First Post - Boardman Team Carbon

AshWalton14

I have viewed this forum extensively as a guest, often looking on with admiration/envy at the bikes that some people own! I have decided that I will take the plunge and post my first topic regarding my own bike...

Boardman Team Carbon XL (57.5cm)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97206167@N07/8997975494/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97206167@N07/8996790895/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97206167@N07/8996795205/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97206167@N07/8996796871/in/photostream/

Please bear with me regarding spec, I have copied most of it straight from the Boardman website :roll:

Frame: Superlight full carbon monocoque, tapered steerer, BB30
Forks: Superlight full carbon, tapered steerer
Bars: Deda Newton
Stem: Deda Zero1
Headset: FSA Integrated
Bar Tape: Cinelli Gel Cork Bar Tape

Front Brake Lever: Shimano 105
Front Caliper: Shimano 105
Rear Brake Lever: Shimano 105
Rear Caliper: Shimano 105

Shifters: Shimano 105
Front Mech: Shimano 105
Rear Mech: Shimano 105

Seat: Fizik Arione CX
Seat Post: cboardman Carbon
Seat Post Clamp: cboardman Carbon

Chainset: FSA Gossamer Pro compact BB30 50x34T
Chain: KMC X10
Cassette: Shimano CS5700
Pedals: Shimano 105
Bottom Bracket: FSA BB30

Front Wheel: Mavic Cosmic Elite
Rim: 6106 Aluminium
Spokes: Steel bladed (black)
Hub: Aluminium
Tube: Vittoria Road
Tire: Vittoria Zaffiro

Back Wheel: Mavic Cosmic Elite
Rim: 6106 Aluminium
Spokes: Steel bladed (black)
Hub: Aluminium
Tube: Vittoria Road
Tire: Vittoria Zaffiro

Accessories: cboardman Carbon Water Bottle Cage and Bottle/cboardman Hand Pump.

I'm unsure on the weight, as stock it is suggested to be 8.25kg but I haven't got round to weighing it since I've changed bits and pieces. The Deda bars and stem were an upgrade, as were the Mavic Cosmic Elites (previously came with Mavic Askiums). I also changed the white Fizik Arione saddle for a black and white Fizik Arione CX Carbon Braided... mainly, and I'm ashamed to admit but because I wanted to have a colour scheme and felt the black and white saddle suited more than simply plain white.. Also swapped the white handlebar tape for black (more practical and a necessity - came off over winter and ripped the white).

I bought this bike following an experiment with a £150 flatpack courtesy of SportsDirect (Viking Phantom) originally bought to see if I would take to cycling to compliment my fitness along with running and swimming. I soon found myself wishing for a better bike and having read plenty of reviews, I plumped for the Boardman from my local Halfords... I know there can be a stigma attached to buying from Halfords but I found them absolutely spot on in terms of setting me up and servicing when I need to.. That coupled with the positive reviews regarding value for money and the spec you get helped me to make a decision and I don't regret it to this day. I would love eventually to own something more 'exotic' and 'desirable' but for now the Team Carbon does the job!

Any comments would be warmly received and I don't have a problem with people having their own opinion either, its each to their own as they say!

Rod11

There you go! Looks good, nice upgrades.

AshWalton14

Thanks ! I did wonder how to get pictures onto the thread, could only work out how to link them ! Much appreciated!

Rod11

When you hit the share button, it should give you the 'Grab the HTML/BBCode" option, then this -
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/97206167@N07/8997975494/&quot; title="IMG_1231 by ashwalton14, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8997975494_1652609de3.jpg&quot; width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_1231"></a>

You only want this part - http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8997 ... 609de3.jpg then put them between the image tags and that's it!

monkeyeatsps3

Looks very nice! This is the bike I'm looking to get

andytee87

Looks great, I don't see anything wrong with boardman bikes- spec you get at a set price is hard to beat. I think the problem with halfords is you can be lucky and get a sales guy who knows what they're talking about, or not- just like some LBS can be hit or miss. If you've put the time into working out what is the best deal for you at your budget and its halfords no problem, but ifs someone goes there as the first option without looking around than they could regret later.

No problem with trying to get a colour scheme either, being a bike tart is fine! I think the lettering on the cosmics (yellow and white) with black rims matches the frame really well too

Enjoy

clarkey cat

Looks very nice. I think a well put together Boardman looks really good.
Only comment is that your saddle appears to be pointing up...?

AshWalton14

monkeyeatsps3 wrote:

Looks very nice! This is the bike I'm looking to get

I would definitely vouch for it, its got great spec and I haven't had a problem with it, rides really well and all in all a very good bike for the money (or at least in my opinion !)

AshWalton14

andytee87 wrote:

Looks great, I don't see anything wrong with boardman bikes- spec you get at a set price is hard to beat. I think the problem with halfords is you can be lucky and get a sales guy who knows what they're talking about, or not- just like some LBS can be hit or miss. If you've put the time into working out what is the best deal for you at your budget and its halfords no problem, but ifs someone goes there as the first option without looking around than they could regret later.

No problem with trying to get a colour scheme either, being a bike tart is fine! I think the lettering on the cosmics (yellow and white) with black rims matches the frame really well too

Enjoy

Yeah I agree, thankfully for me, the guy I dealt with at the Halfords I bought from had a genuine interest/passion for cycling and really helped point me in the right direction.. I did go into a different Halfords to try a Boardman Team (for a rough size guide) and the guy was just there to pick up a wage.. kind of just left me to my own devices!

bike tart! I must admit, when I started with the handlebar tape, I always had a feeling that I would probably want to change bits and pieces and try to keep it subtle. When it came to wheels I had a budget to consider but the colour scheme was a bonus!

AshWalton14

clarkey cat wrote:

Looks very nice. I think a well put together Boardman looks really good.
Only comment is that your saddle appears to be pointing up...?

I have only just noticed looking back over the pictures how obviously upwards it points.. I don't notice it when I'm on the bike and its a very comfortable ride, but I cant answer exactly why the saddle points upwards :? I can only assume that it must be my preference? I will level it however and see if I feel any difference in ride comfort!

Lifeboy123

I have the 2010 team carbon as my winter bike ( far too good) ..great bike for a grand, very nippy and one of the lightest bikes around for under £2.5K..nice upgrades on yours ....tempted to add Kysrium Elite s to mine over the stock ritcheys which despite reviews have remained solid and true....I notice like me you've reversed the stem.

Is their a noticable difference with the upgraded wheels ?

duckson

I have the SRAM Rival equipped TC and gone from the Ritchey's to American Classic Victory 30's to DuraAce 9000 C24's and yes there is quite a difference! So much more acceleration, a good upgrade (along with tyres, used GP4000S and currently using Conti GP Force/Attack).