Thinking of buying a Boardman Bike, such a good idea?

[Brad]

Hi guys,

Looking to buy a new road bike for weekend rides and commuting to university from the center of town. I have been looking high and low and doing as much research as possible, coming to the conclusion that the Boardman range of bikes offer better bang for buck than their rivals Trek and Specialized at the same price point.

Why is their such a negative aura surrounding Boardman bikes? Is there any reason why getting a 105 groupset, carbon forks and seatpost, mavic akisum rims etc for sub £800 is a BAD idea? Do they have a poor customer service reputation? I have dealt with Evans in the past and their service is next to none, so if there is a reason why I shouldn't go for the Boardman I will get my bike from them as I KNOW they will give me a service that is next to none.

Regards, Brad

 

[raggydoll]

As far as I know Boardman bikes are only sold via halfords who don't have the best reputation in general as they're not a specialist bike shop. I guess it's all down to whoever builds the bike for you in the shop though.

 

[fossala]

IMO a lot of cyclists are so elitest that they miss bargins because they are not from the few "proper" makes.

 

[PpPete]

Now't wrong with Boardman bikes.... just the monkeys what sell 'em. Go for it!

 

[Scoosh]

There are plenty people on here who have Boardman bikes - and rate them very highly, especially 'bang for buck'.

IIRC, their road bike range uses SRAM rather than Shame-ano or Campagnololo. I have SRAM Rival on my Condor and like it a lot .

Boardman bikes are, indeed, only sold through Halfords - and there are good Halfords branches as well as poor ones (much like any big chain store).

If you know your way around checking over a new bike (or know somebody who does), then I'd suggest you go for a Boardman and enjoy the bargain !

 

[SquareDaff]

I believe Boardman bikes comes pre-built - with the Halfords monkey just straightening the handlebars and putting the pedals on. Buy it from there and have it serviced at your LBS. Best of both worlds!

 

[raggydoll]

I believe Boardman bikes comes pre-built - with the Halfords monkey just straightening the handlebars and putting the pedals on. Buy it from there and have it serviced at your LBS. Best of both worlds!

Good point, well made!
I've been looking at boardman hybrids just today. My problem when looking at the different components is that I don't know what's good and what's not!

Do you guys think boardman would sell a lot more if they were sold in other bike chains?

 

[fossala]

If I remember there are 2 boardman specs. The halfords bikes that bought the name, and then the more expensive models that are acctully real "boardman" bikes.

 

[raggydoll]

If I remember there are 2 boardman specs. The halfords bikes that bought the name, and then the more expensive models that are acctully real "boardman" bikes.

At what model do the real boardmans kick in?

 

[Herzog]

Do you guys think boardman would sell a lot more if they were sold in other bike chains?

It'll happen in a few years; I once read somewhere the details of the Boardman/Halfords contract and I think (?) the exclusivity ends in 2014...?

 

[sabian92]

Boardman make good bikes (as do Carrera, Halford's other bike brand) it's just the morons who sell them that are the problem. Get it serviced at Evans and you'll be fine. Don't take it back for the 6 week service - they don't really do much that you can't do yourself (Takes 5 minutes to learn and if I can do it, anybody can and chances are you'll do a damn sight better job than the 16 year old "expert" who works there) and if you need more in depth work doing (like headset or bottom brackets etc) take it down to Evans.

 

[fossala]

At what model do the real boardmans kick in?

Elite series IIRC. You cannot get them in halfords.

 

[deanbmx]

The race spec is 700 iirc, comp is 800 then the team is 900 at the moment, the team comes with carbon forks & aksium wheels.

I can only rate the boardmans, I had a comp & got a 2010 team.carbon after my comp was stolen. Can't fault them.

 

[Brad]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._-Product_Details_Zone_1-_-Blank&iozone=PDPz1

That is the option I was looking at...

 

[ianrauk]

I've never heard any negative comments regarding Boardman Bikes.
Their supplier Halfords however..............