Reading the C2W scheme posts, some people are scared about not really saving that much (although I'm in the happy position that my employers did specify a 3 year hire period so the future worth is next to nothing). It's also limited to something you're gonna use for work and to £1000 maximum value (at least for the tax free bit).

So, what's the best way of getting hold of a decent, say £2-3k, bike?

Is it still worth having the credit card ready if you happen to be in the states or is the exchange rate still not worth it? How do prices in Europe compare?

Or should you just look for last year's colour scheme?