[Closed] Information help

if branding isn't a problem, then also take a look at [url= http://www.canyon.com/_en/ ]canyon bikes[/url] roady section, I don't know anything about em (road bikes) but their mtb bikes are bargain & mention has been made the road version are the same.

Seriously look at the halfords boardman range - great value for money.

If you have been a long time off bikes I would get a hybrid - a flat barred bike with an upright riding position

Hi thanks for the info, i did forget to mention i have in the last 18 months been doing using a carrera hardtail with road wheels, so not quite new again to riding.

I cant us halfords as its a different scheme!

I am really drwn to the btwin facet 3 as you get a lot for your money and they are getting some good reviews as all there bikes are.

Its more the frame material im concerned about i know alluminum will be fine but not sure about the carbon with my weight? i will be using it on a turbo trainer in the garage first before any decent mileage on the road so i should of lost a few pounds?

The carbon will be fine for your weight, dont worry about that.

Hi thanks for the replies? anymore info from people in the know would be very helpful?

btwin Triban 5 alloy/carbon frame, carbon forks, sora componants £499
cube peloton pro alloy frame, carbon forks, tiagra componants £799
btwin facet 3 carbon frame, carbon forks, 105 componants £899

is the full carbon and the higher spec componants worth the extra £100?

thanks in advance

Have a look at Boardman, ribble, planet x, and canyon. All great value.

Is it worth the extra money? Depends, how much is that money worth to you? Up to you really. Shimano kit is good kit, it will work, and keep on working. You won't notice that much of a difference between different frames being a beginner, I'd probably recommend saving the money.

edit: actually, upgrading the frame to carbon and tiagra to 105, that probably is worth £100, in case you ever sell it, you'd get more back. 105 is great kit too.

I'm not convinced that using a carbon framed bike on a turbo trainer is a good idea - especially at your weight.

I'm guessing the btwin branded stuff is Decathlons own brand?

Personally I have no experice of them but as a reguar(ish) bike swapper - ime - own brands depreciate rapidly / can be really difficult to sell (apart from halford's boardman). On the other hand - whether or not it's actually cheaper (compared to mainstream brands) in the long run - I'm not sure. If you're keeping this forever then that's not an issue.

Personally(again), for me from your list, Cube. Also, if you have a problem with a frame crack etc do you really want to be arguing with a disinterested teenager in Decathlon on a Saturday.

It's your cash though.

Thanks again for the info,

i will be getting this on the cyclescheme through work so limited to suppliers and brands?

the big bonus is on the cyclescheme i will be saving about 43% making the more expensive bikes work out about £450 to £500 to me when the scheme ends after a year?

i am not taking cycling up to be competative just to have regular rides out and about and to work so dont think i will be changing for years?

Look again at the Cyclescheme rules. You will NOT save 43% on a scheme that ends after a year.

Hi druidh, what gives you that impression? on the calculator thats what its showing me, the funding is done direct through the company i work for and others who have used the scheme have only had to pay about 5/10% of bikes value to own it outright?

The scheme rules have had two major tweeks.
One: VAT on payments.
Two: tax liability at the end of the "lease" period.

If you're still using a calculator which shows a 5/10% balloon payment at the end of the 12 months then it is out of date. You should take this up with your HR people before you commit to something you don't (possibly through no fault of your own) understand.

Thanks for that i will look into it, all the info i have been given is from the current cyclescheme calculator?