very light grinding noise from the back wheel

[Veganpower]

£430 then
i am looking at £200-£350 for a second hand boardman, giant (maybe) or specialized
Cheers Ed

Yes but, as I'm sure you are aware, decathlon don't just sell the Triban5a!!! If you can get a decent giant or specialized for that money then great. Out of a Boardman and a B'twin my money would be on the frame with the lifetime guarantee.

 

[uclown2002]

?.......Out of a Boardman and a B'twin my money would be on the frame with the lifetime guarantee.

My money would be on the Boardman; no contest!

 

[young Ed]

Yes but, as I'm sure you are aware, decathlon don't just sell the Triban5a!!! If you can get a decent giant or specialized for that money then great. Out of a Boardman and a B'twin my money would be on the frame with the lifetime guarantee.

My money would be on the Boardman; no contest!

to be fair @uclown2002 is one of the experts on here! no offence meant but he has been known for some good advice and so far no one knows if you are the same or the complete opposite, only time will tell! also i would probably go with boardman myself
(never owned either brand)
Cheers Ed

 

[Veganpower]

My money would be on the Boardman; no contest!

each to their own I guess. But what are we comparing here a top of the range Boardman is going to be better that a Triban T3 but their respective prices will be very different.

As I can't see a bike in the range of a T3 (correct me if I'm wrong), do you want to compare the Boardman Road Sport Bike for £499 from halfords

• Approximate Weight (KG): 10.9 (with pedals?)
• Exact Frame Size: 57.5cm
• Forks: Alloy
• Frame Material: Alloy
• Front Brake: Tektro R359 Dual Pivot Caliper Brake
• Geometry: Semi Compact
• Number of Gears: 16
• Rear Brake: Tektro R359 Dual Pivot Caliper Brake
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Cassette: SRAM PG850 12-26t
• Chainset: FSA Tempo Compact - 50/34t
• Frame Colour: Red
• Front Mech: Shimano FD-3400 - 2 Speed
• Gear Shifters: Shimano ST-2300 Brake/Gear Levers
• Gender: Mens
• Handle Bars: Boardman - 31.8 Anatomic bars
• Headset: FSA No10 1.1/8" Semi Integrated
• Hubs: Formula 32 Hole QR
• Pedals: Wellgo Alloy Body - 9/16"
• Rear Mech: Shimano RD-2300 - 8 Speed
• Rims: 700c Mavic CXP-22N Black 32 hole rim with CNC braking surface
• Saddle: Boardman - Chromoly Rails
• Seatpost: Boardman 350mm x 31.6mm black alloy
• Stem: Boardman - 31.8 Lightweight alloy, +/-7 degree
• Suspension: Rigid
• Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro 700c x 25c

with the £70 cheaper T5a from Decathlon?

• 1
  Frame 6061 T6 aluminium sloping frame with integrated head tube. Short frame geometry, 1900 g in size 57, robust frame, available in 6 sizes for users with heights from 1.60m to 2.00m
  
  
• 2
  Fork/suspension carbon blade, aluminium pivot, 1"1/8 aheadset; combines strength, light weight and precision.
  
• 3
  Drive train Shimano SORA triple, precise and ergonomic, very smooth gear shifting.
  
• 4
  Brakes Btwin double brake pivot with pads mounted on brake shoes to facilitate replacement when worn down without modifying the position of the brakes
  
• 5
  Crankset / cassette Shimano SORA 50/39/30 triple crankset, 9-speed 12/25 cassette
  
• 6
  Handlebar / stem / steering B’TWIN Sport alu oversize compact handlebar and stem, Ahead set 1"1/8 headset
  
• 7
  Wheels Btwin double-walled aluminium with reinforcement rings, 32 stainless spokes, front rear quick release
  Two Wheel Sizes:
  650 for frame sizes 48 - 51
  700 for frame sizes 54 - 57 - 60
  
• 8
  Tyres Hutchinson Equinox — an excellent tyre for fast-paced training rides. Weighing 290 grams, it is equipped with steel beads, bi-material rubber, and a tread that is harder than the sides mounted on a 66TPI body.
  
• 9
  Saddle / seat post Btwin aluminium seat post, one Allen screw adjustment and a very comfortable Btwin Sport saddle that is great for long rides.
  
• 10
  Pedals pedals with resin toe-clips
  
  
• 11
  Miscellaneous Weighs 9.9 kg in size 57 including pedals
  

 

[Veganpower]

to be fair @uclown2002 is one of the experts on here! no offence meant but he has been known for some good advice and so far no one knows if you are the same or the complete opposite, only time will tell! also i would probably go with boardman myself
(never owned either brand)
Cheers Ed

I'm sorry but I don't see your point! I replied because I wanted to share my opinion on a thread I started! Quite frankly I am not concerned if you like my opinion or think it is good.

I'm happy to discuss the merits of either bike and I will find it interesting because I recently made my decision and I considered many options before hand. I am happy to be enlightened; for me the weight, carbon forks, general appearance, feel of the bike and lifetime frame guarantee, not to mention price, won it.

 

[Veganpower]

look what I just saw on Hot deals

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/199897/products/giant-tcr-1-compact-2013-road-bike.aspx

 

[young Ed]

sorry as said before didn't mean to offend and i do see your point more so now that we have specs
to be honest would more being looking at the btwin fit and what ever other models in that category and the boardman team or pro
all flat bars and a more relaxed geometry
Cheers Ed

 

[Veganpower]

OK - not sure on the quality - but you will only need it twice. Once on the old wheel and once on the new wheel.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1608...ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=95&ff19=0
ideally you need a chain whip as well, but you can just use a piece of old chain...

Once you have the wheels - just either post back here or google "how to remove cassette" and you will find plenty of youtube or parktools links to do so. Tis a doddle to do.

I've got the wheels on and they look great. Only thing left to do is adjust the brakes, because the new wheels must be wider, and go for a ride. Had good fun without a chain whip, I may invest in one for the future.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I've got the wheels on and they look great. Only thing left to do is adjust the brakes, because the new wheels must be wider, and go for a ride. Had good fun without a chain whip, I may invest in one for the future.

I got my chain whip, shimano tool, cone spanners etc. from these guys .... good quality, value and service.

http://www.inmotionproducts.com/

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I've got the wheels on and they look great. Only thing left to do is adjust the brakes, because the new wheels must be wider, and go for a ride. Had good fun without a chain whip, I may invest in one for the future.

Yep - life is a touch easier with a chain whip but until you next need to remove a cassette, you won't need one again!

I treated my OH to new brake pads at the same time as new wheels (along with new brake cables etc). He has just taken the bike out for a test ride and come back having snapped the front derailleur cable. I had checked it inside the STI levers when I replaces his brake cables, but not at derailleur! Guess what I am doing tomorrow!

 

[Veganpower]

Yep - life is a touch easier with a chain whip but until you next need to remove a cassette, you won't need one again!

I treated my OH to new brake pads at the same time as new wheels (along with new brake cables etc). He has just taken the bike out for a test ride and come back having snapped the front derailleur cable. I had checked it inside the STI levers when I replaces his brake cables, but not at derailleur! Guess what I am doing tomorrow!

I wish I had a wife that would fix my bike!

I'm off for a test ride shortly. Has your husband still got the factory tyres?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I wish I had a wife that would fix my bike!

I'm off for a test ride shortly. Has you husband still got the factory tyres?

No, they perished inside around 500 miles for both of us. We use Schwalbe Durano pluses but have found on my 54cm frame that clearances are an issue. much better on his 60cm frame. 700x25c but I but I will drop to 700x23c when mine give up. Grip is fantastic in the wet and fairy resistance is good as well, but they are slightly slower!

 

[Veganpower]

I'll check them out, cheers. I went for a 25K ride yesterday evening. The wheels felt really solid. I really happy with them.

Not so happy with my new Shimano Blaze overshoes. towards the end of the ride I still had cold feet but to be fair I only have thin socks on.

I'm really going to try and up my mileage so I can drop some weight before Reading half marathon. I've declared that I'll finish in under 2 hours and at the moment that isn't looking likely!!!