View Full Version : So..... cycling
I hoping one of you guys might be able to help me... I've finally got round to figuring out what kit is on this (http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwalker/6760044109/) bike.
I've ordered new tires, tubes, saddle & bar wraps today but totally forgot about the brakes. It really needs new brake blocks but I've no idea where to start. According to this (http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/bikes/rohan-johnson-rb.html) it looks like my frame, and the brakes seem to be the Campagnolo GS's like listed there, but can you just get any old brake blocks?
LeperousDust
26-01-2012, 00:54
I don't know what works with what at all, but there will certainly be compatibles around. They're all much of a muchness based off the same idea in most cases. Different manufactures have slightly different implementations. This is really where I truly LOVE my local bike shops. I have 3 I know i can 100% trust with advice and info. The Bike Station, Bicycle Works, and Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op. If you have any decent shops near by i'd certainly be getting in touch with those first. I know for a fact The Bike Station by me are honestly like a shrine to old bikes and fixing up knackered old bikes and just keeping anything with wheels and pedals running. Jonny would be in HEAVEN there I tell thee! So whilst I can't help you, I would recommend finding a decent LBS :)
Thats my current plan, theres a small shop around the corner where I bought my first bike. Not been in since & quite interested to know if it's the same guy running the place! If it is I'm sure he'll know about a '69 bike!
It looks like it's got the classic rectangular rubber brake blocks like these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170749184405 or these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390316212485
That's good news because they are dead cheap compared to the newer aero style ones.
Have a shop around and get the cheapest ones you can find. They are all the same apart from the ones with a leather strip through the middle, which are better for chrome rims when it's wet, apparently.
e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230426890285
Thanks. I'm pretty sure they're like these (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Campagnolo-Chorus-Brakes-/190629761377?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts _SR&hash=item2c626b5161#ht_500wt_1413) but I'll have to try and take a closer look.
Thinking cheap - can you just replace the rubber pads?
You can with the older Campagnolo ones, but they are £££ compared to new non-Campag ones.
Right, my new gear arrived so I've been out & snapped a photo of the back brakes -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92166740@N00/6766990775
And any idea on the best way to take the saddle off with this bolt being so awkward!?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/92166740@N00/6766992663
LeperousDust
29-01-2012, 01:50
Not really very detailed, but a nice read none the less :):
http://www.instructables.com/id/Restoring-a-vintage-Dumpster-Bike/?ALLSTEPS
One thing i'd say after a 10 second quick skim, is be careful with wd40, it's great for degreasing bike stuff moreso. GT85 is better used as lube (plus many other brands).
But i guess this will be a nice article :)
Very nice find, thanks. I'll agree with you, I've got GT85 in my bucket of cleaning gear.
The bike isn't officially mine yet, so I'm not making any major changes but its certainly looking 10 times better than when I brought it home for the first time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwalker/sets/72157626989973880/
It scrubs up nicely though but I have used almost two cans of degreaser on it now!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6783274089_48c96e657b.jpg
Before:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6760044109_1fe27df05d_z.jpg
After:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6783302269_e8017b06c1_z.jpg
I could do with widening the rear brakes if possible, there is very little room either side between the blocks & the rim.
I haz a new bike :)
Since picking up what's become quite a prolonged running injury, I've decided that I need to find another exercise which strengthens my legs and compliments my running, whilst putting my knees under less impact. I can't stand being in the gym and would just much rather be outside doing my own thing. So I decided to spend a few months gym membership at once and have just picked up one of these babies (http://www.pythonbikes.com/URBANT.aspx?bikeid=02) from my local cycle shop. It's a bit of an upgrade from my Halfords bargain basement mountain bike and I can tell the difference immediately. It feels so light... and it actually changes gear when I ask it to :D
Anyway, a couple of things I need some advice on really...
Lights - I've got some cheapo ones, but given that I've had them about 2 weeks and already broken the bracket on the rear ones, I clearly needs something a bit more robust. I'm not going to be cycling tonnes at night and don't want to spend a fortune, but I do want to be see and to see where I'm going. What's the best I could get for £20? Oh and are those reflective thingies you can get for the spokes any good? They seem like they might look quite cool (adult spokey dokeys??? :D) but I'm not sure if they'll all just fall off the second I go over 10mph.
Mudguard - Firstly do I need one? I'll most be doing road miles, but thought that a rear mudguard might stop any crap being flicked onto my back. If I do need one, what should I look for? Any recommendations? Prices?
Gloves - My running gloves are way too thin. I'm currently riding wearing a pair of leather gloves with a pair of fleece gloves over the top. Not ideal as I don't have much grip. Are there such things as windproof gloves???
Think that's about it for now. I've got enough reflective running gear to sink a ship and I have a shiny new helmet too (hurr). I'm sure I'll be back with a sore bum asking about saddles in the very near future, but these are my immediate issues!
LeperousDust
19-03-2012, 01:00
If no one answers before I get back skiing on Saturday drop me a mail, everything you've said can be had reasonably cheap for quality kit, or super cheap if you buy right, but right now I can't link our do anything decent in wengen with this terrible internet connection :)
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk
Busy weekend for me. I bought some track bars for my Bob Jackson. I was going to splash out on some Nitto ones but at £95 they are a bit steep and I don't need them certified because I don't compete on a track. I actually had a look at some at Tokyo Fixed Gear last week and they are AMAZINGLY light so I know where your money goes. I found some in the same shape but a LOT cheaper online and took a chance on them. Curved tops, BIG drop and they look the business. The bike has got that Snoopy ear look to it and the bottoms of the drops are roughly in line with the top of the wheel when the stem is all the way down. I'll post some pics when I've wrapped them and swapped to a matching seatpost.
I also treated my unicycle to a hand-built wheel :D. The last time I used it (a few years ago now) the inner tube exploded through the tyre wall so it needed a new tyre. I always thought it had an awkward-looking size wheel (24x1-3/8") and I had a spare early aero deep-section 700C rim, so I had a measure up and it fits. I laced it to the hub with some spare stainless db spokes I had in the drawer and it works really well size-wise. I'll take some pics later.
Lights - I've got some cheapo ones, but given that I've had them about 2 weeks and already broken the bracket on the rear ones, I clearly needs something a bit more robust. I'm not going to be cycling tonnes at night and don't want to spend a fortune, but I do want to be see and to see where I'm going. What's the best I could get for £20? Oh and are those reflective thingies you can get for the spokes any good? They seem like they might look quite cool (adult spokey dokeys??? :D) but I'm not sure if they'll all just fall off the second I go over 10mph.
If you can stretch to £30, the ones a guy on OcUK just bought look like a pretty good deal: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electron-Nano-Front-Light-Twinpack/dp/B005SPB2BI
The front light is metal which renders it indestructible in my eyes.
More bargainacious on the front light is one of these from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005HH30JO
I've got one. It's very cheap and very bright, but have a lot of rechargeable AAA batteries on the go because they only last about an hour.
Top of the range for torches are things like the Fenix L2D or LD20 which will set you back about £50 but will turn an unlit road into day. People don't pull out in front of you when you've got lights like those. At the back I also like the Fibre Flare, which is about £30. It adds some size to you when you're riding and drivers are better able to judge how fast they are approaching, so it buys you a bit more space on the road.
Mudguard - Firstly do I need one? I'll most be doing road miles, but thought that a rear mudguard might stop any crap being flicked onto my back. If I do need one, what should I look for? Any recommendations? Prices?
I don't generally have them on the bike but I have got some. The main thing is you don't get a wet bum when it rains and they can stop a lot of crud getting thrown all over the chain and front gears.
Gloves - My running gloves are way too thin. I'm currently riding wearing a pair of leather gloves with a pair of fleece gloves over the top. Not ideal as I don't have much grip. Are there such things as windproof gloves???
Gore Windstopper. They come in plain Windstopper material or insulated inside. Most of them are padded on the palms as well. It will feel like someone else is doing it.
Thanks Jonny.
I'd actually already bought the cheapo light you suggested. I tried it out last night and was very impressed. £30 doesn't sound unreasonable for a good set of lights though, if the battery life is unacceptable on this one.
I think I'll get a set of mudguards to stop me getting wet. The bike seems to have bolt holes for them. I just need to see which sort I'm supposed to fit.
Had a look at the Gore Windstoppers... HOW MUCH?? If I was going to be riding to work every day then yes I wouldn't mind splashing out, but I'm a recreational bike rider (riding to work just isn't practical unfortunately) and spring is nearly here. I've taken a chance with some cheaper ones on Ebay. Will see how they go!
On another note, my arse hurts!! I hate this bit of getting back into cycling where your bum hurts every time you get on the damn thing. It's just the sit bones though, which I've read isn't a bad thing because it means at least the weight is in the right place. I've had to remove the mens saddle and replace it with the saddle from my old ladies bike.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that gloves are expensive :(
You probably don't need insulated ones, just the Windstopper material which is a bit like a soft-shell but the wind doesn't get through it to freeze your fingers.
Barse ache is normal, except for you it'll be whatever girls have instead of a barse. Biffin bridge? You harden up to it after a while but do use the saddle that's most comfortable for you.
Biffin Bridge??? I can't relate that to anything at all. No idea what you're on about :p It literally is my sit bones which ache afterwards.
Went out for a cycle last night and ended up covering 20 miles, just wandering around the lanes in the sunshine. The thing I love about my really long runs is that I can amble around some beautiful countryside, so it was nice to be able to do it on my bike :) My knee still gives me a bit of jip on the bike, but it's nothing like the pain I get from running at the moment and I get some respite going down the hills.
camerajuan
14-04-2012, 17:58
Anyone know where i could grab a cheap handlebar stem from?
Mine is beginning to crack :(
Woah, don't ride that! I saw one snap at low speed and it wasn't pretty when the woman ate the road - seriously. What type do you need, the older quill style or a clamp one for threadless headsets (most newer bikes)?
camerajuan
14-04-2012, 19:47
older style. L-shaped. The bike is about 15yrs old. Pic back in this thread.
Is it the Scott Yecora with the dead pics on p.6? What is it, a welded steel one? Should be able to pick up a used one on eBay. Don't spend a load of money on it though, because they can be had for peanuts. £5-£10 delivered should be about right. I think my last alloy quill (road) one was about £8-£10.
I got some track bars for my Bob Jackson a few weeks ago. These are basically drop bars with a lot more drop and curved tops, so there's no straight section at the top. I fitted them up and they looked damn cool but the bike was near unrideable!
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/bobjackson/IMG_7801.JPG
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/bobjackson/IMG_7800.JPG
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/bobjackson/IMG_7799.JPG
Even with them pulled out some way they are way too low. The bottoms of the drops are about inline with the top of the tyre when all the way down which looks cool but I can't ride it like that! I'll need a bigger frame to use these so they're back off and the bullhorns back on :D
LeperousDust
17-04-2012, 20:45
;D Haha, did you not have problems with your knees overlapping you're that low? :p
Currently sitting around in clipless shoes all night (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100201940217591.2476364.61014397&type=1&l=4a58a69801), trying to and decide which are more comfortable. Reeeaalllly hard, think my Giro Gauge are winning as they are a goooooood fit, i was worried a little too good, but my feet aren't going numb (but then i'm also not exercising).
The Suplest S1 are niiiice shoes also, but i think a smidge too big in comparison with the Giro, difference is 42 vs 42.5 which doesn't mean anything between different models of shoe as we all know! But i think there is too much unnecessary play...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/534867_10100201931964131_61014397_46639190_1780067 733_n.jpg
I've been considering some proper shoes to clip-in & hopefully make things easier when out on the road. Then maybe even some of those hybrid pedals for the mountain bike. Not sure yet though. Its a bit of an investment in the unknown I suppose but I'm sure I'd get used to them!
LeperousDust
17-04-2012, 22:16
Personally i'd say choose between clipless or flats on an MTB, it's a sweeping statement but all hybrids are ****. Worst of both worlds.
On the road however i'm different, I've got the shimano A530 pedals, and I get most use out of the flat side because i commute in my work shoes basically (TNF hedgehogs) although i'd say grip wise whatever happens between my shoes and the pedals are dreadful in the rain but good enough for short road rides.
If i want to go further out and use my bike properly then its just a matter of changing shoes (M087's with shimano cleats) and using the other side of the pedal. Takes a little faffing round clipping in occasionally because there is only one dirrection you can do so, but its a compromise that i'm happy with.
For the mtb i use Crank Bro's Candy SL's which will be accompanied with the pair of shoes I finally stick with (looking more and more like the Giro's!), no real reason for crank bro's cleats apart from i was given them free by a mate yeears ago and ive got "used" to their style and just stuck with it. I do like the crank bros more for mtbing personally than spd's but its a matter of taste more than anything... (maybe slightly better mud shedding, but ive not experienced anything bad with spds)..
That's pretty much why I still use cages and straps. I have the kind of commute and lifestyle that means it's a lot easier for me to use one pair of shoes. Luckily I tend to wear Converse most of the time which are an ideal shape to shove into cages and the rubbery toecap seems to be very suited to the job! I have thought about cleats but it's a big investment for something I'll only really use on events.
;D Haha, did you not have problems with your knees overlapping you're that low? :p
The main problem was breathing. I was so compressed over I couldn't get any air in my lungs. The aero effect was good though ;D
LeperousDust
18-04-2012, 18:30
Honestly I hated cages! Not doing that again... Ultimate faffing with pretty much all the shoes i owned, and I can't feel they gave me any benefit on the upstroke really unless they were pretty tight, at which point they also werent safe at all, no emergency stops anyway!
Clipless or flat for me,well that or my road compromise...!
Mine work well on the upstroke even when pretty loose, but they are the proper metal ones and you bend them into shape to suit your shoe. I've got some aero road pedals with an inbuilt plastic toeclip but I didn't get on with them at all. I think it's a matter of having the right kit and not a compromised version.
LeperousDust
19-04-2012, 14:02
Ahhh, yeah I've only used cheapo plastic jobbies, probably does make a difference :)
camerajuan
21-04-2012, 14:46
Stroke of luck - my new housemate is a bike genius & the random mountain bike which appeared in our back garden last year has finally been put to use. He tore it apart & switched the stem over. Not the Scott Yecora. Its a Peugeot from like 1994/5 I think. My facebook link should be public.
Anyhoo on further inspection I've realised that my pedal & rear wheel hubs are SCREWED, lot of jiggling around :( Had it with gumtree & ebay. I'm gonna buy a new bike from somewhere near here. Carerra/Qube/Claud Butler/Scott/Diamond Back/Raleigh or whatever I can afford that has good specs & looks pretty!
Any suggestions? 75miles a week & only one field to cycle through each time I go to work. I fancy a hybrid with front suspension but not too keen on going low price cos of the Suntour forks that seem to be everywhere!
LeperousDust
21-04-2012, 16:39
The Boardman urban mountain bike looks pretty damn nice for commuting, amazing components etc... £599 might be out your budget though, i'm unsure? It's also got rigid (but very light) forks.
Amazing commuter bike perfect for the odd off road, but mostly road cycling.
Anyhoo on further inspection I've realised that my pedal & rear wheel hubs are SCREWED, lot of jiggling around :( Had it with gumtree & ebay. I'm gonna buy a new bike from somewhere near here. Carerra/Qube/Claud Butler/Scott/Diamond Back/Raleigh or whatever I can afford that has good specs & looks pretty!
If the bike is that age then you should be able to tighten those bearings up? Unless either of the axles are bent (unlikely) then there is probably nothing wrong with them. Hopefully nothing a pair of spanners won't fix for the wheel, and the bottom bracket might need a big adjustable spanner or a pin wrench depending what type shells it's got - i.e. might need to go to the bike shop to do it, but I have bodged them with a small screwdriver in the pin holes and tap with a small hammer.
LeperousDust
22-04-2012, 01:41
I never mentioned anything actually but I was riding my Litespeed Capella with a wobbly BB for quite a while, it seems fine, but you're never always sure. Wobbly things tend to wear themselves out mucho quicker than "normal".
Saying that I have the weirdest clicking coming out the rear hub of my mountain bike still, which has been "possibly" diagnosed as a cracked axle =/ but not totally sure. Wasn't good though :p Until it actually *breaks* I'm not really bothered though! ;D:D
camerajuan
25-04-2012, 14:21
I'll more than likely sell it as is cos I don't need the extra spend of fixing then trying to sell as a decent working bike. £30 for whoever wants it.
I've seen a couple of really good looking Carerras in Halfords but with 0% finance I look to Hargroves to see an awesome spec Cube or Scott.
Alternatively, Bikes2UDirect have loads of Claud Butlers for less than £200. Good components too.
Fair enough, I didn't realise you were wanting to shift it.
camerajuan
10-05-2012, 21:27
Anyone ever used Coyote Road Bikes?
I have found an awesome looking one with great components for £250 & will be buying it soon if it turns out it's worth it.
Newbie question time. Does it matter what shoes I wear to ride my bike? I just have normal metal pedals. No plans to go to those funny clippy things. I normally just wear whatever ex-running shoes I have lying around, but I'm not sure whether I should be consciously choosing rigid/flexible soles, or shoes with or without grips. Any advice??
Took my bike in for its 6 wk free service today. Gears seen much improved after some tweaking and I treated myself to a new saddle which has made a HUGE difference. I bought some mudguards a few weeks ago, which are bloody brilliant and look quite smart too. All in all, I'm very pleased with my bike :) Planning on quite a long ride on Sun, weather permitting.
LeperousDust
12-05-2012, 14:18
Rigid allow more power transfer to the pedals, and are what everyone would suggest, but realllllly in reality you'll be fine I think :) If you've got spare money kicking about in the future for a dedicated pair of cycling shoes then do it, otherwise they're a bit of a niche item I guess like (although that can be said for all sorts of sports equipment).
Nice pair of five ten would do me, cool enough to walk around in like skate shoes if need be although they're pretty rigid (maybe not your style though :p) but also a bloody good pair of reliable shoes :)
Saying that you need nice pedals to appreciate the shoes I'd as well, low end DMR V8 or wellgo etc... something with nipples (o-eerrr).
Thanks Alex. Will have to have a google. Don't want to go mad but I do want to enjoy my cycling and get the most out of my peddling power :-) what about bar ends? Worthwhile investment?
I cycle in Converse All-Stars. I commute in them and compete in them. On road or off road, Converse. Whatever is most comfortable or most convenient is the best :)
Apologies, I think my last post came across a bit militant. I think I've been around the OcUK brigade a bit too much who seem convinced that unless you've got cleats and dedicated shoes you won't be able to make it to the local shops. What a bunch of absolute ****s :)
No no that's what I wanted to hear, thank you :-) my mate who cycles is a bit like that. She just told me to get clip in things without even asking how much cycling I was doing etc. this is from a lady who cycles on her £1000+ road bike about once a year. I can tell she's not impressed with my bike because it doesn't say Scott down the side and it want £££££'s. it's the same with clothing. I've bought some padded shorts but everything else is my running gear. It'll do just fine :-)
Had a great cycle today. Rode over to watch our first running club league race of the season and followed them round, stopping at several points to cheer them on. Did 22 miles in total and loved it.
Only problem is that Leon came to pick me up because I was worried my knee wouldn't cope with the 8 hilly miles home. We took off the wheel to fit it in the car and in the process lost the nut off the quick release mechanism. Gutted :-( going to call the bike shop tomorrow to see if I can get a spare. Bollocks
LeperousDust
14-05-2012, 01:53
Yeah I mean Jonny is right, as i said reallllly in actual reality it doesnt matter! I have dual sided pedals, and i'll find myself using my north face hedgehogs (approach/walking shoes) more often than my clipless beasts on my bike. Purely because most of the cycling i'm doing involves much more than cycling at both ends! If i was to bash out a big ride purely recreationally and knew I wasn't really going to be stopping or getting off i'll throw on my clipless shoes.
Back in the day i used to ride my (rigid! ;D) Spec HardRock (and I still have the very same bike from 2003 just monumentally upgraded) over the pentlands with my asics' :D:D Although I will say that things are very different now days (and absolutely for the better of course really).
But its a big thing weighing up wasting money vs actual gain on all the stuff associated! Same with running, swimming, and really as I said any sport.
The biggest irony you see EVERY time riding round trail centres are guys with £million bikes, the best of the best to save weight and go faster/stronger/better whatever. Yet they themselves are fat. In reality they've spent a few £k shaving maybe a kg or two off the whole bike, where as it would be cheaper and way way more effective to lose the extra 10 they've got sitting around them ;D
But fools will be fools in most sports, there aren't many sports now days that aren't money spinners or well sponsored!
camerajuan
14-05-2012, 14:18
Claud Butler Criterium. Good choice? I'm hovering over the checkout button now!
I haz took the plunge and can haz new bike through the work scheme! Arrives next week. Tis a Carerra Vulcan.
Excited :D
Cool :D Yeah we've got that scheme on now too. Typical... a couple of months after I get mine!! Ah well, I don't regret buying it. It's a cracking bike and I'm getting lots of use out of it. Took it off road for the first time this week and I was surprised at how good it is :) I expect being quite light helps.
I was thinking of giving it to Leon and buying an identical one through the bike through work scheme. The only thing we're worried about is that you're not guaranteed to get the bike at the end of it and it seems like a waste of time and rip off if that's going to happen.
Has anyone got any experience of what actually happens at the end of the hire period? I know you can extend it for 3 yrs, but after that it's up to the hire company what they do with it.
Everyone at my company has been given option to buy at a low price(I think just the remainder). To be fair though, you can choose to pay as little as five pounds a month, which to lease a brand new bike isn't bad, even if you don't get to keep it at the end. If you do it though, you MUST insure it. My friend had his pinched & still has to pay for it.
Carrera Vulcan
Sensible choice. Too many people seem to think they have to spend £1,000,017.36 on a bike on the cycle to ride scheme, spending out way more than they should have done on a bike they needed.
And end up never riding it anyway :huh:
leowyatt
27-05-2012, 18:57
I'm going for a Voodoo Hoodoo if they end up using Halfords with work.
Sensible choice. Too many people seem to think they have to spend £1,000,017.36 on a bike on the cycle to ride scheme, spending out way more than they should have done on a bike they needed.
And end up never riding it anyway :huh:
Thanks :) It's more than capable for what I want it for, some trail work (lots of fields near us), but mostly road use. I looked at some cheaper models, but Matt did most of the research for me and came up with that one. Went and tried a few out, but that was by far the one I preferred. There was a few in that range but that had really good reviews too. Way I see it is that I might go out on it lots and cycling to/from work a lot, or I might end up mostly just using it at weekends/evenings in the summer to pootle about and take photographs...so didn't seem worth spending more than I'd consider if I had to pay in cold hard cash! Also, I wanted to be able to pay it off outright if anything happened workwise etc. You are right though, EVERYONE else I know on the scheme has gone for TOTR (for that price bracket) carbon fibre frame bikes for more than £900.
leowyatt
27-05-2012, 21:56
I imagine their thinking is if I'm getting it for half price I might as well get the best bike I can get out of the scheme
Which is fair enough if you're a hardcore cyclist, but a bit of a waste if you only ever use it once in a blue moon. I'd love a proper road bike, but in all honesty I probably don't need it. My hybrid is brilliant on the roads. I just get a bit jealous when they go whizzing past me up hills :p
Is there any way to find out exactly how much you save? There are examples, but they're not massively helpful really. They could do with a calculator thingy. I'm just struggling to see how much money it saves, because you have the monthly payment for 12 months then another 3-7%ish for 3 yrs use THEN a final payment if the company gives you the option to keep it. Is it genuienly a saving after all that, or just paying for a bike over 4-5 years? The bike I want is only about £260. Not sure whether it's worth the hassle, or whether we should just buy it outright.
leowyatt
28-05-2012, 12:48
They do have calculators on the scheme website and stuff like evanscycles :)
Brilliant. *deletes rambling and unnecessary post* :p
Thanks Kitten, very helpful :) Ours isn't the Halfords cycle to work one which is probably where I'm getting confused. You pay the hire amount via salary sacrifice for the first year like yours, then if you want to keep the bike for a further 3 yrs you pay a "refundable deposit" (didn't read the refundable bit before) of between 3-7%, THEN they decide whether they want to let you keep it or not. The website gives no commitment of this because if they did, it'd be classed as benefit in kind and it'd be taxable. It does look as though you can keep it more often than not though. However, if they can't charge you over the original market value then I'm happy.
Had a look at the Evans cycles calculator and it's clear how much I'd be paying now.
Cheers ears :D
Oh good am glad it helped :D
LeperousDust
30-05-2012, 01:07
My mate got bitten by the cycle to work scheme a while back with his Spec' Allez. I'm not sure he'd be touching it again! I'm still of the opinion it doesn't save you that much money for the risk incurred... I'm plucking numbers wildly here (of course ;D) but i'd say way over half of the people using the scheme would be better off just buying a cheap bike when there are some decent sales on or a decent second hand one at a similar affordable price point.
How did he get stung? You can't be charged more than you would have paid in cash, and in most cases you save around 30%. If he left, he'd probably be made to pay full price remaining inclusive of VAT, but as I said before it cannot cannot cost you more than the original selling price. If they try that, (which the arrangement says they can't anyway) you just give it back, which would be a lot more hassle for them. I genuinely don't understand how you can be stung, or how there's any more risk than buying on HP. There's about 25 people in my office at various stages of the scheme, must often having saved around 3-400 quid on their £1k bikes. I guess time will tell! Anyway, stop making me nervous, its done now :p
Went out on it last night for a few hours, aching like a bugger, (arse feels like I've been repeatedly paddled :p) but I felt ten years old again. Amazing!
LeperousDust
30-05-2012, 16:28
Honestly I don't exactly know the details, but I think he was working for an outsourcing company and then "left" to join the company he was working (outsourced) for anyway. Somewhere along the line he got screwed over, not to mention I have definitely heard of people not being able to pay the remainder after completion.
I dunno, I just like buying a bike and having it mine, HP isn't something I enjoy! I guess if you're sure you'll be in the company for the next XX amount of years then it's alright.
Obviously though the headline prices they advertise you're buying at are usually about 20-30% over and above though? Since you have to buy through certain retailers. If you buy the same bike the next year or in an actual sale then you're likely to easy lop off 15% to begin with which is closing the gap on the saving the government is offering.
A little like saying you can buy a car with work, but it can only be a new one and only at this major retailer. You know you're not going to get a particularly great market rate!
Get yourself a ladies saddle if you haven't already Kitten. They're much better :)
Alex - Leon is worried about the potentially not getting the bike at the end bit. I can't see why they'd want to keep it because a 4 yr old used bike surely can't hold that much value, but you just don't know.TBH for a £260 bike, I think we might just dump it on the credit card and be done with it.
Kate, it's a ladies' bike, does that not matter?
I'm buying a gel saddle on payday. Will be the best money ever spent!
Re the C2W thing Kate, I've never heard them keep the bike, not even when people left - as far as I can see, it's purely a tax thing re gifts/taxable benefits etc. Is there no-one you can ask in your HR department?
Guy I work with just bought his for £50 final payment - a Boardman carbon fibre frame that cost him around 1k. He's worked out it cost him around £700 and it's 1 year old. With yours being 3 years, not sure if I'd want to to do that on such a low price, but first, work out how much interest you'll pay over the period it takes to pay it off. With a lesser priced bike it's even more of a bargain to go through C2W unless you can get interest free credit etc.
Alex, the price I got mine for was about £100 reduced from a few months ago when I was first looking, and I can't see it anywhere else (on line or otherwise for a lesser price), apart from Ebay, which I wouldn't consider for something costing so much. There's no way I could afford to fork out anything on a bike at all otherwise, as there's other, more important things I need my money for.
The final payment thing, until 2010 was only allowed to be 5% of original price which 12 months after the purchase is excellent - so I guess people must have been buying WAY out of their price range and I think that's the problem. If you leave, you lose the tax break, so you have to pay that back (up to the value of the remaining payments then it's up to them if there's any payment on top). Buy as you would be able to cash, and you won't have a problem. I know I keep saying it but if you can't be asked to pay more for it than you would have paid cash - and you can argue 'fair market value' if you feel you need to, then I can't see how you can lose out.
I may well be eating my words in a year though, we shall see!
LeperousDust
30-05-2012, 19:57
Kate, I just spent £400 on a 10 (ok almost) year old bike ;) Depending on the bike etc... they hold their value very well! I doubt an employer would be in the position to monetise them though, but bike trail centres would love these (probably unused, if slightly forgotten about) beauties. They'd fix them right up, as would I (and Jonny!)!
Anyways i'm not really trying to argue, as tbh i've never been employed by a real company that would offer such thing for starters! ;D I've just read across bike forums about people being very wary of it, and these are guys that are happily willing to pay the big money on carbon unicorns etc...
I'm sure it will work out as millions of people have used it and there isn't enough disdain on the internet to argue it's a useless scheme. But i'd be very wary personally! :)
I want a carbon unicorn. No idea what one is but I want one. Can you get a Unicorn to work scheme?
LeperousDust
30-05-2012, 23:29
;D
Kate, it's a ladies' bike, does that not matter?
They still usually come with rubbish saddles. Bought a gel one for mine a few weeks ago and it's wonderful :D
I got some road shoes for my birthday last week so been & bought the pedals today & got everything fitted. Very impressed so far with a ride around our street. After what I've read I thought they'd take more getting used to but I didn't have any problems and more importantly didn't even come close to falling off! ;D
Just need some clear weather now this weekend to give them a proper go.
http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg532/scaled.php?tn=0&server=532&filename=7p1bh.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640 (http://yfrog.com/es7p1bhj)
LeperousDust
08-06-2012, 19:00
Haha, wait until you distract yourself at the lights and COMPLETELY forget you're clipped in. Everyone's famous words are similar to I don't seem to have a problem, or I got used to them fairly quickly ;D;D I still have my moments :D
Clipless pedals are superb in their own right though :)
haha, yeah, when I was reading about them last week people said the first ride is fine as you're overly aware of them. Then the second isn't as you forget and thus fall off!!
LeperousDust
08-06-2012, 20:58
Cannot wait for your next post within a month or two. It'll happen ;) ;D :D
//Evil
I shouldn't of said anything about that second ride.
Fell off at the first traffic lights (I had to laugh but not sure about the woman in the car that put me off!), two groups of kids nearly rode in to me as did a dog. And I nearly ran over a rabbit!
And I don't know if its a case of getting used to the shoes, or something I did when I came off, but when I took them off I couldn't put any weight on my right foot & it still hurts now!
LeperousDust
09-06-2012, 19:23
*ahem*.......
:o ;D
I found it funny because I was rolling up to the red light with my left foot ready to hit the floor, next minute this car is up behind me so I pulled over to the left late & then tried to unclip my right & well... I went right, scuffed my new shoes & looked like a right tit.
leowyatt
10-06-2012, 11:41
We have CCTV footage at work of my boss rolling up to the mechanical gate. He then just falls over sideways because he can't get his foot out :p
LeperousDust
10-06-2012, 14:24
Honestly I still get taken off guard occasionally and make hilarious mistakes sometimes. Par for the course! ;D Never stops being funny though :D
Another ride today, no issues ;D
camerajuan
18-06-2012, 07:59
SO!
After 2 replacement road bikes (from a retailer I don't want to mention because I'm embarassed that I thought it would last) and some compensation & refund, I am now the proud owner of a 2010 Haro Flightline MTB, bought for £60. Bargain!
Its dark green & a bit tatty. Gonna do it up & respray it. Any tips on how to prepare the frame for its new clothes?
This is the Karma Triumph that I won in March in a 'guess the bike' competition on Retrobike. It sat under cover in my dad's garden for months, but I got to bring it home recently and I've given it a good going over in the last week or so while my garage is empty. It's a 1975 Raleigh-built Triumph Ladies Roadster with a 3-speed Sturmey Archer dynohub also dated 1975, twist shift, rod brakes and 26" wheels.
Pics:
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/IMG_7871.JPG
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/IMG_7872.JPG
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/IMG_7873.JPG
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/IMG_7874.JPG
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/IMG_7875.JPG
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/IMG_7876.JPG
I haven't actually done much with it. I gave it a new set of tyres and brake blocks, but the rest has been simply elbow grease, freeing everything off, nipping everything up, true the wheels, fitting and adjusting the brakes and dressing the braking surfaces on the wheels. Other than that I've cleaned the frame and given it a damn good oil! Annoyingly, the ball bearing pinged out the twist shift mechanism and I lost it, so I'm hoping a spare one out a hub or something will do the trick.
These are the 'before' pics that were posted up after the competition:
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/P3120056.jpg
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/P3120055.jpg
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/P3120054.jpg
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/P3120057.jpg
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/P3120058.jpg
It wasn't going to be one for the faint-hearted, particularly with the rod brakes, and it needed a good few hours spending on it. One of the cotter pins was in the wrong way round which left the cranks looking like this...
http://www.jonny69.co.uk/uploads/bikes/karma_triumph/IMG_7870.JPG
...and it took a bit of hammering to get the old one out, but once replaced it is fine. All three gears work a treat, though I think I could do with drowning the hub in oil. I think it's destined to be a bike that lives at work for getting round the site and to and from town and the station, but it's a wee bit small for me, so who knows.
LeperousDust
21-07-2012, 02:22
Epically retro!
Had a recent mare with my commuter racer, literally racing through tubes through many sheer coincidences/incompetence/rushed roadside maintainance...
Giving it a GOOOOOOD thorough strip and clean on Sunday (weather permitting!) so i'll post some shiny pictures of it soon hopefully :)
What do you mean by "literally racing through tubes through many sheer coincidences"? :D
LeperousDust
24-07-2012, 23:47
One valve popped, one I managed to pinch somehow and it just would not hold a patch for more than a few hours cycling. Same day after replacing again I somehow found some thorns... Getting rather frustrated at taking my back wheel off over and over again, I caught myself out by pinching a tube whilst putting my tyres back on.
Totally enraged me at one point! But it seems that the last many many months of incident free cycling cumulated into one horrid episode.... :D
//Girl wanted to do things together on Sunday and barred me from cleaning the bike, so it's rescheduled for tomorrow!
LeperousDust
16-08-2012, 02:28
Euuurgh I have still not cleaned the bike =/ Every day I've had time to do so the weather has been torrential. Today being a prime example!
In other news I have a Stumpjumper FSR (w/Fox 140mmTriad) & 140mm Rockshox Sektor RL (w/remote poploc) which is waiting to have my current hard tail components serviced and transplanted over. Maybe I'll actually get out to Glentress to have some fun soon toooooo :D:D
LeperousDust
20-08-2012, 15:30
Woohooooo, so i've scraped the Stumpjumper FSR idea with my LBS (they kinda miss sold it to me way overpriced and old), and sourced a 2008 Cannondale Prophet w/ RP23 for £260 all inc. Slightly more hardcore than I was after maybe, but it looks absolutely lovely. Less spannering with a single pivot too (and teamed with one of the best rear air shocks there is right now). And its not even got a crack swing arm - BONUS!. It's also one of the last models hand built in the USA (unsure if that's good or bad though :p).
Basically its an American Orange 5 I guess :D
Throwing my RockShox Sektor Solo Air RL, Mavic 717 on Hope Pro 2's, Juicy 7's, mostly LX stuff + some XT on it and job's a goodun'!
Wheels although a little light for this frame will do me for now, with room to spare in the future. Plus the shock can be attached in two positions giving an XC or AM angle anyway.
Pictures to follow when I actually pick the frame up this week! :)
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