Clifton CC

Hi all, got a bit of a quandary – albeit a pleasant one - and wondering what you experts might think or advise.
I’ve got the chance to get a decent bike via the cycle2work scheme, which gives the opportunity to get something at quite a good discount and pay for it monthly. Thing is, I’m not sure what to go for. I’ve already got a Dawes Discovery 201 for going to work on, but I’ve had it a few years, and can pass it on to my son. I’ve got a mountain bike, but it’s a bit old – a mid-90s TREK ZX7000 – fine piece of kit in it’s day, but not worth much now, but still useable. I would like a more modern MTB but the reality is that I’d be pushed for time to use it. The Trek hasn’t been out this year, so perhaps I’ve already answered part of the question…….so, I’m thinking the best thing would be is to get a decent roadbike, and join a few club runs, maybe even do a time trial next year (Though I will deny I ever said that!).

I have to get the bike from Halfords, and I know they can be a bit patchy in repairs and prep etc. They do sell these Boardman bikes though and the £600 one seems to get good reviews. Has anyone got one or offer an opinion? I could get another make and have it ordered in, but there are so many on the market that it is hard to know what is best. I anticipate being able to spend about £700-ish, but I’ll want a good allrounder that I can use for all road riding.
Any thoughts?

Hi John

There are whole pages on this discussion bord devoted to bike choice but for someone looking for a new roadbike Halfords are not considered a good place to start. I am not sure how the 'Bike to Work' scheme operates but Halfords are not the only bike shop in York who are able to offer it. Cycle Heavon and Haxby Cycles are both members and are better places to get a bike.

If you want to have a go at some time trials and do some club runs think about getting something light weight and don't worry about mud guards.
I am very happy with my Trek.

Helen

If you work has there cycle scheme setup through Halfords then you have to get it via them. However you are not limited by what Halfords the shop sells. You can buy any bike that is available in the UK. My brother got a Orange P7 for example.

Looking at your price range you are looking at getting a decent hardtail bike as Full suspension bikes are not so good with compromised shocks and are heavy below 1K.

Have a look in Cycle Heaven at Genesis bikes as these get good reviews, being designed in Britain, so good mud clearance etc. Some bike manufacturers will let you have a test ride for a fee (about £30 to £40 for a days hire). Orange and Marin do this(speak to a local shop that sell s them to arrange) . Also try hiring bikes at places like Dalby forest to get an idea of what you want.

Also you may have problems getting the bike you want as its the end of the bike selling year. 09 model are just about to come out.

If you are tied in to getting the bike from Halfords the Boardman range have had reasonable reviews as you say and I wouldn't be put off getting one. It might need a bit of adjustment/tweaking but should do you nicely for club runs etc

Hi John,

Thought you might like to hear our experiences of going through the process you're planning. Claire has the same Bike2Work/Halfords scheme. She wanted something which could be described as a club bike or winter bike or Audax bike, or do-anything bike. Similar budget to you. Decided on Condor Agio which is an Aluminium affair with carbon front and back, triple group and full mudguards and Khamsin wheels. Without the guards would make a passable entry level race bike.

Condor website gives detailed geometry so its very easy to work out the size required - just measured current bike with tape measure and pertractor and compare with diagram. Condor sent us a spoddy XL spreadsheet with a million and one upgrade possibilities. Never had to visit the shop in London.

Then had to be quite assertive with the staff in Halfords over exactly what we wanted, whilst armed with the voucher from work. Pleased when they suggested we could place order with Condor directly giving Condor a Halfords reference number.

Condor warned us about a 4 week waiting list, which predictably became 6 weeks - not a problem for us, but beware. Completed bike shipped to Halfords. It arrived there in Late May and Halfords said it would take them 3 days to complete the build as they were busy - again we were happy to take it off them still in the box and complete the build ourselves. They said bring it back for free service after 500 miles - we didn't. They then gave us a voucher for £50 of "accessories".

After 100 or so miles realised the stem we had specified was 2cm too short. Condor happy to exchange it and did so by return of first class post.

The advantage of the scheme is that you get £2-300 off plus a year's intrest free credit. However, the scheme makes it harder to haggle - might have got some of that money knocked off anyway if paying cash. You need to go into the process with your eyes open and be prepared to walk it through.

Looked at Halfords bikes when we were in there. The Boardman range looks fab value for money and well thought out - would have been interested in the mid range one if it had mudguard clearance. They also do a carbon monocoque/Ultegra with a nice pair of wheels for £999 (its badged as Carrera, but is technically the same as the Ribble Nero Corsa equivalent and others). Ribble have now matched the £999; don't know whether Halfords have responded.

Hope the above helps, have fun

R

On the cyclescheme they knock 10% of the price of the bike as an admin charge when they pay the shop for the bike. Halfords scheme is probably similar. Therefore the shops don't like doing sale bikes throught it as they may make nothing on the deal.

John, I'm guessing you work for NU if limited to Halfords! I bought my last bike through the Bike2Work sheme and this October it finishes and I get the chance to choose another!

If you want a bike that Halfords don't stock, eg Marin, Trek etc depending on the manufacturer, they often don't like Halfords to put the bike together so they outsource it to a local dealer. I've yet to put this to the test though!

If you do work at NU, the other option is to push for a wider choice of suppliers . . . . .