Boardman, Cannondale or GT??

crafty

I'm stuck.

I have 600 quid to spend on a new MTB and after looking at things from various angles, I've come up with 3 possible options.

Cannondale F5 disc - £549
http://noahsarkbikes.co.uk/zencart/cann ... 75545bca53

Chris Boardman Comp - £599
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... Id_124466#

GT Avalanche 1 - £499
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/?acti ... 6&brandID=

It'll be mainly for track/path and road. Nothing too athletic. I like the feel of all 3 so I'm spoilt for choice......which is nice..

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks.

Ed

BlackSpur

Firstly, I wouldn't buy from Winstanleys. If you search the forum you will find several horror stories of their service.
All 2 you have mentioned are nice bikes, but the GT and Boardman have spe which is a bit better than the 'dale. See if you can try them out, all are available at Halfords (The Aggressor XC1 at Halfords is essentially the same bike, with slightly better spec for £50). Also take a look at the Carrera Fury.

pedders

http://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/images/shop/ ... 978904.jpg


This may help.

crafty

Thanks.

I used the links for the pictures only. I've no intention of buying from Winstanleys (although I didn't know there was a problem with service).

The Boardman was at Halfords (of course) and the GT and Cannondale were at Evans in Bristol. I have to say, the Boardman does look good, particularly as the frame doesn't look too 'bulky'.

Will check the XC1 as well.
BTW, what do you get ofr the extra 50 quid over the Avalanche?

Thanks again.

Ed

BlackSpur

RockShox Tora fork over Suntour X100, Shimano M485 hydro brakes over Tektro Auriga comp hydros, WTB SX 24 rims over unbranded rims and loads of smaller changes/upgrades.

crafty

BlackSpur wrote:

RockShox Tora fork over Suntour X100, Shimano M485 hydro brakes over Tektro Auriga comp hydros, WTB SX 24 rims over unbranded rims and loads of smaller changes/upgrades.

OK. Thanks.

It's a toss-up between the Boardman and the XC1 by the looks of things.

I will do an a/b test on both tomorrow and see how they compare.

Ed

crafty

Well, I popped into my local Halfords after a last trawl around all the local LBSs and had a good look at the Boardman and the GT XC1 for about the tenth time. He was very keen on the Boardman but there was something about the XC1 I liked, even though it was lower spec.

I asked him if there was anything else in that price range.

Then, he remembered he had one last GT Aggressor XCR in a 20" frame at £599. I could've kissed him! Deal done. I pick it up tomorrow.

Ed

BlackSpur

Nice one! Being Halfords, I would check the bike over before you leave the store to make sure it's in perfect condition, brakes and gears perfect etc. Then, once back home, have a more thoroughlook - check all the allen bolts are tight and the bike is OK. Halfords haven't got a great reputation for their mechanical skills.

crafty

Noted.

As I wasn't able to check the bike today, I will make sure the riding position is suitable for my needs. I have hopes the geometry will be similar to my old Aggressor 3.

I noticed in the Radar write-up on the XCR, it mentions the sitting position was too far back for their tastes (although this was a pre-production frame, rather than the one on my bike. GT responded by saying the production frames would be corrected of this problem).

If there is a problem, I will look at the Boardman again. I liked it too.

Ed

supersonic

The problem was with the fork at 130mm of travel - it worked best at 100mm. But with the Uturn fork, set as you like.

BlackSpur

crafty wrote:

I noticed in the Radar write-up on the XCR, it mentions the sitting position was too far back for their tastes (although this was a pre-production frame, rather than the one on my bike. GT responded by saying the production frames would be corrected of this problem).

If there is a problem, I will look at the Boardman again. I liked it too.

Ed

You could always buy an in-line seatpost to move yourself forwards if this is an issue.

nferrar

Can I ask which Halfords you were looking at the Boardman's in (assuming it's close to Bristol as you also mention Evans in Bristol)? Got a mate with a £600 cycle-to-work voucher he has to use in Halfords but the Halfords @ Cribbs Causeway doesn't have the Aggressor 1 or Boardman's in stock.

toasty

BlackSpur wrote:

RockShox Tora fork over Suntour X100, Shimano M485 hydro brakes over Tektro Auriga comp hydros, WTB SX 24 rims over unbranded rims and loads of smaller changes/upgrades.

Oddly I prefer the Suntour X100 over my Toras, a ton lighter, silky smooth travel, it's only the fact they're Suntour people don't seem to like (and lack of rebound adjustment, it felt right from the off though). Fairly impartial on the brakes, Auriga are fantastic budget dual piston brakes I still use them now, much like the Deores.

The Suntour factories still make a ton of big name forks, Marzocchis (as far as I know) and the Specialized own brand top end forks are made in their factories.

Assuming they all felt as comfy to ride I'd take the Boardman

crafty

nferrar wrote:

Can I ask which Halfords you were looking at the Boardman's in (assuming it's close to Bristol as you also mention Evans in Bristol)? Got a mate with a £600 cycle-to-work voucher he has to use in Halfords but the Halfords @ Cribbs Causeway doesn't have the Aggressor 1 or Boardman's in stock.

The Halfords at Ashton Gate in the South Bristol. It's very close to the Bristol City ground (keeeerrrrmon yew reds!).
They have all the Boardmans in stock as well as the all the GT XCs and XCRs (except possibly the 20" from today).
The guys down there are very good.

Ed

crafty

I got the XCR and it rides beautifully.

One question. The front brake cable is routed wrong (by the look of it). It passes over the moving section of the fork so I would imagine severe wear would ensue. I re-routed it by a cable tie to the bottom section of the fork and then another cable tie just to the right of the travel adjuster switch. Is that OK?

Ed