Picked it up tonight! Fuck a duck does it shift with very little effort.

First impressions are very good. Brakes are brilliant. Very light. Seems to turn very fast too.

I am only used to 99 quid mtb though lol

Anyone any experience on the boardman ?

That's a good deal wish my work would something on the cycle to work scheme

Noice.

Got the details officially today.

4 year agreement. 1 year at 7 quid ish a week. The next 3 years are free. Then I get given the bike. If I leave before 4 years I have to pay a percentage.

Going for the boardman hybrid comp I think at 549

quote:

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Originally posted by Colin
I think im going to order a 2012 model hardtail from Europe.

Deliveries only £30 and I'm saving 20% on the bike and then the exchange rate.

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I did it in Sept last year, I wouldn't do it again, better deals to be had paying cash IMO. I got a£700 voucher and I'll end up paying about £650 with the final fee of 22% which my employer adds ><

I think im going to order a 2012 model hardtail from Europe.

Deliveries only £30 and I'm saving 20% on the bike and then the exchange rate.

quote:

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Originally posted by Colin
Any info on the government scheme?? My work only issues halfords vouchers. Was considering a fs boardman but missed the April deadline they have.

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Colin, my work scheme was with halfords but they also allow you to go to other "approved" outlets to get your bike. I got mine from Giant direct.

You save 32% if you're in the lower tax band or 42% if in the higher on your tax and ni.

Schemes are generally over 12 months but there are schemes out there which you can extend up to 3 years more.

They won't just donate the bike to you at the end of the hire period unless they really like you :lol: you'll buy it fair market value which varies from the cost of bike and length of the hire period. But best thing to do is find out what scheme your employers are on and then you can decide what bike to go for price wise.

In regards to actual bikes I've not got a scooby :lol:

Any info on the government scheme?? My work only issues halfords vouchers. Was considering a fs boardman but missed the April deadline they have.

Some larger employers may do their own scheme but there is an official government scheme. IIRC you get the bike and accessories tax free, and you pay for it at source e.g another 'tax'/deduction on your pay packet. The main benefit is that everything is less 20% VAT immediately.

You should be able to use any bike shop within the scheme.

But as said look online at some of the larger retailers or buy MBUK or MBR magazine and check out some of the retailers offering finance, often 0% on bikes.

Ours is 12 months. Then sometimes there's a final payment at the end, or you pay a tiny fee to 'lease' it for another couple of years. Basically means its yours anyway so I chose that option.

My work runs a cycle to work scheme, I was going to do it last year however found its limited to April only to register then the bike has to be purchased from halfords and paid up over 12 months. There's better deals to be had, January sales, discounted last season stock etc then stick it on a 12 month interest free card if needs dictate.

I was about to buy a new bike to use for going to work and back. Guy at work mentioned this to me, which I hadn't really heard of.

He seems to think my work do it over 3 years? is that usual? End of the term they just donate the bike to me.

Only allow a certain amount of people per year or something.

But, what bike do I get? If its over 3 years, I don't mind going for a 700 quid bike, that will be top notch and last me, if its one year, id rather only pay 300 ish.

Any recommendations? My journey is 5km each way, its all roads and cycle paths, very slight inclines, but practically level. Im thinking a hybrid, as I don't really like the way you ride a racing bike.

Thanks!

:thumbs: