Which Is The Better Spec?

[GJT]

Any comments on which is the best? Leaning towards the Boardman and will be trying to test both, but wanted advice first. I know Halfords have a bad reputation for setting up bikes, but have a good LBS who could check it over

http://whyte.bike/gb/models/commuterroad/r7-fast-urban-series/stirling/

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/boardman-hybrid-bike-pro-2014#tab2

 

[vickster]

I'd say the whyte, their top model

Can get the 2014 model for £850, possibly less

www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/whyte-stirling-14

I have a Cambridge, lovely flat bar

 

[Drago]

I'd have the Whyte.

 

[RebornBumbler]

Nothing much in it spec-wise, but they look quite dissimilar in geometry - the Whyte looks very "laid-back" - I suspect I'd go for the Boardman, but only you can tell what's right for you.

 

[GJT]

Do you know how the SRAM Via GT compares to the 105? I've read that SRAM is quite clunky when changing- don't know if that's all SRAM though.
My current bike has Deore XT, and I like the smoothness of changing with that.

 

[TissoT]

IMO would Go for The Boardi ...
Does the Whyte come with a shopping Basket ...

 

[Drago]

I don't find SRAM clunky when changing though I've never owned let lower than X7.

I'd want to ride both to be sure, but Boardman don't have a good rep for flat barred geometry. Chuck in the Whyte brands image as being the thinking cyclist then I'd err towards Whyte, but I'd be happier with a test ride.

 

[vickster]

Never noticed an issue with sram. Didn't like deore at all on a previous Sirrus, and don't get on with shimano hoods on road bikes

 

[sight-pin]

The frame of the Boardman has a better weld finish, The weld finish on the White doesn't look much different from my carrera vengeance, (a much cheaper bike)

 

[Drago]

You got x-Ray eyes or summat? You can see through metal to evaluate penetration and surface area? At least whyte use a recognised allloy mix and not some vague 'super light alloy', which smacks of of 'hi ten' brought up to date.

 

[sight-pin]

?.....Well i did use the term (Finish)

 

[Drago]

Dishwasher tabs on the welds?

 

[sight-pin]

Dishwasher tabs on the welds?

Well they do have that nice little red ball in the middle

 

[GJT]

Nothing much in it spec-wise, but they look quite dissimilar in geometry - the Whyte looks very "laid-back" - I suspect I'd go for the Boardman, but only you can tell what's right for you.

I'm not a very experienced cyclist- just been doing it for 2 years and have a Corratec X Vert Cross with lock out forks at the moment which weighs around 15kg.
I wanted something lighter and to be able to improve my speed a bit. When you say "laid back", do you mean it's more of a tootling round town bike, rather than say a 10-20 mile ride bike that I could whizz along on?
My company cycle to work scheme doesn't do Halfords vouchers- it's cyclescheme.co.uk, so that removes the Boardman.

 

[RebornBumbler]

They're both much the same weight, and the specs are otherwise similar, but the geometry of the Whyte suggests 'relaxed, leisurely and comfort' to me, where the Boardman is probably just a little more 'sporty and agile' (apologies for the marketplace crap-speak )
Ultimately there's probably little in it in terms of speed achievable or endurance possible -but they're likely to feel / steer quite differently. Try both and see which style you prefer.