Advice regarding bike comparison please!

heartofwhite

Hi everyone, so I am getting a bike on the bike to work scheme and my budget is 750 max. I am looking for advice on the following two bikes in terms of a comparison:

http://2014.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bikes/2014/Scultura+900-326.html

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-sport-limited-edition-2014#tab2

The Merida is €750 while the Boardman is €600

I should point out that while I will be using the bike for cycling to work, it is aimed at general fitness cycling daily (30-40km), and sportifs at weekends (80-120km).

Any advice would be welcome!

Cee-Jay-Cee

There's very little between them in terms of spec so it comes down looks and how they ride. I'd take the Merida on looks alone and I'd image it's got a slightly more relaxed geometry compared to the Boardman.

heartofwhite

CJC999 wrote: »

There's very little between them in terms of spec so it comes down looks and how they ride. I'd take the Merida on looks alone and I'd image it's got a slightly more relaxed geometry compared to the Boardman.

I thought that the specs were pretty similar alright, just needed other opinions. I had a look at the Merida this afternoon and it is a lovely bike. Heading to Halfords tomorrow to have a look at the Boardman.

Not sure I could justify paying €150 more for looks alone!

Raam

heartofwhite wrote: »

Not sure I could justify paying €150 more for looks alone!

We will beat that out of you in time.

heartofwhite

I actually put up the wrong bike in the first link - fixed now!

10 Carrolls

I'd go with the Merida. You might be able to squeeze another bit on the price or get something thrown in but you've no chance of that with Halfords.

Lumen

heartofwhite wrote: »

Hi everyone, so I am getting a bike on the bike to work scheme...I should point out that I will not be using the bike for cycling to work...Any advice would be welcome!

Don't ask for advice about committing tax fraud on a web forum.

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

Don't ask for advice about committing tax fraud on a web forum.

Apart from Beasty, no one else in the world cares.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

Apart from Beasty, no one else in the world cares.

I care.

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

I care.

No you don't.

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

No you don't.

I really do. Tax evasion is antisocial.

Raam

Lumen wrote: »

I really do. Tax evasion is antisocial.

If the OP states that he intends to cycle it to work, will you feel better about it?

Lumen

Raam wrote: »

If the OP states that he intends to cycle it to work, will you feel better about it?

Not really.

heartofwhite

Raam wrote: »

If the OP states that he intends to cycle it to work, will you feel better about it?

Sorted and apologies if i offended anyone!

heartofwhite

10 Carrolls wrote: »

I'd go with the Merida. You might be able to squeeze another bit on the price or get something thrown in but you've no chance of that with Halfords.

I was wondering about this - is it usual to try and get a discount or is this frowned upon?

gooner99

My nephew was in the same dillema.He looked at the Boardman road sport ltd, Giant defy 5, Bt-win 5 and Vitus Razor. In the end he's just Today gone for the Vitus Razor. The price and carbon fork swung it.

Cee-Jay-Cee

heartofwhite wrote: »

I was wondering about this - is it usual to try and get a discount or is this frowned upon?

Of course not, tell them you can get the Boardman for €150 less and ask what can they knock off the price to swing the deal especially if that is the displayed price. I got €200 off my first bike, it was priced at €1100 and I got it for €900.

ZiabR

Thats a fair drop in price from the listed. To drop 200 is unreal, fair play.

OP, go with whatever one you like the most. See if you get get the Merida down in price and then decide. But looks do matter, I quite like the look of the boardman.

heartofwhite

CJC999 wrote: »

Of course not, tell them you can get the Boardman for €150 less and ask what can they knock off the price to swing the deal especially if that is the displayed price. I got €200 off my first bike, it was priced at €1100 and I got it for €900.

Bloody hell - I was thinking maybe €50 or something along those lines. I will have a look at the Boardman this afternoon and see which I like better. If it is the Merida then I will call in on the way home and see how flexible they are!

heartofwhite

Just realised that with 10% off, I can get the following in Halfords for 756... a whole 1 euro more than the Merida and to my mind with a better spec?

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-comp-bike-2014#tab2

smacl

heartofwhite wrote: »

Just realised that with 10% off, I can get the following in Halfords for 756... a whole 1 euro more than the Merida and to my mind with a better spec?

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-comp-bike-2014#tab2

Nice looking bike, and lighter than the other Boardman. I'd go for it.

gazzaman22

Any body know if you can also use your axa card to get another 10 % off say this as well, and use the bike to work?
https://www.axaplus.ie/halfords_index.htm

WillyFXP

gazzaman22 wrote: »

Any body know if you can also use your axa card to get another 10 % off say this as well, and use the bike to work?
https://www.axaplus.ie/halfords_index.htm

Worth a try but Halfords dont usually give extra discounts if you use the BTW scheme. Personally I'd go for the Merida, it's a nicer looking bike by far. I've also found Halfords customer service and bike techs to be bloody dreadful.

Kevincavan83

Any update on what bike you went for?
I am looking at merida ride 90
Took it for a spin yesterday very comfy and not to much vibration.
I think the rims are better on the merida than boardmans.