Calling all 2010 Boardman TC owners!!!

BBH
BBH Posts: 476
edited March 2011 in Road buying advice
Guys,

Please help. I have the opportunity to get a 2010 boardman TC as a replacement for one of my bikes that has gone to my brother (long story!). Only trouble is that they only have ex-display models left (apparently in excellent new condition and only recently displayed to fill a gap in the display).

My questions are:

Would u buy one? If so, would u expect some sort of deal either in money or bits for the bike or pay full retail? If not, what ballpark figure/bits would u expect.

Many thanks guys
2012 Scott Foil 10 (Shimano dura ace) - in progress
2011 Cervelo S2 (SRAM Red/Force)
2011 Cannondale Caad 10 (Shimano 105)

"Hills Hurt, Couches Kill!!"
Twitter: @MadRoadie

Comments

  • wombar
    wombar Posts: 119
    Halfords have discounted the 2010 Boardmans pretty heavily over the last month to make way for the 2011 models, so I don't think you'll get too much money off a display model at their current prices. I was pretty close to buying a Comp road bike, but as you found it's really only ex-display models left.

    Unfortunately it's a bit of a lottery as to their condition. Some aren't too bad, whereas others have been bashed around or had bits taken off them to fix bikes that are going out of the shop.

    I looked at one yesterday that had broken spokes and a scraped top tube. The guy in the shop said he could source me one from another store, but he's seen supposedly perfect bikes come in from other stores that were in worse condition. So it was either a case of taking that one (after they'd replaced the spokes), going to another Halfords or buying something other than a Boardman.

    I'd insist on checking any bike over with a fine tooth comb before parting with the cash. Personally, I'm just going to spend a bit more and go somewhere else. Halfords are just too hit and miss for me.
  • JKHinton
    JKHinton Posts: 70
    Halfords are just too hit and miss for me. quote

    My Boardman comp has been a very good bike, for the £649 I paid for it
    but I would not pay the £1299 being asked for the new 2011 Team Carbon and the even higher prices being charged for the higher end models and still have to deal with Halfords, Next time I buy I will pay a bit more and go for a brand that I can buy from a quality LBS with good after service. I just do not like the Idea of buying a big ££ bike and then having to run cap in hand like a beggar to get it serviced at my LBS because Halfords can not be trusted to give it good service/aftercare. :(
  • wombar
    wombar Posts: 119
    Unfortunately, that's part and parcel of buying from Halfords. I've got a Boardman HT Pro and my local store was pretty good with some reasonable mechanics when I bought it. Zero problems and it was very well set up (in fact I've done little to it in the 6 months I've had it). I do all my own servicing anyway, so as long as nothing is broken on delivery I don't really care.

    The trouble is, there's a lot of LBS out there that are just as bad as Halfords. Some are great, some are rubbish. Halfords have their ups and downs and that's simply part of the "experience" of buying a Boardman. You won't find a better spec for the money, but that comes at the price of playing the Halfords lottery.

    I'd go back to my local Halfords any day of the week over my LBS, who simply weren't interested when I walked in with "only" £1k to spend on a bike.
  • +1 Wombar

    I got a HT Pro from Halfords in Newbury. The service I received was brilliant. The Bike Hut manager built my bike while I waited and Ive had no problems since ive owned it, (about 6 months now) He was telling me how he had worked in the industry for 20 odd years and had been building bikes for most of that time, It was obvious that he new what he was on about. I think it can be a lottery really when dealing with Halfords, some branches have knowledgeable staff, some may not be so good.

    Also IMO I think it makes a big difference when you visit Halfords. If you turn up on a sat afternoon they are going to be busy and you may not get a great personal service. If you go later on a weekday you are more likely to get the 1 to 1 service that a LBS would normally give.

    When I was shopping around for a bike my LBS were only interested in pushing one brand (Cube) which is fair enough as they are in business to make money but I didnt have a great experrience. In my situation Halfords actually provided better advise and service than my LBS and worked harder to win my custom, so thats where I took it (Plus the fact that the Boardman was better value than anything else I had seen). Swings and roundabouts really - Find a good LBS or try and find a good Bike Hut!!
  • The TC (team carbon I'm guessing) is a great bike. I've got the Ltd Ed model, which apart from the paint, is exactly the same bike. I've had no problems with it for the last 15 months I've had it and have racked up over 1,000 miles now.
    If you're still considering it. check it very carefully and get everything replaced/repaired before you pay any money. All the mechanical stuff can be adjusted by them, yourself, or your LBS if you don't trust Halfords to do it, but check these more thoroughly than the superficial scratches etc, as that will cost the most to replace should there be anything wrong with them.
    In theory, it shouldn't have left the shop, so shouldn't have been ridden, only sat on in the shop, so should be ok.
    If you buy anything ex-display, you usually get a bit of cash off, so would be worth asking especially as they'll be wanting rid of it with the 2011 range just in. Either that, or ask for some sort of warranty on the mechanical stuff for 6 months/reasonable mileage.
    Limited Edition Boardman Team Carbon No. 448
    Boardman MTB Team
  • BBH
    BBH Posts: 476
    Thanks for the advice guys, am going to look this afternoon and am taking my fine tooth comb!! :D

    Will post with an update later :)
    2012 Scott Foil 10 (Shimano dura ace) - in progress
    2011 Cervelo S2 (SRAM Red/Force)
    2011 Cannondale Caad 10 (Shimano 105)

    "Hills Hurt, Couches Kill!!"
    Twitter: @MadRoadie
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    If you sign up for Halfords email service (access from Advice Centre page on their website), they send you a 10% off voucher for reserve and collect purchases.

    This would bring the price down to £899.

    The 2011 bike doesn't have Rival, is 0.5kg and will cost you £400 more than this.

    Are they worth buying? The 2010 Team Carbons are amazing bikes and were good value at £1200. At this price represent ridiculous value.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • The Mechanic
    The Mechanic Posts: 1,277
    My son bought one a few weeks ago and is well chuffed with it.
    I have only two things to say to that; Bo***cks
  • Fenred
    Fenred Posts: 428
    I bought a 2010 road comp 2 weeks ago, def not display model as I watched the guy finish building it as I was early picking it up....Of course as soon as I got home I stripped it down, greased and lubed it and built it back up properly but other than that, mines not got a mark on it and brand new...And only £560!!...Bargain,
  • wombar
    wombar Posts: 119
    Well, I'd kinda talked myself into buying a Team Carbon as my local store (who have a few good guys who work there and know their stuff) was showing in stock. Got there and apparently Halfords are having major issues with the stock levels on these bikes. A lot of stores showing in stock simply don't have them.

    One of the guys was kind enough to call about 10 stores for me who were showing stock, and only one had it in stock. That was an ex-display with a missing front brake.

    I would have had a Boardman road bike at these prices, but not an ex-display with other things potentially missing because they've been stripped to put on other bikes. If anyone does take the plunge, give it a REALLY good check before you leave the store, just in case something small but vital is missing from the bike. These are fantastic bikes at really good prices, you just have to be lucky (and quick).

    I suspect I'll either end up going for a Planet X (as the spec seems very similar) or waiting around for a second hand bike to crop up.
  • I got a Team Carbon through the Bike to Work Scheme and I used it last year as my winter bike.
    It was a great bike,a real joy to ride.
    In comparison to my other more expensive models there wasn't a great deal of difference.I came to quite like the Sram groupset and contemplated switching from Campag to Sram on my others ( I haven't as yet )
    As for discount,I would expect something as Halfords won't want to sit on the old stock and have it in the shop on display whilst the 2011 model is available for sale at a higher price.
  • simckenn
    simckenn Posts: 7
    I have yet to find a LBS that I'm happy with so if you have a good Halfords I'd go with them.
    Love Riding, Love Bikes.
  • puzzle
    puzzle Posts: 54
    Mods - please delete. Have sent a PM.