Canyon Nerve AL 7.0 or Boardman Pro 650B

HardrockRob

Hi all. Been a while since I last posted, but am looking at a new bike. Had a bit of time off the bike (long story) but getting back out there. Started getting a few aches on my 09 Stumpy FSR Comp and have come to the conclusion it is the reach doing it for me - the Stumpy is a large, so looking to replace it with a medium framed bike.

Prices (and wheel sizes) have moved on since then, so have set myself a budget of £1,500 and had narrowed it down to the Canyon Nerve AL 7.0 but have since stumbled across the Boardman Pro 650b which also looks stonking value albeit £100 more (although the difference is less once you factor in delivery charges for the Canyon). The obvious plus about the Boardman is that I can go to a shop and buy it, although aftersales probably just the same for both bikes!

Links as follows:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=3280

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_991953_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab3

I am looking for bang for buck, and can't stretch to what my Stumpy would be today.

Both are good looking bikes with what look to my (admittedly untrained and out of touch) eye excellent specs for the price. The Canyon has 120mm travel and the Boardman 130mm, so enough for what I would want. How does the Fox compare with the Riba, and does one have obviously better kit than the other? Fox obviously used to be the go to, but as I bring myself back up to speed that does not seem to be the case anymore.

I also note the Nerve 6 seems to have the same fork as the Boardman?

Any advice gratefully received!

OwenB

This code gives 10% off bike orders at Halfords if that helps: B14BK02.
Obviously this brings it down to £1439 so less than the Canyon as well. I've not ridden either but my son has a 2011 Nerve XC 5 and it's a great piece of kit for the price.

chrisw333

or this

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... E-X-2-2013

rockmonkeysc

chrisw333 wrote:

or this

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... E-X-2-2013

Thats a bargain. Brilliant frame and good components. Great bike to ride.
I know a lad who has just bought the Boardman FS 650b pro after his Trek fuel was stolen. He isn't at all impressed with the Boardman.

chrisw333

I admit to be biased as that is the model I own.

But at that price you could get a dropper too within budget.

HardrockRob

Cheers for the replies guys. Thanks for the code as well, that brings the Boardman well within budget.

Never really been keen on the Giants but that is an excellent price so will have a look further at that. How does all the kit on it compare with the Canyon ( wheels etc).

The obvious difference is the wheel size - if I am getting a new bike I am tempted to go for for the latest fad... And quite like the sound of the middle ground to to 29s...but that price is good...

Dilemmas Dilemmas.

HardrockRob

RockmonkeySC wrote:

chrisw333 wrote:

or this

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... E-X-2-2013

Thats a bargain. Brilliant frame and good components. Great bike to ride.
I know a lad who has just bought the Boardman FS 650b pro after his Trek fuel was stolen. He isn't at all impressed with the Boardman.

What's he not impressed with?

chrisw333

The spec of the Canyon is prob a little better than the Trance, although I haven't done a component by component caparison.

I can certainly see why it is attractive. BUT the Trance is universally regarded as an excellent machine that rides brilliantly and punches above it's weight - the whole greater than the sum of the parts perhaps? I've never seen a bad comment or review about it and there's quite a few fans on here. It's a safe bet. Chuck a dropper and new tyres into the mix for a similar budget and it looks good buy.

That said, the Canyon looks good too and I'd be tempted by that also if in your shoes.

rockmonkeysc

HardrockRob wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

chrisw333 wrote:

or this

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... E-X-2-2013

Thats a bargain. Brilliant frame and good components. Great bike to ride.
I know a lad who has just bought the Boardman FS 650b pro after his Trek fuel was stolen. He isn't at all impressed with the Boardman.

What's he not impressed with?

Geometry mostly. It lacks stability and just doesn't steer or grip well. He's a fast lad but not on the Boardman. Even on the blue trails at BPW he couldn't keep up despite normally being the fastest on that sort of trail.
The rear suspension works ok but is nothing special.
What don't you like about Giants? The frames are solid, they have excellent rear suspension which is very efficient but controlled and they are absolutely bomb proof.

HardrockRob

RockmonkeySC wrote:

HardrockRob wrote:

RockmonkeySC wrote:

chrisw333 wrote:

or this

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s1p494 ... E-X-2-2013

Thats a bargain. Brilliant frame and good components. Great bike to ride.
I know a lad who has just bought the Boardman FS 650b pro after his Trek fuel was stolen. He isn't at all impressed with the Boardman.

What's he not impressed with?

Geometry mostly. It lacks stability and just doesn't steer or grip well. He's a fast lad but not on the Boardman. Even on the blue trails at BPW he couldn't keep up despite normally being the fastest on that sort of trail.
The rear suspension works ok but is nothing special.
What don't you like about Giants? The frames are solid, they have excellent rear suspension which is very efficient but controlled and they are absolutely bomb proof.

Thanks for the reply. That's quite interesting and doesn't do much to move me towards the Boardman.

The Giant thing goes back a few years, and I am so out of the loop it really doesn't apply anymore. Back then their bikes didn't do it for me. Can't think of a specific reason now other than something as shallow as not liking the look of them. :oops:

I am sure they are excellent bikes and looking at the price of the one above am seriously tempted, but I was planning on a 650/27.5 bike, which is why the Nerve is on the shortlist.

ej2320

Not sure on the price, but Vitus bikes on CRC are promising

I have the Blitz/gravir and for only 100mm rear 120mm front I find it can battle it's way down rough DH routes, so it certain performs above it's designed level
68.5 head angle helps