Boardman CX Comp 2014 or the Norco Threshold A3 2014?

[gooner442]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a cyclocross for travelling daily about 30m (50km).

The 2 bikes I'm look at are the Boardman CX Comp 2014 (£600) and the Norco Threshold A3 2014 ((£585), any tips on the better bike of the two?... if there's another better bike in that price range please tell me.

cheers

Martin

 

[Drago]

I'd err towards the Norco, but you really need to ride them.

 

[gooner442]

I'm trying out the Boardman today, the Norco on Monday, why do you go for the Norco?.. more reliable?

 

[Drago]

Ive just never warmed to Boardman bikes, the MTB's in particular, and a lot of people cant see past the spec and end up disappointed (cue dozens of irate messages from Boarman owners who reckon they're universally brilliant).

 

[Cycleops]

I'd go for the Boardman, great bike with a fine finish. Imagine telling someone you've got a Norco though. A what?

 

[Andrew_P]

It was the opposite for me, just not over keen on the Boardman brand. I think it is the Halfords link that puts me off.

 

[cosmicbike]

Bought the missus a Norco Forma last year, nice bit of kit. I also have a Boardman mtb which is nice. Test ride both and chose the one you like most.

 

[Drago]

I'd go for the Boardman, great bike with a fine finish. Imagine telling someone you've got a Norco though. A what?

Tell people you got a Boardman and they instantly think of glossy Carrera. If you like them then be my guest, but choosing a Boardman over another brand because you think the brand name has kudos is hilarious.

 

[Cycleops]

Tell people you got a Boardman and they instantly think of glossy Carrera. If you like them then be my guest, but choosing a Boardman over another brand because you think the brand name has kudos is hilarious.

Perhaps that's why so many people choose an Apple phone or tablet! The execs there are certainly laughing all the way to the bank.
I thought you might have realised I wasn't being entirely serious.

 

[Drago]

Ah, my bad.

 

[Nebulous]

I'm not sure I'd go for a CX bike for those distances. Here's an alternative, though I couldn't comment on whether it is better or not. They don't have all sizes left. I have the one down in a 55, without carbon forks and quite like it. I wasn't sure for a start, but it has grown on me. I think it might be better with slicks for road use, but I haven't got round to changing them yet.

 

[The Jogger]

Tell people you got a Boardman and they instantly think of glossy Carrera. If you like them then be my guest, but choosing a Boardman over another brand because you think the brand name has kudos is hilarious.

Also not choosing a Boardman because some people think of glossy Carrera is insane. What a contradiction in one post!

 

[evo456]

Back to topic..... almost nothing between the two. Aesthetic wise I like the Norco blue accents and the internal cable routing, though some of the wielding is a bit ungainly especially around the seat stay area. I choose the Boardman as it has front mud guard eyelet, and I was able to get it cheaper via British Cycling membership. I found the cyclocross gearing and road based tyres a bit of an inconsistent mix on the Norco, reality is the smaller chain ring suits my journey 90% of the time.


Both are great as a do it all bike, but eventually you'll be wanting for more from the gearing, brakes etc.

 

[gooner442]

Thanks for the advice. I had a test ride on the Boardman yesterday, it was ok apart from I hate drop handlebars!.. so I am going for a hybrid, looking at the Pinnacle Neon 3 or 4, any adice on it?.. I like the carbon forks and the fact it doesn't have disc brakes.

 

[vickster]

Decent enough bikes, possibly not the lightest, prettiest or most modern looking. Test rides, see what you think. Also, check the gearing, they have some funny single ringed jobs in their hybrid range (not sure which models though)