Boardman CX Owners Thread

bails87

meanredspider
Romin or Phenom?

I've got the Romin on the Ribble and like it.

It turns out Halfords didn't actually replace the bearings, they just regreased them, so halfway home they started creaking again. Rode straight to Halfords (not far from home) and dropped it off. Apparently the bearings are now in the store so they actually will be replaced this time. :roll:

That meant I rode in on the Ribble this morning, avg speed was slower than on the CX yesterday, in identical conditions :?

meanredspider

bails87 wrote:

meanredspider
Romin or Phenom?

I've got the Romin on the Ribble and like it.

It turns out Halfords didn't actually replace the bearings, they just regreased them, so halfway home they started creaking again. Rode straight to Halfords (not far from home) and dropped it off. Apparently the bearings are now in the store so they actually will be replaced this time. :roll:

That meant I rode in on the Ribble this morning, avg speed was slower than on the CX yesterday, in identical conditions :?

Phenom It's fine now I'm used to it.

To55ers - what were they thinking? They were going to do the same thing with mine but I soon put a stop to that. How do they grease them? All the pics of BB30 bearings I've seen are sealed. Whatever, once a bearing has started making a noise, it's dead. A 3-day course at SKF taught me that.

Hmm - that's odd. I'm definitely slower on the Boardman than the Focus - and feel more tired too.

bails87

I don't normally commute on consecutive days, and I don't have a HRM or anything, I just ride in at a 'whatever I feel like pace' so it's by no means scientific. The real test will be tomorrow, should have the Boardman back, so I'll be riding on tired legs, in similar weather again.

Yep, it's pretty poor. They said they were going to replace them, Iwhen I picked it up they said they'd replaced them, so I thought they'd been replaced. But when I got to the store last night, the guy who'd served me before was by the door and said "oh, because we didn't actually replace them did we, just greased it". As if I knew, or had agreed to it. They've really gone downhill since I bought my MTB from them a couple of years back.

They also scratched the seatpost when they had it last time. I pointed it out, and the guy serving me just said "Well it's been in the workshop stand, so if it's been scratched it will have been from that". Somehow that made it ok. :roll:

meanredspider

In my experience, Halfords fully deserve their reputation. I'm sure there's a range of stores and staff but, on the whole, my experience has been really disappointing. And whilst people like the guy who runs my local store are still running stores, I see no hope of it getting better.

essex-commuter

My only open issue with my bike is the spkokes breaking and Halfords not being able to true a wheel properly.

Had a personal Tweet from Chris Boardman yesterday, he's given me his email address and has said he will get it sorted. Let's see what happens there then...

meanredspider

essex-commuter wrote:

My only open issue with my bike is the spkokes breaking and Halfords not being able to true a wheel properly.

Had a personal Tweet from Chris Boardman yesterday, he's given me his email address and has said he will get it sorted. Let's see what happens there then...

Well done. I'd love to know what's happening with the BB issue if you get a chance to ask him. There seems to be no way to contact Boardman Bikes directly (that I can find). Seems to be a bit of a PR gaffe for the.

Anyhow, that's just my agenda. Good luck with getting your wheels fixed.

essex-commuter

meanredspider wrote:

Well done. I'd love to know what's happening with the BB issue if you get a chance to ask him.

I'll add it to my email as an issue of mine and see what is said.

meanredspider

essex-commuter wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Well done. I'd love to know what's happening with the BB issue if you get a chance to ask him.

I'll add it to my email as an issue of mine and see what is said.

Cool. I'm just surprised it's such a common issue. Mine seems OK for now but it's incredibly common. Thank you.

bails87

I've got the bike back, with new bearings.

Interestingly, front shifting was a bit out because the chainrings seemed to be a mm or 2 closer to the frame, whether this is because the front mech has been kicked while it's been at Halfords, or because these bearings are properly pressed in, I don't know, let's just hope that they last.

Oh, and I was slower still today, 15.7mph on the CX. I could feel my legs were tired though, which kind of backs up the point I was trying to make before: the biggest influence on how quickly I get to work is how hard I push the pedals, not which bike I'm on.

jack_ammo

I should get my C2W Letter of Collection shortly.

I was planning to get a Boardman Hybrid Pro but when I saw the CX at Halford's Chingford early this afternoon I changed my mind. I want a Boardman CX!

This would be my second week cycling to work with an old second hand Marin MTB. Can't wait to get a new bike.

After reading the posts in this thread I am worried of encountering the same problem as I don't know anything about bike components.

Would it be better if I collect the box and have a LBS assemble it for me?

Cheers

61Sigs

I finally ordered my CX yesterday, I have bought vouchers through British Cyling s saved 10%. If I can find a discount code before I colect I'll apply that too.

I don't collect the bike until Wednesday as I tried the large, but fround it a tad too small and they didn't have an xl in stock

I must say that the staff in the Swindon branch have been fantastic. The let me bring my Epic into the store 'don't leave that outside mate, bring it in sor safekeeping', they put pedals on the large for me and let me take it out for a spin.

They have also assured me that they'll check wheels build and repack the BB aparently their shipped dry from the far east, why not grease them when they build is anyone's guess).

Fingers crossed all is well and on Thurs when I have a creaky bracket and two punctures I'll quietly delete this post :oops:

meanredspider

Has anybody seen one of these BB bearings? I still can't understand how they regrease them

bails87

Jack aMMo
Not really, Halfords just adjust the bars and seatpost. They don't build it. The BB is a manufacturing issue.

jack_ammo

bails87 wrote:

Jack aMMo
Not really, Halfords just adjust the bars and seatpost. They don't build it. The BB is a manufacturing issue.

Thanks for the info.

Got my Letter of Collection this morning.

Not sure anymore if I'm going back to Halfords to place my order.

bails87

I'd go for it. The BB thing is an issue but Halfords will sort it....eventually!

meanredspider

Yep - I'd say so for it too - despite the Halfords factor. Insist that they double check the BB before you take delivery. Afterwards, if you continue to have issues, have your LBS look at it. The bike is good and great value.

cookdn

Jack aMMo wrote:

Not sure anymore if I'm going back to Halfords to place my order.

bails87 wrote:

I'd go for it. The BB thing is an issue but Halfords will sort it....eventually!

meanredspider wrote:

Yep - I'd say so for it too - despite the Halfords factor. Insist that they double check the BB before you take delivery. Afterwards, if you continue to have issues, have your LBS look at it. The bike is good and great value.

+1

Anecdotally you may be better ordering on-line. I haven't had any problems yet (fingers-crossed), the bike is delivered pre-built including the wheels in a huge box. If the online-order workshop doesn't know how to address the BB30 problems then there is almost no-hope for the stores.

This is what CB had to say about the online-order workshop team in June 2009 (Boardman Bikes 2009: An update from Chris Boardman):

chrisbl4 wrote:

[....] I visited the workshop yesterday and spoke to the guys who will be building the bikes, again I can't make promises that aren't mine to keep but I can share with you what I saw. The team was a small group of real bike riders who love what they do, which gave me a lot of confidence and the capacity to deal with the demand seemed plausible. [....]

Don't let Halfords and the reported problems with the BB30 put you off what is a great bike. That is not to say the BB30 problems can be ignored but there are ways to mitigate the chances of being affected and hopefully you will only have to deal with Halfords once.

Best regards

jack_ammo

Thanks everyone!

I gave in and placed my order online. It should be ready for collection from 1600 tomorrow. I'll collect my new ride to work on Monday morning.

I also got a call from their Chingford Bike Specialists who informed me they have one in stock and would be assembled tomorrow. He was the same nice fellow who kindly allowed me to ride the CX around the Bike hut the other day.

I still have a £100 left for accessories. Apart from a fender what else should I get? Is the pedal included?

cheers.

cookdn

Jack aMMo wrote:

I gave in and placed my order online. It should be ready for collection from 1600 tomorrow. I'll collect my new ride to work on Monday morning.

Hope everything goes well. Was the BB mentioned during your phone conversation?

Jack aMMo wrote:

I still have a £100 left for accessories. Apart from a fender what else should I get? Is the pedal included?

No pedals are supplied with the bike as at this level they assume that you will want to provide/specify your own to match your cycling shoes. If you are on SPDs then Halfords do the Shimano M520 @ £35, this is getting on for £15 more than you can pick them up elsewhere but allows you to get relatively decent SPD pedals using your voucher.

If you are not in cycling shoes yet get the least expensive decent flats (metal rather than resin) with toe cages they can provide to get you going and then seriously consider purchasing SPD pedals and shoes elsewhere. I know this will be out of your own pocket rather than the voucher but you won't look back, if you are commuting by bike daily it will make a huge difference.

Best regards

meanredspider

Yup - please insist they've checked the BB. It'll save you some heartache and aggro later.

And +1 on the M520s - though you can get them considerably cheaper than at Halfords.

Got lights? Track pump? Some road tyres (and suitable inners)? (I'd recommend 25c Gatorskins which Halfords sell I think) Helmet? Gloves?

Have fun with it.

seataltea

There a a lot of people at work getting bikes on the C2W scheme at the moment so I called in with a mate when he went to order the Boardman Pro MTB

Assistant said they had a medium built ready for collection by a customer that afternoon and it was wheeled out of the back.

No air in the tyres and a loose headset, looking sheepish they suggested maybe it wasn't ready yet and then admitted that most of the people who buy Boardmans asked for them boxed to be built at home.

Service at Halfords is so hit and miss, why can't they get it right.

M520s can be had off Fleabay for £15 delivered btw.

meanredspider

Can't agree more about Halfrauds. I bought mine on Sat and they told me it would be ready on Monday (it was the display model FFS) - arrived at 10 on Monday and it wasn't ready - they asked for 20 minutes so I gave them 40. Guess what? Still wasn't ready. When they'd finished, the brakes still weren't adjusted properly.

3 hours to change the BB

No help with the loose rim tape.

They are such a rubbish shop. I'm so envious of those people that can buy from Wiggle.

bails87

Boardman CX Team review
5 Stars

"Precise handling plus powerful stop and go performance make the Boardman an absolute bargain"

Highs: Fantastic value, performance-orientated bike with BB30 and disc brake equipped frame, tapered carbon fork, full rack and mudguard mounts, and excellent spec
Lows: Discs add weight, but otherwise outstanding for the money. We’re gutted the even better specced Pro isn’t available in the UK though (look out for a review of that bike on BikeRadar soon)
Buy if: You want a bargain all-rounder that'll have a go at anything from 'cross racing to a blue rated trail centre, winter training road miles or daily commuting

From What Mountain Bike

meanredspider

Yup - that's a good review. I couldn't give it 5 thumbs whilst Halfords and the BB issues still persist but, beyond that, it certainly deserves them.

jack_ammo

I went to Halfords Chingford to collect my new ride this morning with an old pair of pedal in tow.

The bike was ready; not only that, a strapped wellgo pedal, front and rear reflector and a bell was included!

I asked if they greased the BB several times and got a reassuring 'yes'. I could still see some trace of grease. I took a picture but don't know how to upload it here.

I will road test it tomorrow morning and will take it to the Epping forest in the afternoon.

Wish me luck...............

61Sigs

I'll be interested t hear your views on it, I collect mine on Wednesday.

jack_ammo

I tried rotating the front and rear wheel to test the brakes and noticed a rubbing sound coming from the disc, is this normal for a new bike?

meanredspider

Jack aMMo wrote:

I tried rotating the front and rear wheel to test the brakes and noticed a rubbing sound coming from the disc, is this normal for a new bike?

A slight bit of rubbing is ok - it should go as the brakes bed and wear down. If it's significant rubbing, you can wind the pad back a bit

IanTrcp

Interesting thread. Thanks all.

Mine is sitting in my garage waiting for me to return from hols. So what is the full list of things to be checked/sorted prior to riding?

I'm quite tempted to ask my Lbs to install a spanking new set of SRAM bb30 bearings before I start....

meanredspider

IanTrcp wrote:

Interesting thread. Thanks all.

Mine is sitting in my garage waiting for me to return from hols. So what is the full list of things to be checked/sorted prior to riding?

I'm quite tempted to ask my Lbs to install a spanking new set of SRAM bb30 bearings before I start....

That's not a bad idea.

Check the brakes for adjustment. If you are swapping the tyres or fixing a puncture, check the rim tape. Apart from that, all seems to be ok. Swapping th BB5s for BB7s is probably a shrewd move at one point. I swapped my front one. Keep an eye out for deals.

Then enjoy