Cycle2work upgrade time

[BEHMOTH66]

I bought a bike a few years ago on the cycle2work, my company has opened it up again and I'm thinking of getting a second bike I currently own a Voodoo Agua which has been brilliant for commuting 10 miles a day and done the odd Manchester to Blackpool over the last 4 years, I was thinking of a road bike for weekend rides and good weather commuting and keeping my Agua for wet days and winter commuting. Only time I've ridden a road bike in the last 10 years was my sons Carrera TDF admittedly a bit small for me but I had to really higher the seat and it was a very
uncomfortable ride, would this be the case if the bike was bigger? or am I just too used to a more upright hybrid?

Also I have £1000 to spend on a bike the obvious choice would be the boardman at £999 but I'm thinking a better brand bike maybe better any alternatives out there that would be better than the Boardman at about the same price?

 

[vickster]

You don't have to use a halfords voucher at halfords, there are a bu ch of LBS that take them. Also halfords can source a lot more brands beyond what they have on the shop floor

See the halfords c2w site

Which Boardman do you mean, there are 100s of bikes out there price for the £1k threshold. Are you adding mudguards, rack for commuting?

 

[tudor_77]

You will be hard pushed to get a better bike than the Boardman Road Team Carbon. The Limited edition white one has Sram Apex and a full Carbon frame for a grand. The quality of the frame and, more importantly, the quality of the ride puts it way ahead of its rivals in that price bracket. Boardman is one of the best brands out there, don't be put off by the fact that it is sold by Halfords.

 

[BEHMOTH66]

I'm not put off by Halfords and the Boardman Road Team carbon is my first choice I was just looking to see if there are any other bikes that match up to this one or come close the other bike I'm looking at is the Cannondale Synapse 105 5 Disc 2015 - Road Bike

 

[tudor_77]

The regular Boardman Road Team Carbon has a mix of Tiagra and 105 (mostly Tiagra if memory serves) whilst the Synapse has the full 105 but alloy frame instead of full Carbon. Personally I would take the the Carbon frame over the alloy any day. If you get the Limited Edition Road Team Carbon you get Sram Apex which I much prefer over 105 as I prefer the feel of the hoods and prefer the look of Sram Apex but that is a personal thing. To be honest, it easy to get too focused on the specs when the most important thing is how the bike feels to you. Do Halfords allow test rides?? I absolutely love my Road Team Carbon LTD and it rides so much better than the full carbon and 105 equipped Giant Defy I had before but that could be down to the fact that the frame geometry suits my body type more.

Do you have an Evan's store close to you?? If memory serves they allow you to take their bikes for an on road test and also stock Cannondales so could be worth popping down there to see them. I was in the Liverpool branch the other day and the Synapse looked like an absolute beast!

 

[vickster]

This gives you something a bit different to a. Ubiquitous boardman, but there is an 11% surcharge on c2w bikes from them so you'd need to find extra beyond the grand

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co....er Izoard XP 105 Carbon 2014 Road/Racing Bike'

 

[Milkfloat]

I was about to suggest the Ribble Sportive Racing Ultegra for £1000, but it looks like they have stopped the special offer.

 

[BEHMOTH66]

Thanks for the replies some nice suggestions, Yes I have an Evans's close and will definitely go and try the Synapse will pop into Halfords and see if they will let me take it for a spin around the car park.