Boardman Road Team Carbon 2010 vs Boardman Road Team 2011

wks96

Hi, I'm looking for my first real road bike and have £800 maximum to spend and like the look of these two.
The Road Team 2011 is available this weekend for £800 at halfords, but should I get a second hand Team Carbon 2010 off eBay?
The few main questions are which are better?
Team '11 vs Team Carbon (ltd edition) 2010
Aksium Wheels vs Ritchey Pro Wheels
Shimano 105 vs Sram Rival
Aluminium vs Carbon

So should I get a new Road Team '11 or risk it with a second-hand Road Team Carbon '10 (possibly a limited edition version)? Any input is welcomed and please point out if there are any other bikes that I should consider, but I only have until Tuesday (5th June) before the new Road Team goes back up to £1000.

baldwin471

2011 Team. Definitely. 105>Rival, Aksium wheels are much better than the Ritchley's in the BTC2010. Also, the frame of the Team 2011 may be aluminium but it's about the same weight as the carbon frame on the 2010 TC.

benkxk

2010 Carbon.

Rode one the other day and you cannot beat a carbon frame. Just feels like you're floating along the road rather than having your backside raped by your seat.

Also the rival is very nice, it differs from the 105 in the way that the brakes are separate from gears so there is no chance of a shift under heavy braking. (Personal preference here, but Rival feels more solid, and carbon levers are nice!)

The Ritchie wheels are just fine, and can be upgraded when needed to Askiums (they don't cost that much) but upgrading to a carbon frame is much more expensive.

So start with the carbon!

Also 2011 Boardman's have multiple problems, especially with BB30

wks96

thanks for the replies so far guys, although they're contradictory :S.

Just need to also add would the large frame size be right for me at 6 foot (and still growing)

Secondly , if I were to lock up this bike regularly, I will use it for a 6 mile commute when the weather's nice, will rubbing from posts be worse on carbon or aluminium? and can I buy or do something to prevent rub?

benkxk

wks96 wrote:

thanks for the replies so far guys, although they're contradictory :S.

Just need to also add would the large frame size be right for me at 6 foot (and still growing)

Secondly , if I were to lock up this bike regularly, I will use it for a 6 mile commute when the weather's nice, will rubbing from posts be worse on carbon or aluminium? and can I buy or do something to prevent rub?

It's all personal preference apart from that carbon > alu.

And lock it up in a public place? rather you than me... get a beater bike for that (really cheap one)

binsted

wks96 wrote:

thanks for the replies so far guys, although they're contradictory :S.

if I were to lock up this bike regularly, I will use it for a 6 mile commute when the weather's nice, will rubbing from posts be worse on carbon or aluminium? and can I buy or do something to prevent rub?

My one complaint with the Boardman is the rubbing, I have ordered some scuff patches, unfortunately did not realise until the frame was marked

baldwin471

I would say that carbon is definitely a more smooth ride, but for me anyway, 105 is just better and the Aksium wheels are so much more sturdy than the ritchley's (Again, from personal experience) it almost makes the alu frame as smooth as the carbon one. Also, it'll be newer coming from 2011 so resale value will be better if you choose to upgrade in the future.

wks96

Does anyone know what the double tap on sram rival shifters is about?

Ringo 68

I have got a Boardman with Sram Apex (Srams budget gears) and a Cube with Shimano Ultegra (one above 105 in their range) and in my opinion there is not much in it at all. Gear changes are, if anything, smoother under load on the Apex.

Double Tap uses one lever behind the brake lever to change gears. A short press changes up a gear and a longer press in the same direction changes down. Simple,

Shimano 105 uses a 2 lever system. The same as Sram for changing up but you change down with the gear lever.

woodywmb

There have been many complaints about the BB30 bearings. Boardman seem to send them over dry and the creaking noise only goes when the bottom bracket is either packed out with grease or the bearings are replaced. Even then the noise will return if the bearings haven't been seated properly because of minor misalignment at the BB area of the frame. FSA, who developed BB30 with Cannondale, are now offering a version which comes with a nylon sleeve to take up the minute imperfections between the BB itself and the BB hole. Having said that the Road Team is a superb machine for the money. Thetriple-butted frame is easily damaged - so take care when propping it up against a wall or strapping it onto a bike rack.

ShutUpLegs

BenKxK wrote:

Rode one the other day and you cannot beat a carbon frame. Just feels like you're floating along the road rather than having your backside raped by your seat.

A good quality aluminium frame is better than a cheap carbon

BenKxK wrote:

The Ritchie wheels are just fine, and can be upgraded when needed to Askiums (they don't cost that much) but upgrading to a carbon frame is much more expensive.

Those early Ritchey wheels with unbranded hubs were heavy and had multiple failures reported

migrantwing

ShutUpLegs wrote:

A good quality aluminium frame is better than a cheap carbon

+1

ck101

Rival beats 105 and weight wise is similar to Ultegra, Carbon beats Alu, the wheels on the Alu Boardman are slightly better. Go for the better frame (carbon in this case) you can always upgrade the wheels.
I personally prefer SRAM so would go for the Carbon if however it was in nearly new condition.

Look at the tyres to establish if it is on the originals...

Jonninho

I'd recommend the 2010 Carbon anyday. I`ve never used 105 so can`t comment on that, and have campag on other bike, but I like the Sram double tap system.
Be wary of the Ritchey wheels. Lots of stories that I thought were rubbish until mine developed small cracks right round the rims, and some big cracks around the spoke nipples after about 7 months. I had about a 3 week argument with Halfords, and eventually got a brand new set of black Aksiums as replacement. Mavics are better, and they look better(in my opinion).
If your buying second hand have a good look at the rims if you can, not easy on e-bay though.

If your buying new from Halfords, check it when you get it home, and service it yourself.