Should I sell the Boardman CX for a road bike?

[SquareDaff]

I think when the OP states 'decent hill' he means ascents rather than descents

...so I can certainly see why a heavier, slower bike would cause him to be dropped on that terrain given two riders of similar fitness but on different styles of steeds.

Whoops - misread on my part!

I just can't see the extra kilo of the Boardman over the weight of road bikes in that price range making that much of a difference. I'd look at my hill climbing technique 1st. It's cheaper!!

 

[lejogger]

Whoops - misread on my part!

I just can't see the extra kilo of the Boardman over the weight of road bikes in that price range making that much of a difference. I'd look at my hill climbing technique 1st. It's cheaper!!

There will be a difference over a course of a full ride but on one hill the OP should probably be able to keep up if the two riders are the same weight, build, fitness etc

Depends of course what the other rider is riding too. An upgrade to a standard Alu road bike will not make much difference no, but a drop to a circa or sub 14lb road bike might make a significant difference to climbing ability because then you're talking probably 2+kgs...

As you say though, that weight is easier said than done at that price point.

 

[vickster]

OP says his mate is a stone lighter, so 6kg or so

 

[SquareDaff]

OP says his mate is a stone lighter, so 6kg or so

There's his problem. Solution: diet or amputation!

 

[lejogger]

OP says his mate is a stone lighter, so 6kg or so

So many variables... Power to weight ratio being among the most important.

I think maybe the general consensus is that maybe the mate is just a bit faster up the slopes at this moment in time and a road style bike isn't going to be a magic fix for that.

Maybe improve fitness to keep up, THEN buy a new lightweight road bike and kick his arse... Because if he were any kind of mate he'd be letting you keep his wheel not burning off into the distance :P

 

[vickster]

There's his problem. Solution: diet or amputation!

Must be huge if amputating that would get rid of a stone

Oh hang on, maybe you mean another limb...

 

[SquareDaff]

Must be huge if amputating that would get rid of a stone

Oh hang on, maybe you mean another limb...

I don't think he specified his helmet size anywhere!!

 

[jamin100]

Lol thanks for all the replies so far..
I think I was just a bit miffed last night after coming back and felt like I was dropped easily...

Today is another day and I'm definitely not selling the cx... I may put lighter tyres on it though...

On climbing technique, what is it?
Is there a particular way to tackle short steep climbs?

 

[lejogger]

Lol thanks for all the replies so far..
I think I was just a bit miffed last night after coming back and felt like I was dropped easily...

Today is another day and I'm definitely not selling the cx... I may put lighter tyres on it though...

On climbing technique, what is it?
Is there a particular way to tackle short steep climbs?

Depends on how your legs are feeling. One day you'll keep in the big ring and blast your way to the top. The next you might just spin up it.

With practice and fitness you'll find you can do the first more than the second... For short climbs anyway.

 

[burndust]

i'm in a similar position...running a cx team...was running m+ 35s and was going out with a guy on a tarmac elite...was getting left for dead....switched to conti gator 28s which improoved things greatly even on the hills...oem wheels are bloody heavy though....so new wheels prob mavic open pros....still want a new bike though lol

 

[jamin100]

Were going out again tomorrow so no doubt by tomorrow night ill want to sell up again :s