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My FS broke on Thursday night (chain stay snapped) and is a write-off. I have the opportunity to replace it through the bike-to-work scheme. My employer use the (Halfords) cycle2work provider so I could buy something through them/Tredz or a local participating shop. We have a limit of £2000 and cannot add to this.
The bike it's replacing was a Titus El Guapo 29er. I've enjoyed riding it but looking forward to something new. I'm not wedded to 29" and would happily have a 27.5". I guess I'm looking in the 130/150mm range - something that will achieve the impossible compromise of riding uphill effortlessly and being a hoot downhill.
I came off quite hard when it snapped so it will be a few weeks before I can ride anything so there's no rush. Demo days are obviously out at the moment.
I wasn't thinking of a new bike (until this one broke) and haven't read a bike review in years so I'm playing catch up.
Looking at the Tredz site, the contenders seem to be:
> Bergamont Contrail 5 - never heard of them but I have been out of touch with new bikes for a few years
> Orbea Occam H30
> Merida One Forty 600
There is also a Scott Spark but I have an irrational dislike of them.
One of my local shops (that works with cycle2work) sells Whyte and I tested a T-129 about 5 years ago and very nearly bought one. If there's a T-130 (assuming that's the latest incarnation) sneaking under £2000 I'd definitely consider one of those.
I don't know if any of the direct brands work with cycle2work but, if they do, I'm certainly interested.
So... What should I buy?
Higgo, bae your employer? If it is dissapointed at the £2000 limit. Just got on shift today to see the update. Was looking to spend nearer 3k.
I was eyeing up the orbea too. Maybe next year.
I bought a 2k occam a couple of years ago. It’s a bit heavy but does well uphill and down.
I like it.
Not BAE. In fact our limit was £1000 for years and has gone up to £2000 so I should at least be grateful for that.
Looking at local stores...
The one that stocks Whyte also stocks Focus and KTM. Sadly neither the T-130 or the S-150 sneak under the £2000 limit but I can look at Focus (Jam 6.7) and KTM (Skarp not enough travel, Prowler >£2000).
There is a Trek shop so that brings the Fuel EX 5.
It also looks like Sonder and Bird both accept Cycle2Work vouchers but the Sonder Cortex may have slightly less travel that I was looking for and the Bird Aeris 145 misses the £2000 limit by £50.
It also looks like Sonder and Bird both accept Cycle2Work vouchers but the Sonder Cortex may have slightly less travel that I was looking for and the Bird Aeris 145 misses the £2000 limit by £50.
Get in contact with Bird, I am sure they’ll sort you out! Brilliant guys. I think that they have opened up for demos down south again as well.
I may well do that. The Aeris 145 is high on my list so far.
Just in case anyone was desperately wondering what I'd decided...
I'm going to get an Orbea Occam H30.
I may move some of the less tired finishing kit across from the broken bike, definitely the saddle and grips. My old brakes are probably an improvement too 'on paper' but I'll see if the ones it comes with are that terrible.
And once I've had it a year and made it mine I'll put some new wheels on it. Look out for a thread called 'Cheap, light & strong 29er wheels for a fat oaf who rides with no finesse?' in about 12 months time.