Sales, ride to work and deadlines

[Slower than you]

Hi all

I am looking at starting cycling and the shop said don't wait for January as they don't do sales more than now, rather when 2015 stock is finished its gone.

However, I am considering doing the ride to work scheme but can only get voucher in Feb, by which time maybe all 2015 stock models will be gone.

I found a good bike but not sure.

Any ideas or tips? Shoul I wait or just get one now?

Thanks

J

 

[alicat]

Welcome @Slower than you

What bike are you looking at and where are you thinking of buying it from.

All 2015 stock is likely to be gone by Feb so you will need to weigh up the price now v the likely 2016 price and the 2016 upgrade, if any. If you have enough savings, I'd get on and buy it now without the cycle to work voucher. That way you can start cycling sooner!

 

[vickster]

You might find interest free credit on a reduced bike works out better than C2W depending on your schemes terms and conditions

Plus taking into account any travel expenses incurred when you could be cycling to work

Also worth noting that some retailers won't take c2w on reduced bikes due to the charges they incur to take the vouchers

 

[Slower than you]

thanks everyone. I went for a test ride in evans. seems I am looking for an endurance/sportife road bike. I am relatively fit although not bike fit. I am considering a charity ride of 100k in 5 months, so need to get going.

based on discussions, was possibly looking at:

Cannondale Synapse Alloy Sora 2015 and Norco Valence A2 2015... I don't want to spend too much but want something that will keep me going as said for years I should take this up...or should I just spend less?

any ideas? or a good place to buy from or places with free credit?

 

[gavroche]

If you have the cash or just short of the actual cost of the bike, buy on your credit card and you won't have to pay until end of January, interest free.

 

[Milkfloat]

In my opinion you will ind 2015 bikes well into April. However, if you are fixed with one shop or one particular bike then you run a real risk of not getting it. Of all places, Evans let you buy the bike for cash now then when your voucher arrives they will refund and process it.

 

[vickster]

thanks everyone. I went for a test ride in evans. seems I am looking for an endurance/sportife road bike. I am relatively fit although not bike fit. I am considering a charity ride of 100k in 5 months, so need to get going.

based on discussions, was possibly looking at:

Cannondale Synapse Alloy Sora 2015 and Norco Valence A2 2015... I don't want to spend too much but want something that will keep me going as said for years I should take this up...or should I just spend less?

any ideas? or a good place to buy from or places with free credit?

Sigma in Hampton wick do IFC, they have some lower cost bikes

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk

They have the cannondale on sale although not 0% credit

http://www.sigmasport.co.uk/item/Cannondale/Synapse-AL-Sora-Road-Bike-2015/4UNQ?wmp=260?wmp=260

Norco are exclusive to Evans I believe

If you want to spend less, look at decathlon

Given your location and if buying on the never never, budget for good locks (£70) and insurance (adding to home insurance is the cheapest option usually)

 

[Slower than you]

thanks all. I'm not necessarily fixed on a bike or a shop. just hard to know the difference when so new. Trying to work out value for money.

does it look like I am heading in right direction with bike choice?

should I be looking at a slightly cheaper range or second hand for my level of experience?

lastly, is it better to wait or just go for it now?

sorry for all the questions, prefer to hear from you guys then a shop

 

[bonsaibilly]

Just put a deposit down. Evans will hold any bike if you reserve it with a 10% deposit. BB

 

[vickster]

Get Evans to get them in your size and have some test rides (you'll need a dry day)

 

[Slower than you]

Thank you all. Is there is a big difference in value for money between the 300-500 range?

 

[vickster]

Thank you all. Is there is a big difference in value for money between the 300-500 range?

You'll get a more modern design bike, with carbon fork from a bigger manufacturer which may help future resale

Have a look at what Ashcycles have in terms of older model Giant defys. They have a shop somewhere in East London too

Spend as much as you can afford if you plan on using the bike a lot and keeping it

 

[Slower than you]

Thank you everyone. My last question is, to get the best deal, should I buy now, after Boxing Day or wait until February for the voucher?

 

[potsy]

Thank you everyone. My last question is, to get the best deal, should I buy now, after Boxing Day or wait until February for the voucher?

If you have the money and will be using the bike straight away then buy now.

If you are in no particular rush for a bike then wait for the voucher, that's what I did when I bought my single-speed in April.

 

[vickster]

Thank you everyone. My last question is, to get the best deal, should I buy now, after Boxing Day or wait until February for the voucher?

There are no specific sales usually on bikes but no harm in looking

Have you done the sums on what c2w will save. On a £500 bike if a lower tax payer and a scheme with an end of scheme payment it may not be that much. The headline figures can be misleading