Do I need a new bike??

[ade]

Hey all. So I'm new here and new to serious-ish cycling too, so I'm after some advice from some more experienced riders.

I've just taken up a new job that's a nightmare to get to by public transport or by car, so I've started riding in and am really enjoying it. It's about 5 miles each way, but I've been taking the scenic route which is about 6.5 miles. I'm thinking of stepping up the route each week as a way of keeping out of the gym, and maybe even going on some weekend jaunts.

So, all is good. And, better still, I've just found out that my new employers are in the bike-to-work scheme, which, by the sounds of it, means I can get a new bike on the cheap. So, my question to you all, is two-fold:

a) has anyone got any experience of this scheme and does it really mean I could buy a bike for half price in real terms? it feels far too good to be true, which generally means there has to be a catch somewhere, but I just can't find it...

do I need a new bike? Of course, the bike shop says I do, but they would, wouldn't they. I feel a bit stupid even asking the question. I have a 2006 Claud Butler Cape Wrath MTB, which is in really good nic, and a great looking bike. After a week or so I changed the tyres to slicks - well, slickish - and it's made the world of difference. But would a hybrid make a huge difference again? I don't have disk brakes, so maybe that makes a difference? I really don't want to go all out and get a road bike as part of my route in is riverside, but would I get much out of going for a hybrid? I've been looking at a few - Gary Fisher Utopia; Cannondale Bad Boy, Kona PHD. If it really is 50% off with this scheme, then I could probably stretch to £900. But then again, not if it isn't going to make a great difference..

Any thoughts? I know it's a nice problem to have, but I'd like some honest advice if you could spare me a mo'...

Cheers

Ade

 

[Keith Oates]

I can't make use of the bike to work scheme, but many on here have and there doesn't seem to be catches. The only complaint I've heard is that you are limited to the bike shops you can use but not the make or type of bike you can buy.

The answer to Of Course you need another bike, who doesn't
but seriously I would think that getting a hybrid or fast commuting bike would be better than the existing MTB. At the end of the day the choice is yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Piemaster]

Firstly ade, welcome!

do I need a new bike?

Yes.
This is a cycling forum, so that was pretty much the answer you'll get, working on the formula number of bikes you need = n+1 . Where n is the number of bikes you have now.

The cycle to work thing seems like a good way of getting a new bike to me if its available to you. Can't see my company ever doing it (I work in North Sea). Those who have used the scheme would be better qualified to comment than me though.

 

[milkmanchris]

First time poster please be gentle.

I am just waiting delivery of a shiny new Giant Escape R2 on the cycle scheme, mainly as a part commuter (15 miles flat is the full distance each way), although I have every intention of next spring doing it all by bike, I only do 3 shifts at a time, so fingers crossed a winters training should have me ready, will also be pulling a trailer for the school run every morning.

The cycle scheme was very quick, I put the paperwork in place last Wednesday and my voucher arrived this morning for collection of the bike. I work for a University so they are unable to reclaim the VAT but the the cost of the £350 over a year is £240ish, so savings of a third or so. If your work can reclaim the VAT you can get 41% so that bad boy could well be yours for bargain pennies.

 

[BentMikey]

Hiya Chris! You'll do great with that. A trailer is an excellent way of carrying kids, I used to fetch miniMikey from nursery 4 times a week in a Burley D'Lite. He loved it, he used to shout at me to go faster down hills.

 

[andylaw79]

I have a 2006 Claud Butler Cape Wrath MTB, which is in really good nic, and a great looking bike. After a week or so I changed the tyres to slicks - well, slickish - and it's made the world of difference. But would a hybrid make a huge difference again? I don't have disk brakes, so maybe that makes a difference?

Hi Ade, welcome to the forum. Stick with the bike you've got. A friend of mine has a 2007 model and I know its a really well specd bike. The v-brakes on it will be more than good enough. I know on my mate's bike he's got lock out on the suspension, which if it's on your model, will help with riding on the road. If not you might want to change to a rigid fork. The only real advantage you'll get with getting a hybrid is a road orientated gear set up.

Spend your money on clothes to make your commute more comfortable, then if you really want a new bike after a few months or so get one.

 

[LondonCommuter]

The bike to work scheme is fine, as Keith says the only problem is possible problems if your employer has opted for a restriction on who you can go with. The only "catch" is that your employer benefits. I think they pocket National Insurance savings and there may be some sharing between them and the scheme operator of the VAT. But this isn't a catch, its an additional cost to the taxpayer and a way of making the scheme attractive. You save the income tax, whichever way you look at it. If you move quickly, you could get your voucher and benefit from a sale bike too.

 

[milkmanchris]

The bike to work scheme is fine, as Keith says the only problem is possible problems if your employer has opted for a restriction on who you can go with.

I was told by our 'travel coordinator' that any shop that is a scheme member could be used, they did have a 'preferred' retailer no doubt some kicker involved, I didn't use them and went for a retailer 100yds from home.

I was luck that there are 6 in York, judging by your 'London' location, I guess you will be in the same sort of boat.

Only problem is there is no discounts to be had, apparently the scheme costs the retailer 10%, although if the service is good no doubt he will get that back in service costs and bits and bobs too.

 

[grhm]

My company will let us opt into the Cycle2Work scheme during October and we have to use Halfords. Slightly irritating timing and provider choice but at least its an option. I think they chose Halfords as it's a national brand and thus will suit people at any of our offices (and I'm sure it make the paperwork easier for someone only having to deal with one company)

 

[merlin321]

I work for an NHS hospital in Devon who are part of the cycle scheme. The trust really pushes the scheme and made the paperwork a doddle. Brought a new Giant SCR2 at the beginning of August, new lights and a cadence computer from LBS. Price would have been 592 but I`m only paying 412 over 12 months. Done just over 900 miles so far and enjoyed every yard.
It would have been a push to afford a similar bike without the scheme, but it came as a godsend when my 5 year old Gryphon flattie finally gave up the ghost.
IMO it`s a definate yes to the cycle scheme.

 

[HJ]

Yep, you always need a new bike, no matter how many you have already, it just one of those universal laws...

To be a bit more serious disk brakes are nice (if you don't mind the extra weight) but not essential, getting a fixed fork for road use will really make a difference and stretching to £900 bike over a £450, you really will get a better class of bike. Just go for it, you know you want to...

 

[ade]

Wow, seriously, thanks all for your replies. What a great forum this is!

Keith/Pie, thanks for for appealing to my frivolous side. You're quite right, I know, *of course* I need a new bike.

Andy, thanks for the welcome, of course, you're right too - I obviously don't *need* a new bike. And I did just get some nice warm Nike (I'm not proud of that part) under trousers, just in time for the sun to come out... I think that completes my kit stash...

So I'm taking from all this that I'm not going to get much more from a hybrid than my MTB with slicks. So that's my legit excuse out of the window, kind of. The only justification I have left is the madness of this scheme...

And thanks to everyone else for giving me confidence in the scheme. Surely it's just daft *not* to buy a bike if I'm going to get 50% off...? OK, I'm going for it, if not cos it's probably the only time I'll have an excuse to buy a really expensive bike.

So, really nice hybrids or MTBs that will work well with slicks for commuting, in the £700 - £900 bracket anyone???

Cheers again all.

Ade

 

[upsidedown]

Ade welcome !

The Cape Wrath's a great bike, and for what you're doing about perfect i think.

If it were me i'd use the cycle to work scheme to 'future proof' my riding habit. Get yourself a nice Galaxy or similar ready for next spring when the bug bites and you want to go touring. For the accessories, a nice set of Ortliebs, map case and a Trangia.

Enjoy and be safe.

Paul

 

[HJ]

If you are happy with your MTB and slicks, then there is little point in getting a hybrid for commuting. £700 - £900 will get you good road bike, just perfect for the summer or even a sunny day in winter, that way you get the best of both worlds...

 

[ade]

oops, I didn't see page 2 at first, sorry Hairy', didn't mean to ignore your reply. You know, I think I'd just made the decision to buy a nice spanky expensive hybrid, then out of nowhere Paul pops up with all this touring bike stuff and now I'm in all sorts of trouble... To be honest, I'd never even heard of touring bikes until you said it. I'm hoping to be living in New Zealand this time next year and I guess that's when a tourer will come into is own. Now I'm thinking, could I use a tourer to go to work on? Would be nice not to have a lug my laptop on my back each day... Can they handle toepaths...? Hmmmm... Maybe I could hang-up the Wrath for weekends... Well, that's the decision put off for a few days at least, but now I got some more serious investigation to do, which is a ton of fun. Hmmm this touring stuff, sounds like a stroke of genius to me...

Ade