Recommend Me A Halfords Store! (and some other stuff)

GrooveRider

I'm getting back into the game after a 15 year absence - and things have definitely changed!

I've decided on a BoardMan Pro and I want to buy from a Halfords with a good rep for setup/service etc.

Can anybody recommend me a Halfords bikehut out of this bunch?

Newbury
Reading & Reading South
Basingstoke
Didcot

Also, what other equipment would you recommend as a minimum to go with the bike? I've got an old can of 3-1 - but that's about it!

TIA

GrooveRider

Just as an adjunct to this, is there any difference in spec between the BoardMan Pro and Special Edition other than the decals?

bails87

GrooveRider wrote:

Just as an adjunct to this, is there any difference in spec between the BoardMan Pro and Special Edition other than the decals?

No.

Can't help on the store as I'm not local to that area though.

As for 'extras', I'd say:

-Helmet £20-£100 -Gloves £10-20 -Chain Lube ~£3 -Pedals (MG1's if you want flats, otherwise SPDs, I think the Boardman is 'specced' with Shimano SPDs so ask for them, I did and got them) ~£25 -Shoes if you're getting SPDs -Padded Shorts £13-50 -Allow money for a new saddle if you don't like the fitted one £10-£lots -Sponge, bucket and something for cleaning, not necessarily Muc-Off etc, just all purpose cleaner or car shampoo will do. £cheap -Multitool you can take with you on the trails, preferably with enough allen keys to fix everything on the bike and a chain splitter. £15 -Powerlinks for rejoining a chain £2 -Puncture repair kit £4 -Pump £15 -Spare Tubes £5 -Something to carry stuff in eg Camelbak £15-£100

Get saving

GrooveRider

Great, thanks bails, there's my new shopping list right there!

Anyone have any experience of these Halfords?

Newbury
Reading & Reading South
Basingstoke
Didcot

I'll be pushing the button this week.The other option would be for me to order it online then pay my LBS to set it up for me, but it seems like it can't be that hard a task for Halfords to do right?

ads4

Bought a couple of bikes from Basingstoke Halfords but it ws a good four years ago so I imagine the staff have changed by now. Service was good then though and the bikes built with no problems that I came across.

weeksy59

Didcot the blokes (kids) were nice enough but not hugely experienced.

I got the impression from chatting to one that the lad in Reading in the retail park off the A33 was pretty clued up and knows his stuff though.

I work only a mile from there.

Personally i'd buy from Halfords, then take to mountain high in Pangbourne and give them £30 to check it and set it up etc.

andyrm

We were talking about the Boardman bikes this weekend and how they are brilliant machines sadly often let down by inexperienced mechanics setting them up.

I'd recommend buying one, asking for it to be left boxed (a little knowledge being more dangerous than none at all and all that!!), then getting one of your mechanically strong riding buddies to build it up for you. Failing that pay your LBS £30 or so to do it.