Recommendations for a £1000 road bike please

helpimcrap · 22 Jul 2020 at 23:24

Will be fitted with my own triathlon tri bars and used for time trials, road riding, commuting possibly and possibly a bit of touring.
Cycle to work scheme so £1000 limit?
Any suggestions please?

Had a Giant Defy 2 a few years ago which was ok. Thinking of a Boardman SLR 8.9 possibly?

UTmaniac · 23 Jul 2020 at 11:31

That Boardman is definitely one to have on the shortlist if looking to buy soon.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/road...-road-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-365462.html

FishFluff · 23 Jul 2020 at 12:10

The Boardman looks nice and if it's anything like my Team Carbon will ride well enough to put much higher priced bikes to shame. The brakes on it though are hilariously bad unless you're in the drops, so that should probably be your first upgrade if you do get it.

helpimcrap · 23 Jul 2020 at 21:36

Any more for any more?

helpimcrap · 25 Jul 2020 at 08:59

Gone for the cycle to work scheme to get voucher for it. See if I get it.

helpimcrap · 31 Jul 2020 at 06:05

Got it and ordered it.

It will come with 105 R7000 too. That was limited to 500 bikes apparently - 147 on the cycle scheme.
Then it goes back to Sora I think? That's what I was told at Halfords.

Selekt0r · 31 Jul 2020 at 07:42

helpimcrap said:
Got it and ordered it.
It will come with 105 R7000 too. That was limited to 500 bikes apparently - 147 on the cycle scheme.
Then it goes back to Sora I think? That's what I was told at Halfords.

105 vs. Sora - not much of a 'bait & switch' :eek:

UTmaniac · 31 Jul 2020 at 08:30

helpimcrap said:
Got it and ordered it.
It will come with 105 R7000 too. That was limited to 500 bikes apparently - 147 on the cycle scheme.
Then it goes back to Sora I think? That's what I was told at Halfords.

Sounds like you ordered the newish SLR 8.9c Limited Edition, carbon frame and 105 components. Frame is red and black IIRC, while the alloy framed SLR 8.9 is blue and black.

helpimcrap · 2 Aug 2020 at 16:46

UTmaniac said:
Sounds like you ordered the newish SLR 8.9c Limited Edition, carbon frame and 105 components. Frame is red and black IIRC, while the alloy framed SLR 8.9 is blue and black.

Nah, blue and white from the pictures. Its just the 8.9. No C.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/road...-road-bike-2021---s-m-l-xl-frames-365462.html

helpimcrap · 4 Sep 2020 at 13:31

It turns out I'll be paying £60 a month for 12 months plus £100+vat at the end. Not quite the saving I was expecting as it was supposed to be £700 total, not £840 but my complaints fell on deaf ears.

It is 'a guide' they say.

koolpc · 4 Sep 2020 at 13:41

Remember to buy your lycra too!

UTmaniac · 4 Sep 2020 at 14:01

helpimcrap said:
It turns out I'll be paying £60 a month for 12 months plus £100+vat at the end. Not quite the saving I was expecting as it was supposed to be £700 total, not £840 but my complaints fell on deaf ears.

It is 'a guide' they say.

Isn't some of that deduction per month from your gross pay including tax, so your net pay is not going to be £60pcm down?

SoliD · 4 Sep 2020 at 14:18

UTmaniac said:
Isn't some of that deduction per month from your gross pay including tax, so your net pay is not going to be £60pcm down?

This, the deduction is pre tax.

helpimcrap · 4 Sep 2020 at 20:51

UTmaniac said:
Isn't some of that deduction per month from your gross pay including tax, so your net pay is not going to be £60pcm down?

Nope. £60 down from payslip to payslip - everything identical except push bike scheme. Was £63 salary sacrifice as £83 would take me under minimum wage apparently which they should never have authorised. £20 reduction in tax and ni so £43, but then they charged me £20 extra deduction to make up to £60 but then I don't get a salary sacrifice so it's a real £20 deduction.

So net I was £60 down.

They have confirmed some of that today after I queried it... Took a payroll manager to get involved to get someone who understood that I had a valid query.

[YG]Bug-Eyed · 5 Sep 2020 at 23:24

If it's not working out right because you're hitting the min wage cap, then can't you push it out to longer than 12 month payback, to reduce the monthly outgoing and therefore get the 100% tax benefit?