Hi

returningexlie

I'm moving back to Ireland after years in London.

I used to cycle in London but then I moved south of the river and my commute took me around elephant and castle (not so much a roundabout as game of Russian roulette with buses) So I started on the tube and my waist line expanded accordingly, so now is as a good a time as any to reduce flab.

I'm looking for a road/cross bike the 500e region, not much I know, but I've never not had a bike stolen in Dublin (I'll be working in the city centre, and dont think theres a secure lock up in work). I'd prefer not to go 2nd hand (again bike thieves).

My commute will probably be in the 10-17km round trip region.

I'm looking for recommendations for brands/models & bike shops. Is that great place in Dundrum still open? Hollingsworth?

Thanks in advance.

FYI It looks like I'll either be a self employed contractor, or setting up a limited company so I presume the bike to work scheme is out.

Beasty

returningexlie wrote: »

FYI It looks like I'll either be a self employed contractor, or setting up a limited company so I presume the bike to work scheme is out.

If you go down the limited company route you should be a PAYE employee which, unlike for self-employed, opens up the BTW scheme to you

returningexlie

Beasty wrote: »

If you go down the limited company route you should be a PAYE employee which, unlike for self-employed, opens up the BTW scheme to you

The additional paperwork, hassle and so forth makes setting up a limited company just for the bike to work scheme excessive. But I'm on the finance forum asking the pros and cons.

retalivity

You dont need to go the full ltd company route, just become an umbrella employee/director and you can claim through the BTW scheme.

I did it myself last year.

returningexlie

retalivity wrote: »

You dont need to go the full ltd company route, just become an umbrella employee/director and you can claim through the BTW scheme.

I did it myself last year.

Was it straight forward? I've looked on the revenue site and on the finance forum, and have to admit I'm a little confused.

Do you employee an accountant/set up a company bank a/c


[derail]

Beasty

No idea what an "umbrella" employee/director is.

Directors are officers of limited companies. Not that difficult to set up and should not require a separate bank account, but whichever way you go a business bank account makes sense.

The fundamental requirement for BTW is you need to be subject to PAYE. The Self employed are not, but an employee of someone who is self-employed is. The admin/paperwork is really more to do with setting up a payroll system to properly apply PAYE

retalivity

Google umbrella solutions for contractors...there's a heap of info and companies that offer info and services.

Beasty

retalivity wrote: »

Google umbrella solutions for contractors...there's a heap of info and companies that offer info and services.

That's simply the limited company option paying someone to do all the work for you. That's pretty much how all limited companies work, it's just the larger ones use their own employees rather than paying another organisation to do the legwork

Lusk_Doyle

returningexlie wrote: »

The additional paperwork, hassle and so forth makes setting up a limited company just for the bike to work scheme excessive. But I'm on the finance forum asking the pros and cons.

Feck all hassle setting up an ltd co. I did it.

returningexlie

I've got feck all replies on the finance forum about this, and no bike advice on the bike forum. But thanks everyone.

Lusk_Doyle

returningexlie wrote: »

I've got feck all replies on the finance forum about this, and no bike advice on the bike forum. But thanks everyone.

What side of the city are you on?

equivariant

returningexlie wrote: »

I've got feck all replies on the finance forum about this, and no bike advice on the bike forum. But thanks everyone.

Not sure about the finance forum but I'd guess that many of the posters on the cycling forum have (surprisingly) been out on their bikes...

returningexlie

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

What side of the city are you on?

I'll be in Stillorgan for a while at my folks while I look (dreading flat hunting and I've been in London a decade) I'm thinking Stoneybatter/Islandbridge/Kilmainhaim.

I know I managed to cycle to the city centre with easy but that was many years ago. I'm not looking to get tremendously fit, and dont need to spend a fortune on a bike. 90% I'll be out of Dublin at weekends.

Lumen

I'd get a singlespeed for that commute. Less maintenance, less chance of bending a derailleur.

Something like this, but probably not in 16" frame unless you're Tyrion Lannister.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/vitus-bikes-vee-29-city-bike-2014/rp-prod81000