Boardman Team and Comp Bikes Over Long Distances

Interferon

Hi,

I am new to road cycling and am thinking of buying a Boardman Team or a Boardman Comp bike as my first road bike (see: http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/index.html). From the research I have done, these two bikes (although sold through Halfords) are the best specced at my price range. Ideally I would like to 1) go fast 2) be able to eventually cover long distances, e.g. 100-150 miles on this first bike.

My questions are as follows:
- Can anyone offer an opinion as to how comfortable either of the above bikes are over long distances?
- Is the £150 difference between the two a good value 'stretch' of my budget?
- Do the above bikes descend well (lots of hills where I live!)?
- I am buying an aluminium frame as my first bike, due to budget and not wanting to spend £1500 on a carbon frame as a beginner; how long does aluminium last?

Finally, if people would like to suggest other bikes I should consider (preferably with tiagra-style gear shiters) around the £600-£800 range that would be cool.

Thank you for your time.

P.S. If it helps with the ride quality questions: I am 19 yo, about 5ft 7, reasonably flexible, and relatively light.

marin_maniac

I've got the Comp and can say this:

Tiagra gears set up properly = good shifting for lower end kit

Get bike set up from a proper LBS.

Oh and I've done 80-mile sportives on it in comfort (relatively speaking!)

Interferon

Thanks for the advice! Can anyone else offer an opinion on the Boardman Team/Comp? Is it worth me trying to make the 'leap' to carbon - bearing in mind this is my first road bike...

Cheers!!

DVV

Any of those bikes will feel fast on the road and be decent quality - but make sure you get a knowledgable mate or the LBS to look over them for you as Halfords can be quite variable.

IIRC the Team versions primarily have better quality gears (SRAM Rival) and are lighter overall than the Comp. The amount you spend is largely up to you though... do you envisage yourself 'dipping your toe' into road cycling, or are you fairly confident you will keep at it and enjoy it? Personally, I bought the Team as based on my personal views I thought I would be less likely to want to change bits in the future.

Regarding the Carbon issue, be aware that the Boardman Team Carbon has a very stiff frame - this means that it will feel snappy and responsive to pedalling input, but could potentially feel less comfortable for long distance riding. Review here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... n-09-33934

cougie

They are both great bikes - you could easily race on either of them. As you are new to road bikes though - you may find that it takes a while to get used to the stretched out position.

A ride on them would be the best way to get a feel for them.

Personally - I'd prob go for the cheaper one, and see how you get on. If you like it, then you could upgrade if you want to in a couple of years. An aluminium frame will last many years - you're more likely to get bored of it than wear it out.

A CF frame will also last a long time - but I wouldnt advise a first timer to buy one. Its great for riding, but carbon doesnt like to be knocked about.

Interferon

Thanks guys!

I'll definately go in and ask whether Halfords do test rides! Someone recently pinted out to me the Focus Variado 2009 (£720, 105 equipped, from wiggle: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus ... 5360037597)...

How does this compare to the Team?

I'm really not sure whether this is a better bike, mostly because I don't have a clue where SRAM Rival stacks up to Shimano gruppos. Would appreciate some advice on this please... Also I read that the brakes on the Boardmans were 'like fudge' is this true? Would I need to invest in new brakes soon after buying?

So far I'm thinking of test riding...
Boardman Team
Boardman Comp
Focus Variado

Does this sound a sensible way forward for a budget of no more than £800?

Thanks for all the great help so far!

spursn17

I've got the Team Carbon and love it!

I had to flip the stem to make it more comfortable (old and knackered back), but it's fast and responsve. The only other change I've made is to the brakes. They were pretty unimpressive until I replaced the brake blocks with Swisstop Green blocks, they give me the confidence to go mental in traffic now

PS; I keep saying it, if you go to Bikehut in St Pauls (London) you can have a proper test ride.

batch78

Try to use an 'ex' bikehut rather than a Halfords, more chance of a test (I got half hour ish) and potentially better mechs.

Carbon myself, can't fault it except for the common loose spoke problem!

For the money and hands on buying experience you can't beat any of the range.

As your first bike, and I know this flies in the face of popular opinion, but I'd possibly go with the cheaper bike and upgrade as parts wear or you outclass them.

Anonymous

You say you are reasonably flexible, is that physically or keeping appointments, work arrangements etc ?

Interferon

Thanks for the advice people!

With regard to getting the cheaper Comp, instead of the Team, is the £150 difference between the two worth it? Weight isn't a huge problem because I'm light anyway, but the main differences in the spec between the two are:

- frame (?) - 'super double butted' - not sure how much difference this actually is...
- forks - lighter (stronger?)
- Groupset - Shimano tiagra + 105 rear mech up to full SRAM Rival (Ultegra equivalent I'm told)

If I'm looking for longevity of frame and fork, and at the bike as a whole, is this worth it?

Is it worth haggling at Bikehut too? Ideally I'd like to try and get 10% off...if I got that off the Team I'm pretty sure I'd buy it!!!

Cheers guys!

Interferon

Have also just read about some chronic problems with Boardman's Ritchey spokes... sort of scary stuff, also the brakes seem an issue.

Have many people experienced this? Or should I be looking at other bikes if I can't afford to be replacing components?

jteighty

Interferon wrote:

also the brakes seem an issue.

Have many people experienced this? Or should I be looking at other bikes if I can't afford to be replacing components?

I have got a road comp and I am very happy with it. The brakes are not the best, however, I do not think that you should choose another bike over the boardman just because of that. I love my boardman. The only thing I would recommend for long distance is get a pair of padded shorts as your bum will get very sore. But I suppose that is true for all road bikes with thin seats....

JT80