Bike for a returnee?

al69

Just to add to this regarding halfords and the cycle to work scheme.
I got my cyclocross via the scheme and i was clearly told by work it had to go through halfords. If i wanted something they didnt stock they have a special orders department which would source it for me.
This annoyingly meant everything was full price if ordered in from another supplier.

Also i have to say the staff were shockingly bad when it came to supplying and building the bike.

It got to the point where i went back so many times with problems that they gave me £200 worth of accessories to keep me happy !

Even then the bike wasnt right and i couldnt tighten the headset properly and had the annoying clunk. After removing the forks i discovered the top bearing was upside down !!

So much for being boardman trained and all that.

Now ive got the bike running superb through my own endeavours and wouldnt ever let them near it again as they are totally clueless in the store i went to.

esuhl

HarryJames wrote: »

If you want to buy a bicycle you need to go chelsea bikes .They Provide the new and second hand bicycle in very low price.I also buy the bicycle to this shop in very low price.

Considering your forum profile says you're the proprietor... you would say that!

armyknife

esuhl wrote: »

Considering your forum profile says you're the proprietor... you would say that!

Do you think it's the owner or maybe just some 'clever' AI spambot?

fred246

Nasqueron wrote: »

There is no way to lose on this scheme unless you leave your job in the first month of taking on the scheme or you opt to buy the bike after one year instead of the rental (and even then you still save a little)

If I went on this scheme it would reduce my pension. I hope to retire when I am 55 and live till I am very old. How much will it reduce it by? Most schemes tell people to contact an IFA to tell them. How much will an IFA charge for that advice? Would an IFA be able to calculate it?

If I took all the goods my employer suggests I would have at least a car, bicycle, PC, large TV,ipad all on salary sacrifice. I am sure my pension would take a serious hit if I did.

SailorSam

Harry James i've marked your post as spam.

Richard53

I made it clear right back in post #4 that I wasn't really interested in the CTW scheme, and my reasons, so I'm not going to involve myself in that conversation any further.


Thanks to all who made great suggestions and advice about the bike choice. I feel a lot more able to look around and know what I am looking for. Brilliant help, thank you.

Richard53

The deed is done. After reading the advice here and doing a lot of web research, I went into my LBS to see what was there. I saw he did the Dawes range and he said he had a new Galaxy in stock. I gave it a test ride on Saturday and I knew within 100 yards it was the bike I wanted. I was out on it for about half an hour, and when I returned I twisted his arm for a Brooks B17 saddle to go with it and the deal was done.


It's got everything I need - mudguards and rack, 27 gears (down to 24"), a nice comfy steel frame, lots of nice detailing and a lovely dusty blue paint job. I've been riding it all weekend, and tested it/myself out on the steepest hill I have to climb if I use it for work. On the stump-puller 24" gear it/I managed it. I'm a long way from being fit yet, but that is promising.


It has those strange half-toe-clip things which I was tempted to ask them to change for proper clips'n'straps, but in fact they hold my feet fine, even out of the saddle, and I will give them a fair trial. I'm taking a while to get to grips with the STI brakes/shifters, but I'll get there. And there is a horrendous squeak from the front brake, but I will attend to that when I get a minute. The best thing is how I am getting on with the handlebars. I've never felt 100% comfy with drops, but had them because back in the day there was nothing else for half-decent bikes. Now I have lost almost 3 stone since I last rode a drop-handlebar bike I realise it was my - er - excess poundage getting in the way. I can ride on the hoods no problem, and while getting on the hooks challenges my lower back a bit, it's no longer the uncomfortable chore it used to be.


It was a bit over my budget, but I don't regret it in the slightest. I won't be using it for work yet, as I don't have the fitness in my legs, but I can see a time when I will. That will be a major milestone for me, as the last time I was fit enough to do that, I was 30. Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments.


My new squeeze: http://dawescycles.com/product/galaxy/

liz545

Great to hear - I'm a bit biased as I have a Galaxy and love it, but they're great bikes, super-comfortable and capable of going the distance. Hope you get many happy miles out of your new wheels!

ab1982

My suggestion for commuting is not to ride anything that you are too precious about. It may get stolen, bits will wear out, you may fall off it, scratch it etc.

I'd just make sure you can fit mudguards and a rack if you need to.

A lot use cross bikes for year round commuting.

Johnmcl7

The Dawes Galaxy range of bikes have a great reputation and I think it's also worth stretching the budget to get a bike you want as too often I see people buy a cheap unsuitable bike (particularly a cheap hardtail MTB with a heavy useless suspension fork and knobbly tyres to cycle on the road to work) then unsurprisingly end up never actually using the bike. When I started commuting by bike people were surprised at how much I spent on my first bike but I wanted something reliable that I'd want to ride and now nearly four years later I've gone from no cycling at all to enjoying it regularly, taking part in endurance races, CX races, charity challenges etc.

Hope you enjoy the bike and get many miles out of it.

John