Boardman pro vs gt/trek-help!

alan1985
alan1985 Posts: 34
edited November 2012 in MTB buying advice
Hey all,
I'm just after a bit of advice on my next bike-recently got back into riding at the beginning of this year and got myself a 2012 Carrera kraken which I've use and abused a fair bit! I live twenty mins away from coed y brenin ( get at least two or three rides in a week) and ten from antur stiniog d/hill centre( only been there once as I seized my fork but loved it!)
My dilemma is I was all up for getting a boardman pro as the company I work for is launching cycle to work in January however halfords service hasn't been amazing with regards to repairs ( driving 30+miles each way for gear indexing on the rear derailleur and the ended up replacing the cable on the Front and not touching the rear! Friend bought a hoodoo-told him to test it in the car park, broken fork lockout-really!) so I'd rather get an equivalent specked gt or trek( I'm sure they're the two the lease/sell) from beics brenin as they've sorted me out a few times and always have time to give advice and not fleece you on repairs! Anything around the 1k mark that matches up as I know a lot of indies don't have the buying power of halfords and the pro has had some pretty awesome value for money reviews-thanks in advance :-)

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Simple - learn to fix it yourself, you don't want to be taking a bike to a shop after every ride which is how often you should be checking it!

    Get the Boardman, it will cost you 50% more to get a similar spec from the like ofs Spesh or Trek.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    The Beginner wrote:
    Simple - learn to fix it yourself, you don't want to be taking a bike to a shop after every ride which is how often you should be checking it!
    This + a whole field of organic potatos.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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    Parktools
  • alan1985
    alan1985 Posts: 34
    Been doing the basics maintenance wise, swapped over stock brakes for avid 3s and donated the old to my backup bike along with some other bits apart from that basic stuff-bar grips, tyres nothing too major, no point in me touching the fork as I got it replaced for free-however I'm waiting on the speed lockout cap as I managed to loose that at llandegla luckily with it fully open ( sure I can put that on myself) and I'm still nailing pb's on strava with the bounce so its not urgent! Gear indexing I've given it a go on both my bikes-it must be a practice makes perfect effort but I just don't have the time to master it, I'd rather be riding than fixing - I've been set on the boardman but I'd rather support a local indie, however if its even roughly near a 50% mark up part wise I'll get the boardman if it breaks i'll just avoid halfords-not saying that every one is the same, main reason for me is the 60 odd mile round trip as its a killer fuel wise.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Gears take 2 minutes to adjust, and 10 minutes to learn, really is worth learning it.

    You can always get the bike serviced at your local shop.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • alan1985
    alan1985 Posts: 34
    Sure I'll master them at some point between work and a very lively 10month only daughter who has found her legs 10 mins spare time is a rare event at the moment :D the main issue for my next purchase isn't the maintenance side-it's not like I'd start crying if I got a flat tyre ;-( it's which are the best components vs value for money on the available bikes for me, that why I'm looking at hardtails even though I'd love a full susser( had a very quick spin on a lapierre and I liked a lot!) boardman could be the winner for now...
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Boardman easily the winner!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • winter_zombie
    winter_zombie Posts: 291
    hi

    i have the boardman pro hardtail

    its a great bike and very light, for anything of the same spec you would be paying quite a lot more. halfords do get a bad rap but their not all bad

    like the others have said once you have the bike bit by bit learn to fix it, all i did was google the problem and i would always find a vido on youtube showing me how to fix it.

    get the boardman you wont be sorry

    if you want to ask anything else about the bike you can always pm me :)
  • alan1985
    alan1985 Posts: 34
    Cheers winter, noticed on the spec sheet it's pretty light and that was another draw for me-I've been doing the YouTube route for repairs as well lol and I've got bike doctor on my phone as a backup for when I'm out In the wilds! :-)
  • winter_zombie
    winter_zombie Posts: 291
    alan1985 wrote:
    Cheers winter, noticed on the spec sheet it's pretty light and that was another draw for me-I've been doing the YouTube route for repairs as well lol and I've got bike doctor on my phone as a backup for when I'm out In the wilds! :-)

    a bit of extra advise

    just like i do because im a beginner (again) :wink: is look after your bike after each ride, dont leave it in a shitty state. take the time to do a good wash and lube.
    and do a pre ride bike safety check. if you look after your bike it should look after you when your out in the wild.

    :wink::mrgreen:

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