Production bike at about £400

After looking around for a cheap bike to buy and convert to single speed I had a chat with my boss about evans cycles ride2work scheme where I can pay the bike up before tax+ni minus vat. Hopefully we'll be able to get this sorted out and a bike bought in the next few weeks. I think it'd have to be a bike that evans can get because they seem to be the only people who are offering it right now. It looks like either the Specialized Langster, Charge Plug, Bianchi Pista or maybe the Ridgeback Genesis Flyer.

The Langster I don't think I want because it's made of aluminium (£400)
I like the look of the Charge Plug but I know no one will have first hand experience of it yet because it's not been released (£400)
The Bianchi will need a front brake bringing the cost further to around £475-£500 ish (can it take a front brake?)
The Ridgeback looks pretty awesome from the specs and I'd say out of them all it's probably the one I'd most like but it's the most expensive at £500

The bike would have to be a production bike available through evans because that's the only way I'll be able to spend £400-£500 on it. Anybody able to help out with some opinions on the bikes. Also what accessories would you say are a good idea to lump in. To be eligible they have to be commuting related such as locks, lights and helmets. Possibly tools aswell but I might just have to buy them myself.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/ also do bike to work through Halfords.
http://www.evanscycles.com/ride2work.jsp for FAQs.
HOw is the Flyer the most expensive.. you've said £500 for each bike??
I'd get as many accessories as possible if they're half-price.. so long as they were necessary.

You can get away with getting most things on the scheme, the shop don't care and as Hippy says, when it's half price you might as well get what you can. Check out cyclescheme.co.uk, they set the scheme up for your work and it means you don't have to go to Evans, they have loads of partner shops. I've got all three of my bikes through it and it rules!! The calculator on the Evans site is handy as though.

Also the Charge Plug was reviewed in the new C+, got 8/10 overall, 9 for handling.

Brixton cycles are part of that scheme and they'll build you a custom. I tried to do that myself my rubbish company don't want to give me any money.

If you use Halfords you get your VAT back as accessories. i.e 17.5% of £500 or £87.50. They can pretty much order you anything. It does take longer if the brand isn't a 'preferred supplier' - they have to send the company/distributor a cheque. This was the case when I ordered my Pomp. Took about 3 weeks from placing the order to receiving it. Not long but I'm impatient ;-)

hippy http://www.on-one.co.uk/ also do bike to work through Halfords.
http://www.evanscycles.com/ride2work.jsp for FAQs.
HOw is the Flyer the most expensive.. you've said £500 for each bike??
I'd get as many accessories as possible if they're half-price.. so long as they were necessary.

Sorry, I've changed the prices now. I just got used to writing £500. I'll try halfords and cyclescheme also.

edit ; oh, you've changed h prices now

Don't discount the Fuji track as well - its a decent little number (about 300 quid too). Its almost as good as the Pista but without the blinging chrome. (BTW the Bianchi Pista is drilled for a front brake).

I would say try and find shops with all of them, give them all a ride and see see which one you like the feel of the best, it won't do any harm and may through up a few questions in your mind or may settle some, either way it won't do any harm.

pip Don't discount the Fuji track as well - its a decent little number (about 300 quid too). Its almost as good as the Pista but without the blinging chrome. (BTW the Bianchi Pista is drilled for a front brake).

I'm liking the look of the Bianchi and it's blinging chrome. Is the Fuji Track drilled for a brake also ?

yes it is.. never having ridden another fixed (but did ride a singlespeed a while ago) I can say I really like the fuji track. Some cheap looking (and feeling) components, but that's to be expected on a complete bike, right?

Also I'd say most shops do the cycle 2 work scheme, whatever they call it.. Awesome for you on having a nice boss! My many-multi-million dollar profit bosses feel they shouldn't tie up money on bikes! GRRR.

And just to throw one more bike into the pile - the Kona paddy wagon may be worth looking at too.

As TheBrick says, the only way to really know what you want esp as this is your first fixie, is to go and ride a few (even if they're just set-up as single-speed). You'll quickly know what kind of geometry you like as well as what other details seem important to you.

Ive had a Bianchi Pista as my first fixed wheel bike. Love it and never had any problems with it. Just upgraded stuff slowly as ive had time and money.

My flatmate's got a Lemond Fillmore, he's never off it, loves it! £450 at the very righteous Brixton Cycles... Surlys in there too... Gotta big up my LBS! :-)

Forgot to mention, Cavendish Cycles'll build you an IRO Mark V up from scratch for £620, £660 with Deep-V bling... Might be outside your budget but nice rides...

pip Don't discount the Fuji track as well

seconded

there's also the Pearson Touche... isn't that £500

stompy [quote]pip Don't discount the Fuji track as well

seconded[/quote]

Thirded!

I have loved mine ever since I bought it about a year ago. It's frame is also a bit more classic than the langster/flyer ones, much prettier in my opinion.

Have you looked at CycleScheme, which is the same as the Evans scheme. Means you can go to Cycle Surgery and lots of independent bike shops, like BrickLane Bikes. Might open up your choices a little!

or this, i think it comes in at 350 notes

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-GB/bikes/lifestyle/

that bowery's gross. i think i just puked a little bit.

I quite like it!

But I am a newbie!

im in two minds

it's practically a sit-up-and-beg. in fact i think old nasty auntie em rode one at the beginning of the wizard of oz through the tornado that sweeps dorothy and toto out of kansas.

looks better than a langster in my opinion, but I don't quite like compact frames.. They look a bit too much like a mountain bike!