About to join the dark, seedy underworld of...

jaydeeuk1

... cycling. Basically need to get fitter. Hills around here are a bit daunting (for a non cyclist), therefore choosing an electric assisted bike, this one in fact

http://wooshbikes.co.uk/electric-bikes/sirocco-cd/

£800, but being the tight git I am, I want to see if there is a way of getting it cheaper. I'm director of a company and have read something about a cycle to work scheme, but it contains a lot of big works like 'salary sacrifice', 'Annual Investment Allowance' and 'Capital Allowances', and if you're on NMW it limits what budget you have to play with, so if someone can explain it to me like a 5 year old that would be grand.

My salary is £675 a month so if a weekly payment isn't possible for an £800 bike, I don't mind paying all in one (if allowed?) just as long as the company doesn't lose out financially, otherwise I might bot be able to get the go ahead. I've also read that I can go through somewhere like Halfords who act as a 3rd party to get a discount, although I might have misunderstood it. An employee of mine is also interested in doing it, I imagine he'll go the salary sacrifice route.

Would ask my accountant but he's b*ggered off on holiday... again.

tykesi

This is a motoring forum, no place for any of this prehistoric manual propulsion nosense...

In other words, I have no idea. Hopefully someone will be along who can help (there might be a more appropriate board within the forum though?)

jaydeeuk1

tykesi wrote: »

This is a motoring forum, no place for any of this prehistoric manual propulsion nosense...

I couldn't see one sorry. Is there a sub forum for squash players and swingers?

RegWorts

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I couldn't see one sorry. Is there a sub forum for squash players and swingers?

Yes...Facebook

Norman_Castle

Link to manual propulsion nonsense.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=225

InsideInsurance

tykesi wrote: »

This is a motoring forum, no place for any of this prehistoric manual propulsion nosense...

So the electric assistance in the bike doesnt come in the form of a motor? What is it then? a cattle prod on the back that shocks you if you are slowing?

Prothet_of_Doom

Motorbikes and Cycles can be bought as plant or equipment, outright by your company and offset against Corportation Tax tax. I think.

AdrianC

If the aim is to get yourself fitter, isn't getting an electric bike kinda defeating the whole object?

Building_Surveyor

..why not get an ordinary push bike? A lot cheaper...

RichardD1970

AdrianC wrote: »

If the aim is to get yourself fitter, isn't getting an electric bike kinda defeating the whole object?

Have to agree with this, yes an electric assisted bike will get you up the hills easier to start with, but it won't take long for your fitness levels to improve and for you to not need or want the assistance. Then you are left with a expensive, heavy bike that could be difficult to sell on for a decent price.

I would get a half decent hybrid which will cost a lot less and last you longer. You may struggle with the hills to start with but you're not in a race and can just take it at your own pace.

andygb

Electric assisted bike = "motor bike"

I can think of nothing worse than a heavy bike which you may have to pedal from time to time.
As Richard and others have pointed out, save yourself a lot of money and buy a nice, light hybrid bike.