Boardman Team Review
ubiquitous
Posts: 60
These are the views of a person new to road cycling, I am not comparing this to any other road bike. It is simply to help anybody else who is looking to use Halfords through the cycle to work scheme. 8)
I picked up my Boardman Team yesterday with a strong feeling of intrepidation. After reading all the horror stories on these and other forums, I was expecting the handlebars to be where the seat should be and the saddle on back to front. In all seriousness I was worried about how well the bike would be finished in terms of bar tape, cables etc.
I had done a bit of shopping around... The first couple of branches I went to I was not impressed with the staff who would be putting it together. In the end I went to the Sutton Coldfield Branch. I was slightly disappointed that I would have to wait a few days to collect it as they had none in stock but it fitted in nicely with my days off.
The bike was built and constructed to a high level, one slight niggle with the rear brake rubbing slightly was swiftly put right. I even managed to haggle £50 worth of accessories as they had delayed me getting the bike due to the C2W team losing my first voucher.
The bike itself is a lot lighter than I expected, I also could not get my head round how tiny the tyres were. I decided to go for a short test drive, the double tap gears took a while to get used to but they worked so seemlessley, that at times, I had to check to see if the the gear had actually changed.
I soon found myself in Tamworth, wearing a smile from ear to ear, I could not believe how fast this was and how easily it moved at speed. The back end was a little rough and i was paranoid I would get a puncture but I just wanted to keep pedaling. The bike seemed to effortlessly fly up hills, mainly because I knew that there would be a descent to follow and was loving the speed.
The miles kept clocking up and I was soon near Burton! I decided that I better start heading home to sunny Brum. unfortunately the only route I knew home was down the A38. After a bit of a detour through local villages I found myself in Lichfield. I was starting to suffer, I was now heading into the wind but the bike was still moving. Back was beginning to hurt from the new riding position but it was worth it.
Found myself beginning to bonk so stopped off at a pub, orange squash and crisps, refuelled the tanks, eager to get back in the saddle, no saddle sore either. Roue fisished off - 45 miles in 3 hours. The furthest I had cycled before in one go was 15! I used to commute on my MTB about 11 miles. I got home, grabbed some food and dreaded the walk up the stairs as from experience that my thighs are normally dead after even a short commute. I felt spritely, if a lttle sore.
I am realy impressed with the bike. I admit I did have some low expectations but it had performed so well that I can't ait to get back on it, albeit for the commute. Anyone worried about Halfords, then don't (to a degree) - you will get some shocking customer service, you will have to chase them, but at the end of it, you get a very well equipped bike for a very good price. Visit a few stores first and speak with the Boardman "specialist" to gauge their knowledge.
My mate's gjust got a Trek Madone 5.2, kinda makes imine look like a Fiat Punto next to a Ferrari, but as I am new to this, i am more than happy with my purchase.
The dark side is fun!!
I picked up my Boardman Team yesterday with a strong feeling of intrepidation. After reading all the horror stories on these and other forums, I was expecting the handlebars to be where the seat should be and the saddle on back to front. In all seriousness I was worried about how well the bike would be finished in terms of bar tape, cables etc.
I had done a bit of shopping around... The first couple of branches I went to I was not impressed with the staff who would be putting it together. In the end I went to the Sutton Coldfield Branch. I was slightly disappointed that I would have to wait a few days to collect it as they had none in stock but it fitted in nicely with my days off.
The bike was built and constructed to a high level, one slight niggle with the rear brake rubbing slightly was swiftly put right. I even managed to haggle £50 worth of accessories as they had delayed me getting the bike due to the C2W team losing my first voucher.
The bike itself is a lot lighter than I expected, I also could not get my head round how tiny the tyres were. I decided to go for a short test drive, the double tap gears took a while to get used to but they worked so seemlessley, that at times, I had to check to see if the the gear had actually changed.
I soon found myself in Tamworth, wearing a smile from ear to ear, I could not believe how fast this was and how easily it moved at speed. The back end was a little rough and i was paranoid I would get a puncture but I just wanted to keep pedaling. The bike seemed to effortlessly fly up hills, mainly because I knew that there would be a descent to follow and was loving the speed.
The miles kept clocking up and I was soon near Burton! I decided that I better start heading home to sunny Brum. unfortunately the only route I knew home was down the A38. After a bit of a detour through local villages I found myself in Lichfield. I was starting to suffer, I was now heading into the wind but the bike was still moving. Back was beginning to hurt from the new riding position but it was worth it.
Found myself beginning to bonk so stopped off at a pub, orange squash and crisps, refuelled the tanks, eager to get back in the saddle, no saddle sore either. Roue fisished off - 45 miles in 3 hours. The furthest I had cycled before in one go was 15! I used to commute on my MTB about 11 miles. I got home, grabbed some food and dreaded the walk up the stairs as from experience that my thighs are normally dead after even a short commute. I felt spritely, if a lttle sore.
I am realy impressed with the bike. I admit I did have some low expectations but it had performed so well that I can't ait to get back on it, albeit for the commute. Anyone worried about Halfords, then don't (to a degree) - you will get some shocking customer service, you will have to chase them, but at the end of it, you get a very well equipped bike for a very good price. Visit a few stores first and speak with the Boardman "specialist" to gauge their knowledge.
My mate's gjust got a Trek Madone 5.2, kinda makes imine look like a Fiat Punto next to a Ferrari, but as I am new to this, i am more than happy with my purchase.
The dark side is fun!!
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Comments
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Nice 8)winter beast: http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff016.jpg
Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg0 -
Sounds like someone is enjoying it.And thats what it is all about.I enjoyed reading that it made me smile.two more weeks and the clocks change and that good news for those evening rides .:D0
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thanks for the review. My 'best' bike is a 5 yr old Look 386, and it makes me wonder how much things have moved on since that frame was in its prime...Your Past is Not Your Potential...0
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Thanks for that, I have decided that is the bike for me, all I need to sort out is the finances as we are in an income slough at present.
The value-for-money that bike has is so impressive. Snobs need not comment.
I know cyclists don't stretch, but you may find an easing of your leg pains if you give yourself thirty seconds on each leg when you get home.
The older I get the faster I was0 -
Oneof my pals fancies a Boardman - it is £800, aluminium framed and seems a bit of a steal in terms of components! - is this the same model as yours?
Glad you're lovin' it!0 -
I'll give you a couple of months before you start regretting not getting the Team Carbon.
Ah, whatever. Good to see you're enjoying it. It was only a year ago I got my first road bike and had a similar revelation to the one you describe. Cracking stuff.0 -
Unbelievably, my legs were fine, they went through the mill on the ride but felt good afterwards! Can't wait for the commute tomorrow!
The Carbon was "sex" but couldn't justify the extra £200 for a carbon frame plus I have a thing for gun metal grey!!
@ Aud Reekie, if it's a roadie they're after then it will be this one.0 -
Aud Reekie MTB wrote:Oneof my pals fancies a Boardman - it is £800, aluminium framed and seems a bit of a steal in terms of components! - is this the same model as yours?
Glad you're lovin' it!
Thats not such a good buy when the carbon is only £9990 -
What's the biggie with the carbon? I know carbon is supposed to be the nuts but I could just not justify spending 25% extra to save 1lb in weight. I know also that carbon has slightly more flexibility than aluminium to soak up some of the bumps, but what else does it do?0
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ubiquitous wrote:
@ Aud Reekie, if it's a roadie they're after then it will be this one.
Yup, he's thinking about this bike (his first full road bike - has a 2nd hand Bianchi Cross) or the Carbon if he can afford it.
Anybody know the weight difference between the two Boardmans?0 -
ubiquitous wrote:What's the biggie with the carbon? I know carbon is supposed to be the nuts but I could just not justify spending 25% extra to save 1lb in weight. I know also that carbon has slightly more flexibility than aluminium to soak up some of the bumps, but what else does it do?
Cheers Ubi - you answered my question! 0 -
I stand corrected, it's 1/2lb (18.1 v 17.6)0
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ubiquitous wrote:I stand corrected, it's 1/2lb (18.1 v 17.6)
Is that from Halfords website - both seem v light!0 -
From the boardman website. I could pick mine up one handed above by head over a fence, with pedals and tools in saddle bag. It is very light!0
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Cool.
Sounds like you go off road on it! 0 -
*ahem* caught short!! :oops:0
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Hard to define, but carbon adds smoothness, stiffness, ride quality, and the bling factor. Pick & choose which you prefer, but the carbon bike will give you that extra dimension, an added oomph that makes a rides - esp longer rides - just that bit more enjoyable. It's up to each individual to decide if those factors are worth the additional cost. Don't dismiss them though.ubiquitous wrote:What's the biggie with the carbon? I know carbon is supposed to be the nuts but I could just not justify spending 25% extra to save 1lb in weight. I know also that carbon has slightly more flexibility than aluminium to soak up some of the bumps, but what else does it do?0 -
I have the carbon, my friend has the team ,same as you. TBH I wouldn't worry about not getting the carbon, the team is a very nice ride, and lovely finish on it.
No difference is standard spec between the two bar the frame.
Only thing I would add is maybe change the wheels out, I switched mine to EA90 SLs and they completely changed the ride from stock!0 -
Well, when I've paid the bike off, I can always sell it and do the same again with the Carbon!!0
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ubiquitous wrote:Well, when I've paid the bike off, I can always sell it and do the same again with the Carbon!!
Good plan!0 -
I got a Boardman Team recently on the C2W scheme to use as my winter trainer and commuter. I am really chuffed with it. I didn't go for the carbon Team as I wanted to spend as little as possible. I also got the extra £50 off to spend on accessories on top of the £120 vat back which made it an even better buy. I have fitted some Crudracers although the tight clearance between the front brake and tyre meant I had to cut off the front of the guard to prevent it rubbing on the tyre. It would have probably fitted okay with a different brake.
I have been using Campagnolo Record/Chorus for the last ten years on my best bikes so to be honest wasn't expecting Sram Rival to be up to much. Kept going for the missing thumb shifter at first but after a few miles I didn't have to think about using just the one lever to change up and down. Indexing has been very good with no noticible degredation in performance when caked in filth. No problems with the setup either.
Overall I think it is a very good bike. Gets some interesting reactions from fellow riders too. Some are impressed when they check it over and others recoil in horror when you mention that you have a Boardman.0 -
ubiquitous wrote:What's the biggie with the carbon? I know carbon is supposed to be the nuts but I could just not justify spending 25% extra to save 1lb in weight. I know also that carbon has slightly more flexibility than aluminium to soak up some of the bumps, but what else does it do?
I've just sold a Comp and now on the Team Carbon and can safely say that the Carbon is not that much lighter, but the ride is significantly better.0 -
Bryn_Mawr003 wrote:I got a Boardman Team recently ...... Some are impressed when they check it over and others recoil in horror when you mention that you have a Boardman.
Shame isn't it. That all this fashion and snobbery and one upmanship come into our sport. It's clearly a great bike... reviews and endorsements support that , yet some plonkers taint the whole thing with their schoolboy snearing attitudes,
(wow...read that back....was a bit strong eh!)
It's not just us tho is it. Turn up on a sports pitch with the wrong trainers.............!I look at my bike and I think.....wow! you are gorgeous (Boardman Urban Pro.........)0
