Boardman team carbon vs team alu frame for a build

Big dave 3

I am looking to build a sportive type road bike & there seems to be plenty of boardman frames going cheap on ebay.

SOme are carbon, some aluminium, the aluminium is definitely cheaper to buy. My plan is to put an ultegra groupset & campag zonda wheels with the frame.

IS there much difference between the alu & carbon Boardman frames? I was looking at Boardman team road carbon/boardman team aluminium frames & a Boardman road comp frame. WOuld I get away with a alu basically?

imposter2.0

Not sure what you mean when you say 'would I get away with an alu' - either material will be suitable for you, just depends on your budget or preference.

Big dave 3

WOuld carbon be worth paying the xtra for? There is a brand new alu frame on ebay in my size. I can't find any new or very good condition Boardman carbon frames at the moment

JayKosta

If by 'sportive type road bike' you mean long distance comfortable riding with good (but not 'racing' performance) then the geometry (and stiffness) of the frame is more important than the frame material. Stay away from overly stiff, short wheelbase 'race' bikes.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

Tiberius007

I have the full bike alu team frame, albeit in the hybrid and love it. I think but I don't know for sure that it is the same frame as used on the road bikes (someone will correct me if I am wrong). Visually it is a lovely frame, smooth welds at the top part of the frame, shame they could not have carried that thru to the BB area. Still you don't see them really down there.

I does ride differently to my carbon bike (again diff brand), not in a bad way just different, and it appears a little stiffer in the ride. I am not looking to break land speed records on this thing but you can give it some beans and it will move and I only have the stock components on it. One other thing for me was the TT measurement is quiet long, so I am in a slightly more stretched position than I ideally wanted, but that was the compromise I made (its not that bad and I can get a shorter stem if the need arises) the rest of the bike/frame I love. So it really depends what you want. I don't think there is anything wrong with alu frames personally, it is perfect for what I want and what I use it for.
Any hope this helps. Envy you building a bike of that quality, I am attempting my first build this winter to keep me active, but I am starting on my 20 YO MTB with fairly basic components as cheap as I can get them. That way if I make a mess of it....well I will learn I suppose. Happy building