Boardman Performance Urban Comp Bike - any good?

[LondonCommuter]

Having had a bad experience with Halfords, they are offering me a new bike, rather than repair my Carrera Subway 8. The Boardman is £50 more, much lighter and has derailleur gears rather than hub gears (which were the problem with my old bike). Any recommendations? Anyone have any experience of this Boardman bike?

 

[gavintc]

Once you get the bike, take it into a bike shop for a service. They will set it up properly and I am sure the bike will be more 'pleasant' experience after getting it sorted out. You could then try to get the cost of the service re-couped based upon the mistakes found during the service.

 

[sonny]

I have a Boardman Urban Pro and find it perfect for my daily 6 mile commute. It is light,fast, comfortable and has a very high quality feel.
Would not change it for anything else.

 

[Keith Oates]

I've never ridden a Boardman bike but most of the comments I've read suggests they are good value!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[John the Monkey]

Very well reviewed, as I recall.

 

[mikeitup]

re

Once you get the bike, take it into a bike shop for a service. They will set it up properly and I am sure the bike will be more 'pleasant' experience after getting it sorted out. You could then try to get the cost of the service re-couped based upon the mistakes found during the service.

I got my Carrera from Halfords for a good price using the Coco Pops vouchers last year. I had loads of trouble with the chain and cranks being very noisy andgears slipping and took it back 3 times and it still persisited even though the "mechanic" swore blind to me it was fine when he rode it!!
Took it to my LBS and had it serviced. Best 40 quid I ever spent. It rode great after that and was virtually noise free!! What a surprise .
Next bike I get will be from LBS.

 

[wav3ydave]

The Boardman Urban Comp is a great value commuter, I've ridden it and the Pro and the comp is better value in my opinion. I've had real trouble with a vibrating rear brake on all of the three disc-equipped Boardmans I've tried though, so watch out for that - I don't know if it's bad luck on my part or something more serious...

there's a vid review at:
http://road.cc/content/video-boardman-urban-comp

if you're interested

 

[Perry]

Like Sonny, I also had grief with Halfords and I won't part with my Boardman either.

Once they are set-up properly they are a great bike. It's such a shame Halfords are not doing them justice.

 

[andyfromotley]

be warned, wavy daves experience with the disk brakes has been highlighted on all of boardmans that C+ has tested. Bad batch or design fault??

 

[sonny]

I use my Boardman Pro every day and have not yet had any of the reported problems with brakes.

 

[LondonCommuter]

Thanks for all your help. I would really like a Boardman Performance Urban Comp Bike (as a second bike). However, there doen't seem to be any in stock and Halfords have told me that the model is about to be changed so it doesn't look as if I'll be able to get one.

 

[LondonCommuter]

Sad to say Halfords strikes again! I picked it up yesterday, and had very attentive service to make sure I was happy with the bike and had a check to see that nothing obviousl was wrong. Rode home about 10 miles and apart from the strange sensation of riding with toe straps for the first time in over 20 years, no problems. Pumped it up for a week's commuting this evening and the rear goes flat! Yes the rim tape isn't on properly and I'll be back to my favourite shop next Saturday.

 

[BentMikey]

I really wouldn't bother going back for rim tape. THe principle of it isn't worth it, just sort it out yourself. It doesn't cost much, and you'll save yourself loads of wasted time and heartache.

 

[LondonCommuter]

BentM, could you be more specific? The rim has various holes (say 3-4mm diameter) in it, along the middle. I'm not sure what they're for (not for the spokes). There is thin yellow rim tape on top but it isn't centred properly and I think its the edge of one of these holes that's a bit rough and has caused the puncture.