Boardman Or Planet X Carbon

[whoosh]

Started cycling last Aug, have a Boardman Hybrid but want a road bike. Happy on a 35 ish mile ride @ 11/12 ish mph, but want to go further faster.
Choices are
Boardman Road Carbon
Boardman Carbon Pro
Planet X Carbon Pro Ultegra at lbs
Ps I'm 60 but reasonably fit
swayed to Planet X as I can customise for my short arms/legs and long torso on a small frame and wider bars
advice welcome please

 

[Cyclone1]

All good choices, but if you want to be able to customise then of the three go for the Planet X. I did similar and specified my own bike with Dolan Bikes, you can do it online with plenty of options.

Jules

 

[whoosh]

cheers, lbs is owned by an ex commonwealth rider so as I'm new to all this, he has offered to help setup and fit, rather than risk me messing it up online, though the Halfords guys will help me adjust a Boardman too

 

[Stephen brown]

Hmmm, I know u can't tar everyone with the same brush but I'm not sure how much setting up your average halfords cashier can do........

 

[whoosh]

it's a Halfords Bike Hut and they are good, when I got my Boardman hybrid they put it on a turbo trainer to work on adjusting for my fit

 

[Doyleyburger]

Halfords helping out with a bike fit ????
Pretty much unheard of !!
Saying that, I'd go for a Boardman over the PX any day.
I personally think the frame on the PX looks very boring and dated.

 

[Cyclone1]

cheers, lbs is owned by an ex commonwealth rider so as I'm new to all this, he has offered to help setup and fit, rather than risk me messing it up online, though the Halfords guys will help me adjust a Boardman too

To be fair despite using their website to select groupset, finish, wheels, frame etc, I still went to their shop to see the bike in the flesh and try the two models I was interested in for size / fit.

Even by going to a decent Halfords bike hut I am not sure how much can be done reference fitting. I guess that their bikes come as they are with no room for changing things like stem length, seat post etc.

However, it's about you being comfortable on a bike, so if you can achieve this on your visit, as well as hopefully getting some good tips then you'll be fine.

Jules

 

[whoosh]

Sat on the Boardman in my size yesterday, seemed fine. going to sit on a Planet X Carbon Pro today (apparently it's pink and owned by the shop owners)

 

[SteCenturion]

I would be tempted by your lbs Planet X & his free fitting/set up.

 

[whoosh]

Been there today and did a lot of sitting measuring and slow pedalling on a small frame carbon pro. His recommendation was a small frame, 100mm stem, 42cm bars, 170mm cranks and a 11/28
crank. Now as to colour, the blue or red or white are nice but its a plain finish so you don't see its carbon. The matt black is cool but the gloss shiny black is proper bling. So I think that's to be the one. Need to confirm now if I can buy one as a ltd co asset, or spend my own pennies. Very helpful ex olympic cyclist.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Any particular reason all your choices have carbon frames?

I'm just curious that's all.

 

[Deleted member 18052]

heres one I made earlier...

Same setup as yours, but I went blind and got a 100mm stem, which I swapped for an 80mm as I knew the 100mm was too long.
at my bike fit everything was perfect apart from seat height which got made 3-4in higher

 

[Cyclone1]

Well done and sounds like he's done a pro job on matching your size to a bike.

Colour schemes are a personal thing and it's nice to have a choice, I think I'd side with you on the gloss black..

Now you've done the hard part the next step is easy.....get it bought.

Jules

 

[whoosh]

Any particular reason all your choices have carbon frames?

I'm just curious that's all.

All three bikes were recommended as good value for money with a frame that was not cheap and nasty with skimped components. I really like the look of the carbon finish and I can afford one I'm never going to be more than an average rider. However if someone were to give me areally convincing argument for aluminium i might re-consider. Though so far in all but two of the lbs i have been in i have been less than convinced they know what they are talking about. I believe this guy when i asked if he could recommend another bike that was better value for money - he said not. Funnily enough a guy i know in Halfords said the same. I suppose i just want one too

 

[smokeysmoo]

If someone were to give me areally convincing argument for aluminium i might re-consider.

Fair enoughski

Just asking as most people regard carbon as an automatic upgrade when in reality it's not, it's just another material to build a frame out of.

A rule I try and stick to is to buy the very best frame you can for your budget, everything else is simple enough to upgrade as and when if you wish to.

So with that in mind have a look at the Cannondale CAAD range, they really are very good*



*I do admit I am biased