Best (and worst) Halfords to buy a Boardman

baznichols

So I'm limited with cycle to work to Halfords, so that means a Boardman Comp.

Went to the Swansea store, asked if there was anyone who knew anything about bikes (never mind Boardman, just bikes) and they said that the Boardman specialist was now working on car parts! All they could muster up a brochure, which when I flicked through it was for the 2009 models!

I want to make sure the bike is set up properly and is a good fit, so given the many Halfords horrors I've read online, I thought it might be worth setting up a thread of the best and worst Halfords to buy a Boardman.

I'm based in South Wales, so I'd consider going anywhere from West Wales to Bristol before I part with £700, but please post any experiences for others to share

Thanks

father_jack

Three letters.

DIY.

Get it boxed and delivered to your house and set it up yourself.It doesn't come in bits, the bars will be rotated, saddle off and front wheel off.

all show no go

A few people on here and elsewhere have said that the Halfords in Brislington, South Bristol is worth a look.

They've got a decent display of most of the Boardman bikes as well as the likes of Voodoo and so on.

They also have a good selection of clothing and accessories if i remember rightly.

chunkytfg

GIve the Halfords cycle 2 work team a ring and they can normally get hold of most brands including specialised, cannondale etc


http://www.cycle2work.info/

I've just used my voucher from halfords in a shop called 'on your bike' and got a eddy merckx AMX-1.

08700 660511 in the number to call to speak to someone who can hopefully find you something not normal to halfords.

Be warned though all the 2010 ranges are being pulled atm to make space for the 2011 ranges so stock levels are a low seemingly everywhere!!!

Bar Shaker

chunkytfg wrote:

GIve the Halfords cycle 2 work team a ring and they can normally get hold of most brands including specialised, cannondale etc


http://www.cycle2work.info/

I've just used my voucher from halfords in a shop called 'on your bike' and got a eddy merckx AMX-1.

08700 660511 in the number to call to speak to someone who can hopefully find you something not normal to halfords.

Be warned though all the 2010 ranges are being pulled atm to make space for the 2011 ranges so stock levels are a low seemingly everywhere!!!

Be warned that most manufacturers won't give you any warranty if you buy outside of their dealer network. They will treat you like a second owner.

Besides, the OP is asking for branch recommendations, not ways of buying a lower specced bike for his £750.

Padleigh

I`m not from the South West but I can relay my experience of buying from Halfords. Bought a Team Carbon in August from my local branch, there was no way I was getting a discount or any extras thrown in. I was also assured that prices would not be reduced (now reduced to £999). Only problem so far has been a loose headset, how that got past the PDI I don`t know (suspect it was`nt actually done as this was a display bike and there may have been an assumption all was ok), anyway this was sorted by myself and has been ok since.
No other issues have surfaced and its a pleasure to go out on it. I`ve done a few hundred miles including TT`s on our local hiilly course as well as long training rides.

On reflection I`ve learnt a lot since buying the Boardman but there are equally good bikes to be had. I would have given Planet X some consideration for a start as well as the second hand market, not a lot of use if you have a voucher of course.

First post this so Hi to all who might read.

Cheers
Brendan

gregster10217

Another not from the area the OP is from, but as he's suggesting a thread of where to go/not go, I can add one of each from my experience.
CHATHAM, Kent - avoid like the plague. Initially good, but then the guy who did know all about bikes left and went to an LBS, and the staff that were left did not have a clue.
MAIDSTONE, Kent - went here after my experience at Chatham and got a great service, including a test ride. Bike was set up well, no problems at all. From memory, Rich was the guy I dealt with - he had a good knowledge of road bikes and sized me for the bike and I've been happy with it ever since. I was on the C2W scheme through Halfords and considered other brands, and test rode others, but the Boardman Carbon was the bike for me.
However, the bike has not been back to Halfords as I want to give my LBS the business and feel I get a better service and I WANT to spend my money there.