Boardman Sale!

moorw003

Just received what looked like the average "Halfords extra special sale" email which appears in my inbox every Friday and must end Monday. I looked though and it includes the Boardman range of bikes, which is a rariety.

Do I assume this means they are selling them off in readyness for the 2011 ones to come in and does it make worth buying one worth it.

I'm so tempted to buy one of these http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499 , I have £80 of Halfords gift vouchers... with them it's still a little over my £750 budget, but it still looks good value.

I don't know, what are peoples opinions.

weeksy59

The same as the other 4000 Boardman threads you can find with the search button.

Boardmans are excellent machines for the money,even better for less...

moorw003

Bit harsh , I've made 3 posts I think, you've made 1300 odd. I came on here to ask a specific question, not use the search function (which I didn't even know existed) to see if something "similar" had in fact already been asked. :roll:

weeksy59

Which bit was harsh ? the part where i told you about the search facility or the part where i told you it was a great deal ?

bikerbart

If you're married prepare a good excuse why that having spent a huge chunk of the family savings on a bicycle that a) you had buy some pedals because the assistant said in didn't come with any b) pay another bike shop to get it to work properly............. The pre-delivery inspection was a joke, after 1/2 mile down the road on the first ride in wouldn't stay in any gear. Back to the shop with it. Second time out the chain began rubbing so bad on the derailleur I had to adjust mid ride. As the wife said you wouldn't buy a TV for £700 & then take it to another shop to get it to work. Hard to argue with that but now got no confidence to go back Halfords again. Now just to rub salt in the wound less than 2 weeks after the salesman at told me that there was no way Boardman will do end of season discounts their having a SALE! Please don't let this put you off, I'm sure if I can get it working it might be as good as everyone says, or you might be single

cooldad

I can never understand this problem with set up.
It's easy to do, makes sense to be able to do it yourself anyway. Bikes need constant fettling.

bikerbart

A brand new bike should be rideable & should not need to be 'fettled' after an hours use

wombar

Unfortunately that's the one major downside to the Boardmans. Halfords

I'll be buying the HT Pro when they (finally) discount them to clear the way for the 2011 range. That's could be into next year, but I'm in no rush so we'll see. The saving I make will either be enough to take it to the LBS for set up, or I'll buy myself a workstand and do it myself.

Bikerbart, I think Halfords do a price promise that says something about finding a product cheaper locally in 14 days or something. Check it out, you may be able to get the sale price if you ask.

I'd also advise you keep the bike well away from Halfords in the future as it sounds like you've got a branch who probably aren't the best. Which one is it for reference?

cooldad

bikerbart wrote:

A brand new bike should be rideable & should not need to be 'fettled' after an hours use

True but if it isn't MTFU and sort it out. If people spent half the time sorting their bikes out that they spend whining on here, problem would be solved.

Northwind

bikerbart wrote:

A brand new bike should be rideable & should not need to be 'fettled' after an hours use

That's true, but considering the incredible value of these bikes it's not a big deal. Even if you assume it'll need a full service immediately (which it probably won't), and factor that in, they're still the best value out there. One way to think of it is that it's a bit like buying a mailorder bike.

My own local Halfords is very good, I doubt you'd have any issues buying from them but you've got to keep it in perspective.

Mr Wu

If you can't set your own gears up properly then your probably pishing in the wind with a mtb.

Whilst I agree with the hour old remark it's something that should be second nature to sort out. It's mad that people pay other people to do stuff like this (eg punctures, WTF is that about?) t's the perfect time to learn how to fix things when you get a new bike.

Northwind

Don't think anyone disagrees but it's still fair enough to say you shouldn't have to on a brand new bike. I usually build my own, but if I bought a complete bike advertised as being set up, and it didn't work, I'd be annoyed. I'd go after them for a discount most likely.

Mr Wu

True. But that then comes down to where you get them from. Halfrauds aren't really what I'd call a bike specialist. They've done great riding on the Boardman name but when it comes to building a bike n fixing it, no chance not ever. Nope.

bikerbart

I think we're going off the subject here. Opinions were sought on the buying of Boardmans from Halfords. Having done this I gave experience. I'm sure the poster is not interested in peoples criticism of others mechanical abilities or hearing them being called whinners, thats not what this forum is for!

Mr Wu

Indeed :0)

Boardmans - Brilliant bikes.

Halfords - Not a bike shop.

supersonic

I used to work for Halfords, as so do many of my mechanic mates. Some ARE good - don't tar them all with the same brush. Try and get opinions on ther individual store if you can.

The bikes are great, nothing else really compares for the money.

bikerbart

Has anyone changed the tyres? If so what to?

bails87

bikerbart wrote:

Has anyone changed the tyres? If so what to?

I've had Maxxis Advantages on my HT Pro for a while, and like them. But that's a whole new can of worms!

As for Halfords: 1. Mine was set up fine. My local branch is fantastic.
2. It does come with pedals(or mine die). I got a free upgrade to M540 SPDs because the standard ones weren't in stock.

Ro88o

1st thing i changed on my Boardman - stock tyres are as thin as innertubes( 2 x punctures in their 1st wk) and scary loose gripwise.

I`ve been running on a pair of folding Nevs but winter is approaching so i`m looking for some good mudpluggers that wont slow me down much.

I agree with Supersonic on the Halfords topic, name and shame the branches but dont tar them all with the same brush, I found the queens rd branch in Sheffield very helpful when i bought mine good service too !!

nickfrog

bikerbart wrote:

A brand new bike should be rideable & should not need to be 'fettled' after an hours use

Could not disagree more. It should need to be fettled with A LOT to work better in the long run, particularly after the first hours, if not minutes:

- indexing when the cable has stretched (normal)
- seat post height
- steerer stack
- saddle fore/aft position
- cleats
- spoke tension
etc
etc.

Fettling is a inherent part of cycling. A bike is a mechanical device that needs bedding in.

kaytronika

I noticed my local Halfords also had GT in the sale... £150 off the I-Drive they've been stocking.

Boardman Comp is currently my target bike for saving up.

AlteredCarbon

bikerbart wrote:

Has anyone changed the tyres? If so what to?

Continental Verticals on mine. Much better than the Speed Kings for my riding style and local trails.

bikerbart

AlteredCarbon wrote:

bikerbart wrote:

Has anyone changed the tyres? If so what to?

Continental Verticals on mine. Much better than the Speed Kings for my riding style and local trails.

They look good, cheers. ...I've found the Speed Kings quite scary on wet tree roots & rocks. I run Conti Vapors on my Gary Fisher which if you read the reviews aren't the best, but where they might slip an inch or two on the same trail the Boardman just wants to leap sideways into the undergrowth.How much of that is down the tyres or the fact that the Boardman is 3k lighter I don't know. Probally a conbination of both.