new bike help

spursn17
spursn17 Posts: 284
edited November 2008 in Commuting chat
I'm looking to get a road bike after Xmas as the old (6 months!) MTB isn't fast enough now. I Narrowed it down to 3 choices....

A Scott Speedster S30 flatbar

A Cannondale Synapse flatbar

Or something from Condor with flatbars as I believe they can customize your build.

All of these cost just under 1k (C2C scheme).

Now I've just seen a full carbon Boardman road bike in their 09 catalogue for £999.

I'm really confused now as I would prefer a flatbar but the Boardman seems good for the price.

Would getting this and putting flat bars on it be a good idea?

Comments

  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Don't get a road bike and put flat bars on it! Criminal!
    You nee dto decide what sort of bike you want - what is it for?
    Just roads - get a road bke
    Just off-road - get an MTB
    Both - get both :D
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • spursn17
    spursn17 Posts: 284
    I screwed my back years ago and find a flat barred bike more comfortable, and riding in London it's easier.
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    fair enough
    Will the bike shop let you try them out?
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • spursn17
    spursn17 Posts: 284
    Scott and Cannondale yes, Boardman not in shop yet, Condor ?.
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    hmm you have reached the very limits of my expertise now.
    Being a girl, I'd be quite swayed by the colours :D
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • spursn17
    spursn17 Posts: 284
    Being a bloke matt black would be good!
  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    Sounds good!
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • girv73
    girv73 Posts: 842
    You need to try them out to see which is best for you, especially if you've a bad back. If two are equally comfortable, then decide on component spec probably.

    FWIW, a couple of guys here have 08 aluminium Boardmans and rate them highly, and I had that carbon one on my shortlist during my recent (aborted) new bike search. Given what you've said though, check at the geometry on it as it seems quite head down and racy.
    Today is a good day to ride
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    Boardman do a hybrid 'commuter' bike too.

    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/

    I have a back problem too, fused vertebrae at S5-L1 (I think!). I can't get right down in a tuck for long but am comfortable on long rides now I have changed the stem on my 07 boardman road comp to give more upright position.

    Most roadies ride on the tops and hoods for most of the time anyway.
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • spursn17
    spursn17 Posts: 284
    Girv
    I wanted a race bike but with flat bars so racy's good. I've got a Boardman MTB and love it so I suppose I'd be expecting the road bike to be good as well (and it's a full carbon frame with the bike weighing in at 17.5 Ibs).

    Andewjoseph
    I've seen the hybrid but it weighs 7Ib more than the carbon roadie.
    My back probs show as neck ache if I'm low down, hence the requirement for flats. I'd rather not ride 'on the hoods' as I like a big handful of brakes in the London traffic.

    So, would there be any problems putting flats on a road bike? The Scott Speedster seems to be the same as the drop bar apart from the bars (and chainset).
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    I would go with the Boardman - maybe from Halfords, but a few people where I work have the Boardman commuter hybrid and love it (I have a Boardman road bike I use as a trainer - My TT bike got sold for a new kitchen!). I built an my hybrid out of bits I had in the shed, it is lighter than most on the market at 8kg ish - kinda like the Connondale/Trek commuters versions you talk of, just lighter and consequently faster - I don't think a commuter MTB has ever overtaken or caught me yet - And it is not just down to me, the big, slim wheels and lack of weight are a massive benefit. I now need a bigger chainset to cope!!

    Only thing I would say is disc brakes - do you need them? Great in wet conditions or if you commute on tracks/trails. they ass allot of weight to a bike - hence I just use normal calipers, feck all braking in the wet though!

    See pics in signature.....
  • damage36
    damage36 Posts: 282
    andrewjoseph wrote:
    Boardman do a hybrid 'commuter' bike too.

    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/

    I have a back problem too, fused vertebrae at S5-L1 (I think!). I can't get right down in a tuck for long but am comfortable on long rides now I have changed the stem on my 07 boardman road comp to give more upright position.

    Most roadies ride on the tops and hoods for most of the time anyway.

    You can't fuse L1 and S5, partly because there is no S5 and partly because that would involve fusing all your lumbar vertebrae!
    Try fusing L5 and S1! :)

    Top or hoods are okay, but my race set up is still quite low on the hoods, so I'd be careful. You'll want something with a tall head tube.
    Legs, lungs and lycra.

    Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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