Another what bike? C2W

[Comacchio]

Preface: Relatively new cyclist. I've had a Scott hardtail MTB for 7 or 8 years that gets occasional use on trails or cycle tracks - it's not great but does the job. Always been a keen runner but towards the start of the year I started ramping up my mileage with the intention to run a half marathon in October - seems my body isn't coping very well with running 4 or 5 times a week & I started to get some pain in my right knee. I decided to cut back the running to 2 or 3 times a week and get a turbo trainer for my off days to keep the legs working but put less strain on my knees. So just before lockdown I ended up getting a Wahoo Kickr, Kickr Climb, Headwind etc and a Merida Speeder 300 hybrid bike. Turns out I really enjoy being on the bike - great fitness & earning beer calories by the bucket load. My running has dropped back to twice a week max now and I'm on the bike 5 or 6 days. Since 1st April I've racked up over 600 miles with 44k feet of climbing. Anyways, rambling on incoherently.

My partner and I have bought a new house much closer to Glasgow, that we were supposed to be moving into in October - likely to be next year by now due to COVID related delays. The house isn't far from a nice riverside pathway that provides an excellent walk or cycle into Glasgow - just over 9 miles.

https://imgur.com/VBkoiQf

I was already planning on putting the wheels back onto the Merida some days and cycling into work when the weather is decent, however I believe my workplace are laying the groundwork at the moment to start a C2W scheme. This got me thinking that it would be a lot less hassle to just leave the Merida permanently on the Turbo in the garage and get myself a commuter.

I started looking at CX bikes (My hybrid has flat bars and I find myself turning my hands vertically during long rides on the turbo, so started looking at drop bar bikes) then decided that the riding position is a bit too racy for commuting then started looking at Gravel bikes. At this point one of my colleagues suggested getting a nice racy hardtail MTB then sticking a set of CX tyres on it. Thoroughly confused at this point he then asked why don't I consider getting an e-MTB and ditch the annual rail pass? Our office has a drying room and showers, so most of the time I would get away with just wearing decent protective clothing, only the really bad days would I then either drive in or get the train. This would be an annual saving of about £700 on the train pass. So I've set myself a budget of ~2K max (Must be on the C2W scheme, might be a little bit of play with the top end if it makes sense) - I just don't know what the best option is... If I was to ditch the train I'd probably need an electric bike - don't really fancy 18 miles a day 5 times a week unassisted.

A couple of bikes I've looked at so far are:


https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-e-sentie...
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Orro-Terra-Gravel-105-Hyd...
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Scale-940-29-Mounta...
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Orbea-Keram-30-29-2020-El...
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-acid-hybr...



I'm 5'4", so probably looking at small frame size.

Help?!

Cheers,

Allan

[MockingJay]

The problem at the moment is a lot of bikes are sold out and places are finding it hard to get stock so deals are rare. I mentioned this on the gravel bike thread but you can pick up the Canondale Topstone AL with shimano 105 for £1500 from Evans cycles.

https://www.evanscycles.com/cannondale-topstone-al...

[Comacchio]

Apologies, should have said not in any urgent need, just planning ahead. Currently live 30 miles out of Glasgow so not possible to cycle to work. This will be planning ahead for when I can, so happy to wait 3-6 months for things to arrive.

[MockingJay]

Comacchio said:

Apologies, should have said not in any urgent need, just planning ahead. Currently live 30 miles out of Glasgow so not possible to cycle to work. This will be planning ahead for when I can, so happy to wait 3-6 months for things to arrive.

In that case maybe take a look at the Canyon Grail.

[BugLebowski]

Comacchio said:

If I was to ditch the train I'd probably need an electric bike - don't really fancy 18 miles a day 5 times a week unassisted.

Have you tried the commute to see what it's like? I think you're probably underestimating yourself. Getting an eBike for a reasonably flat 9 mile commute along a riverside path sounds like massive overkill, also unless it's a really rough path suspension is probably not necessary. Personally I'd go for a Planet x space chicken

[Comacchio]

BugLebowski said:

Have you tried the commute to see what it's like? I think you're probably underestimating yourself. Getting an eBike for a reasonably flat 9 mile commute along a riverside path sounds like massive overkill, also unless it's a really rough path suspension is probably not necessary. Personally I'd go for a Planet x space chicken

You could be right. I haven’t been able to get across to try the cycle due to the lockdown. Once restrictions are lifted up here I’ll get across and give it a go.

Very nice looking bike thanks! Lots to think about 🤔

[Cupra Black]

Ive got an Orro Terra Gravel 105 as my winter/training bike.

I only use it as a road bike but its fantastic and I even did the Dragon ride on it (140 miles) because my summer bike needed a new wheel.

I paid £500 on ebay so its been a brilliant purchase.

[Comacchio]

I've been speaking with the person responsible for our new Cycle to Work scheme who's advised that it's going to be capped at £2k. Planet X no longer offer Cycle to work, so that rules out the space chicken. Had a good hunt and I think I'm leaning towards the Ribble CGR SL in the below spec:

Ribble CGR SL Frame - X-Small
Ribble CGR Carbon Disc Fork SL Blue
Level Alloy Spacer Black 10mm

Sram Apex 1 Chainset GXP (No Cups) 172.5mm 42T
Sram PC-1110 Chain
Sram PG-1130 Cassette 11-42T
Sram Apex 1 HRD Brake Control - Lefthand - Rear Brake
Sram Apex HRD Shift-Brake Control - Righthand - Front Brake - Flat Mount
Sram Apex 1 Rear Derailleur Black Long Cage
Front Disc - Sram Rotor Centreline 160mm - CL
Rear Disc - Level CL Rotor Lockring One Size
Bottom Bracket - Sram GXP Team Cups English

Wheelset
Mavic Aksium Elite Disc 650B - 12mm Bolt Thru, Black
WTB Venture Road TCS Tyre Tanwall 650 x 47c
Vavert MTB Inner Tube 27.5 x 1.75/2.125 Presta 48mm

Handlebars
Level Flared Gravel 6061 Alloy Bar - 42cm
Level 1 6061 Alloy Stem - 70mm, Black
WTB Koda Race Saddle - 142mm, Black
Two Tone Bar Tape - One Size, Black/Blue
Kapz Custom Headset Top Cap Any Colour (1 1/8")

Shimano PD-EH500 SPD Pedals - Pair, Grey
Ribble Removable Mudguard Bridge for 2019 CGR SL - One Size
Elite Custom Race Plus Stealth Black Bottle Cage - Pair
Ribble Team Bottle Pair Smoke/Blue 2x 600ml



I love the semi aggressive look of the bike and the colour scheme - I did want to spec up my own colour scheme but the extra £300 takes me above our C2W limit. Above spec comes in at £1999.

Have I missed a trick anywhere else?

Cheers.

[Sway]

Ribble CGR gets some pretty good reviews. I had the Ti CGR on my shortlist (fortunately my C2W isn't capped).

Don't think you'd go far wrong there. Might also be worth looking at the 725 steel CGR, might be able to improve the spec (wheels always make an immense difference) a tad and there's a certain something about a nice steel frame.

[alolympic]

Even if the scheme is capped at £2k, you can top up yourself for any amount above (albeit at the full cost).

[anonymous-user]

Looks like most bikes you linked to are out of stock
My companies c2w supplier have naff all bikes left!
Is there a global shortage due to the bug/uptake in cycling , or 2021 bikes about to hit the shelves ?

[CooperS]

alolympic said:

Even if the scheme is capped at £2k, you can top up yourself for any amount above (albeit at the full cost).

Have the rules changed? I thought companies advised against putting in additional money as technically they own the bike till you've paid the bike off plus the settlement

[Blink982]

Jimboka said:

Looks like most bikes you linked to are out of stock
My companies c2w supplier have naff all bikes left!
Is there a global shortage due to the bug/uptake in cycling , or 2021 bikes about to hit the shelves ?

I've read on various places that the annual stocks of bikes are decided in advance and due to CV19, the entire 12 month stock of sub-£2k bikes will be gone in the coming months. Most of the big manufacturers will start to release 2021 in July onwards but obviously CV19 will have had an impact on the manufacture and supply of components e.g. Shimano and the bikes themselves. I would imagine that a few months after the lockdown is finished, there will be a glut of second hand bikes filtering on to the market as people won't have the same time for cycling. Right now, it doesn't seem to be the best time to buy a bike, I know that my brother has struggled to get a bike on Evans' C2W scheme but he should finally be getting his bike next week.

[cml24]

BugLebowski said:

Comacchio said:

If I was to ditch the train I'd probably need an electric bike - don't really fancy 18 miles a day 5 times a week unassisted.

Have you tried the commute to see what it's like? I think you're probably underestimating yourself. Getting an eBike for a reasonably flat 9 mile commute along a riverside path sounds like massive overkill, also unless it's a really rough path suspension is probably not necessary. Personally I'd go for a Planet x space chicken

If it was me, I would put the wheel(s) back on and try that for a few weeks. I expect you'll find it quite easy really, and you probably won't need/what time on the turbo trainer if you're riding that commute every day.

Also, what is cycle storage like at work? If it's not great do you want to leave a £2k outside all day?

For reference, I had not cycled (or exercised!) for ten years and went straight to a 6.5 mile (each way) commute on a steel, 25 year old MTB with no issues at all beginning of the year. I just fitted some old thin semi slick tyres.

Having said all that, you might want a nice new bike and I don't blame you for that!

[Sway]

Jimboka said:

Looks like most bikes you linked to are out of stock
My companies c2w supplier have naff all bikes left!
Is there a global shortage due to the bug/uptake in cycling , or 2021 bikes about to hit the shelves ?

My local store told me they'd sold more bikes in the last two months than the previous 18...

They can't build them fast enough.

[Comacchio]

Sway said:

Ribble CGR gets some pretty good reviews. I had the Ti CGR on my shortlist (fortunately my C2W isn't capped).

Don't think you'd go far wrong there. Might also be worth looking at the 725 steel CGR, might be able to improve the spec (wheels always make an immense difference) a tad and there's a certain something about a nice steel frame.

I had a look at the steel version but it doesn't capture me the same way as the carbon - the lines seem less aggressive & I was a bit worried about the weight of it also.

alolympic said:

Even if the scheme is capped at £2k, you can top up yourself for any amount above (albeit at the full cost).

I thought the rules had changed on this and it was no longer allowed to top up a C2W voucher?

Jimboka said:

Looks like most bikes you linked to are out of stock
My companies c2w supplier have naff all bikes left!
Is there a global shortage due to the bug/uptake in cycling , or 2021 bikes about to hit the shelves ?

I've got until the end of August to submit an order I think - for some reason they're only opening the scheme for a few months. Not too concerned about having to wait for months to actually get the bike as we won't be in the new house this year now I don't think.

CooperS said:

Have the rules changed? I thought companies advised against putting in additional money as technically they own the bike till you've paid the bike off plus the settlement

That was my understanding of the latest iteration of the scheme - if you want to spend more you need to convince your organisation to increase their cap.

cml24 said:

If it was me, I would put the wheel(s) back on and try that for a few weeks. I expect you'll find it quite easy really, and you probably won't need/what time on the turbo trainer if you're riding that commute every day.

Also, what is cycle storage like at work? If it's not great do you want to leave a £2k outside all day?

For reference, I had not cycled (or exercised!) for ten years and went straight to a 6.5 mile (each way) commute on a steel, 25 year old MTB with no issues at all beginning of the year. I just fitted some old thin semi slick tyres.

Having said all that, you might want a nice new bike and I don't blame you for that!

We've got cycle storage in our secure basement plus a drying room and showers, so the bike will be inside a locked building and locked up too, so not concerned about theft or the elements. I'm absolutely doing this mainly because I want a nice bike haha. I'm at stage in my life where I've never been before - fairly well paid for public sector, debt free with a nice amount of expendable cash each month - if I can get a bike for the same or less cost as my train ticket it makes sense to me to ditch the train and get fit at the same time.

[Sway]

Comacchio said:

Sway said:

Ribble CGR gets some pretty good reviews. I had the Ti CGR on my shortlist (fortunately my C2W isn't capped).

Don't think you'd go far wrong there. Might also be worth looking at the 725 steel CGR, might be able to improve the spec (wheels always make an immense difference) a tad and there's a certain something about a nice steel frame.

I had a look at the steel version but it doesn't capture me the same way as the carbon - the lines seem less aggressive & I was a bit worried about the weight of it also.

That's a very fair shout - horses for courses.

The weight really won't be hugely different and with lighter wheels a bike that's perhaps a pound overall weight difference can actually 'ride lighter'.

I'm a big fan of the more classic look, and was fortunate the scheme wasn't capped - I did however run into a couple of issues where the originally chosen bike became a non-option, and the alternative was £120 more (after they'd done an awesome deal to get as close to a price match as possible). A little naughty, but they were happy for me to top up. Risk is on me.

[Barchettaman]

E-bike all the way.

18 mile round trip is pretty ideal.

[Comacchio]

I’m now 90% sure I’m going for a Dolan GXC in black and white with orange bar tape. I’ll then get a mate with a vinyl cutter to make me up some orange decals - pays to be seen!

https://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-gxc-carbon-disc-...

Same cost as the Ribble with SRAM Apex 1 but the Dolan comes with Shimano GRX 810 groupset and is available sooner from the looks of it.

I’m just a bit clueless when it comes to deciding the the gearing... bit more research needed into what 40/42T at the front and the various options at the back will suit me best.

Edited by Comacchio on Wednesday 10th June 18:47

[Sway]

40t front/12-40 rear gives you a 1:1 climbing gear for steep stuff.

You mentioned not wanting to put strain on knees - that implies spinning rather than chunking over a higher gear.

Rear cassettes can be changed pretty easily/cheaply.

I'm really impressed with the GRX810 on my bike. Stunning groupset.