Womens Boardman Comp

a2hgo
a2hgo Posts: 56
edited August 2012 in MTB beginners
Guys

I'm looking for a beginners bike, used to be into biking a lot when I was younger and want to get back into it. It will be mainly off road trail riding.

I've been looking at Boardmans given their good reviews and good value for money. Trouble is most are out of my price range and all the second hand ones are Meduim-Large size. I need a small as im quite short at 5ft 4, I tried an 18in and it was too big.

I've been offered a 17in womens Boardman Comp for a good price...other than 100mm travel on the forks rather than 120mm I can't see any difference in the specs and new they are the same price as the mens model.

Are there any glaringly obvious reasons why, as a man, I shouldn't buy it? (apart from the pink stickers :oops: )

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Ride it, if it feels comfortable it will be fine.
    Unless she has covered it with stick on flowers and fairy dust, in which case you need to be confident with your masculinity.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • a2hgo
    a2hgo Posts: 56
    Haha! Yes I may need to question that at some point in the future if she has and I still end up buying it.

    I guess you,re right, only way to really know is to ride it. I'll nip round tomorrow night!

    Goes off to find mens Boardman stickers...
  • andy9964
    andy9964 Posts: 930
    Might be worth going to your nearest halfords and asking what the differences are. They look pretty much the same to me
  • miss notax
    miss notax Posts: 2,572
    If an 18" bike is too big are you sure the 17" will feel ok?

    I'm 5ft 4 too and I know that frame size would be too big for me (my bikes are 14" or 15") - but I appreciate that everyones different! Good luck :D
    Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away....

    Riding a gorgeous ano orange Turner Burner!

    Sponsor the CC2CC at http://www.justgiving.com/cc2cc
  • a2hgo
    a2hgo Posts: 56
    I'ev checked the specs between the mens and womens on the Halfords webiste and there's nothing in it however this is the 2010 model.

    I guess youre right about the sizing, as 17 is still classed as medium...looks like another trip back to halfords to try some sizes...
  • I agree with all the above, but Im thinking your being fobbed off by the bike shop, Im assuming Halfords. Be careful that they arn't trying to just get rid of old stock by offering you what they have left over at a knock down price. Your spending a lot of money and you don't want it sitting in the shed because its not quite right.
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    I agree with all the above, but Im thinking your being fobbed off by the bike shop, Im assuming Halfords. Be careful that they arn't trying to just get rid of old stock by offering you what they have left over at a knock down price. Your spending a lot of money and you don't want it sitting in the shed because its not quite right.
    sounds like a private sale to me
    a2hgo wrote:
    Haha! Yes I may need to question that at some point in the future if she has and I still end up buying it.
    if its this one http://bikescore.co.uk/boardman/mtb-comp-fi--2010 id say its arguably better than the current model
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011
  • a2hgo
    a2hgo Posts: 56
    Yes its a private sale.

    Its this one:

    photowgw.png

    I wondering if to just spend the £300 on a new Carrera Vulcan instead...
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    does it fit you?
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    If it fits and is in good condition I'd take the Boardman
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    cooldad wrote:
    If it fits and is in good condition I'd take the Boardman
    this exactly, that and find a sticker kit :lol:... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/boardman-MTB- ... 704wt_1158 :wink:
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011
  • oxocube1
    oxocube1 Posts: 651
    if its this one http://bikescore.co.uk/boardman/mtb-comp-fi--2010 id say its arguably better than the current model

    It is that one (2010 model) and yes it is better than the current model. The new model has an X5 rear mech and Suntour Epicon forks but the 2010 model has X7 rear mech and Rockshox Recon Solo Air forks. Both forks are 100mm travel but the Rockshocks are better. Other than those two the bikes are pretty much identical but for £300 that one sounds like a bargain.

    Just a quick side note: the most recent MTB Comps have changed slightly from what it says on the Halfords website. They now come with Epicon X2 forks, Schwalbe Rapid Rob Tyres, and slightly better rims (cannot remember what make). So you get a little bit more for your money.
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    I wouldnt worry about the pink. Lots of people have those bright pink Orange 5's by choice! Thats right, they bought an orange 5 of their own free will - amazing I know.
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.