Boardman CX Comp?

[evo456]

I am a bit clueless when it comes to disc brakes as I have never had a bike with them on. I see a lot of people change the Tektro brakes for Avid ones so I assume on the Boardman CX Comp you can change the Tektro callipers for Avid BB7 callipers but do you need to change the disc as well or just the calliper and why are the different size discs available.

If it was my choice I'd change the rotors ,the pads were designed with a set of rotors in mind. Id prob change mine to bb7. The tektro are a pain to adjust and doesn't seem to have any 'bite'.

Pedals fitted, she's ready to go..

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I need some advice on the sizing of the CX Comp 2014.

I have been down to my local halfords and tried a Medium and a Small. The Medium I found was quite a long reach compared with my Specialized Secteur Elite 54 size so they got in a Small which did feel better.

Since getting back from the shop I have had a look at the boardman sizing chart here -> http://www.boardmanbikes.com/cx/cx_comp.html and found out that the bike Halfords call a Small on the Boardman website is an X-Small. I have called asked them to clarify what the hell is going on but it look like I have to wait for monday now, so I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on the sizing of these bikes.

I am about 5 foot 7 tall.

 

[stato]

I have discussed the sizes with Halfords and didn't really get an adequate response but basically they are not stocking the small, there is a gap in the sizes 50cm XS and 53cm M (NO SMALL 51.5cm!!!) however if like me (5'6") you wanted to small I would go with the medium, If your reach is bigger than your height it is better suited to go for the larger frame size anyway. Also I believe the stem is slightly shorter than last years model.

I cant find any cracks on my 2014 team (medium 53cm), but have seen the pics, will keep an eye out over the next few weeks. Overall very happy with the bike. (noticed the price in store Bromborough had gone up £949?) anyone else noticed this?

If boardman are listening put some eyelets on the front forks your website states fully mudguard compatible!!!! I managed to get the bluemels 42mm on but had to perform some bending and cutting and tie wrap the stays to the front forks!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have discussed the sizes with Halfords and didn't really get an adequate response but basically they are not stocking the small, there is a gap in the sizes 50cm XS and 53cm M (NO SMALL 51.5cm!!!) however if like me (5'6") you wanted to small I would go with the medium, If your reach is bigger than your height it is better suited to go for the larger frame size anyway. Also I believe the stem is slightly shorter than last years model.

I have tried a Medium and the reach is slightly to long for me so I asked them to get in a Small then I discovered it is an X-Small so I am stumped what to do as I dont want to endup with a bike that doesnt fit.

 

[Dave W]

I have a medium and at 5'7'' I'd say I'm on the limit for it. It's comfy but the reach is long and I have had to move the saddle all the way forward. I may even swap the stem for a shorter one at a later date.

The XS however would be very small indeed. Even now my feet hit the front guard at the 3 o'clock position so the XS must be a nightmare.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I have a medium and at 5'7'' I'd say I'm on the limit for it. It's comfy but the reach is long and I have had to move the saddle all the way forward. I may even swap the stem for a shorter one at a later date.

The XS however would be very small indeed. Even now my feet hit the front guard at the 3 o'clock position so the XS must be a nightmare.

Thats what I thought, I cant understand why they are selling the X-Small as a Small.

I spoke to the branch on friday and they promised to have a word with Head Office and find out what the score was and get back to me but typically for them they haven't which is a shame because I cant find a CX bike that even comes close for that money.

I did notice that the seat post has quite a lay back and I thought about getting the Medium and putting a zero lay back seat post I have here on it and a shorter stem, but to be honest if Halfords cant even be arsed to get back to me I am not sure I want to buy a bike from them.

 

[Dave W]

Thats what I thought, I cant understand why they are selling the X-Small as a Small.

I spoke to the branch on friday and they promised to have a word with Head Office and find out what the score was and get back to me but typically for them they haven't which is a shame because I cant find a CX bike that even comes close for that money.

I did notice that the seat post has quite a lay back and I thought about getting the Medium and putting a zero lay back seat post I have here on it and a shorter stem, but to be honest if Halfords cant even be arsed to get back to me I am not sure I want to buy a bike from them.

I've even thought about turning the seat post round but I'm not sure it's necessary to be honest. I'll see how it goes because I'm still tweaking after only 50ish miles.

As for Halfords they are pretty much universally disappointing but happily the bike does not reflect the seller. I'm on my 3rd Boardman and have nothing but good things to say about the bikes themselves, part of the reason they are priced so well is the national network of Halfords which helps keep overheads down for the brand.

 

[jiffy]

Noobstart ... went into halfords to start looking at bikes, asked "What would really suit my needs is a road bike with drop handlebars but build and outfitted so trails and dirt roads are possible .... does such a thing exist" ...... and boom, i am into cyclocross : ) At first i had misgivings about a celeb-rider's name brand bikes .... but it didn't take much research to realise that they are a pretty great option (and a couple of hundred quid less than most other budget options).

I really hope halfords decide to stock the small. the CX comp seems like a really great quality budget bike and i am happy spending in the £500 - £600 range & not so happy going up another couple of hundred. I sat on a Medium CX comp in Halfords - and the standover height is just not enough to be comfortable (on serious tip toes and too close for comfort) - the reach felt to far as well (for reference i am 5 9 w/ ~ 30" inseam) .... i would be concerned that the XS would be too small for me seeing that the medium was "close but too big" .... i really hope Halfords decide to stock the 51.5 ... although i will try and hunt out a 50 to sit on.

Other models i am looking at are all more expensive, and i would be happy with the Comp CX if i can get a fit i am happy will.

I am a very green noob - so any specgeek help would be appreciated regarding the other models i am considering & trying to get a fit-test.
my only real "definite" requirement is for disk brakes.

Genesis CDF
Giant Revolt 2
Kona Jake
Specialized Tricross (probably not this though disk model is a bit expensive)

Not going to be buying for a few months .... early spring 2014.

edit : hope on the horizon possibly

 

[SquareDaff]

I'm 5ft 6ins and find the medium CX (2012-13 version) fine. Yes it is a slightly elongated frame but I like that anyway. If the Medium is just too long for you then try a) shunting the seat forward or b) putting on a shorter stem or c) putting in a seat post with no lay back.

Mudguards wise: I agree no eyelets is a pain - I used a set of bottle clip ties to "create" eyelets on mine. They're a little bit more secure than tie wraps IMO and I want secure on something that close to my front wheel!

Btw: Nice looking bike EVO456!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

So Halfords rang me today concerning the sizing of the Boardman Comp 2014 and they confirmed that as far as they are concerned the Small they are stocking is the one called X-Small on the Boardman website and they wont be stocking the actual Small at all so I guess I wont be buying a bike from them.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

So further to the phone call from Halfords I also got an email from them as follows:

Thank you for your recent email.

We would recommend the smallest of the frame sizes which is a 50 cm Frame although we would recommend visiting your local store for further information regarding bike sizing prior to your purchase.

Our size guide would recommend a 16-17 (approximately 43-44 cms) inch frame size for somebody of your height however the smallest frame size available for this bike is 50cms.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause.

So they think that at 5 foot 6 ish I should be riding a 43-44 cm bike .......... erm I dont think so Halfords considering my current bike is 54 cm and fits perfectly

 

[terry_gardener]

i am 5 foot 5 and have a cube agree sl road bike in size 50cm which fits fine, and a cube nature pro size 46cm which is actually bigger than the road bike but still fits ok.

my advice would be to visit the store and try it. it wont hurt to try and you will get the answer you want.

i think they meant a size 16-17 inch mountain bike size.

 

[uclown2002]

So further to the phone call from Halfords I also got an email from them as follows:

Thank you for your recent email.

We would recommend the smallest of the frame sizes which is a 50 cm Frame although we would recommend visiting your local store for further information regarding bike sizing prior to your purchase.

Our size guide would recommend a 16-17 (approximately 43-44 cms) inch frame size for somebody of your height however the smallest frame size available for this bike is 50cms.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause.

So they think that at 5 foot 6 ish I should be riding a 43-44 cm bike .......... erm I dont think so Halfords considering my current bike is 54 cm and fits perfectly

Phil

I assume you went to the Knaresborough Road store?

If you go back (only) ask for Matt (Manager) You'll get some sense out of him.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

i am 5 foot 5 and have a cube agree sl road bike in size 50cm which fits fine, and a cube nature pro size 46cm which is actually bigger than the road bike but still fits ok.

my advice would be to visit the store and try it. it wont hurt to try and you will get the answer you want.

i think they meant a size 16-17 inch mountain bike size.

Yes I am sure they did mean a mountain bike size so they tell me that when they know I am looking at CX / Road bikes.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Phil

I assume you went to the Knaresborough Road store?

If you go back (only) ask for Matt (Manager) You'll get some sense out of him.

I have given up with them, I have tried both the Medium and the X-Small (Small) and one it to big an the other is to small and as they are not going to sell the proper Small then I will just give it a miss.