Boardman Team FS vs Boardman Pro HT

ipclark

Looking for some advice please. I am going to get a bike through my employers cycle to work scheme, the partner for the scheme is Halfords and I've previously got a Boardman bike (road team carbon) through it and been delighted with it. Now I'd like to get something I can take off the Tarmac and cope a little better in icy conditions. I'm definitely going with Boardman (given im tied to halfords and good previous brand expereience) and to max my bang for buck at the scheme £ threshold of £1000. 2 obvious candidates just and out immediately and both have excellent independent reviews - Team FS and Pro HT. I'm not looking to spark a circular FS vs HT debate (there will never be consensus on that one), more peoples specific experience of the 2 machines pros/cons. I'd be very interested in understanding if you can lock out the rear suspension on the FS for smoother surfaces or climbing (couldn't see this in reviews).

In terms of usage, it's a difficult one because I don't really fully know yet, but I'd like to think I'd adventure beyond canal paths if the right gear is in my garage. I'm relatively fit (I guess) and not very tall at 5'8" (or short in other words!) average weight for height.
Ive got to submit my benefit scheme this week so any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

Beardface

Hey buddy,

I have the 2011 Team FS in medium (6ft, so it's borderline, but I prefer a smaller frame), and it's fantastic. The spec you get for £1k is unreal, and it's a good goer on the trails. Looks good too (link here)

The rear shock (RS Monarch 3) doesn't have lockout, but I've not found I've needed it yet, the bike is happy to climb up the hills and IMO, suffers minimal 'bob' at the back (I'm still playing with shock settings, could probably do with a little more air in, which would make it even better).

The only downside to the bike is me really.. I'm pretty unfit at the moment, so struggling more than I used to getting up the hills. Not the bikes fault in any way though! I'm still tinkering with the set up too, so once I've got that sorted, it should be more than capable for my abilities!

I did find myself falling back a little with the 2x10 gearing, as opposed to my mates 3x9 yesterday, but that could also be down to fitness somewhat.

Not had a go on the HT, but a guy at my work has one and is very happy with it. Naturally, better spec than the FS, but you lose the shock. It depends what you're after though, I can't help with that! A few people on here have the HT too (The Northern Monkey IIRC is one - yep - here's his thread).

I'd say test them both, but Halfords aren't too keen on letting the bikes loose.

Hope that helps a little? Give me a shout if you have any other Q's about the FS

(Just to throw a spanner in the works though, Halfords can order in pretty much any bike you want.. just give them a shout, but spec wise, I couldn't find anything that compared with the Boardman range)

Pudseyp

A HT is just a capable for most UK trail centres and will help you hone your core skills (bunny hops over roots etc..)as you have to be more cautious in picking your lines whereas a full suss will skip over most small obsticles. A HT at the same price will give you a better spec...it's horses for corses...I have both and use my HT for thrasing through local bridle paths and trips to the woods with the wife...I use the FS when I want to ride more aggresivley with mates at trail centres...both have a purpose so you need to identify if you will venturing into riding trail centres.

d3matt

I've never felt the need to lockout the rear shock for smoother surfaces or climbing. If the pressure is right, you can just leave it.
All my mates have HTs and if they were given the opportunity to swap their bikes, I think most of them would choose a FS now after out riding with me. I often get comments from them while riding out with them and they're impressed with my bike. And when they lift mine over a style or gate, they always say "wow, yours is light". Yet mine is the cheapest of the bunch and has higher spec components. It just has the wrong brand image.

ipclark

Thanks guys, some informative quick responses. Ultimately it sounds like my long term goal should be getting both. It certainly seems like there is value in having the choice available and they both appear to give different benefits in differing scenarios.
I'm still not clear on which to go for this year but I guess I know myself well enough that which ever I get I'll immediately be attracted to the benefits of the other! (I'll always be a little boy at heart).
I've just checked the scheme and the good news is that I don't have to decide now, just give the value - so ill spend the next 6 weeks researching and as was helpfully suggested maybe dragging a couple of test rides out of Halfords.
Thanks again guys, any further insights will always appreciated.

tboy823

Agree with everything said ^^^^^^^

My situation is that I only started riding again a few months ago and asked the lads i started to go with, HT or FS, and they unanimously said FS as it will cope with almost everything i'm ever gonna get out on.

I got a Team FS and its been brilliant, spec is great and it looks good too 8)

roughjaw

ipclark wrote:

...Ultimately it sounds like my long term goal should be getting both...

The reason why I got the Boardman HT. I thought it would be easier to explain getting a bike with more suspension rather than a bike with less

johnsav

ha! Exactly what I did

chez_m356

roughjaw wrote:

The reason why I got the Boardman HT. I thought it would be easier to explain getting a bike with more suspension rather than a bike with less

what? does that even make sense? so you got the bike with less suspension so it would be harder to explain? :? or is it just me being thick

*AL*

chez_m356 wrote:

or is it just me being thick

You're just being thick.

He has a bike with less suspension, now when he buys a full suss he can justify it to SWMBO by saying he now needs more suspension....



OP, buy a HT, hone your skills (or develop some if you have none to begin with) and get an idea for what type of riding you like, then you can make a better informed decision when you do buy a full suss.

chez_m356

*AL* wrote:

chez_m356 wrote:

or is it just me being thick

You're just being thick.

He has a bike with less suspension, now when he buys a full suss he can justify it to SWMBO by saying he now needs more suspension....

well if he had actually mentioned her indoors it would have made sense, i suppose i should have understood it better though,especially as thats exactly what i did

blablablacksheep

*AL* wrote:

chez_m356 wrote:

or is it just me being thick

You're just being thick.

He has a bike with less suspension, now when he buys a full suss he can justify it to SWMBO by saying he now needs more suspension....



OP, buy a HT, hone your skills (or develop some if you have none to begin with) and get an idea for what type of riding you like, then you can make a better informed decision when you do buy a full suss.

if his avator isnt his real face +1

If it is -1

But his right, HT is best for first bike as 1k target