Best value bike to work < €1000

Lemlin

Folks,

Looking for a bit of help. I did the bike to work last year and got myself a Specialized Allez Sport. My local LBS recommended it as the best bike under €1000.

Problem is I've consistently heard people say that I could have got better spec for that price. I've seen the Btwin Triban in Decathalon mentioned as a good value budget option and the Canyon Roadlite if going full budget.

My friend has now asked for a bit of advice re his own bike to work and I was wondering if I could pick your brains.

There are a number of factors involved:

Factor 1, our company use the One4All scheme so the bike has to be available in these bricks and mortar stores: http://www.bikes4work.ie/retailers.htm. I believe this counts out the Canyon online and the Btwin in Decathalon.

Factor 2, he's on less than 32k so he's looking to get the best value bike he can for the cheapest amount possible. That's where bang for your buck really comes into it. He'd prefer to steer away from spending the full 1k but will if tthere's a bike that really warrants it. He won't be going over 1k under any circumstance though! And he keeps telling me that!!

Factor 3, budget is bike only. He has all the gear as he runs with our cycling club and has picked up all he needs to get started second hand.

The one thing I'm wondering is would he be better skip the scheme and just go for the Triban at £399? Can it be beaten for value for money even with the bike to work discount considered?

Any help is greatly appreciated folks.

Bigus

Which triban is 399 ?
I heard the triban 3 just got downgraded from carbon to alloy forks at 299.

However my. Son got the original carbon fork model for 299 sterling,

great bike a year after purchase it compares well to and surpasses some 1200 euro branded bikes.

Yes don't get too caught up in tax breaks they can lead to inflated prices , negating any potential savings.

I hear on boards the triban 5 is now the one to go for, if I was commuting I'd buy a new one every year and almost get my money back selling it secondhand on DD, and spend no money on consumables and servicing .

Soarer

I'd have a look at the Cubes if its vfm you're looking for. I got my Peloton Race 2012 last year for €1050 after a haggle. So I paid €50 myself and put the remainder through the btw.
Carbon fork, mix of 105 and Ultegra running gear, and weighing 8.8kg. Delighted with it as a first bike.

I'm a novice though, so wait more more experienced people to give you their tuppence worth.

Lemlin

Bigus wrote: »

Which triban is 399 ?
I heard the triban 3 just got downgraded from carbon to alloy forks at 299.

However my. Son got the original carbon fork model for 299 sterling,

great bike a year after purchase it compares well to and surpasses some 1200 euro branded bikes.

Yes don't get too caught up in tax breaks they can lead to inflated prices , negating any potential savings.

I hear on boards the triban 5 is now the one to go for, if I was commuting I'd buy a new one every year and almost get my money back selling it secondhand on DD, and spend no money on consumables and servicing .

Sorry, that should be £299.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-road-bike-white-id_8239800.html

He certainly wouldn't go to the price for the Triban 5 up front. It's been hard enough persuading him he has the spare cash for a bike!

Paying in instalments is one of the good parts of the BTW.

Idleater

If he's on the standard rate of tax then the most saving over 5 years is €280 assuming he spends the full €1000.
Buying the cheapest bike on the scheme doesn't make sense in this instance.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

I just got the boardman road comp from halfords, which is part of the one4all bike to work scheme you mention.

Really nice bike, it's got sram apex, a lovely frame and a carbon fork, although it's 999 now. I got it for 900 the bank holiday weekend, which it has gone to for each of the last three bank holidays.

There's one or two other boardman bikes there which are a little cheaper too.

Lemlin

Idleater wrote: »

If he's on the standard rate of tax then the most saving over 5 years is €280 assuming he spends the full €1000.
Buying the cheapest bike on the scheme doesn't make sense in this instance.

That's why he's thinking of just going with the Triban for £299 and not bothering with the scheme.

Bigus

Lemlin wrote: »

That's why he's thinking of just going with the Triban for £299 and not bothering with the scheme.

Well isn't that saving of about 650 euro gross or
1000-280= 720 net of tax rebate or 370 net

where the cost of triban

say 299 x1.17. Sterling = 350 euro plus travel.

Triban is a grand bike for 350 euro compared to endless searching on donedeal for secondhand one which might need new tyres and other consumables.

Lemlin

Bigus wrote: »

Well isn't that saving of about 650 euro gross or
1000-280= 720 net of tax rebate or 370 net

where the cost of triban

say 299 x1.17. Sterling = 350 euro plus travel.

Triban is a grand bike for 350 euro compared to endless searching on donedeal for secondhand one which might need new tyres and other consumables.

That's the main crux of the thread tbh. Should he just go with the Triban or is there any bike for the 1k or under which justifies him using the scheme and buying a more expensive bike over 12 months?

Lemlin

Any of the midweek forum crew any suggestions folks or should he just go with the Triban?

Lemlin

Some suggestions he is looking at:

Trek 1.2
http://www.wheelworx.ie/trek/Trek-1.2-2013

Giant Defy 2
http://www.mycycle.ie/GIANT-DEFY-2-2013-p/gd213.htm

Cube Peloton Compact
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=60019

Cube Peloton Triple
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=57452

Felt F85
http://eurocycles.com/ie/product/felt/f85

Which of the above would be the best bike? They are all €900 to €1000.

adamski8

Im thinking of getting the specialized sport as well at 900. Cant see where the better specs at that price come from, people say it but where are these bikes (that are eligible for b2w)?

Lemlin

adamski8 wrote: »

Im thinking of getting the specialized sport as well at 900. Cant see where the better specs at that price come from, people say it but where are these bikes (that are eligible for b2w)?

I've had the comment said to me a number of times but my local LBS swore by it for the €949 at the time.

TinyExplosions

adamski8 wrote: »

Im thinking of getting the specialized sport as well at 900. Cant see where the better specs at that price come from, people say it but where are these bikes (that are eligible for b2w)?

Any bike is eligible for the B2W, it's your employer that puts restrictions on it, but there are a few that have better specs -for a start the Trek linked above has Tiagra, which is one level up in terms of groupset, the Felt is Microshift which is (argueably) better than Sora, and if you look at something like the Canyon Roadlite, you can get 105 or SRAM Apex for 999, or even go to Planet X and get an SAB Classico with SRAM Rival for €948!

smacl

I'd say best value for any one person is about the bike that suits their needs best, rather than a set of facts and figures ranking groupsets etc... Specifically, does the geometry suit them, saddle they find comfy, enough low gears to get them up hills, deep or compact drop bars, and of course the aesthetics and branding. The PX SAB Classico linked above and the Canyon roadlite seem to be really good first bikes for many folks; quite light, relaxed geometry, and super low gears to get you over most hills first on the first go.

If your friend is carrying a few extra pounds, maybe not that fit, and /or planning on cycling in the mountains, low gears are important. If he hasn't cycled a drop bar bike before, isn't that flexible, and/or isn't planning on racing, relaxed geometry makes sense. If he values his cojones and hadn't had a family yet, comfy saddle and padded shorts or a must.

Reverse also holds true of course. If he's built like a starved whippet with most of his body weight comprising of lungs and legs, is oblivious to pain, and is planning to wipe Ryan Sherlock off the face of Strava, his needs are somewhat different

TinyExplosions

smacl wrote: »

I'd say best value for any one person is about the bike that suits their needs best, rather than a set of facts and figures ranking groupsets etc...

BURN THE HERETIC!

it's all about facts and figures man

adamski8

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Any bike is eligible for the B2W, it's your employer that puts restrictions on it, but there are a few that have better specs -for a start the Trek linked above has Tiagra, which is one level up in terms of groupset, the Felt is Microshift which is (argueably) better than Sora, and if you look at something like the Canyon Roadlite, you can get 105 or SRAM Apex for 999, or even go to Planet X and get an SAB Classico with SRAM Rival for €948!

All true but a lot of employers do make you buy from a b&m shop. Good anyway to support your local shop.
Sora seems fine to me with the new shifters, ive been quoted 900 for the allez sport so im going to go with that

Ryath

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=56914
Sorry just seen it's out of stock

Or the boardman from halfords with SRAM apex for €999.

The new sora does look much better though would have never considered the older one with the thumb shifters. There are few bikes I would consider with it now for budget reasons though I love my Sram double tap shifters and would more than likely spend the extra to get them and a 10 speed cassete.

Lemlin

smacl wrote: »

I'd say best value for any one person is about the bike that suits their needs best, rather than a set of facts and figures ranking groupsets etc... Specifically, does the geometry suit them, saddle they find comfy, enough low gears to get them up hills, deep or compact drop bars, and of course the aesthetics and branding. The PX SAB Classico linked above and the Canyon roadlite seem to be really good first bikes for many folks; quite light, relaxed geometry, and super low gears to get you over most hills first on the first go.

If your friend is carrying a few extra pounds, maybe not that fit, and /or planning on cycling in the mountains, low gears are important. If he hasn't cycled a drop bar bike before, isn't that flexible, and/or isn't planning on racing, relaxed geometry makes sense. If he values his cojones and hadn't had a family yet, comfy saddle and padded shorts or a must.

Reverse also holds true of course. If he's built like a starved whippet with most of his body weight comprising of lungs and legs, is oblivious to pain, and is planning to wipe Ryan Sherlock off the face of Strava, his needs are somewhat different

He's sorted the padded shorts through the cycling club so has a good pair of those. In fairness, another friend in work here who ran the Ironman in Kerry gave us good advice: for running, make sure you have good runners, for cycling, make sure its the padded shorts, everything else can be cheap as chips but those are vital. He was talking about accessories of course and not the bike itself!

He's not overweight, has little experience of cycling, would be cycling country roads round Cavan/Meath with plenty of hills and would be fairly fit (can run 10k in less than an hour anyway). No racing planned at present but, as with myself, ya never know what the future may hold once ya get going

Lemlin

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Any bike is eligible for the B2W, it's your employer that puts restrictions on it, but there are a few that have better specs -for a start the Trek linked above has Tiagra, which is one level up in terms of groupset, the Felt is Microshift which is (argueably) better than Sora, and if you look at something like the Canyon Roadlite, you can get 105 or SRAM Apex for 999, or even go to Planet X and get an SAB Classico with SRAM Rival for €948!

Is the Trek then the best of the bikes linked above considering my friend has to go bricks and mortar due to having to use the One 4 All vouchers Bike to Work scheme?

Or is the Cannondale suggested below better?

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/p...dproduct=56914

I know its different strokes for different folks etc. but what he's looking for here is the best spec he can get for his €1000 through the scheme he has to use.

In saying that, if there's a bike for €850 which is better value than using the full €1000, he'd go for it e.g. the difference in spec for the extra €150 is neligible.

TinyExplosions

Lemlin wrote: »

Is the Trek then the best of the bikes linked above considering my friend has to go bricks and mortar due to having to use the One 4 All vouchers Bike to Work scheme?

Or is the Cannondale suggested below better?

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/p...dproduct=56914

I know its different strokes for different folks etc. but what he's looking for here is the best spec he can get for his €1000 through the scheme he has to use.

In saying that, if there's a bike for €850 which is better value than using the full €1000, he'd go for it e.g. the difference in spec for the extra €150 is neligible.

I like the Cannondale more than the Trek, but it's out of stock -my pick of the lot would be a Boardman Road Comp -999 and has SRAM Apex, which is (imo) a lot better than Sora or Tiagra

Lemlin

TinyExplosions wrote: »

I like the Cannondale more than the Trek, but it's out of stock -my pick of the lot would be a Boardman Road Comp -999 and has SRAM Apex, which is (imo) a lot better than Sora or Tiagra

Are Boardman not made by Halfords though? That's the big problem I've always had with them myself. Not sure if my friend would view it as a problem but I've always had a problem with large UK chain stores having worked for one in the past. I've seen the practices they follow and they aren't pretty!

Edit: my friend rang Cycle Superstore. They said they can get the Cannondale in from the UK if they recieve a definite order. They recommended the Cube Peloton to him though!

petethedrummer

Lemlin wrote: »

Are Boardman not made by Halfords though?

No, frames on most Aluminum bikes are made in Taiwan by the same factory. Boardman are good quality bikes. Halfords do sell some rubbish (Trax/Apollo) but Boardman's are far from rubbish. It would be like saying Sony are rubbish because Halfords sell Sony stereos.

Halfords mechanics don't have a great reputation but I think that is changing. It depends on the branch.

As for not wanting to buy from a large change for moral reasons. That's understandable.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Lemlin wrote: »

Are Boardman not made by Halfords though? That's the big problem I've always had with them myself. Not sure if my friend would view it as a problem but I've always had a problem with large UK chain stores having worked for one in the past. I've seen the practices they follow and they aren't pretty!

Boardman are sold exclusively (I think) by Halfords but are not 'made' by Halfords. Chris Boardman is behind the brand. IMO they're very good value bikes and well spec'd and I wouldn't let the fact that they're sold through Halfords put me off, although I do see where your coming from.

The Mulk

What about the Carerra TDF Road bike in Halfords, or are they just rubbish, 10% off at the moment. Coming in at €394

I'm in the same boat as the OP's friend. Eurocycles are giving 15% free accessories to the value of the bike.

Decisions,decisions

smacl

Lemlin wrote: »

He's not overweight, has little experience of cycling, would be cycling country roads round Cavan/Meath with plenty of hills and would be fairly fit (can run 10k in less than an hour anyway). No racing planned at present but, as with myself, ya never know what the future may hold once ya get going

He should have no problems so. Personally, for our more pot-holed l-roads I prefer 25mm over 23mm tyres, more comfort slightly more weight, but this can be done on any bike. Also like the Cannondale FWIW, for no good reason other than I like it.

petethedrummer

The Mulk wrote: »

What about the Carerra TDF Road bike in Halfords, or are they just rubbish, 10% off at the moment. Coming in at €394

They're grand bikes. A bit uninspiring looking and a bit heavy (or so I hear) but sturdy. The more expensive Carrera's look nice.

Lemlin

Alot of the difference round this price point seems to be opinion and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I'm just wondering why people in general have commented that my Specialized Allez Sport is low spec for the money when my LBS recommended it as the best bike for 1k?

petethedrummer

Lemlin wrote: »

my LBS recommended it as the best bike for 1k?

It's probably the best spec he had in the shop, he's hardly gonna send you out the door to Halfords. Halfords buy and sell in huge numbers so they can offer a better spec for the money. Usually the groupset or wheels or both are better. But its not a huge difference and you wouldn't notice it on the road.

Specialized are good bikes. You didn't by any means buy a dud. Your legs will let you down before it will. And you have a local bike shop to look after your needs and build up a rapport.

smacl

Lemlin wrote: »

Alot of the difference round this price point seems to be opinion and that beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I'm just wondering why people in general have commented that my Specialized Allez Sport is low spec for the money when my LBS recommended it as the best bike for 1k?

Nothing wrong with it, just nothing particularly exciting either. As TinyExplosiions has already highlighted, many cyclists care deeply about the paper spec of the bike, and 1k for a sora equipped bike is nothing special. The only time this makes much difference is when and if you come to sell it, and it doesn't hold its value as well as other bikes.

For all I said previously, I'd want at least tiagra for my 1k, and I'd hunt around to find something with a campag veloce first. Being an older lad, I'd also want at 34/28 as my lowest gear. Plenty of alu sora equipped bikes with carbon frames around the €650-€750 mark. Like everything in life, you make exceptions for good looks, and for €1067, I wouldn't say no to this steel framed charge juicer even if she was only wearing sora.

Seaneh

If you are willing to buy online, this is the best value for money bike on the market for me.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moser-bikes-speed-sora-2013/

Full SORA groupset (new sora is lovely, every bit as good as tiagra for me and only one less gear), Fulcrum Racing Sport wheels, alu frame, carbon fork and only €610.

Absolute bargain if you ask me.

That or the Triban 5 or 7 would be my bike for < 1k.

Seaneh

If you're interested in steel, it's worth looking at the KONA Honky Tonk. €999 for a gorgeous bike with this years SORA and a decent wheel set, perfect for commuting or long spins on country roads (and even as a winter training bike or club spins) and takes full mudguards and a pannier rack.

Lemlin

Seaneh wrote: »

If you are willing to buy online, this is the best value for money bike on the market for me.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/moser-bikes-speed-sora-2013/

Full SORA groupset (new sora is lovely, every bit as good as tiagra for me and only one less gear), Fulcrum Racing Sport wheels, alu frame, carbon fork and only €610.

Absolute bargain if you ask me.

That or the Triban 5 or 7 would be my bike for < 1k.

My friend has to go with a bricks and mortar shop from those listed in the original post. Our employer are using One4All.

Seaneh

Lemlin wrote: »

My friend has to go with a bricks and mortar shop from those listed in the original post. Our employer are using One4All.

Your employer is a sillyhead, but in that case, disregard my post!

The Kona Honky Tonk is lovely though, If I'd a grand laying around, I'd be buying it.

billyhead

Seaneh wrote: »

If you're interested in steel, it's worth looking at the KONA Honky Tonk. €999 for a gorgeous bike with this years SORA and a decent wheel set, perfect for commuting or long spins on country roads (and even as a winter training bike or club spins) and takes full mudguards and a pannier rack.

Where did you see this deal?

adamski8

Seaneh wrote: »

Your employer is a sillyhead, but in that case, disregard my post!

The Kona Honky Tonk is lovely though, If I'd a grand laying around, I'd be buying it.

Lovely bike, horrible name!

Seaneh

billyhead wrote: »

Where did you see this deal?

Any shop that sells Kona bikes will have it.

€999 is the RRP.

por ejemplo

http://fitzcycles.ie/p/916/2013-kona-honky-tonk-road-bike

snollup

billyhead wrote: »

Where did you see this deal?

Here

& OP, it's on your list!

TychoCaine

The one4all/bikes4work scheme is a total balls though. They make the retailers fork over a healthy % of the sale as a "commission" which I presume covers finance (if you're spreading the cost over a year) and administration costs, plus a healthy profit. It totally destroys your ability to negotiate a discount or get accessories thrown in for free. I did it direct last year and got a bike computer, lights and a decent helmet thrown in for free. I've heard of one bike shop last year that wouldn't allow b4w customers buy any of his sale stock because he'd be losing money.

Lemlin

TychoCaine wrote: »

The one4all/bikes4work scheme is a total balls though. They make the retailers fork over a healthy % of the sale as a "commission" which I presume covers finance (if you're spreading the cost over a year) and administration costs, plus a healthy profit. It totally destroys your ability to negotiate a discount or get accessories thrown in for free. I did it direct last year and got a bike computer, lights and a decent helmet thrown in for free. I've heard of one bike shop last year that wouldn't allow b4w customers buy any of his sale stock because he'd be losing money.

The lad I got my bike from told me they take 13% commission on the sale.

Lemlin

snollup wrote: »

Here

& OP, it's on your list!

Is this our winner then?

Is it worth the extra €125 over the Cannondale?

smacl

Lemlin wrote: »

Is this our winner then?

Is it worth the extra €125 over the Cannondale?

Different bikes, both lovely, but different animals. For crappier roads, I'd go the Honky Tonk. And yes, it is worth the few extra bob.

dogsears

TychoCaine wrote: »

The one4all/bikes4work scheme is a total balls though. They make the retailers fork over a healthy % of the sale as a "commission"

Totally agree. This and other similar schemes are just a way to divert part of the saving into the pockets of companies providing an unnecessary service to lazy/understaffed/untrained HR or payroll depts in employers (including, frustratingly, my own).

Lemlin

smacl wrote: »

Different bikes, both lovely, but different animals. For crappier roads, I'd go the Honky Tonk. And yes, it is worth the few extra bob.

Thanks. Crappy roads is definitely what we have.

Seaneh

Lemlin wrote: »

Thanks. Crappy roads is definitely what we have.

In that case, take the kona.

Steel bikes soak up all the bumps a lot better than alu, and it's actually a pretty light steel bike anyway.

billyhead

Fort the Kona Honky Tonk bike the only thing reall missing is SPD pedals and a front and rear mudguard to make it a real commuter. If you went intio a bike shop retailing it with cash in hand would it be cheeky to ask for either one i.e pedals or mudguards to be thrown in for €1000.

TychoCaine

Seaneh wrote: »

In that case, take the kona.

Steel bikes soak up all the bumps a lot better than alu, and it's actually a pretty light steel bike anyway.

You can't beat carbon for soaking up bumps, and yes I did buy a carbon bike (BH Speedrom 7.1 - Carbon + Tiagra) for €1k (€1050 if I'm being honest) on the c2w scheme :P

Idleater

TychoCaine wrote: »

You can't beat carbon for soaking up bumps

Well, you can, it's called a steel. The trade off is weight, but my steel bike rolls just as nicely as my carbon, and takes my commuter baggage with ease.

Seaneh

TychoCaine wrote: »

You can't beat carbon for soaking up bumps, and yes I did buy a carbon bike (BH Speedrom 7.1 - Carbon + Tiagra) for €1k (€1050 if I'm being honest) on the c2w scheme :P

Most people would consider steel frames to be more comfortable than carbon.

TychoCaine

It's been years since I road a steeley, but I remember my old Reynolds 531 bike (still in the shed) used to generate a load of road buzz. The carbon bike soaks it up a lot better.

Lemlin

TychoCaine wrote: »

You can't beat carbon for soaking up bumps, and yes I did buy a carbon bike (BH Speedrom 7.1 - Carbon + Tiagra) for €1k (€1050 if I'm being honest) on the c2w scheme :P

Where did you get that?