A whole new experience

Breathless Commuter Man

I have just bought a bike through the cycle to work scheme, to replace my boneshacker (harsh as it has served me well) that I purchased about 18 months ago. Company is on the Halfords Scheme so went for an 09 Boardman Hybrid pro and have ridden it three times now. I didn't know that cycling could be this way, it is like a whole new experience. (sorry I just wanted to tell people that would understand, my wife rolls her eyes when I get onto cycling).

hondafanatic

Do you mean it's easier? Faster? Comfier?

Breathless Commuter Man

Definitely easier and much much faster. As far as more comfortable the jury is out as I need to tinker with the position. The other thing is that I feel more in tune with what the bike is doing (not sure what the correct term for this is) and the feedback I get from the road is really good.

To put into context I had a Giant Cypress before.

Rich158

Breathless Commuter Man wrote:

I have just bought a bike through the cycle to work scheme, to replace my boneshacker (harsh as it has served me well) that I purchased about 18 months ago. Company is on the Halfords Scheme so went for an 09 Boardman Hybrid pro and have ridden it three times now. I didn't know that cycling could be this way, it is like a whole new experience. (sorry I just wanted to tell people that would understand, my wife rolls her eyes when I get onto cycling).

I understand completely. My wifes eyes just glaze over, and I'm sure she conjures up a mental image of shoes whenever I talk about bikes.

It is amazing the difference a decent bike can make though. I upgraded my wheels in the summer and was amazed at the difference it made, not only in speed but comfort as well. I'd watchout though, once the upgrade bug's bitten that's it, your destined to remain pennyless

hondafanatic

Excellent...

So you're changing your name then?

Not-so Breathless Commuter Man?

Slightly Breathless Commuter Man?

Used to be Breathless Commuter Man but now just a small puff Commuter Man?

Careful with that last one...you have to be precise with the spelling of 'puff'.

vorsprung

Rich158 wrote:

Breathless Commuter Man wrote:

I have just bought a bike through the cycle to work scheme, to replace my boneshacker (harsh as it has served me well) that I purchased about 18 months ago. Company is on the Halfords Scheme so went for an 09 Boardman Hybrid pro and have ridden it three times now. I didn't know that cycling could be this way, it is like a whole new experience. (sorry I just wanted to tell people that would understand, my wife rolls her eyes when I get onto cycling).

I understand completely. My wifes eyes just glaze over...

My eyes glaze over. The missus's Super Galaxy should arrive today sometime. Yes, it is steel. Yes, you should be able to pedal very very slowly all the way up Hackpen Hill on in without stopping

il_principe

Breathless Commuter Man wrote:

I have just bought a bike through the cycle to work scheme, to replace my boneshacker (harsh as it has served me well) that I purchased about 18 months ago. Company is on the Halfords Scheme so went for an 09 Boardman Hybrid pro and have ridden it three times now. I didn't know that cycling could be this way, it is like a whole new experience. (sorry I just wanted to tell people that would understand, my wife rolls her eyes when I get onto cycling).

Sadly many people never get to experience this and spend their lives riding £50 argos full sussers made from pig iron! Good play fella and here's to many more happy rides, just wait for the upgrade bug to hit now...

downfader

jashburnham wrote:

Breathless Commuter Man wrote:

I have just bought a bike through the cycle to work scheme, to replace my boneshacker (harsh as it has served me well) that I purchased about 18 months ago. Company is on the Halfords Scheme so went for an 09 Boardman Hybrid pro and have ridden it three times now. I didn't know that cycling could be this way, it is like a whole new experience. (sorry I just wanted to tell people that would understand, my wife rolls her eyes when I get onto cycling).

Sadly many people never get to experience this and spend their lives riding £50 argos full sussers made from pig iron! Good play fella and here's to many more happy rides, just wait for the upgrade bug to hit now...

Hmm I do often think the same, but then I think back to my old Raleigh Scorpion and how good that was. It cost £100 of my mother and father's well fought money in the early 90s and served me for a good few years on and off road. Mind you I suppose an equivelent bike would be about 250 now.

Best bike I ever rode was my Marin. I find myself getting a bit confused with the gears on the new Kona but suspect its just as fast, its certainly as comfortable.

AdiMac

Glad it is making you happy, I'm picking mine up on the 18th through Cycle 2 Work and I was thinking I'd made a mistake as the Boardman bikes have been getting a hard time.

2tired2ride

AdiMac wrote:

Glad it is making you happy, I'm picking mine up on the 18th through Cycle 2 Work and I was thinking I'd made a mistake as the Boardman bikes have been getting a hard time.

The people who are giving boardman bikes a hard time probally haven't ever rode one or even sat on one. They have a right to that opinion, BUT it doesn't make thier a opinion a fact.

Breathless Commuter Man

Update on my experience.

i was out on my bike over Christmas and my chain came off. I looked down to see the front gear torn about an inch from the edge towards the centre and folded over with the edge bent over through 180 degrees. less than 60 miles on the clock.

Boardman are looking at it and are going to replace the gear and the chain, I am a bit shocked and disappointed. In fariness the Halfords guys have been pretty good.

I am not sure how I should be thinking about this. Is it a question of these things happen on bikes and its bad luck or should I be less relaxed about it? What do you think?

bluecow

Breathless Commuter Man wrote:

Update on my experience.

i was out on my bike over Christmas and my chain came off. I looked down to see the front gear torn about an inch from the edge towards the centre and folded over with the edge bent over through 180 degrees. less than 60 miles on the clock.

Boardman are looking at it and are going to replace the gear and the chain, I am a bit shocked and disappointed. In fariness the Halfords guys have been pretty good.

I am not sure how I should be thinking about this. Is it a question of these things happen on bikes and its bad luck or should I be less relaxed about it? What do you think?

Im having trouble picturing what you describe but it doesnt sound good. Ive never heard of a bike failing in that way before.

Breathless Commuter Man

Imagine a clock face with a tear in it between the 1&2 of the 12. Bend the the 2 of the 12 so it is facing the 1 o'clock position. That is the current shape of the large front gear.

el_presidente

do you mean the chainring? or the front mech?

From your description sounds like the chainring, very strange failure though. Do you have a picture?

Beeblebrox

Crikey, sounds like that one slipped through QA testing. Bad luck I suppose.

Breathless Commuter Man

el_presidente wrote:

do you mean the chainring? or the front mech?

From your description sounds like the chainring, very strange failure though. Do you have a picture?

Sorry not a techie by any stretch. Having googled "chainring", I now know I mean chainring. unfortunately no photos.

gb155

Breathless Commuter Man wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

do you mean the chainring? or the front mech?

From your description sounds like the chainring, very strange failure though. Do you have a picture?

Sorry not a techie by any stretch. Having googled "chainring", I now know I mean chainring. unfortunately no photos.

Ouch that doesnt sound at all good.