Cycle 2 work scheme help

[Paisley Chock]

Hi, I'm sure this question is asked loads of time, but please help me anyway.

I am just about to get my voucher to enable me to buy a bike through a cycle 2 work scheme at work.

So I am new to road bikes and need a bike, helmet, pedals?, shoes? anything else? I was looking to spend about £800, is this do-able(if that's even a word)?

Many thanks.

 

[biggs682]

totally do able depending on what you want , having just sat through a tutorial at work on the ctw scheme i thought you had to choose which bike and equipment you were having before apllying for voucher ? or am i missing a part

 

[Cyclist33]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/satellite-comp-2012-road-bike-ec031781#features

Leaves £200 for the bits n bobs...

 

[clockhammer]

I just used the CTW scheme and picked up my bike today. I spent £800 on bike and £60 on helmet. I was also sent a voucher for 10% of the bikes value so I walked out with £80 worth of accessories, (computer, saddle bag, 2 x inner tubes, multi tool, pump, puncture repair kit).

Aldi has it's winter cycling stuff on sale just now, lots of good stuff there, especially for noobs like us. My advice would be just keep reading this forum and you'll pick up what everyone else uses, then you can buy as you go along. I'm planning to upgrade to proper pedals and shoes but want to research a bit more before I buy.

Just keep reading though dude, lots and lots of good info on this forum.

Enjoy and ride safely

 

[stephen.rooke]

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jamis/satellite-comp-2012-road-bike-ec031781#features

Leaves £200 for the bits n bobs...

wouldnt be my choice, think theres a lot of better bikes you could get and still have money left for extras

 

[defy-one]

It's advisable but not necessary to have an idea of which bike you actually want. Then add pedals helmet lights etc.
This gives you an idea of how much you want your voucher to be. On my form i could select £0-1000 in £50 increments.

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

You'll be best to give yourself a figure of around £150 to £200 for the shoes and helmet.
The incidentals can add up too but may be worth shopping around the Internet (Wiggle, ChainReaction etc) for those as you'll pay around half that of your LBS.
To get a golf decent roadie you'll need £500 - £600 including your choice of pedals (cleats usually come with the pedals).
Others hereafter better suited to advise you on best buy roadies for that bracket.

Incidentals:
Spare tube/s
Repair kit
Multi-tool with chain tool
Spare links
Quick patches
Co2 mini-pump n cartridges if preferred
Tyre levers
Inflator -if not using Co2
Saddle bag if preferred
Track pump
Lubricants - body and bike

Just to give an indication, my saddle bag including kit comes to about £100!
Add your padded shorts n tops, road gloves, glasses

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

wouldnt be my choice, think theres a lot of better bikes you could get and still have money left for extras

Decent spec for the price, however, have they agreed to give it to you at that price on the CTW?
I believe the bike shop only gets around 90% of the CTW voucher as they agree that for being included in the scheme

 

[Cyclist33]

wouldnt be my choice, think theres a lot of better bikes you could get and still have money left for extras

well, what would you recommend then?!

 

[stephen.rooke]

only my opinion
giant defy 2,
http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...rs-choice-entry-level-road-bikes-giant-defy-2

boardman road race (halfords also have sales on bikes and accesries knocking it down a fair bit and you can usauly geta n extra 10% discount)
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_789247_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

and if it comes on offer again the boardman road comp

these are only my opinions though so dont flame

or go with a triban 3 and have £500 to spend on accessories lol

 

[Cyclist33]

I'm a sucker for the underdog... even if it does come in more pricey!

Hard to get a Triban 3 now. Mind you the Triban 5 is £499.99 so that would leave 300 quid for popsicles and glitter.

 

[defy-one]

Get the Defy 2 - great bike and good geometry for new riders

 

[vickster]

Do you have a free choice of retailer - some schemes are tied, e.g. to Halfords or Evans

 

[Potter930]

I'm looking into at the moment and thought you had to choose which bike etc you wanted before getting the voucher.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I'm looking into at the moment and thought you had to choose which bike etc you wanted before getting the voucher.

It varies depending on which of the very many cycle to work schemes that your work has signed up for.
The last place my OH worked for, he was restricted to Halfords only.
The last place I worked for, I was restricted to Evan's Cycles and only had to say how much I wanted to spend.
The current place my OH works for appears to be much less restricted and you simply name the place and bike and they purchase it direct.