What do I spend my Cycle to Work Voucher on
BigG59
Posts: 396 Member
Decisions, Decisions.
New company means I get a cycle to work voucher. I applied for the full £1K.
But what do I buy?
In theory you cannot buy components, but, my LBS are an accommodating bunch so I am sure I could get some new rims. In fact they're trying to get me to upgrade to the limited edition Mavic 125 for my Hi-Mod 3. Great spec and are getting some good write ups.
Or do I buy a low spec CX bike, for winter riding? (but I do have a winter bike Cannondale Synapse 105 with full mud guards).
Help me spend my money.
New company means I get a cycle to work voucher. I applied for the full £1K.
But what do I buy?
In theory you cannot buy components, but, my LBS are an accommodating bunch so I am sure I could get some new rims. In fact they're trying to get me to upgrade to the limited edition Mavic 125 for my Hi-Mod 3. Great spec and are getting some good write ups.
Or do I buy a low spec CX bike, for winter riding? (but I do have a winter bike Cannondale Synapse 105 with full mud guards).
Help me spend my money.
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Replies
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If you can blagg your way through, then get the wheels, that is unless the N+1 is hankering.0
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If they're that accommodating then spend it on beer and women, don't waste it!0
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If I had my time over again & I had a 'bag of sand' to spend on a CX bike, I'd have one of these ALL DAY LONG!
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLSAPEX/planet-x-xls-sram-apex-cyclocross-bike
Yes, there are no eyelets for mudguards etc. but you'll be able to get guards to fit without a doubt!
The best 'bang-per-buck' improvement you can make on any bike is a new lightweight set of wheels, so that is another consideration...
One thing to bear in mind (& I'm not saying it will happen), but if the Tax man has a look at the company's books & wants to 'see' it's assets, your 'bike' is included & if you cannot produce the 'bike' you bought on the cycle to work scheme, then you'll be a little bit snookered! :ohwell:
That's just my 2p's worth
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I thought you were allowed to buy just accessories now with the voucher - I thought it had changed last year? Or is there a restriction as to what "accessories" it applies to?
Get the new rims if it allows, otherwise new bike! Cloggsy's recommendation for the Planet X is good - if you already have a winter bike (a lovely one in the Cannondale as I looked at that bike last year) so don't necessarily need the mudguards then it's an amazing bike for the price.
Happy spending!!! :happy:0 -
Thanks for the input folks. I really am undecided.
Frannybobs correct you can buy accessories with a voucher. Unfortunately RIMS are classed as components and not an accessory. This was the advise I got from Evans. So lights or jacket yes. New wheels - no.
The Mavic 105s will be a nice upgrade from the Mavic Kysrium S that I currently have on the summer bike. I could move them to the winter bike.
On the flip side, a CX bike could make a good winter bike. I am looking at the Cannondale CAADX http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/road/cyclocross/caadx/caadx-disc-5-105 The PlanetX looks a nice spec but my LBS are also the Cannondale dealer.
My favourite advice has to be from FDS - beer and women0 -
Can't fault the CaadX105 - especially as the 2015's have got the 5800 series 11 speed gears. Shame they've stuck with the creaky FSA Gossamer Cross rather than speccing a proper 5800 series crankset with the appropriate adaptors.
I hope they've done something about the wheels as well - or at east specced a higher grade of cheese for the spokes - after snapping 5 spokes in the rear wheel, I basically said screw this, bought a pack of DT Swiss spokes and rebuilt the wheel.
Other than those 2 little slight irritations (which I have dealt with easily enough) the 2014 bikes been a cracker, and I'm still really happy with it.0 -
Thanks for the input folks. I really am undecided.
Frannybobs correct you can buy accessories with a voucher. Unfortunately RIMS are classed as components and not an accessory. This was the advise I got from Evans. So lights or jacket yes. New wheels - no.
The Mavic 105s will be a nice upgrade from the Mavic Kysrium S that I currently have on the summer bike. I could move them to the winter bike.
On the flip side, a CX bike could make a good winter bike. I am looking at the Cannondale CAADX http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/2015/bikes/road/cyclocross/caadx/caadx-disc-5-105 The PlanetX looks a nice spec but my LBS are also the Cannondale dealer.
My favourite advice has to be from FDS - beer and women
Ahhhh, that's a bugger then :-(
Out of interest, you're not far from me, which LBS do you use? I've been recommended Geoff Smith Cycles in Bolton to take my bike for a service.
I was looking at the CAADX 105 but they had run down the 2014 stock at the time and no news on the 2015, so I ordered the Whyte. It is a good spec and the actual experience of TBY is always helpful info!
Not sure beer & women could be classed as accessories - and if anyone argues - they'll be in trouble!!! :laugh:0 -
I've always thought that Accessories were "something nice to have, but not essential"
And As Beer's Essential (Rule #47 // Drink Tripels, dont Ride Triples) it can't be an Accessory.
As to Women... well, lets just say I've been happily single for at least 15 years now, and have no ambitions to modify that status.0 -
Out of interest, you're not far from me, which LBS do you use? I've been recommended Geoff Smith Cycles in Bolton to take my bike for a service.
Geoff Smith Cycles is where most the guys I ride with in the club go.
He seems to come well recommended but I've never used him!! Other than buying club kit.
Reason is my brother's wife's family have a shop over Preston way. Its a bit of a trek but I'm treated like family. E.g. If I turn up with the bike and need something sorted even though the sign outside says were busy there is a two week wait on repairs; they sort me out there and then.
Interesting feedback from TBY on the CAADX.0 -
I finally got my voucher through and went for the CAADX. I got the 2014 model as they'd a good deal on it. I put 28mm Gattorskin road tyres on it as I intend to use it as my main winter bike.
My initial impression are: its as heavy as hell after a summer riding my my Hi-Mod. Feels twice as heavy but not actually weighed it. Very comfy though.0 -
CAADX's are breeding
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My initial impression are: its as heavy as hell after a summer riding my my Hi-Mod. Feels twice as heavy but not actually weighed it. Very comfy though.
56 is 10.5kg with the stock "Sammy Slicks" and the factory tractor-innertubes without pedals... Weighed it as soon as I'd stripped all the reflectors etc. from it. Sammy Slicks (Wired) are around 550g each end, so swapping to 28mm folding gatorskins and appropriate tubes will probably save at least the weight of the pedals...
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Nice choice with the CAADX, imagine how light your road bike will feel when you dig it back out in Spring!!0
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