Boardman CX vs Triban 5/7

[jamin100]

Had a little incident on my Boardman CX this week and it basically needs a new rear wheel.

Whilst at the bike shop getting the quote I was obviously looking at bikes I cannot afford. When I was home however I started looking around and the Triban range always received good reviews etc.

My board man is 2 years old and has done around 2000 miles. I brought it originally as my commute was a 20 mile round trip. This has now changed to a 5 mile round trip and i find I'm using the bike more on the weekends on 40 mile rides with some steep hills in to boot.

So, I'm thinking of selling the CX and getting a triban 5 or 7.
Will I notice much difference between the two? obviously the CX has disc brakes and SRAM apex gears.
Any advice or opinions?

 

[jamin100]

anyone?
Im looking for that little extra boost on the hills so am thinking of going with a road bike with a triple rather than the double that the CX has.
I currently run 30c marathon racers on the cx, would changing to a 25c road tyre make that much difference?

 

[Andrew_P]

anyone?
Im looking for that little extra boost on the hills so am thinking of going with a road bike with a triple rather than the double that the CX has.
I currently run 30c marathon racers on the cx, would changing to a 25c road tyre make that much difference?

The Boardman is not that lumpy really, and gearing is 50/34 32/11, if memory service me right, that's pretty wide ratio as well.

Not wanting to quash a bike purchase but cannot see you would feel that much different on Triban.

The wheels on the Boardman are definite weak spot, and tyres and the gearing. To improve the gearing you would lose the easier gears though. I found the ratios on the back to be to bigger gaps between each gear.

25c is the thinnest width you can get on the CX but you will feel better on the road. There are some 135mm 700c disc brake wheels around now, or 29er wheels will fit.

Not sure how much money you want to throw at the CX but you could get a 26-11 rear cassette (much closer rations) and change the front to a triple and invest in new tyres and wheels.

 

[jamin100]

Thanks for your reply.
I think I'll change to 25c tyres when the bike is in for its service.

With regards to wheels are there any sets around that are better than the OEM ones that don't break the bank?

 

[Andrew_P]

Depends really, how much the shop quotes you for 1 wheel and what the bank is? :-) You could go the handbuilt route, or http://road.cc/content/news/66965-just-kinesis-crosslight-cx-disc-wheelset