Boardman CX Comp 2014 or the Norco Threshold A3 2014?
- Thread starter gooner442
- Start date
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Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
You might recall it's not me suggesting people might want to buy a Boardman for the, erm, "kudos".
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
After the Boardman a customer had just dropped off in my mates bike shop for a service last friday was discovered to have a scary amount of flex on the steerer I wouldn't go anywhere near them. So as to not be seen to be taking one example and assuming this applies to all Boardman bikes, after we spotted how bendy that one was, we found another in the shop for a service and had a look at that one and alas it had a bendy steerer too... not something I had heard of before but quite frankly, I would not ride either of those 2 examples, it was not just a little flex, it was a proper bendy. I couldn't believe it had been ridden like that for a couple of hundred miles and not snapped tbh!
One was a CX bike, one was a road bike, exact models I am not sure off, both were aluminium with carbon forks and IIRC had carbon steerers.
At 1st they thought there were too many spacers under the stem meaning not enough steerer was inside the stem and dropped the stem down further and flipped the stem to compensate and the problem remained. I believe they gave it back to the customer with a note advising of their concerns.
Note, I am not saying this is a common issue, but 2 out of 2 is enough cause for concern IMO. Check this before buying I say!
One was a CX bike, one was a road bike, exact models I am not sure off, both were aluminium with carbon forks and IIRC had carbon steerers.
At 1st they thought there were too many spacers under the stem meaning not enough steerer was inside the stem and dropped the stem down further and flipped the stem to compensate and the problem remained. I believe they gave it back to the customer with a note advising of their concerns.
Note, I am not saying this is a common issue, but 2 out of 2 is enough cause for concern IMO. Check this before buying I say!
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Their MTB's in particular are famous for flex. MBR tested the 2014 AM and under power it flexed so bad the tyre would touch the swinger.
I've never liked the fit of the road bikes. OK, that's a very personal thing for a bloke with 99% orangutang DNA, but what with the flex as well I wouldnt consider one unless they seriously raised their game. I know people who've just bought them on the basis of the spec sheet, been blinded by the bling, and then been quite disappointed.
I've never liked the fit of the road bikes. OK, that's a very personal thing for a bloke with 99% orangutang DNA, but what with the flex as well I wouldnt consider one unless they seriously raised their game. I know people who've just bought them on the basis of the spec sheet, been blinded by the bling, and then been quite disappointed.
DooDah
Veteran
- Location
- France, now Northamptonshire
Exactly, if you want "kudos" go and buy a Penisarello Dogging (not sure of spelling)
. Never had a problem with flex on my Boardman steerer BTW, good bikes IMO, but there are lots of good bikes out there, regardless of who makes them
DooDah
Veteran
- Location
- France, now Northamptonshire
Agreed, the fit is a bit weird, I have tweaked mine substantially, but as it is now my winter bike I am not that concerned. As I said there id no substantial flex in the steerer on mine, so maybe it was a batch or year issue?? There are many people happy with them, as I am sure there are many people happy with the Norco, so go and buy the one that you like the best.
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
No idea and I don't claim to know anything beyond what I saw with those two bikes as I have no experience with Boardman bikes. I am not suggesting anything either way about the quality of Boardman bikes other than that for me, what I saw on 2/2 is cause for care to be taken. Just check before buying and keep an eye on any new bike bought it is all I am saying, don't be scared to really bounce up and down on the front end to test, it won't break if it isn't faulty!
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I don't want Kudos. Have you seen me? I don't care if the tellytubbies made it - function rules all for me. Kudo's is something that stupid people pay a lot of money for, yet is utterly intangible.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
I've got confused now (sorry) I thought you wanted a CX bike?
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Most people that want a 'CX' bike don't actually want a 'CX' bike, they actually want a 'hybrid'.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Back on page 1 '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 advice on it?.. I like the carbon forks and the fact it doesn't have disc brakes.'
I'm going with Evans for the cyclescheme, anything 'better' I could go for?
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Ah - missed that. Age thing!
I know little about Pinnacle tbh.
Not sure why you wouldn't want disc brakes though.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Test ride the Pinnacle. I like my Pinnacle Dolomite, but their frames give a really harsh ride, which you may - or may not - find a bit uncomfortable.
