a bike on the C2W scheme

kierank01

My workplace are starting the C2W scheme soon (about time), and I am looking for a hardtail MTB, or a hybrid bike.

realistically the scheme will be going through halfords, and maybe another real world shop, but I have seen a GT Aggressor for a good price on chainreactions, I cannot see a GT for the same price or spec on the halfords site.

I am not looking for a serious offroad bike, or a road racing bike, so that suggests that a hybrid might be an option, but they seem to be more expensive than MTB's.

Looking at the halfords site, they have Carrera and Apollo makes that I can't see on other sites.

Does anyone have a comment on the quality of the Carrera's and Apollo's, and can anyone suggest a bike of similar spec/quality as the one on the chainreactions.

TIA, and sorry for the long post.

DirkVoodoo

Cycling a MTB on the road is not fun. A suspension fork will also require periodic maintenance if it is to function properly, and you don't need one even on Irish roads. I think people confuse bikes with cars sometimes, but if a car was powered by your legs, you would quickly get rid of heavy things like gearboxes, suspension systems and disc brakes.

Hybrids are fine.

But rather than say what type of bike you want, why don't you say what kind of cycling you will be doing, do you like to get there quickly and easily, or would you be willing to sacrifice speed for a bit more comfort. What distance? What is your budget? Will you be doing little leisure spins at the weekend? Does your workplace have showers, proper bike parking, etc.

kierank01

Speed is not a priority, and distance is a bit under 10km.
budget is not more than €300, but I would like an aluminium frame, and Shimano gears.

If I do leisure spins at the weekend it will be on forest tracks.

work has showers, and parking.

DirkVoodoo

Right, well any mountain bike you buy for 300 euro or less is (to my limited knowledge) not going to be capable of much off roading without expensive repair bills. Unless you buy a heavily discounted bike or second hand, then your commuter will have to be relegated to just commuting.

As far as shimano gears; why? At entry level you will not really be getting anything extra. The Carrera Subway in Halfords is a solid if unspectacular commuter. I had one of the older ones myself and it did the job, but no more. As long as it changes gear, on a 300 euro bike it doesn't matter what brand it is (I mean between Shimano and SRAM of course).

Halford's Carrera Subway Offer

I hate to sound like I'm being too negative, but as far as new bikes go, at 300 your options are very limited.

Worldwidecycles were selling the specialized sirrus for 320 euro, I managed to get a friend to buy one after much looking at crap on gumtree and he is very happy. They don't seem to have any at the moment, possibly waiting for 2010 stock to come in. If you can wait, and the price is similar, I would go with that.

kierank01

I saw the Carrera on the halfords, but I checked the availability and it is sold out in Ireland.

€300 might be negotiable, but €300+ will have to include the C2W discount.

as for the Shimano gears, I don't know, do SRAM do quick shift gears?

BostonB

How about this?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/road/2173/31846/

kierank01

BostonB wrote: »

How about this?
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bikes/road/2173/31846/

Thanks, that is a really nice bike, but at €1000+ it is a bit beyond my budget.

Idleater

Do you mind me asking why you are buying a with a budget of C €300 on the bike to work scheme?

In my opinion, you'd be better off buying whatever bike you want at that price, and when you get into the cycling blowing the entire €1000 (or more) on a "proper" bike.

On €300, if you are on the higher tax band you are saving yourself about €150, and €70 on standard rate. Not really worth it considering the ~€500 maximum saving.

osnola ibax

Tbh honest, I can't understand spending 300 on the ctw scheme as the above poster states. If you can arrange a weekly deduction it will work out between 10 - 15 euro per week approx net for a €1000 spend depending on your tax band.

Get summink decent, treat yourself.

kierank01

ok, so what about something like this?.

What is the story with disk brakes? do they need to be warm before they work properly, or am I just thinking about cars again :pac: