Anyone seen Halfords 13 range of bikes?

[TJM01]

I have been riding my Boardman Hybrid for several years and now want to get a carbon bike.

I'm kinda stuck with Halfords as I get 10% discount for British Cycling membership and can use the cycle to work scheme too.

I popped in over the weekend and the guy there really seemed to know his stuff and suggested the "13 Intuition Gamma". Now they didnt tell me that 13 are Halfords own make... but it looks like the designer has good pedegree and the bike looks stunning (on the web).

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/13-intuition-gamma-road-bike-2015

He said to read the independant reviews and I did - unfortunately the two I read sais the same thing... the brakes are poor and the front flexes meaning you wouldnt want to charge into tight corners.

After reading these reviews I started looking at the Giant Defy Advanced 2 - but it looks like Halfords dont do Giant and I really wanna get the extra 10% discount for being a British Cycling member

With all that said, I really like to look of it and wonder whether these points mentioned on reviews would really affect me??

I am not a competition racer, I ride for run and fitness - the longest ride I typically do is about 20-30 miles and I am not in any club.

So does anyone have any thoughts or comments - particularly if they have seen and ridden a 13 in the flesh?

Thanks

 

[Absinthe Minded]

All I can say is that I have the current Giant Defy 1 Disc and its like somebody has given me a new pair of legs and a more resilient arse.

 

[vickster]

@13 rider has one (albeit a flatbar)

You could try using the search function for other discussions

You could also look at Boardman carbo roadbike? Halfords also do a bunch of other brands nowadays

Or don't limit yourself to Halfords, there are plenty of older models especially with bigger discounts than 10%. You can also get BC discount at Chain Reaction cycles if willing to order online. Use credit if you don't have the cash.
Other retailers/LBS take Halfords C2W vouchers too (if buying on C2W presumably the bike also needs to be a commuter so consider mudguard and pannier rack compatibility which can be more problematic on carbon frames). Also, it's £1300, so over the standard C2W £1000 threshold, I am not sure if Halfords allow top up. Also, as a web exclusive, can you get the instore 10% BC discount and use C2W?

All that said, if you like the 13, just go for it. It's you riding it after all

That bike to my eyes is really not very appealing or attractive, but then I can't abide aero style frames and black bikes

However, I'm not buying it, you are...

 

[TJM01]

Thanks Absinthe Minded - I really like the look of the Giant too - so will consider how I can get one on C2W

Cheers too Vickster - The £1299 price was in store too... so by my maths it would be £1169.10 and after the C2W tax back means I would be paying about £800ish. They did say that I can use the 10% discount and C2W together

I looked at Chain Reaction Cycles, but was hesitant as they are in Ireland I would like to see what I am getting for my £1k+ before I order it

I will have a nosey through the other forums and see what others say - just hadnt seen "13" before and the specs look pretty appealing (7kg/Ultegra/etc).

Thanks again and I'll keep popping by!!

 

[vickster]

Unless your company has a credit licence, you are limited to £1000. Halfords may not let you top up with cash

 

[goody]

I think they can get non stock bikes in as well, this is from their cycle scheme site;
"Hundreds of bikes from over 800 partner independent stores so you've access to bikes outside of the Halfords range too."

 

[vickster]

I think they can get non stock bikes in as well, this is from their cycle scheme site;
"Hundreds of bikes from over 800 partner independent stores so you've access to bikes outside of the Halfords range too."

They would however be full price, so again if there's a 1k limit, the defy advanced might not be accessible. You can use c2w but likely not the BC discount

 

[13 rider]

Yes I have a 13 hybrid and love it I would have bought a 13 road bike last summer but picked up a secondhand Giant defy at a bargin price
As I understand it 13 is an independent maker selling exclusively through Halfords.
I certainly reccomend the brand and always thought the bikes look good and a lot more exclusive than a Boardman ,yet to see another in the flesh . @Lilliburlero has us bought his other half a female road bike and he and she is very happy . If the bike suits you go for it

 

[steve50]

@TJM01 where in the country are you located, I was looking at the spec of the13 and it sports an 11-25 cassette, I personally would not want to be tackling anything more than a gentle slope with that kind of gearing even with the chainset small ring being a 39T it is going to be hard work on a reasonably steep climb.

 

[NorthernDave]

One of the techs at my local Halfords has a 13 road bike and seems very pleased with it.
That said, is it really worth getting a bike you're not sure about just to save a few quid? That's a got the potential to rankle for a long time...

 

[david k]

I have been riding my Boardman Hybrid for several years and now want to get a carbon bike.

I'm kinda stuck with Halfords as I get 10% discount for British Cycling membership and can use the cycle to work scheme too.

I popped in over the weekend and the guy there really seemed to know his stuff and suggested the "13 Intuition Gamma". Now they didnt tell me that 13 are Halfords own make... but it looks like the designer has good pedegree and the bike looks stunning (on the web).

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/13-intuition-gamma-road-bike-2015

He said to read the independant reviews and I did - unfortunately the two I read sais the same thing... the brakes are poor and the front flexes meaning you wouldnt want to charge into tight corners.

After reading these reviews I started looking at the Giant Defy Advanced 2 - but it looks like Halfords dont do Giant and I really wanna get the extra 10% discount for being a British Cycling member

With all that said, I really like to look of it and wonder whether these points mentioned on reviews would really affect me??

I am not a competition racer, I ride for run and fitness - the longest ride I typically do is about 20-30 miles and I am not in any club.

So does anyone have any thoughts or comments - particularly if they have seen and ridden a 13 in the flesh?

Thanks

Nice that mate, photos if you get it please

 

[TJM01]

Wow - a lot of info there from everyone... thanks.

I didnt realise the £1k limit on the C2W scheme, so will need to check that Halfords will take a payment to top it up. Also I live in Kent and do ride some fairly harsh hills. I re-geared the Boardman with 53/39 as I wanted more speed, so if I go for the 13, I will bear in mind that I might end up changing the cassette it its too much... but I do have a need for speed too

Halfords offered to get the 13 in so I could take a look, so I think I will do that and if they let me put some pedals on it I will try it first (then haggle as it'll be an ex-demo one then!!).

Cheers all and it will be a few weeks before my firm gets signed up to C2W... but will let you know what I end up going for.

 

[J1888]

Halfords doing 10% off all Boardman Performance bikes at the moment. So with British Cycling you could pick up Boardman Team Carbon (which I've had for 2 weeks) for just over £800

 

[J1888]

Scratch that - the email said Boardman Performance bikes but the website says ALL bikes so you should be able to get the extra 10% on the 13

 

[L2XE]

I got my Cube through C2W. I was also tempted by the 13 range, but lack of user reviews left me wary, they do look good though.

My companies C2W scheme heavily steered you towards Halfords, it was only when you read the small print that you realised that you could get anything you like under a grand.