Halfords, Sirrus, Subway and Cycle to Work

[Bman]

I dont know how this scheme differes from employer to employer, so I wont post too much information just yet.

But as far as me and my colleagues have worked out, its not worth it.

We loan the bike from the company for a year, then have to pay for it! We have no idea how much we will be charged for the bike in the end either. "a fair market value" could be anything. As if it was brand new? Second hand? We dont know.

With the information we have been provided it seems like it could cost more than buying it outright.

 

[The Jogger]

At the end of the year we get charged twenty quid, no matter how much you pay for it.....

 

[ianrauk]

The company pays for the bike, you pay them back in monthly instalments. Which comes out of your wages before tax, so you couls be saving up to 40% on the shop price. a fair market value, C2W site recommends 5%.

I dont know how this scheme differes from employer to employer, so I wont post too much information just yet.

But as far as me and my colleagues have worked out, its not worth it.

We loan the bike from the company for a year, then have to pay for it! We have no idea how much we will be charged for the bike in the end either. "a fair market value" could be anything. As if it was brand new? Second hand? We dont know.

With the information we have been provided it seems like it could cost more than buying it outright.

 

[auckland27]

Have done c2w twice now.

Unless its changed in the last 12 months Halfords will source pretty much any 2009 bike up to the value of £1000. I got a Marin using the scheme and was told by their helpline that they could either get one delivered to one of their stores or I could use one of their approved non-Halfords stockists - so I went to On Your Bike in London Bridge who happily accept the Halfords vouchers.

I've now officially been told I'll be able to buy the bike off the firm in another 12 months time for £10.

The Evans scheme which is more flexible in some respects - you can top up over the maximum £1000 voucher limit and can take advantage of sale discounts which I don't believe Halfords will let you do. They seemed more reluctant to let you order outside their, admittedly more extensive, standard range than Halfords. As I got the cycling bug after buying the Marin I used this to upgrade it to a Bianchi 928 C2C. Ebay then helped me get rid of the Marin for more than I actually ended up paying for it....

The 2 companies' schemes are completely seperate and I don't think Halfords will take Evans's vouchers or vice versa.

Hope this helps

 

[Bman]

Bongman, you used that word, the F word, Crankie will be after ya

Ive already got a problem with my bottom bracket!, I dont wanna p1ss off Crankarm too!

Anyway, thanks for the replies, Ive queried the final cost of the bike with my employer. I eagerly await the reply.

I did assume Halfords only stocked a limited range. I will take your advice if I get the answer (from my employer) that im looking for.

 

[gekko]

Hi auckland27 - thanks for the heads up about On Your Bike taking the Halfords vouchers. Which Marin did you buy? What did you think of it? A friend has the San Rafael so I'm getting her advice too. I'm after something that can cope with fine gravel as well as tarmac. Thanks.

 

[trsleigh]

They can't get Brompton though. Apparently they bought one on the grey market to give someone on C2W, and Brompton weren't too happy about it.

I got a Brommie in Nov 2005 via Halfords on the C2W scheme. As I recall there did seem to be a few problems, the first time it was delivered the couriers had broken the rear rack for example. I contacted Brompton at some stage in the process & they didn't seem to be too happy about the arrangement.

However, I've just heard today that our C2W scheme ( via Halfords ) is restaring next week. On the n+1 principle I'll soon find out if Halfords can still get Bromptons. Watch this space.

 

[Daisymolly]

I bought a Subway 2 from Halfords a few weeks ago and I'm extremely pleased with it. I can do my 13 mile commute to work on it only 10 mins slower than my road bike, so it's pretty nippy on the road, and it's more than capable of light off road too, I've tried that as well It will also fit mudguards and panniers if needed.

Unfortunately, I have to echo people's sentiments about Halfordfs assembly qualities, my back wheel fell off getting it in to the car and I also had to re-adjust the gears myself. However, I wouldn't let that put you off....seriously Just give it a good check over in the shop. They are obliged to put anything right, and as long as you've made sure that the wheels, brakes, saddle, headset and gears are OK then it's hardly going to explode on you or anything

I'm surprised how much I really like my subway.

Hey! First post & just had to comment about Halfords, got a GT Agressor XC 2 from them last year & they didn't adjust the gears properly...net result was chain slipping off chain ring as I changed gears throwing my weight forward & me over the handlebars straight on to tarmac, still got the nasty 2 inch circular scars on one elbow & one knee!!

 

[Bman]

Ooh Unlucky!

Welcome to the forum though!

Im sure your doing this already, but I would try not to change gear while pedaling hard. Rotate slowly until your in the right gear, then pedal to your heart's content.

If its really problematic, think about taking it back to Halfords (gear cables are known to stretch in their early life and need adjusting). Or if you think your up to it :

http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-front-derailer/

 

[Bman]

I almost forgot. I have a reply from my employer. They say they dont "usually" charge more than 10% of the original value. Something to do with tax restrictions. So It could be worth it after all!

 

[gekko]

I'm taking a little trip down to Pearson in Sutton tomorrow morning as they take the Halfords vouchers and sell Specialized and Trek, the two makes I'm most interested in.

For reference, they won't honour the additional 10% off accessories that you sometimes get with the Halfords vouchers (not surprising really as there is no benefit to them) but they don't pass the 10% admin charge onto the customer like some stores do.

Will report back but hoping to pretty much make a decision as need to apply for my voucher next week.

 

[Daisymolly]

Ooh Unlucky!

Welcome to the forum though!

Im sure your doing this already, but I would try not to change gear while pedaling hard. Rotate slowly until your in the right gear, then pedal to your heart's content.

If its really problematic, think about taking it back to Halfords (gear cables are known to stretch in their early life and need adjusting). Or if you think your up to it :

http://bicycletutor.com/adjust-front-derailer/

Thanks for the welcome It gets better, before I could take it back to Halfords some lowlife helped themself to my bike from the landing right outside my flat-cut the two locks on it!!! ah well, silver lining was that the insurance company replaced it, new one runs much more smoothly...especially after I took it straight to my lbs to have set up properly To get back on topic though, I have to say Halfords were very easy to deal with on the cycle to work scheme!

 

[gekko]

Just a quick update on this. We went to Pearson in Sutton yesterday where the guy was extremely helpful and spent quite a long time with us choosing bikes. I've ordered a Specialized Crosstrail Sport and my partner ordered a Trek 7200, both at £400 with £100 of accessories each. Just have to apply for the vouchers now. As we want bikes that are good for gravelly trails and towpaths the guy in the shop steered us away from the Sirrus and even the Globe. Obviously the Crosstrail won't be as fast but I'm sure it will be sufficient for my current needs.

 

[The Jogger]

gekko, that looks a cracking bike, how long before you get it. I might pop in there with my vouchers or even before I get them as they seem to order the bike before you even get the vouchers, excellent.

 

[gekko]

Now I know the amount, I will fill in the form for the vouchers tomorrow - the deadline is 30th June after which they'll process them. Apparently I should get my vouchers through roundabout the following payday, which will be 15th July. Such a pain having to wait a month; I was chomping at the bit today as the weather is lovely and Crystal Palace park was calling me. I had to make do with walking round it instead though!

Pearson were happy to put the order through for the bikes whilst we wait for our vouchers. We had to pay a 10% deposit, which they'll refund to us when we pick the bikes up.