getting £400 in vouchers next week for bike to work scheme. aiming to spend around 300/330 on bike with the rest on warranty helmet lock lights etc. the scheme is set up with halfords scheme so have to get bike from them. have decided to get a road bike went into the store but sales people a bit pushy and kinda glaze over what specifications mean just tryin to get u to buy something more expensive. have looked online seems to be more available and cheaper instore so will probably just reserve online. the problem i need help with is have no idea what to look for in a good starter bike so all suggestions would be much appreciated thanks.
bike to work scheme halfords suggestions please
- Thread starter dangb
- Start date
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Just to make you choice more complicated, but in case you weren't aware, if you see a cycle you want that Halfords don't stock in store they can often get it for you. If you phone their C2W people they can tell you whether they can source it. For example, I know they can get Trek bikes and provide them through a shop in London. I got a Specialized bike through them last year and know of others at work who've done the same.
In the price range you're talking, I suspect you'll be limited to a Carrera cycle in terms of what they stock in store/online. The Boardmans start at £600ish I think in terms of the cheapest road bike. The Carreras get some good reports on here if you do a search and am sure someone who knows those bikes better will chip in with a view.
In the price range you're talking, I suspect you'll be limited to a Carrera cycle in terms of what they stock in store/online. The Boardmans start at £600ish I think in terms of the cheapest road bike. The Carreras get some good reports on here if you do a search and am sure someone who knows those bikes better will chip in with a view.
e-rider
Banned member
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skudupnorth
Cycling Skoda lover
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- Astley,Manchester
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Edit ............do you want a flat bar or racing bike style? racing bike bars do give you more hand positions so you can change your grip to relieve any numbness etc.
Purely pot luck whether the staff at your local branch are ok or not.
The boardman and carrera bikes are well respected as good value for money bikes with decent spec components.
You need to let us know what sort of bike you want.
Road bike?
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165710
flat barred fast bike?
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534
Sturdier flat barred bike?(discs)
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534
Sturdier flat barred bike?(normal brakes )
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534
I have the 1st and last and for the money they are great bikes, similar in spec to bikes costing another £100 +.If in doubt about the quality of the staff you can always take it to your local bike shop after wards and bung em a few quid to do a check if the bike is not set up right...mind you if halfords geive it you set up wrong they should put it right gratis !!
My local Halfords is ok as one of the guys in there is a MTBer so knows what he is doing.
Just seen that they do a cheap road bike on offer, sounds ok for the price although the picture does not match the description the shifters are better ones than described in the specs worth a look ?
http://www.halfords....yId_165710#dtab
Purely pot luck whether the staff at your local branch are ok or not.
The boardman and carrera bikes are well respected as good value for money bikes with decent spec components.
You need to let us know what sort of bike you want.
Road bike?
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165710
flat barred fast bike?
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534
Sturdier flat barred bike?(discs)
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534
Sturdier flat barred bike?(normal brakes )
http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165534
I have the 1st and last and for the money they are great bikes, similar in spec to bikes costing another £100 +.If in doubt about the quality of the staff you can always take it to your local bike shop after wards and bung em a few quid to do a check if the bike is not set up right...mind you if halfords geive it you set up wrong they should put it right gratis !!
My local Halfords is ok as one of the guys in there is a MTBer so knows what he is doing.
Just seen that they do a cheap road bike on offer, sounds ok for the price although the picture does not match the description the shifters are better ones than described in the specs worth a look ?
http://www.halfords....yId_165710#dtab
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
These are my 2 halfords bikes, a few changes have been made such as lights etc but you get the gist..
e-rider
Banned member
- Location
- South West
These are my 2 halfords bikes, a few changes have been made such as lights etc but you get the gist..
are those crud mudguards on the road bike? what are they like? Do they have bushes that rest on the rims to keep them in place?
thanks to all really glad joined this site before i had chosen bike some really good advice, in order od posts,
1. thanks willo thats really good to know and carreras are lookin like a good option at the min
2, thanks but unfortunately already sorted out vouchers and have to do it from halfords, if i had a delorean would probably go back and buy a good quality bike of ebay, but saying that if i had a delorean then wouldn be buying a bike
3/4. have no idea about upkeep of bike might just pay £20 for year warranty then get used to upkeep in first year, think will def get someone else to look at it after i buy it
5.road bike, racing bike style, gonna have to take a look at the options will get back to you, but the ventura at the bottom in white looks good is it worth gettin the accessory pack with it worth gettin or would u get them seperately
6. guessin halfords was good for you then thanks for the pics
1. thanks willo thats really good to know and carreras are lookin like a good option at the min
2, thanks but unfortunately already sorted out vouchers and have to do it from halfords, if i had a delorean would probably go back and buy a good quality bike of ebay, but saying that if i had a delorean then wouldn be buying a bike
3/4. have no idea about upkeep of bike might just pay £20 for year warranty then get used to upkeep in first year, think will def get someone else to look at it after i buy it
5.road bike, racing bike style, gonna have to take a look at the options will get back to you, but the ventura at the bottom in white looks good is it worth gettin the accessory pack with it worth gettin or would u get them seperately
6. guessin halfords was good for you then thanks for the pics
this might sound like a stupid question but how do you know how many inches to go for, im guessin its based on your height is there some sort of chart for this. plus if goin to work on bike gonna have to bring trousers and shirt whats the best option for takin them with u if ur on a road bike
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Yes they are crud racer gaurds and i find them very good, the new version even has a longer rear mudgaurd to protect the frame a bit more.
As for frame size.....
http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer
is a guide , be aware that most new bikes have a sloping top tube , so the measurement is a bit off.
EG i need a 54 cm bike (21") but the top tube slopes towards the saddle and drops by 2 " so its a 19 " frame if that makes sense?
As for frame size.....
http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer
is a guide , be aware that most new bikes have a sloping top tube , so the measurement is a bit off.
EG i need a 54 cm bike (21") but the top tube slopes towards the saddle and drops by 2 " so its a 19 " frame if that makes sense?
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
As for carrying stuff look for a bike that can take a rack or if they haven't got fittings get a seat post rack + panniers like my racer has maybe?
I find backpacks give you sweaty back syndrome .
I find backpacks give you sweaty back syndrome .
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
As for the value pack you get with the bike , do not bother they look fairly crap tbh.
You can get better lights etc if you shop around and will need somethign better if you intend to commute on the bike , a decentish pump along with tyre levers + spare tube in case you get a flat , some reflective light co lured top or a windproof and a decent lock to keep the bike safe , that sort of lock can be cut in seconds by a determined thief.
You can get better lights etc if you shop around and will need somethign better if you intend to commute on the bike , a decentish pump along with tyre levers + spare tube in case you get a flat , some reflective light co lured top or a windproof and a decent lock to keep the bike safe , that sort of lock can be cut in seconds by a determined thief.
mgarl10024
Über Member
- Location
- Bristol
Our C2W scheme is linked with Halfords. I've no personal experience, but I know that when a colleague picked up her bike from Halfords it was set up badly (noisy gears, etc.). The LBS sorted it for her, and her complaint to the C2W scheme went to Halfords who compensated her LBS costs.
Hopefully yours'll be fine.
MG
thanks for the height guide i look to be 20.5 21 thanks for the help. from belfast and haven heard of lbs does anyone know if there is one here or similar havent heard of it. currently looking like it might be the ventura is it easy enough to put a rack on these and do halfords do them or would it be better from a specialist
