Best bike to work for a grand is this it?

I had this same problem last summer too. Ended up going with a Ribble New Sportive, with full Campag Veloce groupset and Campag Khamsin wheels, paid a about £200 over the £1000 cyclescheme voucher but was well worth the money and Ribble were brilliant. I'd originally ordered the Sportive frame but the one I ordered had a paint defect so they offered to upgrade the frame for about £30 quid!

You may also want to consider that the government had been looking to take VAT in to account on the payments during late 2011 so not sure how this will effect your payments.

By the way,how the ell are you able to use Cyclescheme 2 years in a row? My understanding is that although you pay over 12 months, the actual contract is based over 3 years and therefore your not allowed any more than 1 bike per 3 year term.

Have you looked at the Cube offerings? Or a Kuota?

They where gonna be my choices having looked at various Ribble and Dolan options, the later really being aimed at a second or winter bike.

I couldn't find a single brand of bike with wheels worth commuting on for under the grand. Few good racing options for their price though.

I bought a Kona Zing Deluxe on sale at 830, the last one though Chainreaction have them at 800 mail order still, just not sure they took cyclescheme vouchers.

It's a minefield. From your previous experience, I'd say you need to buy what can be supported by a Local bike shop for the customer service you say was important but lacking. What makes you thing any other £1k bike isn't going to suffer similar issues. If you can't sort them mechanically, then who will come in the post to sort it for you?

Nothing against mail order in any way, it can save a fortune at times especially on hardware. Just a. Question of what's important and confidence in sorting issues yourself. All my options where based on local availability first and foremost and I'm a confident mechanic. Secondly, and the deciding factor, I saved a packet and got the bike I really wanted.

I'd've been equally happy with second choice Kuota alu frame bike with full Rival kit for £1050 or third choice Cube alu for £900 which had full 105.

I'm just about to get the Stealth with Rival.

My advice would be to get the full rival gruppo, ie. Brakes and Crankset as well, lots of technology for no that much extra.

Also better wheels, the Rhodi's are asking to go out of true every rotation practically.

Perhaps racing 7's or Aksiums.

There is no "best", there are so many good bikes at that price. It's down to individual preference.

If you like the Defy why not get another one? Pretty good value, can swap components across if you want to and you know the size etc so will not have a problem setting it up to fit you.

Or why not get some better wheels & tyres for longer rides? Keep on top of the cleaning after wet or muddy rides and your Defy won't suffer too badly.

Find a shop with a better attitude, it will be worth it, even if you have a travel a little.

if your prepared to put some extra towards the price most shops let you buy a bike over a grand as long as you pay the extra. i did it with an ridley orion priced in sale at £1400 down from £1900 and got this though cyclescheme ended up paying about £850.