My New Road Bike

[gaz]

I took the leap and don't think i will be going back.

Test rode three bikes today, all carbon frames and forks with ultegra group set. ranging from £1200 - £1400

First ride was a Raleigh Avanti Carbon Race - was a nice bit, great paint job and a good feel, only issue i had was the toe straps, can't use them for crap. didn't bring along my normal SL road shoes, so had to stick with the flats.

Next bike was a Pinnacle Aeos Carbon 2.0 - Another nice ride, felt great but it was a stretch for me to reach the brakes and felt uncomfortable.

After that ride i took the Raleigh out again, but with different pedals and raised the saddle slight. felt like a dream, i thought this was the one.

Then i took the Univega Via Strato Pro Carbon out for a spin, and within the first 10 meters i knew it was the best, the frame was stiffer than the others, and the response from the forks was amazing. i free wheeled and the clicking sound from the fulcram hub was amazing, i fell in love with it right then. I took it back to the shop and told them this was the one..


So my new bike...

Univega Via Strato Pro Carbon

Frame and Fork is Univega Race, High Modular Carbon
Shimano Ultegra groupset.
Concept X-treme Road, Alloy handlebars
Fulcrum Racing 7 rims and hub
Shimano 105 SPD-SL pedals

As i just got in and it's dark, no pictures as yet. will post some tomorrow B)

 

[ianrauk]

Well done mate, look forward to seeing the pics Gaz...

 

[Garz]

I was eying up that Raleigh today online, any other info you can share about it gaz?

Glad you found 'the one' on your test ride, cant wait to see the pics! Did you get it on finance?

 

[fossyant]

PICS please !!!!!

 

[accountantpete]

It's a bit mucky out there - are you sure you want to get the bike dirty?

 

[gaz]

I was eying up that Raleigh today online, any other info you can share about it gaz?

Glad you found 'the one' on your test ride, cant wait to see the pics! Did you get it on finance?

It is no doubt a very nice bike, has a great spec etc.. fantastic color and the build is pretty good. It felt really good under me and i loved riding it, just didn't think the frame was as stiff.

I got it on the cycle 2 work scheme.

It's a bit mucky out there - are you sure you want to get the bike dirty?

Defiantly not, if it looks like heavy rain, i'll be on the hybrid

 

[Norm]

I got it on the cycle 2 work scheme.

I thought that (unless your employer has a consumer credit licence) there was a £1k limit on C2W bikes.

 

[addictfreak]

I thought that (unless your employer has a consumer credit licence) there was a £1k limit on C2W bikes.

This has been brought up before. Some bike shops will let you pay the difference up front.

 

[Norm]

This has been brought up before. Some bike shops will let you pay the difference up front.

Sorry, I thought that sort of thing was specifically excluded from the C2W provisions, seems that I was wrong though.

 

[addictfreak]

Sorry, I thought that sort of thing was specifically excluded from the C2W provisions, seems that I was wrong though.

Yes that often seems to be the view, and its what I originally thought too. But having read through the terms of our scheme, there was nothing to suggest that it was not allowed. The LBS that I used was happy to obilige, and I know from colleagues that other shops on our scheme are also happy to do so.

 

[auckland27]

The Evans scheme certainly lets you top up.

Gaz, look forward to seeing the bike in the car park tomorrow!

 

[addictfreak]

The Evans scheme certainly lets you top up.

Gaz, look forward to seeing the bike in the car park tomorrow!

Yes, I think it seems to depend on the scheme your employer uses, and of course on your employer too. As I say I read the terms on ours and also cleared it with management. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[gaz]

My C2W scheme says on the back of the voucher that you can spend over, but you don't get any tax advantages on any money over the grand.

 

[addictfreak]

Nice looking bike mate.

 

[Tollers]

Very nice....and distinctive too. Will keep my eye out for you around London.