New Road Bike For Beginner

[mk6golf]

I am looking to get a new road bike so I can start getting some miles under my belt. I currently have a mountain bike and what a pain it is on the road! I want something a little more road friendly without changing wheels, etc on my current bike so I have convinced myself a 2nd bike is necessary!

Now, not looking for anything pro, etc but do like the look of this http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-road-comp-bike and it matches my lycra

I'll build it myself though as I don't like the stories I hear about Halfords build service!

Do we think it's a good deal? Seems to have some fairly decent specs as well as disc brakes!

The other one I considered was http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-comp-bike and then changing the tyres to road tyres and keeping the CX ones of winter.

I appreciate it isn't from my LBS but the ones near to me seem to be useless so would rather use Halfords who are cheaper AND useless.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[mjr]

Only thing I would advise is to let half odds do the build and their check, then check everything yourself before riding it hard. You should let them do their checks in case you need to call on any warranties later.

Other than that, I won't write much because I think disc brakes on a road bike are , I don't like alloy much or trust carbon forks and think you should switch those zaffiros for rubinos ASAP... but you get the idea

Good luck, nonetheless!

 

[rockpig]

I have a Boardman CX and put road tyres on it and it hums along nicely but I ended up getting a road bike as well. The CX is a bit heavier and if you're riding on mixed surfaces it's great but if you're only riding on the road then I'd go with the road bike.
Oh, and get British Cycling membership if you haven't already. You get 10% off in Halfords with it.

 

[raleighnut]

Another vote for let Halfrauds build it, they can be sods for claiming that warranty issues were caused by an 'inexperienced mechanic' building it up and then refusing to honour replacements of dodgy components.
Obviously check it yourself afterwards.

 

[bondirob]

I'd shop around there are some very good deals to be had on last year's bikes at the moment.

 

[Apollonius]

At least OK, but do you really want to lug all that heavy and unnecessary disc-brake gubbins around unless you are very heavy or live in the mountains. You are after lighter, after all. All the Boardman bikes I have seen have been well-made and good quality. Alloy frames are perfectly strong enough, and carbon forks are even stronger.

(Just noticed tha Carbon one is only £140 dearer and you get 10 speed and no unnecessary disc junk.A better prospect if you are serious about road riding)

 

[steve50]

The Boardman road comp you have linked to is exactly the same weight as my Boardman road sport which has rim brakes and carbon fork. The Boardman is a good , well built entry level bike that will serve you well. It happily takes on the roughest of road surfaces as long as you fit or specify some decent quality tyres at the build stage as the tyres that come as standard are made of cheese. The road bike is just that, built for the roads and not very good on rough towpaths or cycle tracks.
As above if you want to go off road get the cx but you will have to take on the extra weight with that one.

 

[mk6golf]

Done it. Order placed for the CX an hour ago and will collect it after work tomorrow. I asked them to build it but once collected will take it home and remove the bell lol and other unnecessary shite.

Thought long and hard about road vs CX but the roads I'll be on are pretty crap at the best of times. Shame it's green as need new lycra now

 

[steve50]

Doesn't matter what you wear, as long as you enjoy your bike

 

[mjr]

Done it. Order placed for the CX an hour ago and will collect it after work tomorrow. I asked them to build it but once collected will take it home and remove the bell lol and other unnecessary shite.

Congratulations. Leave the bell on or replace it with something nice like an Acor, Lion or Crane on the stem - please don't be another nobber sneaking up on people.

 

[vickster]

@mk6golf Did you join BC to get 10% off when you collect and pay. Just print off proof of joining. £35 a year gets the discount and IMO invaluable 3rd party indemnity and legal support cover

The discount on the bike will more than cover the cost of membership

 

[steve50]

@mk6golf Did you join BC to get 10% off when you collect and pay. Just print off proof of joining. £35 a year gets the discount and IMO invaluable 3rd party indemnity and legal support cover

The discount on the bike will more than cover the cost of membership

Totally agree and the peace of mind the insurance brings is more than worth it.

 

[mjr]

Totally agree and the peace of mind the insurance brings is more than worth it.

Except that You may be insured on your household policy, LCC offer it for £10 and BC are ride-ruining nobbers (see helmet debate thread).

 

[mk6golf]

Picked it up this evening and must say I am most impressed. Built up very well. The bloke even carried it out to the car!

People are all too quick to slate places but hats off to them, or certainly the one I went to, Ransomes Europark Halfords. The guy on the counter maybe was a little wet behind the ears but once I got talking to the bike techs then actually they seemed to know their onions.

 

[steve50]

Nice one , pictures of new bikes are mandatory, preferably before you get it mucky