Alternatives to Boardman Road Sport

[DDE]

I was about to take the plunge on my first road bike and I had pretty much chosen to buy this: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-sport-limited-edition-2014

My mind was made up. Reviews were good, price was within budget (especially with 10% off road bikes at Halfords right now), and it was love at first sight. Then I found out the cycle scheme at my work doesn't work with Halfords. Gutted.

But onwards and upwards (sideways). What are my best alternatives here? FWIW, Evans is supported by the scheme, along with a variety of other outlets (over 2000 according to guy I phoned in anguish today).

I really need to be sticking to my budget (have voucher for £500). I'm a bit of a novice in terms of my knowledge but would be good to get similar spec (carbon forks etc.).

The bike is going to be used for commuting in London and longer weekend cycles.

 

[Paul99]

There are these two for starters:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p4333/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-SORA-2012
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5259/CUBE-PELOTON-COMPACT-2013

Will have a look round and see if I can find some more. What C2W company is your voucher from? What size bike are you looking for? Where are you (for test rides)?

Can you also afford to add some cash? If you can then ribble have some decent options around 550 (would also need 65 for their admin charge)

 

[DDE]

There are these two for starters:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p4333/CANNONDALE-CAAD8-SORA-2012
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5259/CUBE-PELOTON-COMPACT-2013

Will have a look round and see if I can find some more. What C2W company is your voucher from? What size bike are you looking for? Where are you (for test rides)?

It's with cyclescheme.co.uk

Regarding size, that's a good question, and one I meant to include in my post. I'm 5'10" but wear a short jean size, so 30" inside leg, if that makes a difference.

I'm in London.

 

[Paul99]

It's with cyclescheme.co.uk

Regarding size, that's a good question, and one I meant to include in my post. I'm 5'10" but wear a short jean size, so 30" inside leg, if that makes a difference.

I'm in London.

You'll probably be wanting a 56cm bike then, but it always best to check the size once you have chosen the bike, and sitting on it/test ride can be important.

 

[Paul99]

A couple more to consider:

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/orbea-a...nents-bikewear/fcp-product/54750?listing=true
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/giant-d...nents-bikewear/fcp-product/53129?listing=true

 

[DDE]

Cheers, I'll make sure to test it. Having not ridden a road bike before are there any rules of thumbs for sizing? e.g. your feet position, how far your legs come up, back posture etc.

Saw this linked to in another thread: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html

Seems decent and really good price too.

 

[Paul99]

Sizing will be more about your dimensions. Things like saddle height can be adjusted to help you with comfort etc.

Bikes do come with different geometrys so have a think about the type of, and your style of riding. Have a read of this for the basics:
http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/how-to/how-to-understand-bike-geometry
http://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing#road

I don't think Decathlon are on Cyclescheme unfortunately.

 

[DDE]

Sizing will be more about your dimensions. Things like saddle height can be adjusted to help you with comfort etc.

Bikes do come with different geometrys so have a think about the type of, and your style of riding. Have a read of this for the basics:
http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/how-to/how-to-understand-bike-geometry
http://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing#road

I don't think Decathlon are on Cyclescheme unfortunately.

Will have a read of that.

Decathlon are definitely on the scheme. I made sure to check.

 

[Paul99]

Will have a read of that.

Decathlon are definitely on the scheme. I made sure to check.

Then the Triban is another to consider then. Quite a few people on here have or had a Triban and they rate them.

 

[Danny]

I would suggest that if it is your first road bike you would be much better off buying from a decent local bike shop, rather than going to Halfords or a mail order company.

Your LBS will help you size the bike correctly, set everything up, and probably offer free servicing for period of time.

 

[doog]

I would suggest that if it is your first road bike you would be much better off buying from a decent local bike shop, rather than going to Halfords or a mail order company.

Your LBS will help you size the bike correctly, set everything up, and probably offer free servicing for period of time.

Some good and bad points in that suggestion. The bad being price, its unlikely they will be as competitive as online, also with cyclescheme they take a hit so you may not get a deal as such.

The good is as stated they will look at you, suggest a size and let you sit on a bike but thats as far as it goes. Setup is important, Ive purchased from my LBS and they set it up (kind of), Ive also purchased from Paulscycles (linked above) and it needed gear adjustments (not ideal if you struggle with that sort of thing), however Ive also bought new off ebay from a bike shop and they did the business with it.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Cheers, I'll make sure to test it. Having not ridden a road bike before are there any rules of thumbs for sizing? e.g. your feet position, how far your legs come up, back posture etc.

Saw this linked to in another thread: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html

Seems decent and really good price too.

Tribans are good value for money. A drawback is that they won't let you ride it out on the street before you buy. But, at least in my local Decathlon, you can cycle around the store and run over the customers until you find the best size for you. Their sales staff are often very good too and, as they don't get a commission for sales, you can usually believe what they say. Not, of course, that every sales person is cheap enought to bullshift for the price of a bike tyre but some will.

 

[Cyclist33]

Fear not. Although by no means bad that boardman isn't the only option for that price.

I reckon you should look at a fast hybrid like giant escape. Giant stores are on cyclescheme. Or pinnacle neon, gt transport, ridgeway flight, from Evans.

500 quid gets you a much better hybrid than road bike in my opinion. Perfectly good for hammering along on roads as demonstrated by Mr boardman himself recently, according to someone on here.

 

[Cyclist33]

Gt tachyon, I meant, by the way!

 

[Cyclist33]

And ridgeback flight. Damn predictive text!