i am thinking to get a new bike thinking between the specialized allez sport 18 or the boardman road race 2011 never had a road bike before so all advice welcome
Hi there, I was in the same pos in Jan, buying my first road bike. I probably had around the same budget and narrowed it down to the specialized allez sport (I think it was a 2010 at the time), Cannondale CAAD 8 and I went along to my local
Halfords to check out the Boardman's. I'd already had a ride around a car park outside my local
Evans on the Allez and the staff were fantastic. I naively expected the same at Halfords but not a chance. The guy I spoke to (it was actually his section!!) didn't even want to unlock it off the stand for me to at least sit on. He said there is one the back I could try, returned later on with a Carrera MTB from memory so I could ride it for size! Not a clue. The actual bike looked good on the stand. So not deterred I went to Halfords in Bolton and was waiting about forever to be acknowledge. I walked.
Bottom line is the service ruined it for me at Halfords. Its not like I was buying a bulb and I don't think they get that. The Specialised Allez, felt very solid. I chose the CAAD 8 purely down to available frame size and I was fortunate enough to get one for the weekend for a test drive.
Good luck, oh and get some clip in pedals/shoes at the same time. Best thing you will do!