Advice please

[Grimgor]

Hi all,

My real passion is Jap Modified cars, so with the costs involved I use my bike for commuting and a quick mile ride to the local take away ect...

I'm not currently a cycling enthusiast, but I use my GT traffic as daily 15-20 mile back and forth to work plus that take away run :-)

Now my youngest is doing his own thing. I'm looking to upgrade my bike so that not only I can commute via a longer ride, but also for pleasure and charity runs for either cancer or Great Ormond Street hospital.. Both of these are close to my heart.

Now to get away from the whys... :-)

I'm looking at the bikes that I've linked below and have chosen Halfords as I can get mighty big discount (25-35%), as my son works part time there and I like the style of the models.

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

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

And to throw a curve ball in...


http://www.boardmanbikes.com/hybrid/hybrid_pro.html

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/hybrid/hybrid_pro.html

What do you all think and is it worth the cost for the upgraded versions?

 

[uclown2002]

I have the 12/13 Boardman Road Team and it is a superb bike.
They have skimped on the geometry a little with the carbon (tiagra).
Personally, in that price bracket 105 would be my minimum although most of us wouldn't notice the difference in practice.
I've also got a boardman team hybrid which was my first bike but that has been relegated to my winter ice bike. I ride entirely on roads so much prefer riding a proper road bike.

 

[Grimgor]

Thanks for your reply Uclown,

As you can tell, I'm a basic London commuter looking to get a bit more serious and I'm only really looking for one style for a while... I can't afford both bikes, Even though the £1000 bikes are discounted to about £750.

Your the perfect rider for comparison, as you've got both. :-)

As you've got both styles of bike, would you say that the gearing, riding speed and comfort are similar?

In regard to the road bike, do you think that the Carbon is worth the extra cash over to Alu. As I'm looking to do the longer rides, I would be prepared to upgrade the mech's when required.

Thanks again.

 

[uclown2002]

Gearing is wider on the hybrid (12-28) but bike is noticeably heavier. It has 28mm tyres on so is more comfortable.

However, road bike is lighter and faster and offers a variety of different hand positions unlike the hybrid..

I'd definitely get a road bike if you're going to stick to roads and I'd prefer the alu to the carbon personally.

Carbon doesn't always mean better! Frankly there are better carbons out there for similar price point.

 

[Grimgor]

I was only considering another hybrid, because of what I'm used to..

I would like better gearing for speed, but didn't really understand the slight differences in the gearing....

As with the Carbon vs Alu... There can be a big difference in price, but is it worth it! Nearly £250 in this case.

 

[uclown2002]

As I said I'd get the alu!

 

[simon.r]

Carbon frame will probably be lighter than aluminium. Whether that's worth it is debatable. Personal opinion is that losing weight from the bike is always worth while, but others will say not. Your call.

 

[Grimgor]

I suppose I need to see what is better for me.

The only way to get what feels good, is to test ride..
As my son works in a HalFruad's store, I'll hopefully be able to ride up and down the isles when it's closing time and a lot quieter.

As with comments with their poor set up service, I am prepared to check out a local professional if required :-)...

Thanks guys

 

[SteCenturion]

Hi @Grimgor

You are in a lucky position there having friends/family discount at Halfords.

The good news is that the Boardman range is very highly regarded by many, including the cycling press.

Better still, the gearing can be changed to suit you very simply & cheaply, for example I bought a new Shimano 11/30 9 speed cassette for a mate from Wiggle for around £15.


An 11/28 or 12/28 cassette & a 10 speed compact is pretty standard fare these days & enough for the vast majority of situations.

If you can bag 11 speed even better.

I would also agree that carbon is not necessarily £250 better than aluminium but will be lighter & boardmans carbon frames have been well received in the magazine reviews I have read.