iceman
Member
Registered: 22nd Jul 00
Location: Berkshire
User status: Offline
|
Hey All
I'm looking for a mountain bike upto £500 to ride to work and general get out and about when its nice, was looking at specialized any suggestions?
Stu
|
Tom G
Member
Registered: 4th Aug 08
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
http://corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=495093
|
jacko198
Member
Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
Specialized crosstrail 
|
Colin
Member
Registered: 4th Apr 02
User status: Offline
|
Apparently im eligible for that ride to work scheme...even though I work in the drink. Something to do with a company participating must have it open to all employees? 
I just sold my bike because I never used it.
|
jacko198
Member
Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
Could always get one, get youre 40% off, and then sell it
|
Fad
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
User status: Offline
|
the conditions of the Cycle to work scheme is that the bike should be used primarily for the commute to work....how do they check up on this?
Jacko you cannot sell the bike as the tax relief you receive is on the basis that it is a registered asset to the business participating to which you can purchase them at fair value after 16-18 months later.....
Has anyone tried this if you only have the intention to cycle to work twice a week for example?
Also I thought you only save the VAT on the biike?
|
deano87
Member
Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
|
I used to work for a bike shop. Someone bought a massive freeride/downhill bike on the cycle to work scheme. I don't reckon they use it to commute
Buy anything Specialized and it won't do you no harm 
|
Fad
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
User status: Offline
|
Yes looking at a Specialized Hardrock or Rock Hopper
|
Simon
Member
Registered: 24th Apr 03
Location: Oxfordshire
User status: Offline
|
I doubt they check or care if you are using it for work really, I know my work don't. Don't go for a hardrock if you are going to be mainly riding roads thought. Fat tyres which are a pain
|
Nath
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: MK
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Fad
the conditions of the Cycle to work scheme is that the bike should be used primarily for the commute to work....how do they check up on this?
Jacko you cannot sell the bike as the tax relief you receive is on the basis that it is a registered asset to the business participating to which you can purchase them at fair value after 16-18 months later.....
Has anyone tried this if you only have the intention to cycle to work twice a week for example?
Also I thought you only save the VAT on the biike?
My Dad qualifies through his work and he works 35 miles away
|
mwg
Member
Registered: 19th Feb 04
Location: South Lakes
User status: Offline
|
Had my Specialized road bike that I got on the bike to work scheme for over 2 months now and not ridden it to work once. My work aren't bothered as long as I pay what I owe I can do what I want with it. Also we dont bother with the purchase thing at the end, its mine already.
My company is pretty relaxed about these things, I imagine if you got one whilst working for a big company it would be a complete and utter pain in the arse.
|
Tom G
Member
Registered: 4th Aug 08
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Fad
the conditions of the Cycle to work scheme is that the bike should be used primarily for the commute to work....how do they check up on this?
Jacko you cannot sell the bike as the tax relief you receive is on the basis that it is a registered asset to the business participating to which you can purchase them at fair value after 16-18 months later.....
Has anyone tried this if you only have the intention to cycle to work twice a week for example?
Also I thought you only save the VAT on the biike?
I got a bike they dont check up at all, nothings been said about it and i use it for random biking and such stuff, not for work
Edit: I work for a NHS Hospital.....
[Edited on 24-08-2009 by Tom G]
|
jacko198
Member
Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
Its 12 months, and you can sell it if you want, they will not want it back. You pay a tiny fee, for example a 500 bike you only end up paying £15 to "buy" the bike off the company, because they dont want it back.
It comes out of youre wages before tax, VAT and NI. So you end getting around 40% off, it just depends on you're tax bands etc.
Oh and they dont check up on it at all, when they started a while ago, they used to say you have to ride it into work at least once a month, but thats not the case anymore.
Besides, it is a government scheme, trying to get more people out on bikes and out of cars, so they really dont mind at all.
You can also put more than one bike on a scheme, although the rules say you cant, its pretty simple, just put the bike(s) down as a more expensive one. We do it all the time in my work (bike shop)
|
Fad
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Simon
I doubt they check or care if you are using it for work really, I know my work don't. Don't go for a hardrock if you are going to be mainly riding roads thought. Fat tyres which are a pain
Well i was thinking I would change the tyres for some Crosstrail tyres or get some spare wheels to chop and change using the quick release system as I will predominatly be using it on country tracks hills etc
|
jacko198
Member
Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
Oh and specialized crosstrail would be perfect for what youre after.
With 700x45 tires, the centers are slick which is going to help you get the speed up on the road, but the sides have got alot of grip, and with them being 45 wide, there going to have more grip than a 35/38 for example.
It will still have suspension, which is perfect for the off road you want to do, but you can lock it out for the road riding youre going to do, which will help you gain the speed.
Hope that helps!
|
Tom G
Member
Registered: 4th Aug 08
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
|
My Claud Butler Cape Wrath is a good all rounder
|
Fad
Member
Registered: 1st Feb 01
Location: Dartford Kent Drives: 330cd
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by jacko198
Oh and specialized crosstrail would be perfect for what youre after.
With 700x45 tires, the centers are slick which is going to help you get the speed up on the road, but the sides have got alot of grip, and with them being 45 wide, there going to have more grip than a 35/38 for example.
It will still have suspension, which is perfect for the off road you want to do, but you can lock it out for the road riding youre going to do, which will help you gain the speed.
Hope that helps!
Cheers for that much appreciated, the only issue I have is that there is always going to be comprimise which way I go.
The problem with a Hybrid like the Cross Trail i dont think it would take the punishment and give the comfort on the pothole ridden roads near me. Then the comprimise with MTB is the tyres which I think I can get round with road slicks.
I think if i do more road riding i'd invest in a road bike. Just need to get back into cycling as its been a while!
Its a mindfield atm 
|
jacko198
Member
Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
Yeah too true, theres so much choice, but not enough hah.
Some tyres like the crosstrail armadillo would be good, nice and grippy, but still roll fast
Oh and give me youre 182 
|
Mad Moe
Member
Registered: 14th Jun 01
Location: Northumberland
User status: Offline
|
I've been looking at this Hybrid on our Ride to Work scheme
Bianchi Camaleonte 2
|
Nath
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 02
Location: MK
User status: Offline
|
I think I'm going hybrid, but with front suspension. A slight compromise that way.
|
Mad Moe
Member
Registered: 14th Jun 01
Location: Northumberland
User status: Offline
|
quote:
Originally posted by Nath
I think I'm going hybrid, but with front suspension. A slight compromise that way.
A lad at work has just bought a Trek 7200 Hybrid which has front suspension and is very reasonably priced
|
jacko198
Member
Registered: 1st Mar 07
Location: Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
|
Yeah the trek 7200 series is there version of the specialized crosstrail.
Every manufacturer has a version of the same bike.
Oh and that bianchi cameltoe looks quite nice, they always make nice bikes
|
PhilC
Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Lancs, UK
User status: Offline
|
Just bought an Orange G3 on cycle to work scheme... I live 30 miles away... (all motorway!)
|
PhilC
Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Lancs, UK
User status: Offline
|
Check out Orange G2, Trek 6300, or Specialized Rockhoppers.
Good time to buy, 2010 models are hitting the shops, so 09s are being cleared!
|
GF-91
Banned
Registered: 8th Jul 09
Location: Burnley!
User status: Offline
|
Might buy a cheap one for about £120 for a ride about 
I miss being somewhat healthy :/
|
