Brands

[Marin Maniac]

I don't like the look of Boardmans and would rather not support Halfords

Interesting, I think they are really quite nice looking frames sold in colours that I really like. I'm flirting with buying a carbon bike and went to look at an Orbea Onix today. Nice looking frame, reasonable value for money but not the lightest bike.

Value for money and looks, I keep coming back to the Boardman. I'm not worried about supporting Halfords and not worried about it not being set up propery as I'll probably do most of it myself.

My take on it is buy the Team for £999, flog the bits, purchase Ultegra 6700 group, Dura Ace wheels and decent finishing kit. With the savings on C2W scheme and the proceeds of flogging the kit that comes with the Boardman, you've got a great bike for approx £1500.

Thats my view any way and I know I'm right

 

[slinky malinky]

i got a year old (2008)condor squadra for £900 really nice bike, great value don't see many about, took about 3 months of searching

 

[colinr]

Thanks for the continued input. I like the look of Ribbles but as I said, I'd want at least to try a fitting if not a test ride. The internet isn't so good for this.

As for the Boardmans, it's definitely a case of buying with my eyes. I know they're great for the money but I just don't really like them. Like gbb said, he went for a Bianchi because he loved it, that's how it has to be

 

[Mr Farley]

I've been in a similar position....looking for a road bike around the £700 mark (it seems you get a quite a bit more for your money over the £500 bikes).

Unfortunately a lot of the good deals seem to be on the internet, so test riding/fitting is impossible, which is a bit dodgy when you're spending that sort of money!

I test rode a 2009 Trek 1.5 in the week and thought I'd made my mind up, that was the bike for me. The shop were very helpful and I said I'd have a think about it.

However, after having another search on the internet and reading through some threads on here I found the 'Focus' range at Wiggle Cycles. After a bit of thinking I ordered a Focus Variado Expert:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Variado_Expert_Triple_2009/5360037596/

I'm not really worried about ordering over the internet as I'm 99.9% sure I'm a 54cm frame, the reviews are very positive and Wiggles seem to have a good reputation. The only other thing is, I've not seen the bike in the flesh, so hope I won't be disappointed!

I loved the Trek 1.5, especially the white/green paintwork on the '09 model. It was a case of heart over head though....the staff had been very helpful at the shop, but I couldn't turn down Shimano 105 components vs the mainly 'Sora' on the Trek.

Other bikes from the brands such as Trek, Specialized seem to be £900+ for the bikes with Shimano 105 components. So in this case I think smaller brands can sometimes offer a bit more. Whether the frame will be as good will remain to be seen, but as I'm only a novice I doubt I'll even notice .

 

[aJohnson]

@MrFarley

Well from what I've read the Focus is a good bike. I have a Trek 1.5 09 which I love, so I cannot see you getting disappointed either way.

Go for the one you personally like the best.

 

[Mr Farley]

Well from what I've read the Focus is a good bike. I have a Trek 1.5 09 which I love, so I cannot see you getting disappointed either way.

Go for the one you personally like the best.

Thanks. Having only ridden the Trek I can't compare the two. The Trek seemed a lovely bike. It has the frame/wheels of the Trek 1.7.....and better paintwork .

I ordered the Focus in the end for the components......frame may well be better on the Trek though? It was a balance between the two!

 

[aJohnson]

Hope you enjoy the Focus then I was looking at a Focus for my first full carbon bike I hope to get next year.

 

[Sittingduck]

That Focus looks good for the £