Cycle 2 Work - Halfords - £600 Budget

jtaulbut
jtaulbut Posts: 5
edited September 2009 in MTB buying advice
Unfortunately I have to use Halfords and through advice from a collegue he suggested a Specialized Hardrock Pro. I looked at it in Dales Cycles and was very impressed. Only thing is Halfords can't source it until January and I'm due to get my voucher in October.
My second choice was the Boardman Sport which seems to have the same spec as the Hardrock and I tried one for size today but the seat wasn't as comfy. (I'm a big lad)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as the number of makes is just bewildering!
Should I wait until January for the Spesh? Should I just get the boardman and try and change the saddle? Should I look at any other makes?
I've not been on a bike since I was 12 and plan on doing road cycling to start and then maybe do some light trails.
Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    Saddles can be changed cheaply, don't let that put you off a bike, ask if you can try different saddles on the bike, a good shop will let you try them out

    Also the Carrera Fury is worth a look

    The vouchers are only valid for a certain period of time so that may limit which bikes you can get before it runs out.
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  • nfrang
    nfrang Posts: 250
    Most people change the contact points on a new bike anyway...seat, bar grips, pedals...according to what you like. Main thing would be to get the right size bike.

    Can't really see you going wrong with a Boardman.

    Halfords however started off well when i bought my bike but the aftersales is fairly fookin atrocious!(i know everyone bashes em, but i gave em a chance). They must think i'm gonna forget it's under warranty until next May. :roll:
  • starseven
    starseven Posts: 112
    Hi

    Personally I would buy a Specialized, the boardman will be a great bike and the Carrera good value but if you decide cyclings not for you Specialized will hold its value and it'll look cool.!!r
    The seat will hurt untill you build up the muscles that support you ass. Padded shorts are a must as is getting the bike correctly set up but only getting the miles in will make you really comfortable.


    all the best and enjoy the bike choosing thing..
  • starseven
    starseven Posts: 112
    By the way....try pushing halfords pick the biggest Specialized dealer near you who has a Hardrock and tell them you want them to supply the bike.

    The cycle to work scheme is goverment sposored and you should have choice of any bike not what Halfords want you to buy.

    They can allow you to purchase from anyone, its just they would rather you didnt.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Halfords were going to stop the 'supply any bike' deal.

    The Boardman is better specced than the Hardrock.
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  • starseven
    starseven Posts: 112
    Were did you get that information from supersonic?
  • jtaulbut
    jtaulbut Posts: 5
    thanks very much for your replies. I did forget to add when I was in Halfords yesterday the boy I spoke to said the Boardman Sport comes with mech brakes and not hydrolic like the spec says online?!? This doesn't really sound good so far does it, if they don't even know the bikes they endorse :(
  • mrmcdean
    mrmcdean Posts: 37
    I went out on my Carrera Fury for my first proper ride the other day (cant believe it took me so long), ive not ridden a bike offroad in about 20 years. In my uneducated opinion its a lot of bike for the money. I also got the impression that it was a more robust bike, if thats the case then I suppose it should cope well with being smashed around a bit by a novice such as myself.

    Not too sure about the new Fury as mine is the older 08 / 09 model (grey rather than the white).

    I looked at the Boardmans but couldnt quite afford them so I got the Fury when it was on offer.

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