Finding the right bike is the fun part. Working out how to pay for it? That can feel a bit more complicated.
The good news is we've got several payment options available, and they're all designed to give you flexibility depending on what works best for you. Let's walk through them so you can figure out which one makes the most sense.
Trade In Your Old Bike (Exchange Program)
It's pretty much what it sounds like - bring in your current bike and use it to reduce the cost of your new one.
Whether you've got an old commuter bike gathering dust in the shed or you're ready to upgrade from your current ride, your old bike has value. We'll assess it and give you a credit towards your purchase.
One thing worth knowing: you can combine the exchange with any of our other payment methods. So if your bike is worth £300 but you're buying something for £900, you can use finance, Cycle to Work, or card payment for the remaining £600.
Cycle To Work Scheme
This is one of the best value options if your employer offers it. You can save between 25-42% on a bike through tax savings, which adds up to significant money on a decent bike.
The scheme works through salary sacrifice - essentially you're "hiring" the bike through your employer and paying for it before tax is deducted. At the end of the hire period, ownership transfers to you. It's a government-backed scheme that's been running successfully for years.
We accept any Cycle to Work provider, whether that's Cyclescheme, Halfords, Evans, or whoever your company uses. Just check with your HR department about your eligibility, get your voucher or certificate, and we'll handle the rest.
There's quite a bit more detail to how this works, and we're putting together a full guide on it. In the meantime, you can find more information here.
Finance Options
If you'd prefer to spread the cost over time rather than paying upfront, we offer finance through two providers.
Klarna
- 0% interest over 12 months
- Straightforward application process
- No hidden fees when you maintain your payment schedule
Novuna
- 0% interest over 12 months
- 9.9% APR available for 24 or 36 month terms
With Novuna, you'll need a minimum 10% deposit, though you can put down more if you'd like to reduce your monthly payments.
Both options involve a quick credit check as part of the application. You'll typically get a decision fairly quickly, and if approved, you can set up your payment plan and take your bike home the same day.
Just Pay With Card (or Cash)
Sometimes you just want to pay and be done with it. We get that.
We take all the usual cards - credit, debit, whatever you've got. And yeah, if you want to rock up with actual cash, we'll take that too. There's no judgment here, some people just prefer it that way.
Pay outright and the bike's yours, no strings attached. No applications, no monthly reminders, nothing. Just sorted.
So Which One Should You Go For?
Honestly, it depends on your situation:
If you've got an old bike lying around - do the exchange thing. It's basically free money towards your new bike.
If your work offers Cycle to Work - use it. The savings are too good to pass up.
If you want to spread the cost over time - look at the finance options. Just make sure you're comfortable with the monthly payments.
If you just want it done - pay with card or cash and you're sorted.
And remember, you can combine some of these. Trade in your old bike, then finance the rest. Or use Cycle to Work and top up the difference with a card payment. Whatever works for you.
That's Pretty Much It
Look, buying a bike shouldn't be stressful. We've tried to make it as flexible as possible so there's something that works for everyone, whether you're buying your first proper bike or upgrading to something fancy.
If you're not sure which option makes the most sense for you, just come in and have a chat with us. We can run through the numbers and work out what's going to be best. No pressure, no hard sell - we'd rather you got the right bike in a way that actually works for your budget.
Come see us in the shop or give us a shout if you've got questions. We're here to help.
Got questions about payment options? Drop by the shop or get in touch - we're happy to talk through it all.
