Road, CX or Hybrid

[splittie96]

Hi, having recently decided that my old Trek hybrid is too small and everything doesn't work to the point it needs replaced, I've decided to get myself a new bike. Only problem is I have no idea what style of bike best suits me. Budget is about £600 for the bike to allow for some new shoes/pedals as I plan on finally going clip-less. I'm also more or less decided it will be a Boardman (my dad has some kind of unexplainable Boardman hatred and this means he won't borrow/break this bike, and they seem to get superb reviews all round) however other suggestions are welcome.

Right now I'm stuck between the Boardman CX comp at £600, the Boardman road sport at £500 and the Boardman hybrid comp also at £500(although I really do fancy some drop bars). I do mostly cycle path riding right now and the paths can get a wee bit rough, but I'm increasing my time on the road and will probably be on the road all the time through summer. Anyone got any advice/opinions on the three bikes? And how would the CX hold up to road riding with some 28c slicks?

Also are road bike as fragile as I'm led to believe or will they survive being treated a bit rough?

Cheers! First post and I really look forward to getting more into these forums!

 

[NormanD]

Work out the type of riding you'll be doing .. ROUGH CYCLE PATHS : Boardman CX best suited to this type of riding ... ROAD : road bike is best suited to this type of riding. ... that pretty much narrows down your choice

The CX won't be letting you down on the tarmac either

 

[splittie96]

Work out the type of riding you'll be doing .. ROUGH CYCLE PATHS : Boardman CX best suited to this type of riding ... ROAD : road bike is best suited to this type of riding. ... that pretty much narrows down your choice

The CX won't be letting you down on the tarmac either

Thanks!
Think I will go for the CX just for a bit more flexibility, maybe get a decent road bike if I do end up doing a bit more road riding.
I see you have the CX team. Any idea what the lower limit would be on tyre width? Fancy some 25c's for the road but the chap at halfords reckons there's a minimum of 32's...

 

[NormanD]

I have 25's Continental Ultra gatorskins fitted to mine at the moment but I did ride with 23's last year, but the ride was a bit too harsh for my liking on some rough cycle paths I use ...the 25's are much more forgiven...you can fit 25's with no problems

 

[theloafer]

heres mine running now with 28s marathons and bb7s had it 3 years now do any thing bike

 

[NormanD]

Here's mine running the 25's GatorSkins ... it's a great bike ..period

 

[splittie96]

Cheers guys! I'll probably pop down to halfords this weekend and see about ordering one up. Might see if I can stretch my budget a wee bit more and go for the team since I hear the brakes are a lot better.

 

[vickster]

Join British cycling for £32, get 10% off at halfords and other key benefits like legal support and 3rd party liability cover

 

[splittie96]

Join British cycling for £32, get 10% off at halfords and other key benefits like legal support and 3rd party liability cover

Didn't realise this. 12% off at wiggle too, which was where I was gonna get my pedals and shoes. Cheers for that.

 

[vickster]

Not on everything at wiggle, go through bc site to see if get discount, mostly only if not already below rrp

 

[splittie96]

Didn't realise that either. Uni is almost finished and the final exams and dissertation have left me lacking any kind of concentration/observation....
Anyone have any recommendations on pedals and shoes? Really fancied some eggbeater 1's or the cheapo shimano SPD's. Heard the eggbeaters are easer to clip in and out of though. Road pedals worth the crippled walking ability?

 

[vickster]

Shoes = ones that fit your feet

 

[splittie96]

Haha, fair point! I'll take the plunge this weekend and get myself kitted out. Cheers for the help guys. I'll do my best to catch my first clipless face-plant on camera for amusement purposes.

 

[Tin Pot]

Hi, having recently decided that my old Trek hybrid is too small and everything doesn't work to the point it needs replaced, I've decided to get myself a new bike. Only problem is I have no idea what style of bike best suits me. Budget is about £600 for the bike to allow for some new shoes/pedals as I plan on finally going clip-less. I'm also more or less decided it will be a Boardman (my dad has some kind of unexplainable Boardman hatred and this means he won't borrow/break this bike, and they seem to get superb reviews all round) however other suggestions are welcome.

Right now I'm stuck between the Boardman CX comp at £600, the Boardman road sport at £500 and the Boardman hybrid comp also at £500(although I really do fancy some drop bars). I do mostly cycle path riding right now and the paths can get a wee bit rough, but I'm increasing my time on the road and will probably be on the road all the time through summer. Anyone got any advice/opinions on the three bikes? And how would the CX hold up to road riding with some 28c slicks?

Also are road bike as fragile as I'm led to believe or will they survive being treated a bit rough?

Cheers! First post and I really look forward to getting more into these forums!

Road.