Cycle to work scheme bike advice request?

louthandproud

Hi all, My company are participating in the cycle to work scheme, so I am probably going to take up the offer and buy a bike. Now I know next to nothing about bikes so I would appreciate some advice.

For starters:

I will be prepared to spend €500-750 (maybe more if it was really worth it)

I would use the bike for almost exclusively road only (cycling to work of course )

I would like to try a triathlon sometime in 2010 so it would need to be something that would work for that in terms of me being a complete novice in every sense of the word.

I assume lightness and quality are important but I don't really know anything about what constitutes a good rating in either. Any advice is much appreciated!

P.S. I have looked at the Felt QX65 and Raleigh AT40 so far so I am thinking something along those lines.

RacoonQueen

I recently got a la pierre audacio 400 from cycle superstore for the exact same reasons as you. Mine was 1045 but with discount and then what you save in tax etc you only end up paying 700 or so, I'd go for as good a bike as you can get in the scheme cos you save a bomb on it and end up with a better bike for the same price. Bike I got it is an entry level one really so it'll do me for now, the staff in cycle superstore and cycleways, both in Dublin, are great and really helpful.

thebouldwhacker

There are many many threads about this on the cycling forum.

The main things to consider when buying a bike are frame and components. For example Lidl are selling a road bike for +/- €900, very good components but an unknown noname frame.
Read some of the threads in cycling and do some research on the type of components. You said you want a roadie possibly for tri's that narrows you to a road 'racer' usually with drop bars though I have seen flat bar racers at tri's (heathens:D).
While weight is very important the question must be asked 'will I pay €400 more for 90oz less or lose the weight myself???'

poskantor

The cycle to work scheme is a great chance to get a good bike at a hugh discount, depending on your tax levels you could be getting it for nearly half price. You can only avail of the scheme once in 5 years so if you're buying a bike through the scheme now you need to make the right choice.

If I was you I'd go for a road bike (i.e. a racer) around the €1000 mark (this is the max allowable under the scheme) if you want to get into tris next year. Obviously it depends on your budget but that my 2c!