Boardman Comp has a bad frame?

Hi,
I'd just decided to buy an 09 Boardman Comp from my local (and very well staffed) Bikehut. I'm impressed with its groupset and it looks like the best value for my £650- or less as I'm getting it on the cycle scheme.
Problem is my LBS says 'don't bother' getting a Boardman as the frame is bad quality compared to the Trek 1.5 (the bike I'd definately buy from him if it weren't for the downgraded gears etc).
Is there any truth to what he's saying about the Boardman frames? How 'bad quality' is 'bad quality'?
As I'm on a budget but want a half decent bike I'd rather go for the Boardman but now I've been thrown!
I'd just decided to buy an 09 Boardman Comp from my local (and very well staffed) Bikehut. I'm impressed with its groupset and it looks like the best value for my £650- or less as I'm getting it on the cycle scheme.
Problem is my LBS says 'don't bother' getting a Boardman as the frame is bad quality compared to the Trek 1.5 (the bike I'd definately buy from him if it weren't for the downgraded gears etc).
Is there any truth to what he's saying about the Boardman frames? How 'bad quality' is 'bad quality'?
As I'm on a budget but want a half decent bike I'd rather go for the Boardman but now I've been thrown!
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Your LBS sells Treks but not Boardmans, right?
Hope you enjoy the Road Comp btw, its a great bike!
I would guess that your LBS would have a lot of trouble competing fairly with Boardman on price (and I have some sympathy), so a little disinformation is offered instead.
But are you sure it is the Comp at £650? They are currently £499, the Team comes in at £699 (they are currently discounted). Why not go the whole £1k and get the Team Carbon?
Your LBS seems to be going against the flow there - for some reason......
I suspect as I'm sure most of you do that my LBS is keen to steer me away from Halford/Bikehut. The non-specific criticism would suggest this.
I also can't blame them but as I work in Independent retail too I have no option but the best value bike which is the Comp by all opinions.
I'm not in the least bit bothered with what's on my downtube- in my business you get a lot of snobbery and I'm nearly immune to it. That said, if I had 'Condor' on it I'd be grinning ear to ear.
Smokin Joe- Surprise, surprise- my LBS is packed full of Treks! Great shop and Trek are great bikes (the 1.5 makes lime green look like a nice colour) but why the Sora gears?
alpha blue- The team carbon is out of my reach just now unless any donations come in!
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj11 ... ike032.jpg
Winter ride http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj11 ... ike019.jpg
Looking at the Boardman Pro 16.2lb, SRAM Force and Ritchey finishing kit all for £1500.
Problem is trying to find a Bikehut that has one to look and maybe test ride.
Soon as i set it up to fit me it's been absolutley fine and i've been flying around the roads of Hampshire ever since!
With so many sold last year,if there was any probs with the frames,i think we would have heard from a lot more disgruntled customers on here and not just a random comment from your lbs looking to relieve you of your cash.
If i were you i'd look at the boardman team carbon.At a grand(less on the bike to work scheme)it's a top quality bargain.Just check out the review in the bike and gear section.
Wish i got one now!
As with all purchases I now make it's not just the price or product that make me buy, I also want after sales and you don't always receive that in large stores such as Halfords, you go in and end up chatting to someone who may just be covering the dept.
The lbs may not be able to compete with the value for money initially, but they usually come up trumps after the sale has gone through and you need something adjusting, repairing or upgrading, or even just for advise.
From what I've experienced so far at by local Bikehut the staff are excellent and knowledgable- probably better than a couple of the local indies so that will only add to my value for money.
If I had the money I wouldn't hesitate on a team carbon/ pro but I'm an indie myself so can't afford it :x
Whatever you buy ENJOY!
And as for "you need something adjusting, repairing or upgrading, or even just for advise" most lbs are rubbish at that as well ... and why take the advice of an outfit that has already told you a bare faced fib in order to get your money? They'll do just the same when you ask about "repairs" . "Oh dear. you need a new one o'them...."
"Cancel my subscription to the resurrection."
can you recommend the 08 to the OP ?
Orbea Aqua TTG CT 2010
Specialized Secteur Elite 2011
To be honest, given the quality of the finishing kit, I'd be surprised if the frames were any better than anyone elses for the money, and at any price any frame is still a compromise of cost, weight, materials, and design (ie comfort, speed ect).
Certainly I decided against a Boardman, as I felt that for thesame cash, the Bianchi I eventually chose had compromises in spec and design I was ultimately happier with.
Orange P7 (1999) Road
Diamond Back Snr Pro (1983) BMX
Diamond BackSIlver Streak (1983) BMX
Oh, and BMX is the *ultimate* single speed.