Cycle to work - awkward choice (Halfords)

[clonmult]

Work have just opened up the cycle to work scheme (it only opens twice a year), I'm browsing whats on offer - which in part is the problem. We have to buy from Halfords .....

I've had a Specialized Cross Trail (hybrid) for a good few years now, bought thinking that it would be a good compromise between road and occasional offroad use - I do have two sets of wheels. But the suspension is useless offroad, and the suspension just adds weight on road ...

So I'm considering a Boardman CX Comp. £600 for the bike, get a set of basic Shimano M520 pedals (have those on the Specialized), some Lezyne lights front/read and I'm sorted - have all the other kit.

I've liked the look of a CX bike for a couple of years, I do enjoy cycling to work (just over 20 miles each way), but equally love dropping off onto some muddy trails .... and the thought of one bike that can do both sounds like a good compromise for me.

Any thoughts on the Boardman bikes, and possibly any other CX choices?

[GarryDK]

You dont hve to buy from Halfords, loads of bike shops accept Halfords vouchers, just speak to a couple of bike shops and find out which ones do.

My company only offer Halfords vouchers, I got my C2W bike from Hargroves.

[m444ttb]

My company scheme has just opened also and is tied in with Halfords. I thought i was stuck but after some rooting around in on our intranet found a list of affiliated local retailers (listed by town/city) that i could use. Hargroves being one. So i'll get a Cube Cross Race with them providing they get delivery at some point during 2014 (the distributor didnt know last week). Otherwise i had been resigned to getting the Boardman CX Team (if that's the more expensive version over the Comp). While that was a good deal with 10% of the bikes price in free accessories (plus some other incentives) that i won't get at Hargroves i couldn't be sure how many of the complaints about the Boardman stuff was bike vs Halfords build & set-up. I'd rather not take my chances.

[lufbramatt]

Halfords new in-house brand is "13"

Only one CX offering, might be a lower spec than you want though:

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/1...

[anonymous-user]

As others said, loads of shops take Halfords voucher, it even says so on the Halfords ride 2 work website.
However most of those won't let you buy sale items, some even charge a fee!
Which is why I'm using mine in store, nothing much competes with Boardman Pro 29 HT @ 900 anyway!

[Dammit]

If you do opt for the CX Team then rest assured - it's a good bike.

I raced mine (with little distinction, sadly) for the past couple of years and it did everything asked of it:

[JQ]

Halfords will order any bike you like, not just the brands they sell. You call them with your choice and they'll give you the price.

[gazza285]

Dammit said:

If you do opt for the CX Team then rest assured - it's a good bike.

I raced mine (with little distinction, sadly) for the past couple of years and it did everything asked of it:

Looks like Bethlem, I raced there last year in the Summer Series, it's a great venue for cyclocross.

Phil takes a good photo as well.

[clonmult]

Dammit said:

If you do opt for the CX Team then rest assured - it's a good bike.

I raced mine (with little distinction, sadly) for the past couple of years and it did everything asked of it:

More likely to go for the CX Comp; intending to spend a few hundred on accessories - lights, trip computer with cadence, etc.

As for other retailers accepting the vouchers, my favourite local indy doesn't. And I'm really starting to like the look of the CX Comp. Wish I could stretch to the CX Team, but the comp will be a pretty tidy ride for commuting and weekend mud splattered fun.

[Daveyraveygravey]

JQ said:

Halfords will order any bike you like, not just the brands they sell. You call them with your choice and they'll give you the price.

Does that include Canyon and Rose?! My CTW scheme at work is tied in to a local Specialised dealer, and much as I like them, I had one for 20 years and can't face another. Even if it was 20% of RRP!

[clonmult]

Daveyraveygravey said:

JQ said:

Halfords will order any bike you like, not just the brands they sell. You call them with your choice and they'll give you the price.

Does that include Canyon and Rose?! My CTW scheme at work is tied in to a local Specialised dealer, and much as I like them, I had one for 20 years and can't face another. Even if it was 20% of RRP!

A few colleagues have been told the same thing - that Halfords will buy in anything for you. But I'm a little old fashioned and like to see before I buy - did that for the current and previous bike, both used for commuting.

This is going to be quite daunting, haven't had a "road" bike since I was a kid - everything since then has been hybrids or mountain bikes (with a brief period on a folding bike).