Cycle to work scheme

My understanding is I can ‘hire’ the bike for 12 months then agree to borrow it for free for an additional 5 years when the market value drops to £0 and they let me keep it…

Yes that is right but you have to pay an admin fee at purchase and at the end of 12 month period

I’d assumed something like this but they’re saying I don’t… 🤷‍♂️

The Aethos is pink… the Crux is beyond my comprehension - I’m new to etap and new to disc and aesthetically I like the Aethos

I thought Crux is just an Aethos that can take 45c tyres, same/similar geo and all.

Interesting… I’ll look into it… 1x - is that cool/still cool these days?

no 1x is never cool but I think crux can take 2x esp axs ..

I won’t be allowed to do much more than swap handlebars and tyres so the ‘can take 2x’ upgrade would have to wait for a while… I only really ride road anyway and never had a bike that can take more than a 27c tyre - Aethos can go to 32mm so will that be fine for paths and bridleways etc? 27c was, kind of…

I’d assumed something like this but they’re saying I don’t… 🤷♂️

Read the terms. I've had providers say that when it is not the case.

Their site says you have to pay the fee as a deposit up front. They tend to use this to say that you both don't pay a fee (it's a deposit) and that you pay nothing at the end (as you've already paid), when in fact both are false.

https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/the-rules-of-cycle-to-work

Found answer elsewhere

Is the admin fee standard everywhere? I spoke to someone at Banjo cycles about an Aethos that is on sale, and they told me i would need to add a 15% commission for use of cyclescheme.

@amey since you are omnipotent what is the best value carbon disc ultegra di2 road bike out there available on cycleschem?

yeah pretty much, I remember in last time which is easily a decade ago, the shop said they cant sell bikes at discounted price if on C2W. If you calculate the salary sacrifice over 12 months and not plan to stay with your employer for 5 years the diff is quite minimal. Defo less than 15% on Aethos.

Have balfe's run out of stock?

Genuinely no idea, I have given up on road cycling. But Aethos 'on paper' seems like the best road bike to buy. If they made an OTP crux in 2x variant that would be a better bike, basically Aethos but with bigger tyre clearance.

yes

Good value if you can live with pressfit: https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/giant-tcr-advanced-1-disc-road-bike-2023-in-cold-night__45279

@JB has one

That's a good deal. I got the same build but with mech hydro 105. Those wheels are a bit whatever so I swapped them out for some CK/Belgium's but outside of that - great deal. Rides just as nice as anything else I've ridden made out of any other material.

Sold out in my size now. Should have got on it quicker. I am tempted by the SRAM rival etap axs version.

Anyone used Gogeta yet?

Well, some do, some don't. Bought Ribble Ti gravel when on sale, no admin charged, still got it for sale price.

I got an Aethos with rival AXS - having ridden it daily since September I’m annoyed I didn’t wait for the 105 to be in a sale as the SRAM hoods are fugly and uncomfortable, they’re rock solid in the not good way… etap is pretty good though but 11speed di2 felt quicker/more responsive…

What about the aethos itself? You a fan?

Yes - big fan… kind of wish I’d tried a Crux at the same time… also any disc Ritchey as the type of riding I’d like to be able to do is shifting slightly… the 10R Aethos is excellent though… but don’t get the pint one - what size are you after? Mine is 56cm, you’re welcome to give it a go

Edit - I think the ultegra Di2 is now the same price as I paid for the etap comp… and it has the roval carbon wheels… gutted

Stuck my head in Giant St Paul's store. TCR not for me.

Gone for the Aethos.

HR have just said they are upping the limit on our scheme to £7.5k from April 1st. Eek.

That's, like, a fifth of a kitchen.

Stop it. We've got to pay for a kitchen extension before I am eligible for the scheme again.