Cheap mountain bikes
19 March 2011, 06:47 PM
#121
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I've got mine now and very happy with it. Only went out for a quick 5 minutes up the road (i'm actually working all day) and was enjoying it I wanted to go for a blast along the paths.
I took my old saddle with me and they changed it over in the shop (its not some big padded thing either, almost the same as the new one but more comfy). Got to work all day tomorrow as well so will have to wait until Monday for a quick blast at lunch time.
Might be a while before I can manage 40 miles
I took my old saddle with me and they changed it over in the shop (its not some big padded thing either, almost the same as the new one but more comfy). Got to work all day tomorrow as well so will have to wait until Monday for a quick blast at lunch time.
Might be a while before I can manage 40 miles
19 March 2011, 07:23 PM
#122
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21 of them were on road bike, so not as hard as the 20 miles on a MTB along a gravel track. Actually quite pleased with myself, this time last year I had a plaster cast on my wrist and couldn't ride, so I'm well ahead with training this year. Aiming to lose another stone at least if I can.
Just have fun on it, get to know it. I remember I didn't even know how to work gears the first time I got on a bike as an adult! That was about 8 years ago!
Just have fun on it, get to know it. I remember I didn't even know how to work gears the first time I got on a bike as an adult! That was about 8 years ago!
19 March 2011, 10:22 PM
#123
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I find gears a bit of a nightmare continually changing up and down so will have to get used to it again. I'm aiming to lose near on 2 stone (or at least convert some of the weight from fat to muscle). I already walk the dog 4 miles a day (not ambling but walking fast) so cutting the diet and adding bike riding so hopefully will get some weight off before my holiday in the summer. Plus enjoying the bike at the same time.
So thanks Clare and to everyone else all for the advice and here is a picture of my new toy:
So thanks Clare and to everyone else all for the advice and here is a picture of my new toy:
20 March 2011, 01:42 AM
#125
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nice bike mate i just got a carrera vengeance of a mate only 6 month old for £150 right bargin lol same as this 1 even got hydrolic brakes so was well impressed not when i went over the bars though first time i used them lol
21 March 2011, 03:39 PM
#126
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Very nice and a bargain at that price!
I've just been out on mine for my first ride and i'm knackered although really enjoyed it. Only did 5.5 miles (just plotted it on Google maps, mixture of muddy paths/fields/orchards and single track roads and a bit of proper roads) but that's the first and last time i'm taking it down the steep ridge. Coming back up it I ended up walking and nearly had a coronary It's over a mile from bottom to top, I managed the easier gradient for the first 1/4 of a mile and then it just took off very steep. On the way down I never appreciated it as I was zig zagging through the fields/paths. Think I need to keep to more gentle gradients and get some fitness before going back down there again.
I've just been out on mine for my first ride and i'm knackered although really enjoyed it. Only did 5.5 miles (just plotted it on Google maps, mixture of muddy paths/fields/orchards and single track roads and a bit of proper roads) but that's the first and last time i'm taking it down the steep ridge. Coming back up it I ended up walking and nearly had a coronary
It's over a mile from bottom to top, I managed the easier gradient for the first 1/4 of a mile and then it just took off very steep. On the way down I never appreciated it as I was zig zagging through the fields/paths. Think I need to keep to more gentle gradients and get some fitness before going back down there again.
21 March 2011, 03:48 PM
#127
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Ha ha, glad you enjoyed it, just make sure you use it regularly even if it's for short periods. You will be amazed at how quickly fitness comes.
21 March 2011, 04:00 PM
#129
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Yep will be using it daily hopefully as I will take it out on my lunch break as I did today. Got to walk the dog another 2 miles later so my legs will be like jelly by tea time 
4 miles a day walking and 5 cycling should help with the addition of a self imposed ban on chocolate and biscuits.
4 miles a day walking and 5 cycling should help with the addition of a self imposed ban on chocolate and biscuits.
21 March 2011, 04:56 PM
#130
It's supposed to get easier Bob but it never does I did 20 miles off-road yesterday with a child on the back and I'm still aching! Wouldn't miss it for the World though
21 March 2011, 07:10 PM
#132
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23 March 2011, 06:33 AM
#133
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I have been reading the reviews online for the Carrera Kraken and it seams to get some decent write ups, not sure if it is worth the cash over the Vulcan though?
I was discussing bikes with some of the lads from work at dinner yesterday, they are heavily into it and i told them about "the halfords bikes"
"they are ****ing SHIIITE" etc etc from one lad (he has just picked up some 1.5k road bike on the cycle2work scheme though)
I started enquiring about the cycle2work scheme and was a bit deflated when they told me i could not use it as i am only down as a temporary worker, i only started with them in jan and you usually have to prove yourself for well over a year before you are offered a proper contract, i was a bit gutted :
20 mins before the end of the shift i was called into the supervisors office, i thought i was potentially losing my job for a bit as the Japan tsunami has wasjed away all of Nissans stock, and the plant in sunderland only has 6 weeks worth of gear left to build them before it runs out
so i was expecting things to shut down alongside them.
The bugger offered me a permanent job apparently i have made such a huge impression since i started that i have leap frogged the waiting que to the front, they are taking on 10 workers (from a total of 50) and i am one of them.
So it looks like i am eligible for this cycle2work scheme from the 1st april although they can GTF if they think i am cycling the fecking 20 miles to work
I was discussing bikes with some of the lads from work at dinner yesterday, they are heavily into it and i told them about "the halfords bikes"
"they are ****ing SHIIITE" etc etc from one lad (he has just picked up some 1.5k road bike on the cycle2work scheme though)
I started enquiring about the cycle2work scheme and was a bit deflated when they told me i could not use it as i am only down as a temporary worker, i only started with them in jan and you usually have to prove yourself for well over a year before you are offered a proper contract, i was a bit gutted :
20 mins before the end of the shift i was called into the supervisors office, i thought i was potentially losing my job for a bit as the Japan tsunami has wasjed away all of Nissans stock, and the plant in sunderland only has 6 weeks worth of gear left to build them before it runs out
so i was expecting things to shut down alongside them.The bugger offered me a permanent job
apparently i have made such a huge impression since i started that i have leap frogged the waiting que to the front, they are taking on 10 workers (from a total of 50) and i am one of them.So it looks like i am eligible for this cycle2work scheme from the 1st april
although they can GTF if they think i am cycling the fecking 20 miles to work
23 March 2011, 06:42 AM
#134
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Just put a few figures into the halfords website.
Gave the bike price as £1000
£50 helmet and £50 worth of extras.
42% saving over the RRP ? seams pretty good ?
Gave the bike price as £1000
£50 helmet and £50 worth of extras.
Example tax savings, based on 12 month hire period:
Total cost of bike and accessories: £ 1,100.00
Gross cost of bike and accessories : £ 916.66
Estimated income tax saving:: £ 183.33
Estimated NI saving: £ 100.83
Final cost of bike & accessories: £ 632.50
Estimated Tax and NI saving:** £ 284.16
Estimated gross salary sacrifice: £ 76.38
Estimated net salary sacrifice: £ 52.70
Percentage saving over RRP: 42%
Total cost of bike and accessories: £ 1,100.00
Gross cost of bike and accessories : £ 916.66
Estimated income tax saving:: £ 183.33
Estimated NI saving: £ 100.83
Final cost of bike & accessories: £ 632.50
Estimated Tax and NI saving:** £ 284.16
Estimated gross salary sacrifice: £ 76.38
Estimated net salary sacrifice: £ 52.70
Percentage saving over RRP: 42%
23 March 2011, 07:31 AM
#135
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I'd not buy a Halfords bike if I was spending 1k.....saying that I might buy a Boardman, but I prefer my local bike shops who know their onions.
You really need to consider where you are going to use it.
You really need to consider where you are going to use it.
Last edited by davyboy; 23 March 2011 at 07:34 AM.
23 March 2011, 12:09 PM
#136
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I was discussing bikes with some of the lads from work at dinner yesterday, they are heavily into it and i told them about "the halfords bikes"
"they are ****ing SHIIITE" etc etc from one lad (he has just picked up some 1.5k road bike on the cycle2work scheme though)
"they are ****ing SHIIITE" etc etc from one lad (he has just picked up some 1.5k road bike on the cycle2work scheme though)
I would have no hesitation in buying one but I would take it to a proper bike shop to ensure that it was put together right.
23 March 2011, 01:30 PM
#137
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Seconded! (Don't have one but the reviews are pretty darned good!).
23 March 2011, 01:42 PM
#138
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May as well go to the local bike shop anyway then. Save £50 labour charge, and you get about 10% off list anyway.
Then you won't be riding around on a bike that says 'I shop at Halfords' when you could have had a Trek, Bianchi, Specialized, Kuota, Willier, Scott or Giant.
Then you won't be riding around on a bike that says 'I shop at Halfords' when you could have had a Trek, Bianchi, Specialized, Kuota, Willier, Scott or Giant.
24 March 2011, 09:01 PM
#139
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As far as i am aware, our company only deals with Halfords on the cycle2work scheme.
Speaking to the lad today, he told me he picked up a "last years" Boardman bike on the scheme, reduced from £1200 down to £1000.
He is apparently paying about £45per month for it, and the last 2 bikes he bought on the scheme from our company, never had him have a final payment to keep the bike at the end.
A few of the lads have these Boardman bikes and really rate them, although i have no intrest in the girly roadbike stuff, i want to jump off the side of mountains
Halfords seam to do some decent make stuff as well.
Its been a LOOOOONG time since i was into this stuff but i recognize this make
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165499#dtab
Rockshox forks were considered the daddys when i was last into bikes, and i am pretty sure Kona was a decent make?
Getting something like this potentially half price would be a bonus to me..
Speaking to the lad today, he told me he picked up a "last years" Boardman bike on the scheme, reduced from £1200 down to £1000.
He is apparently paying about £45per month for it, and the last 2 bikes he bought on the scheme from our company, never had him have a final payment to keep the bike at the end.
A few of the lads have these Boardman bikes and really rate them, although i have no intrest in the girly roadbike stuff, i want to jump off the side of mountains
Halfords seam to do some decent make stuff as well.
Its been a LOOOOONG time since i was into this stuff but i recognize this make
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165499#dtab
Rockshox forks were considered the daddys when i was last into bikes, and i am pretty sure Kona was a decent make?
Getting something like this potentially half price would be a bonus to me..
22 April 2011, 01:21 PM
#142
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Our C2W scheme is kicking off next month, i have moved address and now have somewhere to store a bike, so i`m planning on popping over to Halfords at some point for a looky.
22 April 2011, 02:07 PM
#145
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Just to add - Halfords will not just supply 'their' bikes through the CTW scheme. A mate is replacing his Specialized Tricross Sport (same as I have) through the scheme in June. (our company uses Halfords exclusively as well)
Oh, and you may want to revisit the savings you get - get a definitive answer off your company for what the final payment is.
Oh, and you may want to revisit the savings you get - get a definitive answer off your company for what the final payment is.
23 April 2011, 05:45 AM
#146
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I will not be using it to go to work (that is like 16 mile plus the tyne river crossing) the lads are all getting into offroad "crash into trees" type of stuff.
23 April 2011, 05:56 AM
#147
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Just to add - Halfords will not just supply 'their' bikes through the CTW scheme. A mate is replacing his Specialized Tricross Sport (same as I have) through the scheme in June. (our company uses Halfords exclusively as well)
Oh, and you may want to revisit the savings you get - get a definitive answer off your company for what the final payment is.
Oh, and you may want to revisit the savings you get - get a definitive answer off your company for what the final payment is.
I have been told from a mate who has used the scheme for 3 years now that he had no final payment
Been looking at the Kona Cindercone but i am also looking at a 2010 model Boardman because everybody at work keeps raving about them for the price.
23 April 2011, 10:25 AM
#148
There's a commencal MTB for sale on SN which is cracking value........only problem is that you wont get it on the C2W scheme. The NHS does ask for a final payment 
Shaun
Shaun
23 April 2011, 11:11 AM
#149
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My place does the C2W Scheme but they do it through Edinburgh Cycle Centre which I've used for quite a few years for new bikes and bike parts etc due to their name and knowledge. They've recently started releasing their own brands of bikes, clothing and equipment labeled as Revolution with a motto of "The Revolution will not be motorized".
Anyway they do top spec bikes under their Revolution brand but for less than say Cannondale, Claud Butler, Carerra etc. Prime example was I got their top spec MB which is on their site now for £999.99 but was in a new year sale down to £650.00 so naturally dived on the opportunity to purchase a highly equipped bike but for a fraction of its regular sale price.
Few things that it comes with:
150mm Travel Front Forks with Lockout which it filled with air so you can adjust it to your spec. It's got a rebound setting on the bottom of it so you can adjust that to your own spec too.
20mm Maxle which is a straight through front axle so your essentially taking the front of the bike away and another wheel can't be fitted without another Maxle being provided. Good security in a certain way and also helpful when you have a puncture.
Avid Elixir 5 Hydraulic Brakes with 185mm disc's front and rear which are expensive on their own if you look around.
All in all I'd say look around for a slightly more expensive bike than your norm, they'll without a doubt last that little bit longer and you'll enjoy your ride more. Mine is lighter than my previous Saracen by an age.
Currently on the C2W Scheme I'm paying £30 a month, which isn't a massive impact and also you don't pay for the VAT on it as your company should claim it back, which means I'm only paying upto the final value of £550 or there abouts.
Anyway they do top spec bikes under their Revolution brand but for less than say Cannondale, Claud Butler, Carerra etc. Prime example was I got their top spec MB which is on their site now for £999.99 but was in a new year sale down to £650.00 so naturally dived on the opportunity to purchase a highly equipped bike but for a fraction of its regular sale price.
Few things that it comes with:
150mm Travel Front Forks with Lockout which it filled with air so you can adjust it to your spec. It's got a rebound setting on the bottom of it so you can adjust that to your own spec too.
20mm Maxle which is a straight through front axle so your essentially taking the front of the bike away and another wheel can't be fitted without another Maxle being provided. Good security in a certain way and also helpful when you have a puncture.
Avid Elixir 5 Hydraulic Brakes with 185mm disc's front and rear which are expensive on their own if you look around.
All in all I'd say look around for a slightly more expensive bike than your norm, they'll without a doubt last that little bit longer and you'll enjoy your ride more. Mine is lighter than my previous Saracen by an age.
Currently on the C2W Scheme I'm paying £30 a month, which isn't a massive impact and also you don't pay for the VAT on it as your company should claim it back, which means I'm only paying upto the final value of £550 or there abouts.
23 April 2011, 11:14 AM
#150
Just cut straight to the road bike, MTB's are pretty useless for anything other than going off road, I did several miles of rutted tracks round the airport on my Road Bike the other day, handled it fine, leap of faith going down stuff with ropey brakes, skinny wheels and being clipped in, but all adds to the fun.
Sometimes having a bike is like part of a bloke accessories kit, goes with Cars, Watches LCD TV's, RC Cars, Laptop, PC, Console, Power tools and stuff, regardless of whether you inted to use any of it, blokes have to have all this crap in case they get into a conversation that involves any given item so we can keep up in the bloke stakes, imagine the social faux pax of going to a barbecue and the converstion in a group of blokes turning from the inevitable and tedious football drivel to Mountain Bikes and you havent got one, nightmare ! hence all the garage ornamentation, the entire department at our place all bought a grands worth of full suspension MTB on the cycle to work, really they should make sure that the bike is going to be used for going to work, I mean, how many people are actually going to do 40 miles each way on an entry level full suspension mountain bike !
Sometimes having a bike is like part of a bloke accessories kit, goes with Cars, Watches LCD TV's, RC Cars, Laptop, PC, Console, Power tools and stuff, regardless of whether you inted to use any of it, blokes have to have all this crap in case they get into a conversation that involves any given item so we can keep up in the bloke stakes, imagine the social faux pax of going to a barbecue and the converstion in a group of blokes turning from the inevitable and tedious football drivel to Mountain Bikes and you havent got one, nightmare ! hence all the garage ornamentation, the entire department at our place all bought a grands worth of full suspension MTB on the cycle to work, really they should make sure that the bike is going to be used for going to work, I mean, how many people are actually going to do 40 miles each way on an entry level full suspension mountain bike !