First ride on Boardman

[Jim_Noir]

So 6 weeks have gone past since I was rear ended, Physiotherapist said to try a cycle. So went to Cumbrae today and did 3 times around then up the hill.
As soon as I was on the road the fear was forgotten about, though it's Cumbrae you’re not in traffic really.



So the Boardman team carbon, nice and responsive... however the breaks are shocking and wouldn’t trust them... though it was the leavers being too far away, but adjusted them and they still couldn’t stop a kid getting to a ice cream van! I also have no confidence in my clip-less pedals, had to stop at a shop and buy a pair of cheap pedals and toe clips!



Feels good be back on the road however, next stop is cycing in traffic!

 

[Banjo]

Nice one JN at least your back on the bike. Whats the problem with the brakes? Brakes on my Scott were really crap in rain so changed to Koolstop Salmon brake blocks which was a big improvement.plus dont get black "brake ink" all over the bike now.

 

[HLaB]

Nice one Jim, it wont be long before you are yearning for traffic again, so you can leave them stuck in a jam whilst you cruise by

 

[Dan B]

Good to hear you're back.

So the Boardman team carbon, nice and responsive... however the breaks are shocking and wouldn’t trust them... though it was the leavers being too far away, but adjusted them and they still couldn’t stop a kid getting to a ice cream van!

Was the bike set up by Halfords? If you're not mechanically minded, it might be worth taking them to a bike shop or a knowledgeable friend to have a look. I find it very hard to believe that brakes fitted to a £1000 bike can't be a bit more effective than you describe them, and the fix may well be quite simple

 

[Jim_Noir]

Yeap was setup by halfords. The breaks just don't seem as sharp for how fast the bike can go... the breaks on my sirrus had some real stopping power, these just seem cheap and didn't seem like they would stop in a hurry if you needed to! Could just be the block though.

No idea where the fear of being clipped in has come from, so it's got a nice set of 5 quid peddals on it.... think it's time to get it on the turbo and get used to clipping in and out again.

Cheers Hlab, going to try a cycle to work this week... even though I didn't really want to use the boardman for work!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

kool stops will transform them, as will fettling the pad to rim distance.

 

[festival]

So 6 weeks have gone past since I was rear ended, Physiotherapist said to try a cycle. So went to Cumbrae today and did 3 times around then up the hill.
As soon as I was on the road the fear was forgotten about, though it's Cumbrae you’re not in traffic really.



So the Boardman team carbon, nice and responsive... however the breaks are shocking and wouldn’t trust them... though it was the leavers being too far away, but adjusted them and they still couldn’t stop a kid getting to a ice cream van! I also have no confidence in my clip-less pedals, had to stop at a shop and buy a pair of cheap pedals and toe clips!


I know the boardmans very well. The brakes are not the most impressive part of the bike, but perfectly adequate . Thats assuming the have been set up correctly.
Normally a bit of pre stretching of the cables is in order but with this model i found it was stretch, stretch & strech again and then some.
You dont say if they look set up correctly but it will be that or your nervousness, the team carbon does give a harsh, lively ride (scary to a novice )
Set up from halfrauds is likely to be poor.

 

[Jim_Noir]

I'll be honest and say I wouldn't have a clue if it's set up right... it feels great, and yes it could be being a novice that I have no trust in me rather than the bike brakes. Would made me think it was cycling down hill, my friends Carrera Gryphon was stopping long before me (his also a halfords built bike). So far I love the bike, maybe not the saddle... it's got it's 6 week safty check this week and then I'll take it to shop I normaly get my service/repairs at to give it the once over.

 

[Banjo]

+1 for koolstop brake pads. Improved the braking on my Scott substantially especially when wet.I got the salmon ones and have done about 2000 hilly miles since, still plenty of wear left in them yet

 

[Jim_Noir]

Hey Banjo, just ordred up a set so will report back on them.

Is it worth getting a pro fit done? I have done all I can from wtaching you tube etc and the bike, IMHO, feels fine... again apart from the saddle, who designed the boardman saddle needs to have a word with themself and my barse!

 

[Rouge Penguin]

Also keep in mind that you shouldn't be jamming them on, and braking should be progressive. Try to scrub speed off, rather than slow down and try to keep momentum up.

 

[jig-sore]

funny thing is, i find the boardman saddle very comfortable. rode my bike for four and a half hours the other week and felt fine

 

[Jim_Noir]

It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it still hurt my barse... though I have been off the bike for 6 weeks mind... I may replace it with the one off my written off bike... or just man up!

 

[GlasgowGaryH]

I quite like the Boardman saddle too,even got one from The Bay for my other bike

 

[Garz]

Yeah the boardman saddle is actually ok as my new San Marco one isn't much of a difference.