felt or boardman?

gaters
gaters Posts: 6
edited February 2015 in Road buying advice
About to invest in a new bike. My current bike is trek Domane and ive had it 2 years. I want something racier and to use in tri's, tts, sportives and general riding for fun. Ive narrowed it down to Felt AR3 or Boardman Air Elite 9.2. But which one would you choose?

Comments

  • KevChallis
    KevChallis Posts: 646
    Whichever looks best
    Kev
    PlanetX Pro Carbon
    Voodoo Bizango
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    I also considered both of these before changing tack and getting a non-aero bike (I may get a full on Tri-bike later instead). If I remember correctly there was a fair bit of difference in geometry. I like the Boardman and it seemed better value but there seemed to be a bit too big a gap between sizes and I couldn't find one that I was confident would be a really good fit. Also distributors seemed a bit scarce in Ireland. I seriously considered an AR4 which seemed about right for me geometry wise. As with many bikes the wheels were a bit mediocre and I felt the cost once I'd replaced the wheels was more than I wanted to spend. Both appear to be excellent frames. If I was you and had narrowed it down to these two I'd make my final decision primarily based on geometry, price and which I just liked the look of!
  • gaters
    gaters Posts: 6
    Thanks, good insight. The boardman was a recommendation after a bike fit/measure at bike science. I'd not considered it before. The felt I like from reading reviews and seeing in another shop. The wheels are a valid point but both are an improvement on what I'm running now.
  • Undertones
    Undertones Posts: 52
    Ar3. Reversible seatpost can't beat it.
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    Undertones wrote:
    Ar3. Reversible seatpost can't beat it.
    I may be wrong but I think the Boardman has a highly adjustable saddle clamp position on top of the seatpost that gives just as big a range for getting either a road, TT or Tri position.
  • gaters
    gaters Posts: 6
    The Boardman does indeed have a similar seatpost arrangement so you can have different set ups. However adding to this I've also seen a Canyon Aeroad cf slx 7.0. Too much choice!!!!!!!!!!!
  • ai_1
    ai_1 Posts: 3,060
    I do like the Canyons generally.
    However, for some reason the new Aeroad SLX doesn't really do it for me. Not sure why.
    It migh tbe different if I saw one in the flesh. Purely an aesthetic thing. I'm certain it's a superb bike.

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