Which bike from halfords?

[Colinb07958]

I am going to do cycle to work scheme but I have to use halfords at my company. I am fairly large 17 stone approx. as we are coming up to winter I would also considering a turbo trainer.

A couple of questions:
As I am in a flat is there a turbo trainer that is fairly quiet?
I was looking at the boardman road bike that is £1000. Any opinions on this?

It's a shame that I have to use halfords but no choice unfortunately

Any opinions?

 

[Drago]

Boardman have their fans... and their detractors. I'm in the latter camp, though that said they're still much better than a lot of stuff. If youre saddled with Halfords then you not got a lot of choice.

You're a puny lightweight, any half way decent adult cycle will handle a featherweight like yourself nae probs.

 

[Saluki]

The Boardman Team Comp is a nice bike. Hubster has one and he likes his.
Is there really no wiggle room from Halfords? Don't let them set your bike up, or if they do, get it checked over by your local LBS. When Hubster took his Team Comp out for it's first ride the bars moved as they hadn't been tightened up properly.

 

[Cycleops]

The Boardman is a fine bike, Halfords can be a bit hit and miss but consider that you have the confidence of buying from a large chain and the largest retailer of cycles in the UK. The bike will be able to cope with you no problem. We have much heavier people on here!

You might have a problem with the saddle initially but stick with it and you should be fine. Similarly you will find it tough cycling if you haven't done much before but just take it easy, it will get better!

 

[BrynCP]

Our scheme uses Halfords, but you can also use other local independents just through Halfords as the manager. I also understand Halfords can source other brands they don't normally sell. They're reluctant to do it, but it's part of the offering. Check your scheme's literature it may be the same.

 

[stuee147]

I would sujest you go and at least sit on as many bikes as you can to find what's best for you and your style of riding you may find that the great bike that everyone loves turns out to be the worst for you

 

[Colinb07958]

Yes I think you are right. What other good road bikes are there then at £1k

 

[vickster]

Dozens, go to the shops, have a looksie

The Giant Defy 1 is a very popular bike, also the Specialized Allez, Cannondale Synapse or Caad from the big companies or many others from smaller brands, some overseas, some homegrown (although all the frames and parts come from the Far east)

 

[screenman]

I wonder how many bikes bought this way are being ridden a month or so after purchase.

 

[bpsmith]

I used C2W via Halfords last year and there's a telephone number on their website that takes you through to ordering almost any bike in for you. @BrynCP There is NO reluctance to do this. They were more than helpful with me. Giant Defy 1 ordered and arrived within 7 days. They can't do Ribble or Planet X for obvious reasons, but most other big brands are catered for. Their build of the bike wasn't so good, so factor in getting it checked!

@screenman mine is still in use a year down the line, albeit with n+1 stable mate.

 

[slowmotion]

I bought a Cinelli Experience Veloce (2013 model) from Spa Cycles nine months ago. It was my second road bike purchase after two years on a Specialized Secteur Elite. It's absolutely fantastic! Now you can get the 2014 model from Halfords inside your budget. Give it a test ride. Go on!
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/cinelli-experience-veloce-road-bike-2014-black

Edit: BTW, the saddle is hateful. Don't let it put you off this lovely bike!

 

[screenman]

The reason I ask is that a company near me ran the scheme and talking to a fitter yesterday only 1 of the 9 that bought bikes last year still rides them. He was a cyclist before.

 

[Colinb07958]

Cheers for the ideas. Quite like the look of the defy 1. Just trying to see if there any shops near London bridge area that have in stock so I can look at. Also so many models. Don't make it particularly easy for you do they. Lol. I am after this one I think http://www.bikebasesouthend.co.uk/index.php?GOTO=2722&PICFILE=2722&STKNR=2722&STRH=&ORDN=&RNZ=217595

There are some many versions of the defy

 

[DooDah]

Cheers for the ideas. Quite like the look of the defy 1. Just trying to see if there any shops near London bridge area that have in stock so I can look at. Also so many models. Don't make it particularly easy for you do they. Lol. I am after this one I think http://www.bikebasesouthend.co.uk/index.php?GOTO=2722&PICFILE=2722&STKNR=2722&STRH=&ORDN=&RNZ=217595

There are some many versions of the defy

Try the Cube Peleton as well, you won't be disappointed.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Cheers for the ideas. Quite like the look of the defy 1. Just trying to see if there any shops near London bridge area that have in stock so I can look at. Also so many models. Don't make it particularly easy for you do they. Lol. I am after this one I think http://www.bikebasesouthend.co.uk/index.php?GOTO=2722&PICFILE=2722&STKNR=2722&STRH=&ORDN=&RNZ=217595

There are some many versions of the defy

there is a giant shop on the roundabout underneath the main entrance of the Museum of London at Barbican, so not too far.

Culture and bicycles, almost sounds like a day out.