Cycle to Work - Halfords

[w00hoo_kent]

Ability to cross multiple cogs down shifting on the rear cassette with one long trigger push. Thought I'd had it pointed out as being a Shimano thing, but willing to be wrong.

 

[vickster]

Nah, Boardman Shimano, Giant SRAM. I like the double shift on the Shimano stuff (don't know if others do that).

Not so http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-tcx-2-2013

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Sorry, my bad, I was confusing the SRAM cassette with having more SRAM on it. Which I kind of should have got as I'd mentioned the Tiagra derailleur in a separate post. D'oh.

 

[saul]

thanking you both for your time and input. Just printed out both the specs, am I right to think that the Giant is better spec'd?

 

[vickster]

Better how?

Can you paste the specs In thread so we don't have to dig around for them (while we are supposed to be working )

 

[saul]

Boardman Overview

• Approximate Weight (KG): 11.5
• Exact Frame Size:
• Forks: 7005 Alloy Blades with Chromoly Steerer
• Frame Material: Alloy
• Front Brake: Tektro Lyra Mechanical Disc Brakes - 160mm
• Gender: Mens
• Geometry: Boardman Cyclocross
• Number of Gears: 18
• Rear Brake: Tektro Lyra Mechanical Disc Brakes - 160mm
• Wheel Size: 700c

Detailed Specs

• Brake Type:
• Cassette: Shimano HG50 - 11-32t
• Chainset: FSA Velo Compact 50/34t - 175mm
• Frame Colour: Black & Blue
• Front Mech: Shimano Sora - 2 Speed
• Gear Shifters: Shimano Sora - STI
• Handle Bars: Boardman E4P - 400mm(S) 420mm(M) 440mm(L,XL) - 31.8mm
• Headset: FSA No.10P 1.1/8" - Semi Integrated
• Hubs: 9mm QR - 32 Hole
• Pedals: Wellgo Platform - 9/16"
• Rear Mech: Shimano Sora - 9 Speed
• Rims: Mavic XM319 - 32 Hole
• Saddle: Boardman E4P - Chromoly Rails
• Seatpost: Boardman E4P - 31.6mm - 350mm with offset
• Stem: Boardman E4P - 90mm(S) 100mm(M) 110mm(L) 120mm(XL) - 31.8 with +/-7 degree rise
• Suspension: Rigid
• Type: Hybrid Bikes
• Tyres: Schwalbe Tyrago Kevlar Guard 700c x 37c

 

[saul]

Giant Tcx 2 2013 Specification :


FRAME
Sizes XS (46cm), S (49cm), M (51.5cm), M/L (54cm), L (55cm)
Colours Black/White/Red
Frame ALUXX SL-Grade Aluminium w/ Eyelets
Fork Alloy, OverDrive Steerer w/ Eyelets, 1 1/8"-1 1/4" Bearings
Shock N/A

COMPONENTS
Handlebar Giant Sport - 31.8
Stem Giant Sport - 31.8
Seatpost Giant Sport
Saddle Giant Performance Road, Men's
Pedals N/A

DRIVETRAIN
Shifters Shimano Sora
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur Shimano Tiagra
Brakes Tektro TK-CR-720 cyclocross
Brake Levers Tektro RL721 specific cyclocross
Cassette SRAM PG950, 11-28 9s
Chain KMC 9 speed
Crankset FSA Omega Compact - 50x34
Bottom Bracket FSA MegaExo Integrated

WHEELS
Rims Giant S-R2
Hubs Giant 32/32h
Spokes Stainless Steel, 14g
Tires Giant P-SLX2 700x32c w/ Deflect Anti-Puncture

 

[saul]

Better how?

(while we are supposed to be working )

I guess I am less busy....

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Just more motivated. :-)

I don't know the FSA or Tektro ranges so don't know how they compare. I know that Boardman's own kit used to be (when I looked at it a couple of years ago) viewed as being pretty good stuff but I don't know if Halfords influence has decreased that. Really, at that price point and spec it's a case of try both and see which feels best to you. Although I've never found sitting static on the bike to tell me much, I prefer to ride it a little (even then it's not the same as living with it for a month).

 

[vickster]

To be honest, I wouldn't now buy a bike without a carbon fork, so I guess it's up to @w00hoo_kent to help you decide

I had FSA cranks on my giant avail, never an issue in around 1500 miles. Jefmcg's bottom bracket just went on the same bike after 10000+ miles so that's not a weak point

 

[saul]

As it's Friday, with only a few minutes to go... would also like your opinion on the following

Pinnacle Arkose One
Frame: Pinnacle 6061-T6 double butted aluminium alloy
Fork:Full carbon, tapered steerer
Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora FD-3500
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Sora RD-3500-SS
Number of Gears: 18
Shifters: Shimano Sora ST-3500
Chainset: FSA Omega compact
Chainrings: 50/34T
Bottom Bracket: FSA external
Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50-9 12-27T
Chain: KMC nickel finish
Pedals: Not Supplied
Brakeset: Avid BB7 cable disc
Brake Levers: Shimano Sora ST-3500
Handlebars: Pinnacle DB Aluminium shallow-drop bar, 125mm drop, 70mm reach, 440mm width
Stem: Pinnacle SL Road Ahead stem, 110mm
Headset: FSA Orbit C-40-ACB (NO.42/ACB) – integrated sealed cartridge bearing – 1-1/8 ACB top, 1.5" ACB lower (for 46/56mm Head Tubes ), W/15mm top cover
Grips: Shock-proof dual-density microfibre tape
Rims: Alex Black Dragon 32H
Front Hub: Joytech
Rear Hub: Joytech
Spokes:Stainless PG
Front Tyre: Kenda Small Block 8 35C
Rear Tyre: Kenda Small Block 8 35C
Tubes: Butyl
Saddle: FWE Race men’s, black
Seatpost: Pinnacle Aluminium
Seat Binder: Single-bolt clamp
Weight: Not Specified

 

[vickster]

I've got at least another hour if I don't want to work over the weekend

Pinnacle = Evans = go test ride, but for me their range is rather lacking in style although they have some cool colours! and not just nasty boring black

 

[saul]

I've got at least another hour if I don't want to work over the weekend

You sure you don't work at the same place as me...lol

 

[vickster]

Well probably not

It's a lovely sunny (if windy) afternoon, get your bum to Evans and get it on some saddles test riding

 

[saul]

I've still got an hour and a half to go before anything happens. Hopefully will get to Evans over the weekend.