Boardman Road Comp or Giant SCR 1.5?

littleandy0410

Help me please!

I've been looking at getting a road bike for a few weeks now, and had narrowed it down from a list of many to the sensible option of the Giant SCR 1.5 for £499(although I still love the look of the 09 Allez! So curvy and matt black!)

But then I've just discovered Halfrauds have 10% off everything, including Boardman bikes, so a Boardman Road Comp can be had for £40 more.

I love the look of the Boardman bikes, and the spec is similar (I think?)

Does anyone know if the Boardman can take mudguards?

Which would you go for in this situation?

simon_e

I'd go for the one that can take mudguards if that's the main issue. Have you asked at Halfrauds? Perhaps that is a silly question. Looking at the photo I'd say it doesn't have room, though you could fit overpriced and ineffective Race Blades.

Otherwise pick the one you prefer, I can't to tell you what bike to buy. Well, I can but you're a big boy now and you'll have to make your own mind up

littleandy0410

Thanks Simon, yeah, I am supposed to be a big boy now (29 in 2 weeks!), but I've always been a little indecisive!!

I love the look of the Boardman, (as well as the Cube Peloton, various Williers, 09 allez, and the Focus Variado!) whreas the Giant I'm not that fussed about the look of.

Obviously looks are FAR more important than practicalities, aren't they!? 8)

It's a case of the heart (Boardman) ruling over the head (SCR 1.5)

Bearing in mind I won't be commuting much on it, (only on dry days) and I can always use my Full Sus Spesh on wet rides, I don't think I really need mudguards, and besides, they ruin the look of the bike! And as I said before, that's the most important thing!

Right, I'm off to Halfords to drool!

Leeba

I've had my Boardman Comp for a few weeks now (via Cycle 2 Work Scheme)and am well pleased with it. I also looked at the Allez - like you say looks superb, but the Sora shifters put me off - the Boardman is better spec'd though a bit more expensive.
The Boardman doesn't take mudguards (not sure about the Allez) I've put race blades on mine which are OK to a point. I did hear Halfords were struggling for stock on some of the Boardman range.

Bar.

I'm pretty sure I read in an interview with Chris Boardman that the bikes were designed to be practical all-year-round and do take mudguards. A quick email to the Boardman website would confirm it for you - probably quicker and more definitive than a shop answer. It does look good, better than the dearer models imho.
The Giant definitely does take mudguards and also bigger tyres should you need or wish for them.

Like many I have my doubts over Halfords, but do like the Boardman bikes. Bikehut Lakeside had the Boardman Race Comp model for £649 a couple of weekends ago - should have read £599, and yes I was looking at the right one, shame the member of staff who was on pricing detail wasn't.

I think both are excellent bikes and the Giant looks much better in the flesh than on their, or other people's, websites. I doubt you would regret either, but try to at least have a sit on both to make sure the sizing and geometry suit you.

If I ever get my funding sorted I face a similar decision (plus Planet-X, Scott and Focus thrown into the mix depending on availability of deals) so let us know how you get on and post some pics.

Good luck.

Quick update: second page of the FAQs on http://www.boardmanbikes.com/ confirms that they take mudguards. If not then it's very badly worded.

littleandy0410

GRRRRR! :evil:

Just phoned my 2 nearest Halfords which are showing stock on the website, looks like they are both out of stock! Cambridge shows as having medium and large on the reserve and collect section of the website, but have none at all. Peterboro shows as having a large in, but the guy on the phone thinks they haven't. He's going to call me back within half an hour to confirm.

Just as well I didn't just reserve and drive there - that would have been a waste of a 50 mile round trip!

Oh, and apparently the 09 model is due out soon, according to the guy in the Cambridge store.

littleandy0410

Well, I did it, I'm now the proud owner of a Boardman Road Comp!

I had to go to St. Albans to get it - 130mile round trip - but the staff there were great. They built the bike up for me to take away, which they have to do - part of their contract with Boardman bikes. I was happy to take it away in flat pack form, but they're not allowed apparently.

Bearing in mind it was friday afternoon, they were happy to do it, and I was there about an hour and a half. (It then took another 40 minutes to travel the 3 miles to the A1! :evil: )

I'll let you all know how I get on, and get some pics up, but it looks good so far!

Kirklet

I've got a Boardman comp (I did originally have a superb Boardman urban Pro for commuting until some thieving bastards decided they'd like one aswell ! :x ) and it's been superb from day one ! I was very nearly seduced by the Boardman Team but I just couldn't justify the extra 300 quid for my first road bike.
I actually got mine for £540 ! 10% off rrp for reserve and collect through Halfrods website. Although when I went into the shop they were retailing for £649
I am now totally hooked on road riding after a 20 year lay off ! I've got my sights set on a good few 10m TT's next year and maybe some other races. I'm just building up my speed and endurance over the winter months. I've always been fit through playing football at a decent amatuer level but cycling is a different kettle of fish altogether ! My avg speed at the moment seems to be around 19-21mph depending on wind/hills etc and thats over 11 miles to 20 miles. Not really done much more then that but I'm enjoying the challenge !

toshmund

Got a road comp as well. Cracking bike actually. Think the branch with £649 showing, were actually correct. I ordered mine at £579, finally arrived when they had gone to £599 - they then went upto £649. Don't think it is worth paying the extra £300, for the Ultegra gear and Carbon rear stays. The 105's more than capable.

Bar.

At long last (after about two weeks!) Halfords responded to my asking for clarification as to whether they Boardman road range take mudguards - the website FAQs said they did:

"I have spoken to our two wheel support team, who have come back to me with
the following response:

The bike does not come with mudguard eyes on the frame or fork, but it MAY
be possible to fit SOME brands of mudguards to the bike using P-clips. The
clip-on style will also fit, the performance of these is a matter of debate
and will, like anything, vary from brand to brand. Also, the British club
scene has seen a dramatic drop in the use of mudguards as we have had
ever-drier winters for the past few years, negating the need to fit 'guards
at all.

In summary; the Boardman road cycles do not take traditional mudguards but
may, as you correctly state, take some of the clip on types.

For more details of suitable mudguards I would recommend that you contacted
the cycle specialist of your local Halfords store dealing in Boardman
cycles.

I trust this answers your query; however if we can be of any further
assistance please do not hesitate to contact us - telephone 0845 057 9000
or email customer.services@halfords.co.uk .

Kind Regards
Jon Brownhill
Halfords Customer Services"

Nice to get a full, if belated, reply, but misleading info. on their website.

littleandy0410

I asked the same question on the website, and strangely, my question has disappeared from the website.

I was in my local Halfords today and saw in their reduced bin they had sets of Dirt Monkey mudguards for 700c wheels for bikes without mudguard eyes. So These should fit the Boardman road bikes. They were reduced to £14.99 for a pair, but I don't know how much the RRP was, and I can't find any reviews so not sure if they're any good.

littleandy0410

I asked the same question on the website, and strangely, my question has disappeared from the website.

I was in my local Halfords today and saw in their reduced bin they had sets of Dirt Monkey mudguards for 700c wheels for bikes without mudguard eyes. So These should fit the Boardman road bikes. They were reduced to £14.99 for a pair, but I don't know how much the RRP was, and I can't find any reviews so not sure if they're any good.

littleandy0410

I asked the same question on the website, and strangely, my question has disappeared from the website.

I was in my local Halfords today and saw in their reduced bin they had sets of Dirt Monkey mudguards for 700c wheels for bikes without mudguard eyes. So These should fit the Boardman road bikes. They were reduced to £14.99 for a pair, but I don't know how much the RRP was, and I can't find any reviews so not sure if they're any good.

littleandy0410

I asked the same question on the website, and strangely, my question has disappeared from the website.

I was in my local Halfords today and saw in their reduced bin they had sets of Dirt Monkey mudguards for 700c wheels for bikes without mudguard eyes. So These should fit the Boardman road bikes. They were reduced to £14.99 for a pair, but I don't know how much the RRP was, and I can't find any reviews so not sure if they're any good.

littleandy0410

I asked the same question on the website, and strangely, my question has disappeared from the website.

I was in my local Halfords today and saw in their reduced bin they had sets of Dirt Monkey mudguards for 700c wheels for bikes without mudguard eyes. So These should fit the Boardman road bikes. They were reduced to £14.99 for a pair, but I don't know how much the RRP was, and I can't find any reviews so not sure if they're any good.

Bar.

Odd how the guy mentions mudguards are out of fashion with 'clubs' now. It's going to rain in most places tomorrow,and that and not what clubs riders use would dictate my choice. Can't advise if the clip-ons are any good, but would imagine their usefulness is significantly less than a proper set. The Giant SCRs so take mudguards though.

littleandy0410

Yeah, I know the Giant takes mudguards, but I'm shallow and fickle, and decided the Boardman looked cooler, so bought that instead!

I'm not planning on using the road bike that much in the wet anyway. Just got a turbo trainer for my birthday so the boardman now has a new home behind the sofa! Went out on my Full Suss MTB today, god it felt weird! High up, slow, noisy tyre buzz, and indestructible!