Cyclescheme new bike vs groupset upgrade

[Converse2020]

I was looking at getting a Brompton for my commute (only a few days a week) but, having just got the voucher, I’ve the just had my work location changed so I’m less likely to be on a train in future, meaning less use for the Brompton.

I had been looking at the S6L and liked the new dark raw lacquer 2019 black edition but struggling to find one available. This is also budget creep at this comes in around £1300 vs £995 for basic S6L in blue from Evans.

I could cancel my voucher as it’s within 14 days but I’m also thinking what else could I get instead of the Brompton?

Options are new bike or upgrade existing.

So, does anyone know for sure if Evans will sell a groupset only (they appear to). I’m wondering if I could get Ultegra di2 (they sell for £1050) and upgrade my current Rival equipped road bike.

Alternatively they have a clearance kona full suspension mountain bike for just over £1.1k.
- I’ve got a 10 yr old rockhopper so could upgrade this.

Or I could look at something like a disc braked gravel bike at around £1000 (can add cash as with Brompton). . Eg I see Planetx have Ti gravel bike at £1300.

All of these options start to make the Brompton seem a relatively expensive purchase given my commute route will change and usage would go down

What would you do or suggest ? Any other bike suggestions (but bear in mind I don’t really need a new road bike so if I do get another bike it’s anything other than a road bike).


Thanks

[Usget]

Get Evans to price match eTap down to Wiggle's £949 and buy that, keeping your Rival chainset?

That's what I'm doing this year, albeit with Cycle Republic. But then I bought a Brompton (M3L) last year and absolutely love it, so I could recommend either option...

[Converse2020]

Thanks - the etap upgrade looks like a good option!, but do you know if cycle republic will price match and will they also sell a groupset against a cyclescheme voucher. If so this looks like a good plan.

[Converse2020]

just tried checking out on cycle republic and it says

"This item is not eligible to be purchased with cycle to work. Please remove it from your basket to complete your purchase."

Have you found a store that will sell you the groupset via cycle to work ?

[Scabutz]

You'll be hard pushed to find anyone to sell you a group set on cycle to work schemes.

They would basically be creating fraudulent records and would certainly be in breach of contract with the scheme providers.

[Converse2020]

I was sceptical but Evans do seem to allow purchase of group sets ....

https://www.evanscycles.com/b2b/cycle-to-work-sche...

[Usget]

Scabutz said:

You'll be hard pushed to find anyone to sell you a group set on cycle to work schemes.

They would basically be creating fraudulent records and would certainly be in breach of contract with the scheme providers.

No it wouldn't, not for the scheme I'm on anyway.

It would have been in previous years, but this year Cyclescheme have explicitly said that you can use the scheme on bikes or components. See their FAQ here --> https://help.cyclescheme.co.uk/article/53-what-can...

Cycle Republic in Cheltenham were happy to price match down to Wiggle and then take Cyclescheme as payment - you just need to select "accessories" when specifying the voucher type to request.

[Scabutz]

Usget said:

Scabutz said:

You'll be hard pushed to find anyone to sell you a group set on cycle to work schemes.

They would basically be creating fraudulent records and would certainly be in breach of contract with the scheme providers.

No it wouldn't, not for the scheme I'm on anyway.

It would have been in previous years, but this year Cyclescheme have explicitly said that you can use the scheme on bikes or components. See their FAQ here --> https://help.cyclescheme.co.uk/article/53-what-can...

Cycle Republic in Cheltenham were happy to price match down to Wiggle and then take Cyclescheme as payment - you just need to select "accessories" when specifying the voucher type to request.

Interesting. Definitely a change. My employer is one of the providers and when I asked a year or so ago about buying gubbings was told a categorical no. Will ask again then .

[anonymous-user]

I’d still go for the Brompton if you don’t already have a folder. If a higher rate tax payer it will cost less than 600.
You could keep it a few years & even make a profit if you sell it on ..

[Dannbodge]

I was going to get a set of wheels or a power meter this year with my C2W.

Ended up missing the deadline because I couldn't decide