Time for a new bike.... what one?

[dee.jay]

Hello - as you know I've been cycling just about 6 months now. As a reward for passing the CCIE exam in Feb (Network exam for those who don't know), I have been promised a new bike for my efforts.

I've also had issues with my current cheap bike in that I keep breaking spokes, so I am aware that I will probably need to buy handbuilt wheels to take my weight (although I am only about 18.5 stone, so I'm not exactly the heaviest rider in the world - I know that Gaz had been riding on completely stock wheels without problem!!!)

The problem that I have now of course is what one to buy?

My main use of a bike is commuting - And I am fortunate in that my commute is like 50% road and 50% decent cycle path, with little/no gravel.

I've got a few choices of bike and I've narrowed it down to two manufacturers really.

A friend of mine has recommended a Cotic Roadrat which fits the bill nicely - the do anything steel machine.

However, I have a further quandry in that I cannot ignore the Boardman bikes from Halfords. I know they do get a lot of bad press, but aside from the Halfords service (and I happen to think the guys at my Halfords seem to have half an idea about what they are doing) I also like the Boardman CX Team or Hybrid Pro.

The CX Team is £899, Hybrid Pro £999 and either the Cotic Roadrat or Escapade are about £1K

I can get 10% through buying a voucher at work for Halfords though, making the two Boardmans £809 or £899 respectively.

The Hybrid Pro has 105 gears at the back, Deore hydraulic brakes, and is ready to accept panniers, mudguards etc.

I quite like the CX Team, and it is difficult to ignore it for £810. The only complaint I see about the Boardman bikes is that the bottom brackets creak somewhat but Halfords are generally fine at fixing them.

The other issue I have is that there is a 2-3 week lead time on the Cotic and I'm keen to get back out as soon as possible.

What say all you lovely people?

 

[vickster]

Get the Roadrat, you are unlikely to see another on the road (rat ) and steel is soooo comfy compared to aluminium

 

[dee.jay]

Are the SORA groupset OK? That's what's on the Roadrat. I suppose everything is upgradeable though...

The Boardman Hybrid Pro arguably does have better components, but - halfords. I just don't know.

My other option of course is to have handbuilt wheels for my CURRENT bike, which fundamentally is "OK", and then get a nicer bike later, I suppose that might be the quickest way to getting back out on the road (as opposed to spending loads of money on a Boardman)

 

[vickster]

Personally I don't get on with any Shimano hoods, but Sora is ok for a commuter, cheap to replace, hardwearing

Buy the Boardman in a box and get the LBS to build it

Do you want drops or flats though?

I'd get a Whyte or a Genesis myself
Or have you looked at PX http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/urban-bikes

 

[dee.jay]

Mmmmmmmm Genesis... CdF 20 is a beauty.

Drops or Flats - I don't know...

I know where I am with Flats as that's what I've got now, and I'd probably be safer sticking with that.

 

[vickster]

Variety is the spice of life...go get a proper test ride of the CdF at Evans or similar

 

[dee.jay]

Variety is the spice of life...go get a proper test ride of the CdF at Evans or similar

Now that is an idea.

 

[vickster]

Don't buy a bike without checking them out. If getting handbuilt wheels, check about disc versus non disc etc

 

[w00hoo_kent]

If wheels are your issue, what wheels have the replacement bikes got on them? Spoke count, make?

Both of my bikes were around the £1000 mark (Specialized Sirrus & Cannodale Synapse) and I was around 95kg (15 stone) when I was regularly doing spokes on both sets of stock wheels on them. Once one spoke went, that was it, slippery slope.

I don't know if the CdF has the same wheels as the Croix de Fer, but the ones on my wife's look pretty decent and have a good spoke count.

If you know what you will be getting spec wise, and are happy with your current bike except for the wheels, then would a new set of wheels on your current bike then be swappable on to your new one? That's kind of what I did (I bought the Synapse, swapped the stock wheels to the Sirrus, which was a year old and the wheels were a nightmare, and put handbuilts straight on the Synapse. I've since gone handbuilt on the Sirrus because they just work.). But it only works if you are going like for like. If you're moving from rim to disk, not an option.

 

[Racing roadkill]

I'd recommend a Boardman MX comp. I can't fault mine. SRAM groupset, hydraulic Avid brakes with 160 mm rotors, Suntour lockout front sus, if you don't need drop bars, it's a lot of bike for the money. With all the available discounts, it'll be a bargain as well.

 

[dee.jay]

Any wheel I buy for my current bike I think would be usable on a replacement, but I've only got a 7 speed rear now, so would need new cassette regardless and spacers.

If I was buying a bike now I think I'd need something for Touring to be sure of not breaking any more spokes without getting wheels handbuilt. Looking at the Boardmans or even the Cotic - I'd need new wheels from the off where I am now. If they are going for people even at 95KG then yes I can't avoid buying wheels.

I suppose the best answer is to just get a single back wheel for the time being and just get a new bike when I'm thin enough?

Just really fed up with the fact I've got no bike and it's beautiful out there now, I cycled all through the damn winter without a problem

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I'm not saying your experience will be my experience. But having been there, I'm more than happy to not be there now.

 

[dee.jay]

I totally agree. I'm fed up with not being able to cycle

 

[vickster]

New bike + strong wheels =

I'm sure @Spoked Wheels can advise

 

[dee.jay]

We've already been conversing about handbuilt wheels

It's the bike bit I need to sort out