C2W Scheme, Focus Black Forest or Boardman Pro?

gusgusgus

Hi all,

I'm considering taking advantage of the governments cycle-to-work scheme and have been keeping an eye on these forums for the past few weeks to get an idea of what to buy.

I do a fair bit of running at the moment, around 40 miles per week and would like to do some cycling to mix things up a bit. Most of the cycling would be woodland trails and paths, nothing extreme, so I gather the best option would be a hardtail.

Seeing as the offer/scheme is so good I figure I might as well use up around £1000. I've narrowed down the search a bit and the bikes that seem to be considered the best value on here are the Focus Black Forest 2009 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 360037562/ (£711.75) and the Boardman Pro from halfords http://www.boardmanbikes.com/mtbht/ht_Pro.html (£999).

As I haven't really used a bike for the past 5 years I need to get some gear for it as well so if I get the Boardman I'll have to get the extras after income-tax/NI/VAT or get the black-forest along with this stuff I've put together from wiggle:

711.75 - Black Forest 2009
 71.99 - Met Veleno D Helmet
 61.65 - Abus Granit X Plus 54 23cm D Lock
 13.20 - Lezyne Air Drive Mini Pump Medium
 13.49 - Crud Race Guard Rear Mudguard 2009
  8.09 - Crud Catcher Front Mudguard 2009
-----
880.17

I'm after any suggestions on what people think would be better for me (or any other bike that I've not considered). Also, any comments on the extra stuff I'm going to buy would be most welcome and are any of the lights on wiggle worth their money or should I just go for the P7 approach I've read about on here?

Thanks in advance
Gus

gusgusgus

Hi,

Does anyone have any advice on what gear to buy from looking at my list above?

Also, is the spec of the boardman pro much much better than the focus? Would it be a big difference for what I will be using it for (new rider on woodland trails and paths, nothing extreme)?

Thanks

GSDog

gusgusgus wrote:

Hi,

Does anyone have any advice on what gear to buy from looking at my list above?

Also, is the spec of the boardman pro much much better than the focus? Would it be a big difference for what I will be using it for (new rider on woodland trails and paths, nothing extreme)?

Thanks

Hi, welcome to the forums.

Both are very decent bikes. The Boardman obviously has a better spec but it is almost £300 more and you have to decide whether it's worth the extra for what you'll be using it for.
Out of interest why have you chosen the more expensive Pro and not the Comp which is £699?
I personally don't think it would be worth spending the extra £300 on the Boardman Pro for what you'll be using it for.
Don't underestimate how much all the accessories may cost... I've probably ended up spending about £200 on accessories so far.
Helmet, gloves, shorts, grease, lubricant, degreaser, bike cleaner, lights, spare inner tubes, locks, pump, etc. they all add up.

I have the Focus myself and I can definitely recommend it. It's perfect for woodland trails and paths.

If it helps here is some of the gear that I bought with my Focus;

Giro Xen Helmet (Wiggle)
Giro Bravo Mitts (Wiggle)
MTE SSC P7 flashlight w/ accessories (DealExtreme)
Smart 1 LED Rear Light (ChainReactionCycles)
Bontrager spare innertubes (Cycleworld 3 for 1 offer)
LifeLine Alloy Bottle Cage (Wiggle)
Fenwicks FS Twin Pack With Trigger (Wiggle)
Fenwicks All Conditions Lube - 250ml (Wiggle)
Park Tools Puncture Kit With Tyre Levers (Wiggle)
Chainstay protector (Wiggle)

jmillen

Why not have a look at the Boardman Team ('08 or '09).

The '09 is £849.99 - spec nearly as good as the Pro but will leave you with some £££ for some accessories.

There is an '08 in my local Halfords for £649.99 - an absolute bargain considering last years Team is slightly better spec'd than this years, but for £200 cheaper.

Just an idea

(ps, my vote is for the Pro)

Si78

Hi,

gimme a P, gimme an R, gimme an O.....

PRO! 8)

Fantastic bike for the price, I would love one!

Or do what jmillen suggests, and have a look at the Boardman Team, and spend the extra on gear.

Best thing to do is get down to Halfords and try them out. Will all be a moot point if they dont fit you properly :shock:

Only prob with the Focus is that you cant try before you buy, unless you go thru the hassle of ordering it, trying it then sending it back if ur not satisfied.

blablablacksheep

boaman pro looks and is a very good bike...reba race forks..emmm yum yum