Cycle to work scheme - what bike?!

[JJ0063]

Hi all,

New to the site & you'll probably have been asked the same question ten times over but I'm struggling.

I've signed up to the 'Cycle to work' scheme via my employer so unfortunately I've got to purchase via Halfords (Already tried to get round it!)

I've read hundreds of reviews but they all conflict one another.

After trawling websites, walking round shops etc I've narrowed my choices down to the following:

Mongoose Vanish MTB @ £269.99
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/mongoose-vanish-mountain-bike

Carrera Vengeance MTB @ £249.99
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-vengeance-mountain-bike-medium-18#tab2


I prefer the aesthetics of the Mongoose but have been told it's entry level for Mongoose.

I like the Carrera too, but have been told by a lot of people to heavily avoid Carerra as they are poor quality.

Use wise, il be cycling a 24 mile round trip to work twice a week, and occasional forest use (I live local to Thetford Forest)

My budget is £270 & must be from Halfords, if anyone has a better suggestion.

Thanks in advance

Jordan

 

[Big Nick]

You can get other bikes from Halfords other than the brands they routinely stock, ask them

 

[JJ0063]

Thanks Nick,

What would you recommend for my budget? Would I benefit more from a Hybrid with a 12 mile country road commute, twice a day, twice a week?

 

[Big Nick]

If you're only riding roads get a road bike or a hybrid, you won't need suspension as it will just add a ton of weight for nothing

 

[vickster]

Carrera are decent, Trax and Apollo are to be avoided.

Given budget, this would be a good option, you don't want a hard tail mountain bike for road riding, but this will be more than good enough for the woods

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-hybrid-bike-large-20

 

[JJ0063]

Thanks for the help guys, I went and tried some today.

Wasn't keen on the subway due to the front end seeming low so the reach felt odd.

Tried a Carrera Crossfire 2 which seemed a lot better so I've ordered that. Only thing is on the website & every other photo online seems to be different.. But this bike I've ordered definitely says Carerra Crossfire 2! Was only able to get a poor photo.. Anyone able to identify if it's maybe an older model or something?

 

[Sandra6]

Personally I think you've made a mistake going for the crossfire, vengeance is a much better ride. I haven't seen the new ones in the flesh, but it looks like this year's colors.

 

[JJ0063]

Personally I think you've made a mistake going for the crossfire, vengeance is a much better ride. I haven't seen the new ones in the flesh, but it looks like this year's colors.

Thanks for the reply, just out of interest whats the reason behind that thought? As I understand the Vengeance as being a MTB therefore not suiting my needs as much? Keeping in mind my commute is 11.3 miles each way on country roads?

It's not too late to change my order if I'm swayed otherwise, I'm just intrigued.

Cheers

 

[Big Nick]

The suspension will weigh you down and sap your pedal effort on roads. As a suspension unit it won't fair much better off road.at that price point.

You may not want to listen but if your journey is all on roads you'd be far better on something like a Carrera TDF which isn't to say your choice won't get you there, it'll just be a lot more effort doing so

 

[Cyclist33]

Thanks for the reply, just out of interest whats the reason behind that thought? As I understand the Vengeance as being a MTB therefore not suiting my needs as much? Keeping in mind my commute is 11.3 miles each way on country roads?

It's not too late to change my order if I'm swayed otherwise, I'm just intrigued.

Cheers

"Country roads" could mean any number of things, but if it equates to the lanes of Cheshire, I wouldn't worry about needing suspension or for that matter fat hybrid tyres.

One does adapt quite quickly to the bike you're on and the terrain it's riding - no need to panic buy a heavy machine on account of country roads!

 

[JJ0063]

The suspension will weigh you down and sap your pedal effort on roads. As a suspension unit it won't fair much better off road.at that price point.

You may not want to listen but if your journey is all on roads you'd be far better on something like a Carrera TDF which isn't to say your choice won't get you there, it'll just be a lot more effort doing so

Thanks Nick, any replies are appreciated!

I'd certainly not buy another road bike, had one in the past & for road yes it's awesome but living in the back end of Norfolk means when I'm not using it to cycle to work, il be using it on farm lanes & light forest tracks so it needs to be a combination of hybrid/MTB etc.

Cheers

 

[Profpointy]

Do your homework on exactly what (if anything) the scheme will save you. Even on 40% tax it's arguably a bit marginal these days, as the final payment is at least supposed to reflect the 2nd hand value of the bike. Add on any admin fees, or shop corkage (which might be a fee, or lack of discount otherwise offered), then be limited to Halfords or specific models, and it may not be such a great deal and a lot of forms and hassle to save not-very-much. Fine if you can get exactly what you want to buy anyway and at a fair price, but not if you've got to compromise just to save a small amount (or zero). Maybe simply getting it on-the-drip is saving enough for you- fair enough - but just do the sums first.

And as others have said, for road use, don't get a mountain bike and for the budget you mention for Gawd's sake don't get any suspension - quite apart from being useless on the road, and completely unnecessary on canal paths and farm tracks, it simply can't be done (well) for the money, and would rob money from more important parts..

All that from what I've seen window shopping I reckon you can get a perfectly OK road bike or hybrid for the money you mention as you've now crossed the total-crap threshold which is the most important thing - after that although you do get more for more, some of it is bling and tart appeal, as well as genuine improvements.