Boardman vs. CUbe vs. CK3

Jonny Shoe

Hi,

I will be getting my first road bike in the next couple of weeks, since transferring over from XC mountain biking, and I did a fair bit of research and came to the conclusion that even at the very top of my budget, the Boardman Comp was by far the best bike for the job, with rave reviews and a great specification. I would just like to know how you would rate this against the other 2 bikes I had in mind:

Cube Aerial 2008
Tifosi CK3

What are the good and bad points of each in comparison to each other?

Thanks, Jonny

Jonny Shoe

Been offered a very good deal on a Kona Zing with Mavic Aksium wheelset and 105 groupset. However this frame is 61cm, I am 6'1" with fairly long legs, would this frame be too big for me as the recommended frame size for around my height is 58cm?
What would the difference be in performance?
Also, are these bikes any good, anyone have any experience with Kona as a road manufacturer?

Thanks

Jonny

cooper.michael1

Dont buy a bike too big, even if it is a deal!

Is it a drop bar bike? If so id say its too big!

Jonny Shoe

Yes it is drop bar, so therefore you have confirmed my suspicions in that it is too big, thanks.

I think what the most likely thing I am going to do, is go to Bikehut/Halfords on Saturday and get measured up and test ride the Boardman, as this is the only bike which i am able to test ride. If it is good and I can haggle a bit on price or extras then I think that this is the best option as I will have had the experience of trying before buying, am I right in saying that this is the best option for me?

Thanks

Jonny

freddymercurystwin

Jonny Shoe wrote:

this is the only bike which i am able to test ride

I confess I'm a newbie when it comes to cycling but I visited 4 shops in my search and test rode 2 in each of them, I had to hand my wallet over as a deposit in 3 of them and the mechainc accompanied me in another shop, there were a few anxious managers waiting for my return standing on the pavement when I returned but you're paying out a load of dosh so you should'nt compromise by only restricting yourself to one bike. You would'nt buy a car without a test drive even if it was only worth £500! Funnily enough I ended up with a Cube Attempt 2007 model at a price I could'nt resist and its been great so far. ps I doubt the idots in Halfords would be able to fit you to a bike properly. You deserve better.

Gav2000

cooper.michael1 wrote:

Dont buy a bike too big, even if it is a deal!

Is it a drop bar bike? If so id say its too big!

The problem I've had with bikes of various frame sizes is not really the quoted height but the length.

I'm 6'3" and can manage a range of sizes with saddle adjustment but I very quickly find that the top tube length is too long. I have a 61cm Specialized which has a good 8" of seat post showing but I have had to reduce the stem from 12cm down to 8cm to make it a better length for me.

I'd guess that a 61cm would be getting too large for you but if you try one think about the reach to the bars, especially to the brake hoods and the drops.

Gav.

Jonny Shoe

Thanks very much for the advice. I think that I am going to look around a load more before making my choice after the advice has been given and yes I doubt Halfords would be able to set it up for me properly. The one, road specialist shop we have nearby is fantastic at stocking top-end bikes but they only have one in my price range which is really not well specced.
Would you advice me travelling a little bit to bike shops so I can make the best decision?

For £600 max, what others should I consider?

Thanks,

Jonny

davelakers

Jonny Shoe wrote:

Thanks very much for the advice. I think that I am going to look around a load more before making my choice after the advice has been given and yes I doubt Halfords would be able to set it up for me properly. The one, road specialist shop we have nearby is fantastic at stocking top-end bikes but they only have one in my price range which is really not well specced.
Would you advice me travelling a little bit to bike shops so I can make the best decision?

For £600 max, what others should I consider?

Thanks,

Jonny

I have had a Boardman Road Comp for the last 8 months. I picked it up from Halfords and spent a good hour setting it up correctly to my size and it rides superbly. I have covered in excess of 2000 miles on the bike with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

The only problem I have had with the bike is a large amount of bike snobbery from other cyclists who reckon that Im not a serious cyclist. I was actually laughed at last week for riding the Lakeland Loop on it. "what the hell did you buy that for" was asked by complete strangers!!!

Ignore the ignorant assholes and enjoy a very very good, very well spec'd entry level bike!!

Jonny Shoe

Hi,

I am still considering it and will certainly go and test ride it, but I am going to look at some other local bike shops and see what is on offer there also. Thanks for the reassurement, have you raced on it much, as this is what I will be planning to do?

Thanks

Jonny

daveray

Do you mind if I ask where that Kona was? I'm 6' 4.5 and I'm finding it pretty hard to find a well priced bike that is going to fit.

Jonny Shoe

It was on ebay, a Kona Zing. Hope that helps.