Halfords/Boardman Bikes

[Paul_T]

Hi all, some opinions needed please. I'm looking to buy a 29" mountain bike, and have seen this lovely looking and good spec Boardman in Halfords, which is the problem - HALFORDS! This may sound snobby but I don't see them as a proper bike shop, I think their staff are all kids, and have just had a terrible helping of customer service with them just this week over fitting my car stereo! What do people think of buying a £1k bike from them? The problem is that this bike is only available through them, and I really like the bike! Any thoughts and comments would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[L14M]

Buy it, but get it in a box and build it yourself, or get a bike shop to do it. Nothing but trouble setting up my zelos. Took it to the LBS, £5 later it was fine!

Liam

 

[helston90]

^ this- lots of LBSs will offer a build a bike service which I'm sure they'll happily be paid to give yours a going over if you get Halfords to do it- or do it yourself entirely.
Although if you're doing it yourself I'd be tempted to look at other online retailers (Canyon etc.) for comparison.

 

[Louch]

I didnt realise the full use of my Boardman until I took it to be adjusted to work properly at my local bike shop .good bikes, but take to a pro to check up

 

[Bryony]

Definitely don't let them build it! My LBS get at least 3 or 4 cases a month of the forks being put on back to front and they have all come from Halfords!

 

[smokeysmoo]

All the above, buy it flat pack and do it yourself, or if you're not that way inclined get a bike shop to do it for you.

Or, why not go and talk to your LBS. Tell them what you've seen and see what they can offer. Knowing you've got £1k burning a hole they might have something better/cheaper and then your LBS relationship journey can blossom from there

 

[NormanD]

Remember Halfrauds is just a retailer for Boardman ... you don't have to have them touch it, as other have said, buy it boxed and build it yourself (like I did) ... I don't buy from my local Evans shop, mainly because the staff are a PITA to get anything from them and 90% of the time you find the item you want, is not in stock at the shop, but their online service I've found to be brilliant.

Horses for courses

 

[cyberknight]

Boardman bikes = brilliant
Halfords = good or rubbish dependent on the staff at any particular store .
My local big store has excellent staff but a few miles down the road i would not trust them to oil my chain, its easy enough to biuld up yourself if in doubt .

 

[Dark46]

I have no quibbles with the bike at all. So far no problems with Halfords, but it foes always depend on their staff .

 

[Big Nick]

To be honest when you get your bike in the box it's practically built anyway

I got my Boardman like that from Halfords as didn't want them anywhere near it. Fit the front wheel, check the tyre pressures, fit the handlebars, pedals and the seat, check brakes and you're about good to go

The only remotely taxing job is setting up the gears but with a bike stand and YouTube you're good to go after 20 minutes of fiddling.

 

[MaxWall]

I bought a Boardman MTB from my local Halfords. Great value and excellent service which is more that I can say for my local LBS. I bought my road bike from there and have had several issues on their inability to correct faults that have developed since purchased. Go down to your local Hallfords, talk to the staff and make your own mind up.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Hi all, some opinions needed please. I'm looking to buy a 29" mountain bike, and have seen this lovely looking and good spec Boardman in Halfords, which is the problem - HALFORDS! This may sound snobby but I don't see them as a proper bike shop, I think their staff are all kids, and have just had a terrible helping of customer service with them just this week over fitting my car stereo! What do people think of buying a £1k bike from them? The problem is that this bike is only available through them, and I really like the bike! Any thoughts and comments would be appreciated, thank you.

Do a little loitering in the shop and see what they are like, just like any other bike shop they have good staff and have bad staff. Leeds City was always poor for me, but Leeds Kirkstall were fantastic as are the lads in the Dewsbury and Huddersfield stores.

BTW Whoever's fitted your car stereo, probably isnt goint to be building your bike unless Halfords are really diversifying their staff's skillsets!

 

[william_just]

Why not just support your local independent bike shop? Don't give Halfords your money - they don't deserve it.

 

[burndust]

I think it really depends on how good your local halfords is never had a problem with my local store tbh...my cx team is in for a service just now...and i was eyeing up one of the carbon pro roadies

 

[Paul_T]

Remember Halfrauds is just a retailer for Boardman ... you don't have to have them touch it, as other have said, buy it boxed and build it yourself (like I did) ... I don't buy from my local Evans shop, mainly because the staff are a PITA to get anything from them and 90% of the time you find the item you want, is not in stock at the shop, but their online service I've found to be brilliant.

Horses for courses

HalFRAUDS I LIKE IT!!! I agree with you about Evans, often they never have anything in the shop. I've found their staff aren't particularly helpful too, yet when you read their online product reviews people are always gushing about them!!! Always seem to have different staff in there too...never a good sign for a specialist bike shop IMHO