Boardman 2011 FS Team or Cube XMS or poss AMS Comp

andymoss

Are there any seasoned MTB pro's out there who can advise on which of these two bikes I should go for?

I can get the Boardman 2011 FS Team on the cycle to work scheme (I am only allowed to use halfrauds for this unfortunately) so it will cost approx £700 all in and I think that is an excellent bike for that price. It also has good reviews

However it would be nice to be able to get a named MTB and I like the cube range which my local bike shop stocks.
The cube XMS is closest price wise at approx £1200 and I really like the AMS Comp but that is around £1400. I might be able to get a slight discount on this but assume it is not much.

I am thinking the Boardman is such good value on the scheme that I am not sure if the others really justify the extra cost but I don't know enough about bikes or components to know if that is the case or not?

any guidance much appreciated...

Mccraque

I was in a similar position to yourself last year.....wanted the Cube (HT though) - went for a boardman.

Once I had factored in the price and the spec, the Boardman won hands down. And I have been very very pleased with it after a year of hammering the hell out of it.

Worth noting - Halfords can get you other bikes (I have a feeling through Leisure Lakes...but don't quote me on that). However, if it's not a stock item (at Halfords) then it will be at RRP - and often other dealers will eclipse that price.

Also, unless your company are willing to be a little creative now, you're going to get creamed for a final payment of £250 on a £1k bike. Gits! So be sure to factor that in to your break even charts...

Even with that thrown in, the Boardman FS is an unbelievable bike for the money, even at the full £1k asking price. Recevied a very good review last month in (I think) WMB. Although possibly MBUK...I can never remember what I read and where...but was a 4.5/5 rating - on a par with the Canyon Nerve.

Hope that is of some help.

Mccraque

and about the Boardman FS - Lighter than the competition in that range, Suspension works well, great looking frame (no welds) and more than capable.

To add some balance...the wheels are quite light and flexy and the saddle a little basic.

Minor points, in the scale of things.

andymoss

Thanks Mccraque. The latest guidelines for final payment are a little clearer now in that I pay tax on the balance of 25% of its new value of £1000. So 40% of £250 is £100 final payment plus the intial £600 cost.

I think I saw somewhere that the rear shock does not lock out. Is this a problem do you think?

Any thoughts on being 2x10 gears rather than 3x10 ?

I am starting to do more MTB'ing - woodland trails and longer rides (just done south downs). I don't think I am likely to ever do steep downhill or jumping over boulders. Will the wheels still be ok for this type of thing?

supersonic

Why not look at the Pro if looking to spend more on other bikes?

Not sure what you mean by 'named' bike lol.

andymoss

supersonic wrote:

Why not look at the Pro if looking to spend more on other bikes?

Not sure what you mean by 'named' bike lol.

By named bikes I meant something that had a good brand reputation (cube, specialised, giant etc) and came properly setup from the shop by people who know what they are doing...

supersonic

Which Boardman do, they win award after award. Halfords can be hit and miss, but there is no way of saying whether some LBS will be any better. Some are dire. Depends on the store.

Best thing to do if unsure, as with any store, is visit it first and gauge, or get feedback on that particular store. Halfords or LBS.

Mccraque

Yes absolutely fine on the south downs. - It'll gobble that terrain up. (I ride there myself)

I woudln't worry about the rear shock lock out. My friend has the bike you are considering and I have a Zesty with non lockable rear shock - neither creates bob that I would worry about. And the flip side is that you have so much more traction when climbing a technical ascent