Tarmac v Boardman v Addict

scullyman
scullyman Posts: 72
edited October 2009 in Road buying advice
Hi All,

I would appreciate some quick advice if I may. I'm considering buying a new bike and have narrowed my choice down to the following:

'09 Spec Tarmac, Ultegra SL equipped
'09 Addict R4, Rival equipped
'09 Boardman Pro, Force equipped
'09 TCR Advanced 3, 105 equipped

I'd be buying the Tarmac off a friend (used once, good condition) so all three bikes are around the £1,500 mark. To me they all look pretty good so I was wondering whether anyone had any strong views as to why one stood out?

I know that I need to be test riding before that's said but I have limited free time to do so and the bikes are in different places so wouldn't mind narrowing down the choice to maybe two first!

Thanks very much.

[Edit - forgot the Giant from the list!]

Comments

  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    canofworms1.jpg

    ...let the games begin. :lol:
    Cycling weakly
  • scullyman
    scullyman Posts: 72
    Yeah, sorry. :roll:

    I've spent ages looking and have come down (I think) to those four. The issue is that as far as I can see they're all great bikes and I would be happy with any of them.

    I (gets ready to duck) already have a Trek which I love so have no issue with buying from the big manufacturers. The Spec and the Scott seem like good sale prices, the Boardman is good value anyway for a decent frame and the Giant is perhaps less so but I've heard they're just really good bikes.

    I've looked at the smaller branded manufacturers as well; some aren't as good value as they at first seem and whilst others are I have doubts about the frames and hence long-term upgradeability.

    Confused.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Spesh for me from those
  • Gav888
    Gav888 Posts: 946
    LOL, that is basically my shopping list. Also the Cannondale Synapse, Ribble Sportive and a couple more that I cannot remember......

    The TCR has just won 2009 bike of the year for this price bracket on this site because it has such a good frame.

    Ive also got the Boardman Team Cardon on my list. Mainly because with C2W I can get it for around £600, that is a bargain for a bike with 105 / Ultegra spec groupset and weighing less than bikes costing 3 times as much!! It also leaving nearly a grand for upgrades :)
    Cycling never gets any easier, you just go faster - Greg LeMond
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,547
    As you say they all similar price / spec so the only real way is to try them out although finding a Halfords with a carbon Boardman in stock may prove difficult! They all get good reviews so whichever you opt for is a safe bet. Sorry not to be more help - I'm looking at the same sort of area myself at present, hoping to try an Orbea Onix and Viner Gladius on Saturday.

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