specialized allez 16 2010 or Boardman Performance Hybrid Com

Branston pickle

Well narrowed it down to these 2 bikes ,has anyone had any experience of either of these bikes and what in your opion is the better bike .I am completely new to cycling and the guy in halfords said i would be better starting on a hybrid but they did not have any in stock and i would have to wait at least 4 weeks ,but he said i could order any other bike and the specialized allez 16 come right on my budget of £500 , tried to find reviews on this bike but could not find any for this model. http://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/product.aspx?n=specializedallez16roadbike2010&id=11643

oscarbudgie

Nowt wrong with the Boardman but I think you'll want a road bike fairly soon afterwards so I'd buy the Spesh straightaway.

mask of sanity

How strict is your budget? Because I reckon you'd be better off going for the Allez 18.
http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/Te ... rodID=5324

Has a better groupset and a better gear set up IMO. If you are a complete beginner then I think you may struggle with the few gears that the 16 has. I have the 2009 18 and I love it

Rich.

Branston pickle

mask of sanity wrote:

How strict is your budget? Because I reckon you'd be better off going for the Allez 18.
http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/Te ... rodID=5324

Has a better groupset and a better gear set up IMO. If you are a complete beginner then I think you may struggle with the few gears that the 16 has. I have the 2009 18 and I love it

Rich.

Hi Rich
I would love to go with better gears and that bike would fit a treat, but my C2W voucher restricts me to just £500 that is why i narrowed it down to these 2 bikes.Am i right in thinking that the boardman hybrid has better specs than the 16.

mask of sanity

oh, ok.

I'm not sure on the shimano equivalent but I think it has a better spec. I don't think I'd recommend a hybrid to anyone though. I've never owned one but to me they kinda seem like 'jack of all trades, master of none'... I reckon if you think you're going to become a keen cyclist then you'd regret it if you bought a hybrid.

Rich.

Branston pickle

Ok Rich looks like the specialized is the one to go with then as far as future riding is concerned, don't really want to reget not buying a road bike if that is what i would won't 6 months up the road.

mask of sanity

Thats only my opinion on hybrids so don't take it as gospel!

If possible you should try and get a test ride on both bikes and see which one you prefer to ride

Rich.

daveclow

dude dont buy a hybrid - i had exactly the same predicament. i went for a road bike. atleast on the roady you have the option to get down on the drops and give it some. on the hybrid you'll never be a roady lol.

Branston pickle

Thanks for your input guys i have just ordered the allez 16 through Halfords can't wait to get it now.

Dave-M

I bought a hybrid....Giant FCR 3 or 2.5 for the wife and I.

A year on we both should have bought a proper racer....and I regret not buying one now. But back then I just walked in to a shop and bought them as a normal racer "looked" uncomfortable.

We'll probably turn these in to touring bikes etc, when I eventually put my hand in my pocket.

211dave112

i had a hybrid first, and whilst i'm glad i got it, because it got me into cycling, i wish i'd just taken the plunge and got a roady first off.

which is what you've done now, good choice, enjoy your bike!

Branston pickle

211dave112 wrote:

i had a hybrid first, and whilst i'm glad i got it, because it got me into cycling, i wish i'd just taken the plunge and got a roady first off.

which is what you've done now, good choice, enjoy your bike!

The guy from halfords was trying his best to put me off having a road bike and going for the hybrid, as in his words he was saying that a road bike would be uncomfortable for long journeys for someone who is not used to biking 10 miles or more and that the hybrid would be an ideal first time bike .

Dave-M

I reckon that's rubbish.

At least with the racer there are seveal ways to hold the bars. With your hands on top I'd say it was pretty much the same.

screebs

211dave112 wrote:

i had a hybrid first, and whilst i'm glad i got it, because it got me into cycling, i wish i'd just taken the plunge and got a roady first off.

which is what you've done now, good choice, enjoy your bike!

I got the Boardman Team Hybrid on the CTW scheme at the start of this year as i hadn't had a bike for c25 years. Getting a road bike in January 2010 under the CTW - wish i had just taken the plunge and went "roady" from the start.

Hybrid was a compromise i now regret.