Cycle schemes via employer.

[gremlin]

My employer supports a cycle scheme which several of my colleagues have taken advantage of. They seem to be very under-utilised, but worth raising with your employer if you fancy a sizable discount on a new bike. Example: https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/

https://www.evanscycles.com/b2b/cycle-to-work-scheme

@weeksy If I'm well late to the party with this feel free to delete the thread.

[MingtheMerciless]

NR used to use "cycle to work" which was very good as you could use your LBS and put the business there way, about three years ago I purchased a set of high end DT Swiss forks. Late last year I went to see what I could get and CtoC were unlimited in budget (ohh a new E-Bike) but then found out NR have changed provider and there is a 1K limit and you have to use their approved suppliers. You can't even get a set of decent forks for 1K these days let alone a bike!

[McNab]

We have the scheme at my company, The general consensus by the serious cycle people are it's not worth the bother, particularly as you are locked into certain suppliers.

However, I would imagine that it's not really aimed at them, more so someone looking to start cycling to work and would like a bit of help to get a first bike and some gear and don't mind going to the more high street suppliers to get it.

[lostboy]

We have the scheme at my company, The general consensus by the serious cycle people are it's not worth the bother, particularly as you are locked into certain suppliers.

However, I would imagine that it's not really aimed at them, more so someone looking to start cycling to work and would like a bit of help to get a first bike and some gear and don't mind going to the more high street suppliers to get it.

A couple of things to unpack there - but before I get into my experience I will say that my mates in the trade say it's changed a bit so I may be a little out of date!

The whole "locked in to certain suppliers" is very much dependent on which scheme you use/your employer uses to provide you the opportunity. The one that I used allowed me to shop where I liked.

In the good old days there was always the hurdle of the £1k limit - which is what actually pissed off "serious cycle people". This, again, was very dependent on which scheme you use/your employer offered and quite a number of the schemes allowed you to top up the £1k yourself - effectively entitling you to the same benefits as everyone else (the £1k) but getting the tax relief on that amount.

My experience of the scheme was excellent. I decided to get a new road bike through it. My existing bike had caliper brakes, I wanted disc etc.etc. I knew I could pick up a carbon road bike with 105 disc groupset (my desired minimum spec) for circa £1700-£2500 depending on the brand etc. I spoke to a load of retailers and cyclescheme providers (my company was willing to be flexible and use whoever) and ended up with a scheme that offered me the chance to top up the amount to get what I wanted, that the retailer was very happy to use (they said it was one of their favourites) and that made it easy for the company. By buying a sale price bike (February purchase so a previous year model at 30% off) all I had to do was pay the £250 top up and the remaining £1k went on the scheme. Retailer and scheme provider had that sorted within 48 hours and I was sat on the bike having it fitted the following day. Administration was excellent and after the year I got the "keep it three years and you won't have to pay the tax back" letter. Three years later I got the ownership certificate. I'm still riding it.

My experience of it was so good I'm going back for another go. The bike above is off to sunnier climes so that I don't need to keep sticking it in a bag and it's replacement will do the miles locally.

EDIT - That was all with Cyclescheme - who the OP linked to. I'd recommend them based on my experience (and assuming they haven't made any daft changes since!)

[MrLongbeard]

I'd take advantage of the scheme my place runs so I can get out when the weather picks ups as an addition to the rowing I do, but the bike has to be used for commuting purposes, which ain't that practical for me, so I don't qualify.

[Beancounter]

I'd take advantage of the scheme my place runs so I can get out when the weather picks ups as an addition to the rowing I do, but the bike has to be used for commuting purposes, which ain't that practical for me, so I don't qualify.

Do they actually check to see that you're commuting on the bike? I've bought six bikes on C2W over the last 12 years, three of them have been mountain bikes which were completely unsuitable for commuting and two others were bought when I lived 25 miles from the office and it's clear from my appearance that I'm no cyclist. I also know of colleagues who bought bikes for their children instead of bikes for commuting.

Not advocating breaking the rules btw, just wondering how likely you are to get caught.

[MrLongbeard]

Not advocating breaking the rules btw, just wondering how likely you are to get caught.

Well........ they kind of know I live 85 miles away, so it's a safe bet that they'd figure it out
How likely is it that they'd actually care anyway is a different kettle of fish

[Taff]

I've used it for the last couple of years to stock up on new clothing, helmets, shoes and spares like chains, cassette and brake disks, muck off, tools etc etc.

£500 budget each year is £40odd a month before tax savings. I don't know of a cheaper way to get this stuff, even my mate's staff discount at one of the big online retailers is not necessarily much cheaper.

The only problem I find is that I go onto Tredz to make up the order, fill in the paperwork to get the voucher and wait for a couple of days for it to come through and inevitably something on the order has gone out of stock or changed price.

Oh, and I've WFH for the last 2 years, live 27 miles from the office and would never commute there. I do ride early mornings before work a couple of times a year

[weeksy]

I don't think the actual cycling to work is relevant.

I've never actually used it, we get ours in April each year, i must admit this year i'm slightly tempted. But it depends over what term we can do ours... That's a question i've never looked into. Although i may do this year.

[gremlin]

Mate in work took advantage. Never used it for commuting. I suspect employers don't really care.

[Taff]

Mate in work took advantage. Never used it for commuting. I suspect employers don't really care.

I'm not sure that my line management even know that I've used the scheme, I think I deal directly with the scheme supplier.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I've known loads of people who've done C2W and basically none of them actually cycled to work on the bikes they bought.

[MrLongbeard]

OK, I get it, I'm to honest for my own good, next time it comes back around I'll take another look see

[Beancounter]

I've known loads of people who've done C2W and basically none of them actually cycled to work on the bikes they bought.

IME, "to work on" could be removed from that sentence.

[Beancounter]

OK, I get it, I'm to honest for my own good, next time it comes back around I'll take another look see

Bear in mind that if you're planning on changing employer you need to settle the amount owing at the full rate.

[Taff]

OK, I get it, I'm to honest for my own good, next time it comes back around I'll take another look see

Bear in mind that if you're planning on changing employer you need to settle the amount owing at the full rate.

this is exactly why I limit myself to £500.

I'll never know when I'll decide that I've had enough and want to move on, £500 I can easily find to sort it out, £2500 is not so easy

[formula400]

ive got 2 bikes on the cycle to work scheme, 1 straight after the other pretty much, great way to save some £££

the first was my MTB and the 2nd is my road bike, neither is for work though.

Seriously considering selling the pretty much un-used Whyte T140 and get a electric MTB on the next one.

[rusty]

I've known loads of people who've done C2W and basically none of them actually cycled to work on the bikes they bought.

I’ve used mine in the past to buy a Thule tow bar rack. Needless to say, I’ve never cycled to work on it

I met a guy a couple of years back who used a Brompton to commute. He got a new one on cycle to work every year and sold the previous one. After the tax relief they were costing him about £500 or so, he’d sell them after a years use for £700-£800. Not a bad idea if you can get the scheme to work for you.

I’m tempted to use our scheme to upgrade my MTB wheels when stock is available again - in my defence, I do ride to work a couple of times a year on the MTB so it’s totally above board