CX thats what Id get. Last year I did do ride to work scheme, and got a Trek Cobia 29er, which was around £900, from Evans, and used the last £100 on pedals, shoes etc. Not the best bike in the world but feel it was just a friday build - after only a couple of hundred miles I needed a new BB, new front forks, new hydraulic brakes (avid). All good now though, Ive fitted some decent thinner Hurricane Pro tyres too, makes it ride much better on the trails I use.

 

[RussellZero]

I've created a website under the banner of 'Bike to Work Challenge', the primary focus of the site is to collect testimonials from folk who already cycle to work so that we can hopefully convince people that pedalling to one's place of work is a totally reasonable thing to do.

Nice site, good job

 

[Tyke]

There is if its cyclescheme since you are not allowed to do it.

My money would be on a Kinesis racelite T2, all rounder.

It depends on the scheme use by your employer

Evens Ride2Work

What is my certificate doesn’t equal the exact cost of the equipment?
If your certificate value is more than the cost of the equipment, it is not possible to get a refund but you can include more accessories. If your certificate value is less that the cost of the equipment you can add you own money to it.

Halfords Cycle2Work
Can I add my own money to the value of an LoC in order to get a more expensive bike?
Halfords cycle2work does not allow employees to 'top up' or add to their Letter of Collection (LoC) using their own funds in-store, as both employee and employer would then jointly own the bike. This could create a potential conflict of interest when it comes to the end of the hire period.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Nice site, good job

Thanks

 

[Andrew_Culture]

It depends on the scheme use by your employer

Evens Ride2Work

What is my certificate doesn’t equal the exact cost of the equipment?
If your certificate value is more than the cost of the equipment, it is not possible to get a refund but you can include more accessories. If your certificate value is less that the cost of the equipment you can add you own money to it.
Halfords Cycle2Work
Can I add my own money to the value of an LoC in order to get a more expensive bike?
Halfords cycle2work does not allow employees to 'top up' or add to their Letter of Collection (LoC) using their own funds in-store, as both employee and employer would then jointly own the bike. This could create a potential conflict of interest when it comes to the end of the hire period.

Hmm, I wonder if we could rustle up a FAQ?

 

[wilkotom]

Really? Mine was just over £1100 - but that included £100 for a bag and about £30 for choosing the colour! The bike - including lowered six-speed gears - was roughly £1000. And the spec was absolutely perfect for what I needed

I'd argue that when you're talking about Bromptons, the bags are an integral part of the experience. And while a 6-speed plus a front bag comes in at bang on £1000, for regular use I'd want to start adding things like mudguards and upgraded tyres...

 

[Julia9054]

Our cycle to work scheme has an upper limit of £1500 not £1000

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I've written the first recommendation now, lemmie know what you think - http://biketoworkchallenge.org/cyclocross-commuter-bikes/

 

[jarlrmai]

great write up

I think there's a typo here, missing an "n."

"tend to have a grip patter, whereas."

 

[wiggydiggy]

I've created a website under the banner of 'Bike to Work Challenge', the primary focus of the site is to collect testimonials from folk who already cycle to work so that we can hopefully convince people that pedalling to one's place of work is a totally reasonable thing to do.

Now, as a part of the site I'm going to recommend a few bikes. And there's where I've come a bit unstuck; I'm self employed so have never actually bought a bike through the cycle to work scheme! I know the budget is £1000, so what bikes would folk recommend?

I'm hoping to find a cyclocross, a fixie / singlespeed and a folder and the very least.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

I couldnt work out how to submit a testimonial so.....

"I started cycle commuting as the bus fares had gone up again and it was becoming an issue for me to afford it. On a low income at the time the C2W scheme is a godsend for those who need a bike but might struggle to (a) afford it outright and (b) cannot get credit. My first bike was a Carerra Subway from Halfords for £250. they also had a deal with my employer where I got 15% of the bike value to spend on accessories which really helped I as effectively walked out the shop with the bike and everything I needed.

The bike did me well for about 2 years and 4500 miles, not all commuting as I used it for many other rides as rediscovered my love of the bicycle. The Subway is a bike that is often highlighted as an ideal starter bike and can be had for as little as £200 depending on the deals - Halfords have also started honoring sale prices on C2W vouchers which is very good of them.

My second C2W bike was effectively a better Subway, a Marin Belvedere, not Halfords this time so no free accessories but again I was lucky and the shop did a sale price for me at £450. This bike I'm still using 3 years later and its done a lot of miles, sure I've replaced some parts but this is no different to buying new parts for my car.

I think for me the two best things about cycling to work was the time and money saved, traffic is horrendous on my route and I didnt fancy spending more a month than my monthly C2W payment, just for the privilege of sitting on a bus whilst it queued its way into town. Plus bus far only got me between 2 places, I can go anywhere on my bike.

I'm fitter, happier and richer - I cant see anything wrong with C2W"

Let me know if you like that, want to use it etc etc

Good luck with the site!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

great write up

I think there's a typo here, missing an "n."

"tend to have a grip patter, whereas."

Thank you! Fixed it!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I couldnt work out how to submit a testimonial so.....

"I started cycle commuting as the bus fares had gone up again and it was becoming an issue for me to afford it. On a low income at the time the C2W scheme is a godsend for those who need a bike but might struggle to (a) afford it outright and (b) cannot get credit. My first bike was a Carerra Subway from Halfords for £250. they also had a deal with my employer where I got 15% of the bike value to spend on accessories which really helped I as effectively walked out the shop with the bike and everything I needed.

The bike did me well for about 2 years and 4500 miles, not all commuting as I used it for many other rides as rediscovered my love of the bicycle. The Subway is a bike that is often highlighted as an ideal starter bike and can be had for as little as £200 depending on the deals - Halfords have also started honoring sale prices on C2W vouchers which is very good of them.

My second C2W bike was effectively a better Subway, a Marin Belvedere, not Halfords this time so no free accessories but again I was lucky and the shop did a sale price for me at £450. This bike I'm still using 3 years later and its done a lot of miles, sure I've replaced some parts but this is no different to buying new parts for my car.

I think for me the two best things about cycling to work was the time and money saved, traffic is horrendous on my route and I didnt fancy spending more a month than my monthly C2W payment, just for the privilege of sitting on a bus whilst it queued its way into town. Plus bus far only got me between 2 places, I can go anywhere on my bike.

I'm fitter, happier and richer - I cant see anything wrong with C2W"

Let me know if you like that, want to use it etc etc

Good luck with the site!

Ta star! http://biketoworkchallenge.org/im-fitter-happier-richer/

 

[jarlrmai]

My testimonial might not be so good on the richer front...

 

[Fubar]

Maybe not what your looking for but last year I got the Revolution Country Traveller touring bike from Edinburgh Bike Co-op for my commute:

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/pro...raveller-14?bct=browse/bicycles/touring-bikes

Comes with mudguards and rack and the £500 price tag leaves plenty room to buy commuting panniers, jacket, shoes, helmet, etc. Replaced the pedals to SPD immediately, had one problem with loose spokes a couple of weeks after picking up (quickly fixed by the shop) and have replaced the tyres to Shwalbe Marathon Plus - not the lightest but certainly builds up the leg muscles! Versatile as well for when I go touring (Islay in August) or go "off road" on rougher paths/trails.

 

[JoeyB]

This: http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/multi-sport/cdf

or this: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLS105/planet-x-xls-shimano-105-cyclocross-bike but in Flanders colours