Hello! Boardman/Halfords Question

[JoeD]

Hi there!

I'm buying my first proper bike soon through the Halfords cycle to work scheme that my company offers. I know from reading around that their service can vary quite a lot but I'm stuck with them cos of the scheme. I've been riding my dads old racing bike for a few months which is a very good bike (light as a feather and fast) but its 30 years old and far too small for me sadly.

I've seen the boardman road bikes and think they look pretty good especially

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_comp.html

or the model up

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team_carbon.html

Obviously the one thats more pricey is gonna be better, but how much? Would I really notice it as a novice rider. I'm also worried that I'm gonna buy a 2010 model then a couple of weeks later a shinier, better 2011 one will come out!

Help much appreciated!

Joe

 

[Rob3rt]

Hi there!

I'm buying my first proper bike soon through the Halfords cycle to work scheme that my company offers. I know from reading around that their service can vary quite a lot but I'm stuck with them cos of the scheme. I've been riding my dads old racing bike for a few months which is a very good bike (light as a feather and fast) but its 30 years old and far too small for me sadly.

I've seen the boardman road bikes and think they look pretty good especially

http://www.boardmanb.../road_comp.html

or the model up

http://www.boardmanb...eam_carbon.html

Obviously the one thats more pricey is gonna be better, but how much? Would I really notice it as a novice rider. I'm also worried that I'm gonna buy a 2010 model then a couple of weeks later a shinier, better 2011 one will come out!

Help much appreciated!

Joe

I dont know much about these bikes but just to clarify the 'Comp' is not the next model down from the 'Team Carbon', the alu version of the 'Team Carbon' namely the 'Team' is the next model down. You are comparing two models apart. That being said, both are good bikes. The Team vs Team Carbon is basically just an alu vs carbon argument, both have the same componentry and finishing kit, not sure if the angles change much. The groupset and finishing kit on the comp is a bit lower spec, and is also Shimano, not SRAM. So you will have a different shifting system. But all around its still good kit.

To your question would you notice as a novice. Probly not no, unless you rode the better one then tried to step down, if you bought the lower model, you wouldnt be thinking it was sub-standard. The alu version may be a bit harsher to ride but a carbon seatpost (not supplied) will sap out a lot of road buzz for your arse and the carbon forks (supplied) will sap out a lot too.

 

[tincaman]

I dont know much about these bikes but just to clarify the 'Comp' is not the next model down from the 'Team Carbon', the alu version of the 'Team Carbon' namely the 'Team' is the next model down. You are comparing two models apart. That being said, both are good bikes. The Team vs Team Carbon is basically just an alu vs carbon argument, both have the same componentry and finishing kit, not sure if the angles change much. The groupset and finishing kit on the comp is a bit lower spec, and is also Shimano, not SRAM. So you will have a different shifting system. But all around its still good kit.

To your question would you notice as a novice. Probly not no, unless you rode the better one then tried to step down. The alu version may be a bit harsher to ride but a carbon seatpost (not supplied) will sap out a lot of road buzz for your arse and the carbon forks (supplied) will sap out a lot too.

"Team" is discontunued now, only old stock remaining, good bike for the price if you can find one in the right size.

 

[Rob3rt]

"Team" is discontunued now, only old stock remaining, good bike for the price if you can find one in the right size.

Oh, thats a shame. Sorry, I wasnt aware of that.

 

[amnesia]

I had the Comp and now have the Carbon - chalk and cheese... the Carbon is better in every respect (except the wheels 'cos they're the same AFAIK).

 

[jig-sore]

wait.... 2011 range is already over due !!!!

 

[lordjenks]

You wont be able to buy the team carbon because its 1200, you are not allowed to go over the 1000pound mark on a bike.
The team will still be avaible in 2011 (march when they come out) but it will be 1000 and the team carbon will be 1200/1300

 

[sadgit]

Hi
In Halfords yesterday looking at Carbon Pro, the assistant (who was excellent!!, old guy very knowledgeable, said he had built a couple of hundred Boardmans and was open about wheel issues on early bikes ) said new bikes out end Jan hence price drop now.

That did not help me with purchase as now thinking, buy now at £1279 or wait for upgrade and pay more?

My problem is my employer is in Cycle scheme but NOT bike 2 work so if I buy in Halfords I have to pay full costs.

Local bike shop recommends either a Wilier or Pinarello FP1 ( not heard of either as this is first road bike in over 35 years) this way I save money esp as I pay tax at higher rate.

Any advise more gratefully accepted.

 

[JoeD]

Thanks for the replies guys. I emailed Halfords asking about the 2011 range and got this reply

''The 2011 range is due in April but as yet I am unable to release any information regarding the spec or prices.
I would say however that the specs are excellent and the pricing is consistent with the current range.''

I dont really want to wait till April! On the Halfords web site the Team Carbon Large 2010 is 999 quid so im gonna go for that one and hope the 2011 ones aren't dramatically better!

I notice it doesn't come with pedals, can anyone recommend some decent ones and are they hard to install!

Cheers

Joe

 

[Rob3rt]

Thanks for the replies guys. I emailed Halfords asking about the 2011 range and got this reply

''The 2011 range is due in April but as yet I am unable to release any information regarding the spec or prices.
I would say however that the specs are excellent and the pricing is consistent with the current range.''

I dont really want to wait till April! On the Halfords web site the Team Carbon Large 2010 is 999 quid so im gonna go for that one and hope the 2011 ones aren't dramatically better!

I notice it doesn't come with pedals, can anyone recommend some decent ones and are they hard to install!

Cheers

Joe

Most people will assume you want clipless pedals (i.e. pedals which connect to special cleats mounted on cycling specific shoes). Do you indeed want this type of pedal?

Main choice for road bikes usually is between Shimano SPD-SL and Look Keo style pedals predominently. but there are other popular choices. Many people start with Look Keo classic's or Shimano 105 or R540.


No they are not hard to install, they are very easy to install, really its no more technical than screwing in a bolt. All you need is some grease, an (8mm?) hex key or pedal spanner (depends on type of pedal). Put a bit of grease on the thread and screw it intio the crank by hand (bare in mind the thread direction on each crank and that you use the right pedal on each side) when its hand tight, nip it up with the spanner or hex key, get it fairly tight, but you dont need to go nuts.

 

[JoeD]

Thats great Rob, thanks! Doesn't sound too tricky. I think I'm definitely gonna get the Team Carbon 10 model, I've heard nothing but good things about it really. Thanks to everyone for your replies.

 

[amnesia]

Thats great Rob, thanks! Doesn't sound too tricky. I think I'm definitely gonna get the Team Carbon 10 model, I've heard nothing but good things about it really. Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Excellent choice - you will love it !

 

[buggi]

Both those bikes are really good, but in my opinion (which probably isn't worth a lot LOL) if you are not a snob about particularly wanting carbon, then go for the lower priced bike because if i remember rightly from when i took my brother, both bikes on show had exactly the same wheels and groupset (even stuff like the seatpost was the same) the only difference was what the frame was made of but the team had super lightweight alloy anyway, and i worked it out that what it boiled down to was this...

my brother would be paying £300 more for what was essentially IIRC a 150 gram weight saving. Go in your food cupboard, pick up something that weighs 150 grams, and ask yourself if that is worth £300 to you.

If people tell you carbon is more responsive then i would say, yes it is, but you're only really gonna notice the difference if you are the type of cyclist that wins races.

If people tell you carbon lasts longer, yes it probably does, but my carbon bike is coming up to 3 years and i'm already itching for a new one anyway.

After all this, if you still want the full carbon after that, then just go for it. the most important thing is that you have a bike you love that you want to go out on.

my mate has just had a white bike whch is absolutely gorgeous and even tho mine is carbon and hers isn't, and mine has better kit on it, i'm a tiny bit jealous because of her paintwork!