Typical

M

Mattwood

Suspended / Banned
Messages
482
Name
Matt
Edit My Images
Yes
I've been looking to get a road bike recently and with limited funds (work circumstances) but to save long term on fuel and other travel costs + to get active/fit with limited shock impact on knee.

checked the company I works for cycle to work scheme, all looks good and narrowed it down to 2 bicycles. Get the ok from OH and go to order today and the scheme ended yesterday!

Now I guess I'll have to shift some things to get on the road again i.e. camera gear.
 
Check out Wiggle and Winstanleys bikes as you can get some great discounts on new last years models which can save you much more the the cycle to work scheme.

I've bought 1 bike from Wiggle and 2 from Winstanleys with large discounts.
 
Surely you can see if they will carry it on. Go on about how they are helping with fitness of staff blah blah blah.
 
Spoke to HR who are waiting for Group HR to decide what to do on scheme. Doesn't look good at the moment as not many people took advantage over last 2 years. BTH people at work don't seem bothered most are carrying 2 spare tyres around middle.

As low income (part time) so the reduced price and instalments from pay also seemed attractive. Noticed that since upgrading to 60d in Sept 2010 it's only done 670 shutter actuations. It's not being used and could release funds for bike.
 
Cycle2Work isn't the bargain it was a few years back, bikes are now worth x amount after 12 months which needs to be paid as a 'bubble' before it becomes your own.

Previously the employer assigned their own value (in my case my wife's £600 Specialized I bought a few years back was worth 50p ;)) but now I think anything over £500 is worth £125 after 12 months.

If you can do second hand you'll get a much better bargain. I got a £1k Boardman Hybrid Pro that had covered 40 miles for £450, C2W would have cost me around £700.
 
Yep. HMRC started cracking down on low resale values by employers, which removed most of the saving that could be made and has massively reduced participation in the scheme in the last couple of years.

The only main benefit left is the ability to pay for the bike in instalments.
 
Last edited:
Try evanscycle (http://www.evanscycles.com/help/finance) they offer 12 month interest free credit on bikes over £500. I bought my bike from them last year, it worked out cheaper than the cycle to work scheme and the bike arrived fully built. You can call them their staff they are very helpful.
 
paddyfrog said:
Try evanscycle (http://www.evanscycles.com/help/finance) they offer 12 month interest free credit on bikes over £500. I bought my bike from them last year, it worked out cheaper than the cycle to work scheme and the bike arrived fully built. You can call them their staff they are very helpful.
Click to expand...

Finance is a no go. Currently saving for a house deposit and been advised by banks mortgage advisor to pay of mobiles (mine and partners) and reduce her credit card which is only in hundreds. So not willing to get extra finance.

Musicman said:
Yep. HMRC started cracking down on low resale values by employers, which removed most of the saving that could be made and has massively reduced participation in the scheme in the last couple of years.

The only main benefit left is the ability to pay for the bike in instalments.
Click to expand...

That was one + being part time atm. Scheme with work didn't seem to bad. renew bike every year if wanted or £50-£100 final payment. Have heard horror stories with huge payments being required as well.

gumbo-67 said:
second hand? rather than sell you camera kit
Click to expand...

Sadly it looks that way. Gentleman is coming up on train from London tomorrow.

I've seen lots of kit to get on many of the sites linked by you all. Bike wise i've been informed by several people in to road cycling via road cycling websites/forums that this is a real good bike for price. (entry level which i'm after)
 
Last edited:
I've not heard of Triban but then I've been a bit out of the loop over the past year. Have you tried looking at secondhand? A lot of people really look after their rides and you'd be getting a lot more for your money.

Have you made room for kit in your budget as well? If you're using it for commuting as well as fun, mudguards and a decent backpack / panniers are a must.
 
Kazz said:
I've not heard of Triban but then I've been a bit out of the loop over the past year. Have you tried looking at secondhand? A lot of people really look after their rides and you'd be getting a lot more for your money.

Have you made room for kit in your budget as well? If you're using it for commuting as well as fun, mudguards and a decent backpack / panniers are a must.
Click to expand...

Yes, around £300 for bike, £100-200 for other bits. Commute to work is no problem, 3 minutes down road and overalls/uniform stored in lockers there. So not planning on carrying much other than spare tubes, tools & emergency money.
Not much second hand around, been on local cycle clubs forums (4 of them), other road bike forums and usual eBay/Gumtree/preloved. etc. Not checked magazines yet. (Thats within price range - fair bit more for more £)
 
Hope this isn't teaching gran to suck eggs...

Something that you need to be aware of with C2W schemes is that, unless and until your employer sells you the bike at the end of the fixed period, the company retain ownership of the bike.

While you're making payments on the scheme, you your hiring it from your employer. YOU DO NOT OWN IT (sorry about the caps, but it needs to be clear).

It's not hire-purchase, as that wouldn't qualify for the tax break. You cannot have an agreement with your employ that they WILL sell you the bike at the end of the scheme, or any agreement about price, that would not qualify.

Most employers won't want to retain the bike, but it's a risk that they might. If you think that there's a possibility that your company is financially shaky, or that you may leave for another job during the period of the scheme, you may end up without the bike at the end of it.

If the bike is stolen or damaged, you'll have to continue to make payments. Consider taking out insurance.
 
Musicman said:
You have secure parking for the bike at work?
Click to expand...

Yes, security and gate on the 1 entrance in/out, bike shed is next to the vehicle maintenance yard which is also maned during the times I work.

At home it will be kept in house (on hall wall)
 
Musicman said:
Hope this isn't teaching gran to suck eggs...

Something that you need to be aware of with C2W schemes is that, unless and until your employer sells you the bike at the end of the fixed period, the company retain ownership of the bike.

While you're making payments on the scheme, you your hiring it from your employer. YOU DO NOT OWN IT (sorry about the caps, but it needs to be clear).

It's not hire-purchase, as that wouldn't qualify for the tax break. You cannot have an agreement with your employ that they WILL sell you the bike at the end of the scheme, or any agreement about price, that would not qualify.

Most employers won't want to retain the bike, but it's a risk that they might. If you think that there's a possibility that your company is financially shaky, or that you may leave for another job during the period of the scheme, you may end up without the bike at the end of it.

If the bike is stolen or damaged, you'll have to continue to make payments. Consider taking out insurance.
Click to expand...


Know all this. Also the Cycle 2 work scheme finished which is why I am selling camera gear to fund. not used it in over a year only done 670 shutter actuations on my 60d since I got it (Sept 2010 - UK release)
 
Stoke City Council are selling houses for a £1. Buy one of those! Stay for 5 years then sell it for a deposit on somewhere nicer.

Try freecycle for the bike.
 
srichards said:
Stoke City Council are selling houses for a £1. Buy one of those! Stay for 5 years then sell it for a deposit on somewhere nicer.

Try freecycle for the bike.
Click to expand...

Yes they are but you have to pay them £30,000 in rent within 10 years and after 5 what you haven't paid back comes out of the money you sell the house for.

2 area's they are doing it in the houses sell for £20k at the moment. (have to be a resident of Stoke-on-Trent i.e pay council tax there already to get on the scheme) - We have checked already and spoken to the councillor.

As housing authority moved me to Newcastle-under-Lyme away from my family in Stoke I can't get on it.

*Camera went today to a nice man from London.
 
Mattwood said:
*Camera went today to a nice man from London.
Click to expand...

Good luck with the bike hunting. The only tip I'll give you is shop around and try a few out before committing. Buying the right bike will mean you want to use it and before you know it you'll be doing more than riding to work.
 
What I would look at is getting a bike with last years colours. If you have a look in the bike mags or places like wiggle, the discounted models normally have the same spec as current model but a different colour.
A good few years back I did that and got a bike that was £1500 down to £750
You may have to shop around a bit, but for an hour or two searching you can get a bargain.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top