Help with choosing a bike!

[mestys]

Hello!



I'll start by saying I'm a complete novice when it comes to bikes.



Our company has just started offering the cycle2work scheme and I'm looking to purchase a bike for a 11 mile each way commute, the majority of the commute is down a fairly straight A road.



The only outlet our company allows us to purchase from is Halfords. I've had a look on their website at a few bikes and it seems a road bike would be best suited for my commute?



I've narrowed my selection down to 3 bikes.



Boardman RoadRace Bike - Medium 2011



http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_789247_langId_-1_categoryId_165710





Boardman RoadComp Bike - Medium 2011



http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_777713_langId_-1_categoryId_165710



Voodoo LimbaCyclo Cross Road Bike 54cm



http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_515347_langId_-1_categoryId_165710



Is it really worth spending the extra £150 and getting the Boardman Comp? And how does the Voodoo Limba compare to the similarly priced Boardman?



Many thanks for your help.

 

[Turtle Dude]

If you mean your company is with the Halfords Cycle2Work scheme is does not mean you can only have a Halford's store bike. With the scheme Halfords will get you in other makes of bikes or you can deal direct with a number of other stores, including Pearson, Condor, Action Bikes (and a couple of others I can not remember).

Trek, Specialized, Cube, Whyte, Cannondale and loads more can be supplied by Halfords on the scheme.

 

[rossjevans]

If you mean your company is with the Halfords Cycle2Work scheme is does not mean you can only have a Halford's store bike. With the scheme Halfords will get you in other makes of bikes or you can deal direct with a number of other stores, including Pearson, Condor, Action Bikes (and a couple of others I can not remember).

Trek, Specialized, Cube, Whyte, Cannondale and loads more can be supplied by Halfords on the scheme.

+1

My LBS also accepts Halfords C2W vouchers so check yours too as you will undoubtedly receive better service from them.

 

[mestys]

Guys thank you so much for the advice

. I didn't realise I could use the Cycle2Work agreement letter in different stores.

Well now that I have a wider range of bikes available what would you guys recommend? My budget is about £800.

 

[Turtle Dude]

Well now that I have a wider range of bikes available what would you guys recommend? My budget is about £800.

11 miles commute is not insignificant - perfectly do'able, just that I would want to be comfortable with what I was riding. Really important that you try lots of different bikes and get what works for you. Drop bars, flat bars, upright, leaning forward, customs search position - try out different types of bikes and get a feel for what you like and feel good on; and importantly puts a smile on your face, so you want to ride to work - otherwise it just becomes a chore.

Secondly, think about reliability - there is nothing worse than having a bike that brakes down when you are desperately trying to get in for that important meeting. £800 is a good budget, so you will be able to buy something quality and well made. This also means thinking about tyres - punctures are more likely on a well made bike - and what you need for the type of ground you are riding over; plus how easy is it to change a tyre (some bikes are harder than others in changing inner-tubes).

Finally, have a think what you need to carry with you? a rear rack or set of panniers may seem old fashioned, but it is easier than strapping a laptop and some clothes to your back. Plus can you fit mud guards for when the weather gets occasionally wet.

If you like your LBS (and they can work with the H C2W scheme) and they have a good reputation on service, I would choose them first over any specific bike model - it is worth everything to have someone you trust close by who can fix those little things and service the bike.

As to which type of bike, personally, unless you are commuting nice smooth roads all the way I would not start with a dedicated road bike; equally, unless you are commuting over very rough ground and through forest, I would not start with a full suspension mountain bike. I would start with looking at typical urban, hybrid or cycle-cross style machines. Something with a bit of flex and give in the frame/fork for our potholed cr*p roads and cycle paths, but light enough to make the journey fast and easy.

PS: am not against the Halford's bike range, the Boardmans for example are very good for the money; I was just pointing out that you do have a wider choice if you want it.

 

[Turtle Dude]

Guys thank you so much for the advice

. I didn't realise I could use the Cycle2Work agreement letter in different stores.

Well now that I have a wider range of bikes available what would you guys recommend? My budget is about £800.

You can also ring the C2W number and they can order various models for you. Not all shops take the vouchers - if you find a bike that you like, but your local shop does not take the vouchers, ring the C2W team up and they will order one for you and have it delivered to your nearest Halfords. Personally, I would try your LBS first, as it is a great if you have somewhere nearby that you can trust and a good service from.

 

[Willo]

Just to echo others, my company use the Halfords scheme and if you call their cycle to work customer service they'll tell you if they can source the bike you want and when. I got a Specialized Allez road bike which I like. That was sent to me. Colleagues have sourced Trek from them also for which Halfords direct them to a local bike shop near our office. Saying all that, know a few who've gone for the Boardman bikes and they seem to offer a good spec for the money relative to other brands.

sound advice is to sit on a few (I went to various shops to try different makes, budget for extra bits (helmet, shorts, lights, saddle bag for tools & spare tube, and the tyres on my Allez were shite meaning an upgrade). Shallow as this sounds, for me it was also important to get something that would inspire me to get up and on the bike in the morning.

 

[mestys]

Thanks all for the advice, very informative. I think I'll take a look at my LBS first. I'll report back when I've found a bike.