Thoughts?

[Mike5537]

After a week of research and questioning you lovely lot I think I've decided on this bike...

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_comp.html

It seems to be the best all round value but what are your thoughts on the gears, I've heard they are considered between tiagra and 105's, is that true? It is a great looking bit of kit tho. Any tips, thoughts or advise will once again be gratefully received.
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[black'n'yellow]

SRAM is good kit - as good as Shimano, if not better - it will be fine..

 

[defy-one]

You can't go wrong with a boardman - enjoy ;-)

 

[accountantpete]

Just to play Devil's advocate:

The brakes will be poor, wouldn't really want those cranks if I was buying a bike and the wheels are basically ok but heavy.

I'd be happy with everything else (apart from the saddle and tyres and pedals) - but basically when you have replaced the crap items with decent gear you might have gone for a better spec'd bike in the first place.

 

[black'n'yellow]

The brakes will be poor, wouldn't really want those cranks if I was buying a bike and the wheels are basically ok but heavy.

I'd be happy with everything else (apart from the saddle and tyres and pedals) - but basically when you have replaced the crap items with decent gear you might have gone for a better spec'd bike in the first place.

what's the problem with the Gossamer crank..??

 

[vickster]

I have SRAM Apex on my roadbike, and as much as I have never used anything else, it is easy to use. I think any issue with the gearing on hills is completely down to me than the bike
I too was told the kits is between Tiagra and 105 - probably simply depends what type of gearing you need/want which is way beyond anything I understand!

The kit may not be the best but it all depends if you can afford/justify anything better at the moment - most stuff is easy to upgrade

 

[lejogger]

Ok... these are selling for £630 on the Halfords website at the minute. Even assuming you're not saving any more by being in a C2W scheme I think you're looking at a very good deal.
I have SRAM Apex on my Boardman CX, and while it's not as smooth as the SRAM Rival it's still very good and will give you lower gearing for any steep hills you may come across. I also have the FSA Gossimer crank on my CX and it's perfectly fine.
Tektro brakes aren't top of the range, but I've had them on my Boardman Team Carbon for 2 years and they've performed perfectly well. I certainly haven't felt the need to upgrade yet.
Saddles are so personal that you may need to change it, you may not. You could have a £200 thing perched on there and not get on with it so don't use it as a reason to um and ah. Just see how you get on... if it's no good a Charge Spoon will cost you a smidgeon more than £20.
I run our C2W scheme and a large number of the staff have bought Boardmans. I can't recall anyone not being really happy with them, me included.

To be honest, the whole spec is what you'd expect from a bike costing around £800+, so if you can get one at the reduced price you've got a bargain.

 

[Mike5537]

Thanks for the tips, I think for my knowledge and ability the bike will be more than enough, I can upgrade parts if I feel I ned to at a later date but for what I'll be using it for I'm sure the standard spec will be more than enough, I'm determined to get better placing on my local strava segments!

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[black'n'yellow]

I'm determined to get better placing on my local strava segments!

if that's the reason why you're buying it, you will be disappointed...

 

[Mike5537]

Its not the only reason obviously, I want a good bike to help me keep fit but why won't it help me progress? I ride a 20 year old Dawes Sterling now do I can only improve on my times! And I refuse to believe that I can't compete with others on it, the bikes are only as good as the riders

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[black'n'yellow]

the bikes are only as good as the riders

that's what I meant. No excuse is needed to buy a new bike, don't get me wrong. But it's not a ticket to an instant increase in speed - that has to come from you..

 

[400bhp]

Just to play Devil's advocate:

The brakes will be poor, wouldn't really want those cranks if I was buying a bike and the wheels are basically ok but heavy.

I'd be happy with everything else (apart from the saddle and tyres and pedals) - but basically when you have replaced the crap items with decent gear you might have gone for a better spec'd bike in the first place.

Am I being a bit thick, but aren't all calipers essentially doing the same job? I.e. applying pressure from a cable dependant upon the amount of force that the user applies to the lever? Doesn't the difference come down to the pads used?

 

[lejogger]

Am I being a bit thick, but aren't all calipers essentially doing the same job? I.e. applying pressure from a cable dependant upon the amount of force that the user applies to the lever? Doesn't the difference come down to the pads used?

Definitely. There will obviously be weight differences between the tektro and Dura Ace or SRAM Red, but I can't see there being any huge mechanical difference. Stopping power will be nearly all down to pads and cables I would have thought.

 

[black'n'yellow]

^^^agree with the above - not sure why the guy said it, tbh. I did ask him to explain his views on the Gossamer chainset, but he hasn't come back yet...

 

[accountantpete]

^^^agree with the above - not sure why the guy said it, tbh. I did ask him to explain his views on the Gossamer chainset, but he hasn't come back yet...

I think the clue was in my first sentence...