moneys

iTrader: (5)

bloody hell how many bikes have you got take it you race them then?

would you recommend me going the whole hog an getting a 1k bike or should i just get the 750 one as a starter?

PG

I have a couple of others and a trailer to tow too

I don't race, no. I do enjoy cycling though and enjoy owning nice bikes. I rarely move them on so if I get another I just buy another hook for the garage
IMO and this is only IMO if the £1k is there to use and you can afford/justify the salary sacrifice (£12 ish per week) then I'd use every last penny. It's too good a deal to go begging. If you want to be sensible then you probably don't need any more than a £500 decent road bike for just getting the miles in however 'shiney - shiney' often gets in the way of sense.

The Stumpjumper is probably all the bike I need or would have needed for a few years to come but the chance arose to get something else and after may test rides I decided on the Bionicon. Again, a bike that I'll struggle to find the limits of but I wanted it and could justify it.

Test rides are the future though. If I was spending my hard earned on a bike and had test ridden the Allez having arrived at the shop on my Ribble there is no way I'd have bought it. So much more harsh, rattly, almost clunky however the way things happened...well, 'gift horse' and all that
A good shop will be happy to let you test ride and have a google for any road bike demo days, you may get lucky.

Cheers

Paul

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Of course the problem for me is that my work IS now going to be doing the CTS but not until the summer. Will I be bored of my Tricross by then? Will I want a 3rd bike?

I have a flat bar road bike and a CX what other do I need?

Damn it.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Need ?

I will be going for a nice grands worth of roadie, but its a want rather than a need, my Hybrid will do 90% of what I want it to do, I know you bash out some miles but I know people with vast knowledge of bikes and cycling, a stable full of bikes yet never actually do any !

ChrisB

I'd agree - hit the £1k limit, make the most of the deal!

PG

Good evening

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

There are worse sins

Just go and get on it, ride and return when you have done some miles.

I suppose the gear side of it is compelling though, guy at work is a mine of information but bought a Felt road bike, as far as I know he has done 14 road miles and a few on a turbo trainer, really want him to get out on it !

Bought some nice Shimano Shoes tonight, a cleat screw fell out of my £20 Aldi ones so bought the new ones, managed to fix the old ones now, did nearly make me fall off as the clip moved and wouldnt release .

LanCat

OK folks - I'm sticking to my £500 budget. I only have 2 miles each way, hilly and mixed road and rough paths but want to get out at the weekend onto some bridleways and the like that I have access to so a hardtail mtb seems to make sense for me, I have a knackered hybrid that I might fix-up later anyway.

Four options so far

GT Aggressor XC 2 09 20" from Halfords Was £479.99 Save £30.00 Price £449.99 Save up to 20 Percent on Selected Saracen and GT Bikes

Carrera Fury 20" Mens Mountain Bike 08 from Halfords Price £499.99

Or if I get Halfords to do special order on

Scott Aspect 45 Mountain*Bike 2009

Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc Bike 2009

Thoughts??

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

There's a discussion over on BikeRadar regarding the final payment amount and this useful post was made:

Category 1 - SHOWROOM CONDITION

ie just wheeled out of the showroom and never been used - this has already lost it's manufacturers warranties, as these only apply to the original owner plus it won't be of the spec that the buyer would have had the choice if still in the showroom. The document says "it has generally been the policy when pricing second hand bikes for sale to start at 50% of the original price for a showroom condition machine, descending from there to account for things like wear, demand and how long it has been since the bike was a current model."

Category 2 - EXCELLENT CONDITION

You have had the bike for the last year but only ridden it a couple of times.

The document says "15% of the original price is a likely outcome. Once could offer it up for more but reasonably expect to accept this kind of amount. If the bike is an absolute current model ie. same colour and specification as its unused shop floor equivalent, it could get a bit more, probably 17%"

Category 3 - GOOD CONDITION

A typical commuters bike that is one year old, been used regularly, has been excellently maintained and serviced and possibly parts exchanged, been cleaned and lubricated throughout useage.

The document says "commuter bikes are more likely to be left outside when they are not ridden, and users rarely have the same opportunities for after-ride care as the weekend mountain bike receives. A bike commuted on for a year in good condition can be expected to fetch around 10% of the original shop price. Using the same criteria described about, another 2% may be obtainable if the bike is still the current model"

Category 4 - FAIR CONDITION

Bikes that have received less attention than those described as good. These are unlikely to be clean, tyres may be worn and under-inflated, recalibration is required of the components, ends of the pedals are scuffed, but still recognisable as a recent acquisition after one year.

The document says "Historically, it has always been extremely difficult to sell such a bike..............we believe that it is near to impossible to put a price on these bikes, but recognise that sometimes it has to be done. 6% of the original would be likely to receive attention and possibly a sale"

Category 5 - POOR CONDITION

This is a bike that despite being only a year old, will demonstrate all the signs of being uncared for. The chain and moving parts will be coated in a thick, black muck that accumulates over a long period of time. Tyres will be worn and under-inflated, scrapes and scratches to the paintwork, rust in evidence.

The document says "this bike is effectively worth nothing at all, in that it will likely be impossible to find a buyer.........5% of the original price is a reasonable expectation with an additional 2% mentioned earlier if it is a contemporary model"


the thread is at: Fair Market Value Of Cycle 2 Work Schemes-can I Get Shafted? | Commuting General | Commuting | Forums - BikeRadar

Matteeboy

The Carrera has the best spec and a semi decent fork - I'd go for that.
If your budget was £100 more I'd recommend a Specialized Rockhopper Disk (we have a 2008 one - mostly wife's) without hesitation.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

LanCat, I wouldnt bother with any kind of supension, save the £500 and fettle your existing Hybrid.

I am just toying with the idea of Cycling from Near Manchester Airport to Anglessey, 120 miles, do-able in a day ?

SiPie

Easily but would depend on the wind direction

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

Yeah and the only road I can think of that goes that way is the coast road and that's dual carriageway the WHOLE way.

It's a full days ride and you'll need top up stops on the way

Oh, hang on. I was thinking the ***; but you can do the actual coast road Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Llandudno and the like.

That's a NICE route!

You would have to use the *** after Llandudno though which won't be so good

moneys

iTrader: (5)

ill be getting the specialzed allez elite 09 at the end of the month once ive bribed the wife with a holiday in the sun

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

cycling holiday then?

moneys

iTrader: (5)

haha, my wife and bikes dont get on, i wish she would get on her bike more cos i have a seat on the back of my mountain bike that my son goes in, he loves it, i also have my dog running along side me

LanCat

That's good tactical thinking but not a cunning strategic plan

There's a bit to spend on the existing as I had an off a while back when it was icy. At least one rim, rear derailleur, one shifter to replace plus a few other bits that could do with refreshing. Not even sure the no-name frame is worth it. I could easily spend £150 on it.

On the other hand I can do cycle2work without laying out too much (50p a day), get a new bike to do the commute with right now and gradually pick up some second hand bits for the hybrid. When the hybrid is ready I use it for the commute and the new one is for weekend fun. Bob's your mothers brother.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Ah, yes, basically free then, thats what I tell my missus, it is only 20 odd quid a month and save way more than that in gym fees, petrol, tyres etc, but then again all the crap I buy, Shoes yesterday 60 quid and some cheap fingerless gloves today


Ladies not knowing where to look when you are wearing Lycra ; Priceless






















They do know where to look, at the general penile vicinity, get caught, look well embarrassed (sometimes dissapointed) and then go red, helps to have a ready supply of fresh Courgettes to carry down the front...

LanCat

I'll save £65 a month on parking costs at the station. I work 3 doors away from a branch of Evans Bikes. It could be a serious problem.

Oh no. No, no, no. Not a chance. Not ever.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Thats what I said a year or so ago.......

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

s'true - then you chafe....


Mind you, Gods greatest creation - hot Summer, women cycling and lycra

mykp

Which scheme and where dis you get the bike from. Been down to Halfrauds tonight and was told "Self employed - er No!" to which I was then pointed at their website.

Matteeboy

mykp - I used Cyclescheme (based in Bath I think) and dealt direct then took the voucher to my local bike shop (LBS!) and used it as payment. Halfords are talking bo77ocks!
TBH I'd avoid them if you can - they don't train their staff very well and are often unhelpful. A good LBS will be a much better bet as long as they do the scheme.
This was almost 2 years ago though so rules may have changed.

Extended my "fake" commute to 12.5 miles this morning (usually 10) - it was lush!

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

I feel very guilty this morning; I was going to cycle in but the outside temp was 0.5!!

that would've meant getting the full cold weather gear out and then sweating like a pig on the way home....

moneys

iTrader: (5)

i prefer it when its cold, you can soon wok up a sweat if you go hard enough, thats cycling by the way haha

Matteeboy

Well it was 4 degrees when I left but ended up taking off my coat halfway through the ride - properly lush!

I won't cycle if it's frosty. I have to cross two fords and the road around them gets icey a any sign of it. I run instead.

SiPie

0.5 degrees is shorts weather

Southern soft bus and car taking pansies

Matteeboy

SiPie - not the temp that's an issue, it's the sliding on ice and splatting that's an issue. Oh and the "warmest" legwear I have is 3/4 length Enduras.

SiPie

Don't worry Matteeboy, my pop was directed at the (part time) commuters like Kieran

IMHO to really embrace the commuting thing you have to say 'whatever the weather, my bike is my main mode of transport and I'll use it come hell or highwater'.

I have a mate who cycles roughly the same route as I do and the amount of time he passes me (or more often now, I pass him as he's stuck in traffic) in his car because it 'was forecast heavy rain, or the wind was the wrong direction, or it was below -5 degrees or he had to go to the dentist after work or his cycling clothes were wet or whatever

Perhaps it's just me being quite an 'all or nothing' type of chap. But I cycle in any condition as long as the sustained wind is not forecast to be greater than 30mph and gusts not greater than 50mph.

I just don't see how you can fully enjoy the sunny still days if you don't suffer the snowy/wet/windy/freezin days.

I've always found the most rewarding/challenging part of the cycle commuting is getting home through floods or heavy snow when other traffic is stuck

But then again, I do still see a shrink once a month so maybe that tells you something

Matteeboy

SiPie - It's annoying because I will cycle in gale force winds, floods, almost anything - I do ride a mountain bike after all! But ice is just too dangerous. Very hilly round here and seen a couple of people (including Mrs Matt) slip and really stove themselves in.

I run and surf in any weather - ice is not a problem but I'm of the mindset that the cycling I do partly for fitness isn't very beneficial if I have to spend six weeks in plaster with a broken arm/wrist/whatever!