Would you pay an extra £75 for this?

Ravinder15

Here's my problem
Was originally going to get a Giant Defy 3.5
I then realised for an extra £100 I could get a better spec'd Defy 3
The Defy 3 is £625.
I have now seen a Boardman Road Bike Comp at Halfords for £699.
The spec on the Boardman looks great.
This is my First Road Bike so want to get something I'll enjoy using everyday and will be used to commute to and from work about a 6 mile round trip.

What would you do in my position? I can afford to go up to the £699 but am not sure if it is worth it.

Boardman Bike
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_501997_langId_-1_categoryId_165710#dtab

Defy 3
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/defy.3/4861/38960/

I would be most grateful if I could get some advice please

Regards

Rav

night_porter

It would be a very simple answer if the only difference between the 2 bikes was the level of components fitted to them.

I have ridden both of these bikes and they ride differently, one is more race orientated and the other has a more relaxed style with comfort being its main objective.

You need to decide which type of riding you will be doing but to be honest sitting on the 2 bikes and if possible test riding them will let you know which is best suited for you.

Let's be honest about this the best equipment in world won't make up for an uncomfortable or ill fitting bike.

Ravinder15

Thanks Night Porter,

The Defy 3 is at my LBS and they will let me test ride any bike I wish. The Boardman is at my local Halfrauds and they say there is no way i can test any of the bikes outside the shop. They also seem clueless and unhelpful.

My main purpose for the bike would be to commute to and from work and would like the bike to be fairly comfortable yet fast.

I have had good advice and help from my LBS and the opposite from Halfauds.
I think I might go for the Defy 3 now as I can't get a test ride on the Boardman.

Cheers

Rav

night_porter

For a commuter that needs to be comfortable and fast you really cannot go wrong with the Giant imho a very nice bike for the money. Really nice colour too!

Any lbs that gives good advice has to be worth buying from, you know you will be looked after especially with things like bike fit.

bobtbuilder

Ravinder15 wrote:

Thanks Night Porter,

The Defy 3 is at my LBS and they will let me test ride any bike I wish. The Boardman is at my local Halfrauds and they say there is no way i can test any of the bikes outside the shop. They also seem clueless and unhelpful.

My main purpose for the bike would be to commute to and from work and would like the bike to be fairly comfortable yet fast.

I have had good advice and help from my LBS and the opposite from Halfauds.
I think I might go for the Defy 3 now as I can't get a test ride on the Boardman.

Cheers

Rav

This is not unusual unfortunately.

The Boardman is a really nice bike, but the idiots at Halfords are shooting themselves in the foot by not allowing test rides. I wouldn't buy a bike at any price if you couldn't try it out first.

porker33

There may be one way of testing a boardman, if you must, they do test rides indoors on rollers at some Bike hut branches. I know they have this facility at St Pauls in London, maybe there is a BH closer to Bedford?

Ravinder15

Thanks for the advice guys, it's really appreciated.
As far as the Bike fitting goes Halfords haven't got a clue. Their customer service is appaling. I think I'd be better of buying from the helpful, knowledgeable people at my local bike shop, who know what they're talking about.

I just wish other independent bike shops sold the Boardman bikes. I'm surprised only Halfords do them.

Cheers Guys

Rav

cougie

Cant see that riding on rollers would be much use at all to be honest.

FWIW - I've never testridden any of my bikes as most of them are built up from bits.

porker33

I am clearly no expert, but I would have thought riding a bike on rollers would give a better idea of fit than just sitting on it in showroom?

Not as good as riding it on the road or even borrowing the bike for a week,obviously.

rake

Ravinder15 wrote:

Thanks for the advice guys, it's really appreciated.
As far as the Bike fitting goes Halfords haven't got a clue. Their customer service is appaling. I think I'd be better of buying from the helpful, knowledgeable people at my local bike shop, who know what they're talking about.

I just wish other independent bike shops sold the Boardman bikes. I'm surprised only Halfords do them.

Cheers Guys

Rav

an independent couldnt afford to invest in creating a new brand.

Zombie_donkey

My local Halfords will let me take their Carreras out for a ride round the car park but not the Boardmans.

I found a chap in the Halfords in the next town over who talked me through the bikes' components and he clearly knew his stuff. I think he is the exception though as the other two Halfords stores near me have some very under trained staff in them.

Is the Boardman more race orientated then? I loved it and I will not be using it for any racing

Pokerface

Not to mention that riding on rollers can be incredibly difficult!! That's an accident waiting to happen for a lot of people.

Stephanos

I haven't ridden any of the bikes, but my road bike is a Giant TCR 0 from 2007. I am very very pleased with the quality of the frame and the set-up. And Giant have a good name regarding their service/warranty issues (that depents on the dealer as well though). I haven't ridden a Boardman bike so I can't offer an opinion. Not letting you test ride the bike is plain stupid though.

keef66

I imagine indoor riding would be on a turbo, not rollers. I could certainly do more damage to an unfamiliar bike trying to ride it on rollers than pootling round the car park.