mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
You would only be losing about 4 gear inches between a 50/11 and a 44/10. It's not as drastic as you might think.
Oh no, it's another "what C2W bike?" thread...
- Thread starter NorthernDave
- Start date
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damj
Well-Known Member
I did ctw Halfords this year got a Giant Contend, https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/contend-sl-2-disc fits the bill for all of your requirements. Superb bike
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Oh you blooming rotter!
I was half decided on what to do and then you throw that in the mix
It does look the business doesn't it, and good spec too...even if it is right at the top of the allowance
Right, I'm off to find some reviews.
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
damj
Well-Known Member
Depending
Ha ha, welcome to the world of c2w again.
Depending on how northern you are, got mine at Yarm cycles. A brilliant little bike shop. Best off having a test run. Got mine in a large, possibly should have got M/L, I'm 6ft, the reach was too much, so just got a shorter stem. No problems on bridle paths and disused railway lines.
Oh you blooming rotter!
I was half decided on what to do and then you throw that in the mix
It does look the business doesn't it, and good spec too...even if it is right at the top of the allowance
View attachment 380534
Right, I'm off to find some reviews.
Ha ha, welcome to the world of c2w again.
Depending on how northern you are, got mine at Yarm cycles. A brilliant little bike shop. Best off having a test run. Got mine in a large, possibly should have got M/L, I'm 6ft, the reach was too much, so just got a shorter stem. No problems on bridle paths and disused railway lines.
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Looking at the sizing chart, I'm just into an M (5ft9, 29in inside leg) but given several reviews along with what you've said, an S might be a better fit if I go down that route.
Decisions, decisions...
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Popped into Evans this morning - hugely unimpressed. "The store has over 300 bikes in stock" says the website, they may well have but they only had 6 or 7 road bikes under a grand (the C2W limit), only one of those with disc brakes and they essentially advised me to go look at their website. I doubt I was in store more than 5 minutes.
So, I won't be buying from them.
Also called in at Halfords later on and they were much more helpful. Unfortunately while they can order hundreds of different bikes on C2W, anything other than their standard range is now all done by their specialist C2W department who I'd need to phone and who don't work weekends...so I can't find out about the Giant until Monday morning.
I did have a look at the Boardmans listed above while I was there though.
I'd already ruled out the CX Comp on the basis of spec / reviews despite it having the best colour scheme.
The Road Comp is a much better colour in the flesh, the website pictures don't do it justice at all. But the paint finish wasn't great - it was a bit orange peely in places and the carbon fork was clearly a different shade to the frame, both of which would niggle away at me no end, especially as the colour would be a compromise in the first place.
The CX Team looked absolutely spot on though and I had a good chat with them about it.
As things stand it now comes down to the deal they can do on the Giant when I ring them. RRP is £999 although several UK online retailers have it in stock as low as £749. If they can price match (or get somewhere near enough to cover the cost of the accessories I'll want) then we might have an interesting conversation.
So, I won't be buying from them.
Also called in at Halfords later on and they were much more helpful. Unfortunately while they can order hundreds of different bikes on C2W, anything other than their standard range is now all done by their specialist C2W department who I'd need to phone and who don't work weekends...so I can't find out about the Giant until Monday morning.
I did have a look at the Boardmans listed above while I was there though.
I'd already ruled out the CX Comp on the basis of spec / reviews despite it having the best colour scheme.
The Road Comp is a much better colour in the flesh, the website pictures don't do it justice at all. But the paint finish wasn't great - it was a bit orange peely in places and the carbon fork was clearly a different shade to the frame, both of which would niggle away at me no end, especially as the colour would be a compromise in the first place.
The CX Team looked absolutely spot on though and I had a good chat with them about it.
As things stand it now comes down to the deal they can do on the Giant when I ring them. RRP is £999 although several UK online retailers have it in stock as low as £749. If they can price match (or get somewhere near enough to cover the cost of the accessories I'll want) then we might have an interesting conversation.
ozboz
Guru
- Location
- Richmond ,Surrey
They should price match it , I priced some stuff and they.auto matched it without any oromting from me , Evans on the other hand had to be pressured a bit to go on the computer and price match , I am still considering the road comp though , not to fussed about the paint job not being 100% , by the end of the winter it will be well battered !
vickster
Legendary Member
Evans have massively reduced the list of price match options. They don’t sell Giant either, nor Boardman
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Well, things have moved on a bit.
I spoke to the Halfords C2W people who were much more interested in reading their script than listening to what I wanted to ask.
Essentially, I could get the voucher and spend it in store, but only on what they sell in store, or if I wanted any other bike order online from their "partner" company Tredz...
So I eventually got them to email me their list of stores who accept their C2W vouchers to spend in store.
As a result I've been to Cycle Surgery today, spent a very productive 20 minutes with an incredibly helpful member of staff, tried a couple of bikes for size and went through the various options. Plus, they'll allow me to top up the voucher if I want a better (more expensive) bike.
So the only decision now is do I go for the Giant Contend SL2 Disc with Tiagra, or do I stump up the extra cash and get the Giant Contend SL1 Disc with 105...?
Or see what clearance bikes they've got in when the voucher eventually comes through (first week in December, unfortunately...
). They had a Defy Advanced 3 Disc in today with £350 off...
I spoke to the Halfords C2W people who were much more interested in reading their script than listening to what I wanted to ask.
Essentially, I could get the voucher and spend it in store, but only on what they sell in store, or if I wanted any other bike order online from their "partner" company Tredz...
So I eventually got them to email me their list of stores who accept their C2W vouchers to spend in store.
As a result I've been to Cycle Surgery today, spent a very productive 20 minutes with an incredibly helpful member of staff, tried a couple of bikes for size and went through the various options. Plus, they'll allow me to top up the voucher if I want a better (more expensive) bike.
So the only decision now is do I go for the Giant Contend SL2 Disc with Tiagra, or do I stump up the extra cash and get the Giant Contend SL1 Disc with 105...?
Or see what clearance bikes they've got in when the voucher eventually comes through (first week in December, unfortunately...
). They had a Defy Advanced 3 Disc in today with £350 off...
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Convince Mrs Dave with all the money your saving your entitled to the 105 upgradeWell, things have moved on a bit.
I spoke to the Halfords C2W people who were much more interested in reading their script than listening to what I wanted to ask.
Essentially, I could get the voucher and spend it in store, but only on what they sell in store, or if I wanted any other bike order online from their "partner" company Tredz...
So I eventually got them to email me their list of storage who accept their C2W vouchers to spend in store.
As a result I've been to Cycle Republic today, spent a very productive 20 minutes with an incredibly helpful member of staff, tried a couple of bikes for size and went through the various options. Plus, they'll allow me to top up the voucher if I want a better (more expensive) bike.
So the only decision now is do I go for the Giant Contend SL2 Disc with Tiagra, or do I stump up the extra cash and get the Giant Contend SL1 Disc with 105...?
Or see what clearance bikes they've got in when the voucher eventually comes through (first week in December, unfortunately...
and jobs a good un .On the news of this impending purchase shares in Boardman bikes has crashed
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Convince Mrs Dave with all the money your saving your entitled to the 105 upgrade
On the news of this impending purchase shares in Boardman bikes has crashed
I think you could be right
Plus the more expensive one has green detailing so would match the green silicon case I've already got for my Garmin - saving even more money
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Update time, after a lot of faffing I got my C2W Letter of Collection and ordered this:
A Giant Contend SL1 Disc 2018, (the one with 105) - I pick it up on Saturday
A Giant Contend SL1 Disc 2018, (the one with 105) - I pick it up on Saturday
