Doctor on a bike

[Gaj Sivadhas]

Hi chaps. The name says it all. This morning my beloved Giant Rapide 2011 roadbike was stolen. Im not really that bike advanced but in the 18 months I was cycling it I became a bit obsessed with it and cycling in general.

Now need to get a new one. Money is a bit tight (before anyone says doctors make a lot of money, I have had to pay for idemnity, exams and a was off for a while). I got the last one on the bike to work scheme- the NHS does run it, but now Im looking to just get one straight off.

I have 2 options- either spend about 300 pounds buying one second hand off Gumtree. Had a look and there were 2 that I liked:
Trek 1000 Road Bike, 56cm Alum frame, Shimano Sora, Felt Hubs, Alex Rims, Specialised Romin Saddle £249
Concorde Trevisio Roadbike 57.5 x 55.5 Shimano, Mavic, Rigida £249 but in Stoke Newigoton

There is nothing else really catching my eye.

I know some bike shops offer a decent bike but you can pay it in installments. I kinda like the idea of that. To further complicate matters I kinda want to get into triathalons. Can anyone recommend a decent bike within my prince range (can pay up to 600 new). Thank you for all the help

 

[vickster]

How about a BTWIN Triban 500 from Decathlon (Surrey Quays). http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-id_8306944.html

Otherwise , Evans have a wide range with interest free credit

 

[Ganymede]

I can't advise you but just to say to the forum! My doctor is a bit of a cyclist himself, it's a combo I'm in favour of!

 

[themosquitoking]

I have a t5 as my commuter and it's a decent enough bike although for rides of 20 miles or more i would recommend a new saddle, it isn't comfortable to me over that distance. Change the brake blocks immediately though and change the tyres when either you can afford to or want to or they need it. Other than that it looks pretty low key and is fairly safe ime locked up during the day and it takes mudguards easily. The newer sora gears it comes with are fairly good and it's got 3 more than the old version.

 

[welsh dragon]

Hi. Welcome to the forum from powys.

 

[SteCenturion]

Hello & from the Peoples Republic of Mancunia.

Can I politely ask why it is that you have discounted the C2W option ?

IF you are a higher rate tax earner you avoid approx 40% tax & some N.I contribution (as you know) so a £1000 bike could be yours for potentially under £600.

This opens up some very good quality bikes to you & the cash you have can stay in an ISA or suchlike earning you a tiny % interest (or whatever you wish).

Some sub (only just) £1k bike to consider might be Giant Defy 1, Cube Peloton Race, Focus Culebro, Boardman Comp Carbon, to name but a few.

Best luck with your bike hunt.

 

[Profpointy]

Hello & from the Peoples Republic of Mancunia.

Can I politely ask why it is that you have discounted the C2W option ?

IF you are a higher rate tax earner you avoid approx 40% tax & some N.I contribution (as you know) so a £1000 bike could be yours for potentially under £600.

This opens up some very good quality bikes to you & the cash you have can stay in an ISA or suchlike earning you a tiny % interest (or whatever you wish).

Some sub (only just) £1k bike to consider might be Giant Defy 1, Cube Peloton Race, Focus Culebro, Boardman Comp Carbon, to name but a few.

Best luck with your bike hunt.

Don't think c2w is nearly as good as it used to be even @40% tax. In theory, the "final payment" now has to reflect the reaslistic valuation of the 2nd hand bike rather than being a nominal £25 or whatever. And bikes through the scheme tend to be dearer to cover admin, whether that's a formal corkage charge or simply lack of a discount. Fine if the bike is exctly what you want; you'll save a litle bit, and get to buy it on-the-drip, but it's marginal otherwise.

 

[SteCenturion]

Don't think c2w is nearly as good as it used to be even @40% tax. In theory, the "final payment" now has to reflect the reaslistic valuation of the 2nd hand bike rather than being a nominal £25 or whatever. And bikes through the scheme tend to be dearer to cover admin, whether that's a formal corkage charge or simply lack of a discount. Fine if the bike is exctly what you want; you'll save a litle bit, and get to buy it on-the-drip, but it's marginal otherwise.

I am a lower rate street urchin so would save even less then.
Still, I will give it a try, my last one was on Credit Card & I didn't clear it before 0 % ended, which was a little foolish of me.

 

[raleighnut]

Sorry to hear your bike was stolen. My old GP was a cyclist and understood my injuries much better than my current one does.

 

[PatrickPending]

Entry level Specialized Allez bikes and Treks (like the 1000) always seemed to be quite highly rated a few years back. The spec on the Decathlon looks good too. My first proper road bike (had a Claud Butler Vuelta but that was rubbish...) Was an Allez - £499 about 10yrs ago, was great. Think if I were in a similar position today I'd look at the Decathlon or indeed go to look at the Trek - give it a test ride.......