Newbie: Very good prices on Boardman?

[camb]

Hello, reasonably new to cycling, 45 year old, 103.5kg, 6"2. Started cycling about 2 years ago and dropped from about 155 kg to where I am now. Currently typically riding 30 km - 50 km fairly easily at 25 km/hr in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Would like to progress to >50 mile events next Summer.

I have a Giant TCX SLR1 2017 which I have never particularly gelled with. So thinking of investing in a more road orientated bike. These seem very good value, particularly number 1 - it seems to be better specced than more expensive Boardman bikes sold by Cycle Republic. Am I missing anything?

1. https://www.cyclerepublic.com/boardman- ... -2019.html
2. https://www.cyclerepublic.com/boardman- ... -2019.html
3. https://www.cyclerepublic.com/boardman- ... -2019.html

My reading is that the 9.4 frame is better than the 9.2 but No 1 is £200 cheaper than No 2 and you get the Di2 thrown in. I appreciate it is non-disk, is that the issue, the manufacturer is wanting to get rid of bikes without disks?

Assuming that No 1 is a great deal, not to be passed up, is it perhpaps too 'race' given that in all liklihood I will be doing 100 km sportives twice a year and the rest of the time 30-50 km three times a week?

Secondly, there are a couple of reviews saying that the thinner tyres and rim breaks led to a bit of a 'slip' occasionally on wet roads. Again, given my lack of experience, would I better off with a non Di version and getting the disk breaks and perhaps even changing the tyres for slightly wider ones?

Thank you

C

 

[AuroraSaab]

Were you specifically looking for disc brakes? If you were happy with the Giant brand, but just not happy with your cyclo cross model, you can get a full carbon road bike for £900.

If you spend over £1k at Rutland Cycling you can get £100 off your order. This means you could buy the Giant TCR Advanced 2 2019 for £993 and buy a £8 item, and using the code, get your order for £900. The discount codes are on the website, valid til 30th September.


https://www.rutlandcycling.com/462088/products/giant-tcr-advanced-2-2019-carbon-road-bike-black.aspx

I'm new to biking myself so not sure if this meets your criteria, but it's a good reduction on what seems to be a well regarded bike.

Reviews:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/road-bikes/giant-tcr-advanced-2

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/giant-tcr-advanced-2-review/


Also, well done on the weight loss. That is a phenomenal achievement. You deserve a new bike!!!

 

[Racing roadkill]

Buy the one on which you can pull the sickest wheelies:

 

[Drago]

You cannot tell which is best for.you.from a specsheet. Go ride them.

 

[vickster]

If you do go for a new Boardman, consider joining British Cycling or Cycling U.K. for 10% off at Halfords plus useful legal and third party indemnity cover

Looks like limited sizes on some of them but assume you’ve noticed that and they’re your size?

Cos at 6’2 the last one certainly isn’t! The size guide suggests you’ll need a large

Oh and breaks are a bad thing on bikes, you’ll want to consider the brakes instead

 

[camb]

Ha, yeah the fewer breaks the the better.

Based on the Boardman website I am somewhere between a L and XL on their bikes. No 1 in both No 2 in just L.

 

[Cycleops]

Boardman are good bikes and get good press on here. Don't know if you're aware but the brand is now owned by Halfords/Cycle Republic so the price is tightly controlled. They have sales periodically so wait they're having one for the best deal.
If not sure of the best size for you it's really preferable to go and throw a leg over.
You'll likely get better service at Cycle Republic rather than their parent company as it's a dedicated cycle store so you won't get stuck with Kevin on secondment from car parts.