Which bike from halfords?

[thetribe]

I got mine from Halfords on the first cycle scheme from work, I researched and chose my bike online and then went to Halfords and asked if they could get it (Dawes Vantage tourer) They have a book they can order bikes from (or did when I got mine) so you're not limited to only the bikes they sell themselves.

 

[vickster]

Giant store near St. Paul's as above , don't accept halfords vouchers though as they use cyclescheme

 

[MisterStan]

Try the Cube Peleton as well, you won't be disappointed.

I was!

 

[Colinb07958]

Ok so I went to a giant store and the guy did not have any defy 1 yet. But he showed me composite 2 defy and it is so light. Think it the 2014 model. He was sure that I could buy from them with the Halford vouchers. It was this http://www.bikebasesouthend.co.uk/index.php?GOTO=2116&PICFILE=2116&STKNR=2116&STRH=&ORDN=&RNZ=195170 any opinions

 

[DooDah]

I was!

Well most are not

 

[vickster]

I'm going to throw this into the mix, even though it's black as you won't see many others on the road and Pearsons take Halfords vouchers. http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/cycle-to-work/

They'll also fit the right size bars, stem, crank, change tape for you, unlike buying off the peg

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/pearson-upandatem-444.html

You could probably negotiate a SRAM apex or 105 build if preferred

 

[Colinb07958]

Cheers. Not sure I can get a bike especially built through the cycle to work scheme.
At the moment looking at these;
http://www.bikebasesouthend.co.uk/index.php?GOTO=2116&PICFILE=2116&STKNR=2116&STRH=&ORDN=&RNZ=195170

http://www.bikebasesouthend.co.uk/index.php?GOTO=2722&PICFILE=2722&STKNR=2722&STRH=&ORDN=&RNZ=742286

 

[BrynCP]

I used C2W via Halfords last year and there's a telephone number on their website that takes you through to ordering almost any bike in for you. @BrynCP There is NO reluctance to do this. They were more than helpful with me. Giant Defy 1 ordered and arrived within 7 days. They can't do Ribble or Planet X for obvious reasons, but most other big brands are catered for. Their build of the bike wasn't so good, so factor in getting it checked!

@screenman mine is still in use a year down the line, albeit with n+1 stable mate.

I say reluctant because the people I know who did it without going down the Boardman or Carerra route were messed about a lot. This could depend on each individual store.

I haven't used C2W myself, as the £60 saving on an £800 bike isn't worth the hassle of dealing with Halfords.

 

[vickster]

Cheers. Not sure I can get a bike especially built through the cycle to work scheme.
At the moment looking at these;
http://www.bikebasesouthend.co.uk/index.php?GOTO=2116&PICFILE=2116&STKNR=2116&STRH=&ORDN=&RNZ=195170

http://www.bikebasesouthend.co.uk/index.php?GOTO=2722&PICFILE=2722&STKNR=2722&STRH=&ORDN=&RNZ=742286

It won't be especially built - the voucher is just like cash, they supply a bike/kit to the value of £1000 and away you go

 

[Cuchilo]

Twickenham Giant have a Defy comp 3 for £880 and a Defy 1 ( cant remember the price ) in M

 

[vickster]

Don't take Hellfrauds vouchers I think

 

[Cuchilo]

Go and buy the bike you want and spend the vouchers on kit

 

[bpsmith]

I say reluctant because the people I know who did it without going down the Boardman or Carerra route were messed about a lot. This could depend on each individual store.

I haven't used C2W myself, as the £60 saving on an £800 bike isn't worth the hassle of dealing with Halfords.

I think you'll find it's quite a bit more than £60 off £800 fella.

 

[BrynCP]

I think you'll find it's quite a bit more than £60 off £800 fella.

Depends on employer, my employer started charging the HMRC guideline of 25% final payment. (Please note I am not saying all do, many get around this by extending the rental for a nominal fee)

Therefore, the bike would cost me £544.08 (net) plus £200 final payment = £744.08, a saving of £55.92. Bear in mind that a local bike shop who will work with Halfords give you 10% off for cash, you'd only pay £720 for the same bike, they won't give you a penny if you use C2W.

Worth it if you want/need the free 12 month credit, but if you have to deal with Halfords or a slow admin department, could be a long time before you see the bike.

My colleagues' experience with Halfords is they get everything sorted, get their voucher, turn up at Halfords, who then claim the non-Halfords bike is "out of stock", "come and have a look at our Boardmans".

 

[bpsmith]

@BrynCP the options for Halfords C2W are:

1 - continue the duration
2 - pay the 25% for bikes over £500
3 - pay the tax on the final value from option 2
4 - hand the bike back

My employer have options 2 - 4. I chose option 3 naturally.

So £50 on my Defy 1.

As far as getting it sorted, the HR but took a day and ordering in the Defy took a further week from ringing their central number to collecting "fully built". Which I then had done properly with my bike fit.