2 feet first

Rich_awakening
Rich_awakening Posts: 56
edited September 2012 in MTB buying advice
Right am going to be buying my first proper mountain bike after being bitten fairly hard by the bug, am buying a Boardman ht pro through a cycle to work scheme and planning to leave it as is other than swapping the stem for a 35mm Kore B1B. Also looking at a giro hex helmet.

Any suggestions or advice gladly received and if anyone is aware of any halfords deals or codes due soon please let me know as I would rather use voucher money than my own for the helmet and a set of more road worthy tyres :-D

Many Thanks
Rich

Comments

  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Why are you fitting a 35mm stem straight off the bat? Even by current standards that's short.
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    njee20 wrote:
    Why are you fitting a 35mm stem straight off the bat? Even by current standards that's short.
    ^^This.
    Just ride the frigging thing.
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  • Rich_awakening
    Rich_awakening Posts: 56
    Can't see a reason not to if I'm honest, was told shorter the better, but like I said very new to this and happy to take advice if there is good reason not to go stumpy...
  • oodboo
    oodboo Posts: 2,171
    Leave the stem. Changing to something that short will alter the handling too much for a bike you're going to use on the road.

    The hex is a good helmet, I still use mine for commuting after buying a fox flux as I find the giro more comfortable. That said everyones head is a different shape so try before you buy.
    I love horses, best of all the animals. I love horses, they're my friends.

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  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    A shorter stem does not always mean better. If it did then all bikes would be supplied with short stems. Ride the bike for a bit and see how it feels first. If something is uncomfortable or doesn't feel right then change it.

    My best advise for helmets is try as many as you can. Helmets and people heads come in different shapes and sizes so the more you try better chance of finding something that fits. My mate loves his Giro helmet but turns out I have a MET shaped head and prefer that instead.
  • ElliesDad
    ElliesDad Posts: 245
    I just got the Boardman FS Team on the Halfords cycle to work scheme, if you're going to use the Pro off road the only things I would recommend changing would be the tyres and the pedals. The stock Boardman pedals are not very grippy and the stock tyres are pretty crap on the trail. I also changed to a 70mm stem but wouldn't want to go any shorter.

    If you are only going to use the bike on road or light trails then I wouldn't change anything!

    One other thing, if you go for a Halfords bike you get 12.5% of the value of the bike in accessories, as I went for the FS Team at £1000 it meant I got £125 worth of free accessories.
    2012 Boardman FS Team
    2014 Giant Defy 2
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    ElliesDad wrote:
    If you are only going to use the bike on road or light trails then I wouldn't change anything!
    If he only wants to use it on road, then he's got the wrong fekkin' bike!
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  • drumandguitar
    drumandguitar Posts: 74
    Rich_awakening wrote:
    Right am going to be buying my first proper mountain bike....

    ...a set of more road worthy tyres

    Does not compute. Just ride it. Things like altering stem length/tyre options will come in time.
    Canyon Nerve XC7
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    Planet X Uncle John
  • Rich_awakening
    Rich_awakening Posts: 56
    Haha thanks guys, will maybe leave the stem for a bit! Road use will be marginal, the bike has.been bought for XC didn't know about the 12.5% though...how did that come about? Did they offer it to you or did you have to push for it?
  • ElliesDad
    ElliesDad Posts: 245
    Rich_awakening wrote:
    Haha thanks guys, will maybe leave the stem for a bit! Road use will be marginal, the bike has.been bought for XC didn't know about the 12.5% though...how did that come about? Did they offer it to you or did you have to push for it?

    It wasn't mentioned when I applied, it just appeared on the Letter of Collection so I though it was standard, might be worth double checking with Halfords or your HR department.

    Another thing I noticed on the LoC was that it said no online discounts are permitted.
    2012 Boardman FS Team
    2014 Giant Defy 2

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