Hi,
We set up our own scheme earlier this year, thus avoiding the 3rd party facilitators such as Cyclescheme, enabling us to purchase direct and secure a better deal.

If you take a look at CRC here; http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Information.aspx?TranslationLargeID=34#address
you will find plenty of info. plus their standard forms and documentation which you can download and adapt for your scheme.

After setting up the scheme it's quite simple to run and would recommend sending it off to HMRC for approval

http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/co2-cartridges-16gm/mosa-16gm-threaded-co2-box-of-30/prod_256.html

Not wishing to be the bearer of bad news but I feel sure a 6 speed chain is wider than 7/8 speed which are the same.

A bit Heath Robinson but here goes;

Use an M-part 28.6 to 25.4 split shim over a 25.4 quill adaptor to keep original headset and forks.

Also I think sjscycles co.uk do a Thorn alloy shim to convert 25.4 quill adapters to fit 28.6 [1 1/4] threaded forks.

Edit;
Ooops sorry, misread your question, now realise you want to fit threadless steerer. Doh!

I use these on the road for training/commuting – simple, effective and discreet.

We recently set up our own scheme at work. Our only concern, being a small company, 25 employees, was if say 20 staff all had bikes at the same time. Potentially we could be financing £20,000 of equipment over say an 18 month payback period.
However, as you can imagine, this did not occur. We currently have 3 people on the scheme and all is going well.

Another vote for Specialized Fatboys – even the names great!

" I'm not calling you a lackadaisical hype follower for your choice of lighting "

Oooh! That hurt.
I actually carefully research all my purchases, lights included. Just playfully pointing out you don't need to be a lighting engineer to purchase a decent set of lights – or perhaps I've just been lucky so far. 🙂

Oh Lordy, Lordy! This is getting slightly anal – blue, red yellow. Aargh!

I buy some lights that are nice and light, with good run times and powerful. Charge them up, turn them on, go for a ride, and if they do what it says on the tin and I can see where I'm going they're good,if not they're rubbish. 🙂

We,ve got a week off this weekend in the Sram Notts /Derby league as there is a National Trophy Race on so we are going for a weekend thrash in the Peaks.
So to all you guys racing – Have a good un!

"So blue is better than red or yellow"

God knows. I'm sure someone will be along soon with a spectrum analysis so we can all sleep easier at night.
Mind you my old Stadiums gave out a nice bluish/white light – perhaps that's why they were nicknamed Daylights.

I change wheels purely as a quick and easy way of changing tyres for races etc. If you had to centre discs or change chains then there is no point. It would be quicker to change the tyre!
I've never had any problems but do use the same make hubs/wheels.
If you find your using one set more often, just swap the cassettes over every so often to share the wear. Simples!

A bit harsh on the Exposure lights there Will.

Been running mine for over 2 years and they still exceed manufacturers stated run times. Oh and before these I ran Cateye Stadium 3s which would probably still blow most current hids out of sight

Sounds like this bike has got gears. Surely that can't be right!

I used to run Cateye Stadium 3 hids – in its day the most powerful light available but bulky and heavy.
For the past 2 years I've used Exposure LEDs – light and compact.
Both systems have been great, but at the moment LEDs are in favour so more development and advances are being made in this type of light.

All alone in da woods!

Me mates went out last night without telling me – but I know where they live!

Conti 2.1 Speed King Supersonics on me race bike – light, fast, scary and wear out uber quick. I love em.

Height 5' 11"
Frame m/l Giant 53.5
Top tube 565mm
Stem 100mm -6 deg.

Dougal & will – Thanks for positive comments, Cheers guys.

Heathenwoods –
Yes you are right the Giants are more race oriented with sharp geometry {72 head & 73 seat tube angles], although the TCX 2 does come with mudguard eyelets – same frame but alloy forks.

elliptic –

I'm 5' 11" and ride a 51.5cm [medium] with top tube 55.5.
The small is 49cm with a 53.5 top tube and extra small 46cm with a 52 top tube.

Sorry another Giant TCX – just learnt how to post piccies, so any excuse at the moment.

Can't stop now – this is my lads crosser [seats a bit higher now though and no slicks]

A bit late – only just worked how to do this picture lark

Anthony – been out to the garage and it works a treat – genius.

A bit sad really. £250 plus lights held on with ptfe tape / elastic bands.
Still love them though.

Anthony – Thanks, what a good idea!

I've been using an elastic band. A bit crude but effective. I like your suggestion better.
Cheers

Been running 2 sets of Enduro Maxx for over 2 years and have 4 brackets [on diff. bikes] – not had any problems so far although the light units do rattle a bit in the mounts. TBH I would expect the mounts to break in a crash situation as the light unit is quite large.

Simonbarnes

That's a nice shiny race number. Most of our numbers look like they've been kept in the cow shed!

Glad you enjoyed your race.

"if you could it'd look about as good as an MTB does with mudguards, i.e. awful"

I've got big red mudguards on my hardtail and I think it looks ace!

Another vote for Mavic Ksyrium Elites – as Dougal said, super strong, light and reliable.

Sits back and waits for Mavic hate mail to arrive!

I've never ridden one but they look ace.
There are always a few at cross races, usually ridden by the fast guys, so would assume it's a good frame. I think most of the Zepnat Race Team ride them – although Zepnat do sell these frames.

I don't think they will fit with tyres bigger than 700×25.

I'm sure you will enjoy it, the atmosphere is great and even the top guys are quite laid back.
Your mtb will be fine. Fit some skinny tyres if you've got some and take of anything not needed – mudguards etc.
Pace is mental, you start off flat out and then just keep going faster, so practise the course and get fully warmed up beforehand. It only lasts 50 mins or so plus a lap.
Good luck.

"I want to avoid steel frames ideally,"

Well no good asking on this forum then 🙂

I wouldn't worry, 30 mins is a reasonable warm up time.

"As it happens it was mostly used by mid to well off middle class folks etc not "the poor"."

Sounds the same as Cyclescheme to me!

"Finally I pay a higher-rate tax, so i dont really save that much on cycle scheme!"

Classic!

Yes really!

"Everyone keeps mentioning this UCI rule about discs. Is the cross racing part of the market such a large proportion? I couldn't care less if it's allowed for racing. I'm guessing there's still enough people who would use them for non racing to make it worthwhile."

I would imagine more people use their cross bikes as intended for racing rather than yet another niche bike for Singletrack members.