SquareDaff
Über Member
- Location
- Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Work recently ran a Cycle to Work scheme which I took advantage of. I've just got back from a 2 week holiday (so no riding) so over the weekend I went and collected my new bike.
I've got a Boardman Hybrid Pro - essentially because 99% of my 3K+ riding a year is commuting.
Spent most of yesterday de-halfordising it (reflectors/bell off - set the gears up properly - got tyres to the right pressure) ready for this mornings ride in. Only really encountered 2 problems, one of which is still a minor issue so I may need advise!
First issue - I think the hulk might be working at the Halfords in Wakefield. Tried to take the "standard" pedals off the bike and replace them with my trusty clipless ones. Managed to get one of them off - couldn't get the other off for the life of me. Eventually had to take it back to the shop where the assistant produced a 2ft spanner and still couldn't shift it - until I put my weight on the bike as well.
Second issue - I'm getting some slight rub on the front hydraulic brake (Avid Elixir 5). I've followed some of the instructions on the web and reset the alignment - and while this has helped I'm still hearing some catching. I've checked the discs and they're true, as is the wheel. On my old hydraulic disc brakes there used to be a "pad adjustment" option. Has anyone got these Avid Discs? If so can you advise you to adjust the pad alignment please? Cheers!
I've also put on the 1st of probably many upgrades - bar ends! Noticed last years boardman had them on but this years doesn't! Bit of a mystery why! It's not like they're expensive. Put Ritchey Pro WCS on mine for the princely sum of £12.
Anyway - to this mornings ride - instantly noticed the difference in weight between this and my old Claud Butler Explorer 400. Also noticed the lower ride position. WOuld estimate the Boardman is a good 6 inches closer to the road (at least the handlebars are) which should make riding through head wind slightly easier. I suspect that might be due to the the lack of suspension on the Boardman. Not that you notice the difference in ride comfort. The carbon fork seems to absorb just as much of the road vibration is the suspension did.
The shorter handlebars also seem to make the steering more responsive. I would say twitchy - but suspect refined is probably a more accurate term and I'll adjust over the next couple of days.
The biggest difference of all has been noticed by my legs though. I seem to be able to power the bike a lot easier. I still have to get used to the gearing on the SRAM Rival double when compared to the Shimano Acera triple I used to ride - but the gears are noticeably smoother on change and cruising at 24-25mph on the flat is almost effortless.
Looking forward to many more days riding in
I've got a Boardman Hybrid Pro - essentially because 99% of my 3K+ riding a year is commuting.
Spent most of yesterday de-halfordising it (reflectors/bell off - set the gears up properly - got tyres to the right pressure) ready for this mornings ride in. Only really encountered 2 problems, one of which is still a minor issue so I may need advise!
First issue - I think the hulk might be working at the Halfords in Wakefield. Tried to take the "standard" pedals off the bike and replace them with my trusty clipless ones. Managed to get one of them off - couldn't get the other off for the life of me. Eventually had to take it back to the shop where the assistant produced a 2ft spanner and still couldn't shift it - until I put my weight on the bike as well.
Second issue - I'm getting some slight rub on the front hydraulic brake (Avid Elixir 5). I've followed some of the instructions on the web and reset the alignment - and while this has helped I'm still hearing some catching. I've checked the discs and they're true, as is the wheel. On my old hydraulic disc brakes there used to be a "pad adjustment" option. Has anyone got these Avid Discs? If so can you advise you to adjust the pad alignment please? Cheers!
I've also put on the 1st of probably many upgrades - bar ends! Noticed last years boardman had them on but this years doesn't! Bit of a mystery why! It's not like they're expensive. Put Ritchey Pro WCS on mine for the princely sum of £12.
Anyway - to this mornings ride - instantly noticed the difference in weight between this and my old Claud Butler Explorer 400. Also noticed the lower ride position. WOuld estimate the Boardman is a good 6 inches closer to the road (at least the handlebars are) which should make riding through head wind slightly easier. I suspect that might be due to the the lack of suspension on the Boardman. Not that you notice the difference in ride comfort. The carbon fork seems to absorb just as much of the road vibration is the suspension did.
The shorter handlebars also seem to make the steering more responsive. I would say twitchy - but suspect refined is probably a more accurate term and I'll adjust over the next couple of days.
The biggest difference of all has been noticed by my legs though. I seem to be able to power the bike a lot easier. I still have to get used to the gearing on the SRAM Rival double when compared to the Shimano Acera triple I used to ride - but the gears are noticeably smoother on change and cruising at 24-25mph on the flat is almost effortless.
Looking forward to many more days riding in
)
