Newbie with 1k burning a hole in his pocket

Ace Rimmer
Ace Rimmer Posts: 3
edited August 2018 in MTB buying advice
Hi Folks

Looking to purchase a hard tail to use on my local trials after moving from London to leafy Hampshire.

If I can get a cycle voucher from my employer have narrowed down the following bikes:

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... -22-frames

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... ntain-bike

https://www.pedalheaven.co.uk/31277/pro ... black.aspx

https://www.pedalheaven.co.uk/30277/pro ... black.aspx

Are the more expensive bikes really better than the Bizango ?
Your thoughts please.

Comments

  • trek_dan
    trek_dan Posts: 1,366
    Boardman has the best spec by a mile. If you can use your voucher at Decathlon the BTwin 500XC is similarly superb value.
  • mattyfez
    mattyfez Posts: 638
    The boardman is better spec but I'm not sure if it's "better enough" to justify the extra cost over the bizango. Especially for a beginner.
  • joebristol
    joebristol Posts: 327
    I’d definitely take the Boardman - better wheels with bolt through hubs / tubeless ready / much nicer fork / bigger range of gears with the 46t lowest sprocket / better brakes. The cube looks quite xc orientated and the specialised isn’t good value for money.

    If the Boardman is too expensive then I’d definitely go Bizango as my next choice.
  • billycool
    billycool Posts: 833
    Boardman is good value for money with a decent spec.

    Bizango is prefectly acceptable as an entry level bike at a lower price point (but not as well spec'd as the B'man)

    Cube has a reasonable spec on paper but don't know much more than that.

    Specialised is okay but not such a good spec for the money. I've had 5 Spesh HT's and my current one is a Stumpjumper, but they just don't give you so much bang for your buck anymore.

    If you are completely new, then the Bizango is a good place to start. If you can afford it and want something a bit nicer, which might be a bit more future proof, then the Boardman is a better bet.

    I would still suggest that you got and try both, as the bike fit is more important than our opinion.
    "Ride, crash, replace"
  • general-ref
    general-ref Posts: 15
    Don't want to hijack OP's thread, but I have a very similar question.

    I'm tempted to go for the Boardman 8.8. Local bike shop is suggesting Giant Fathom (new ones are apparently out this week) - assuming same specs here, I'd be looking at the Fathom 2 - https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/fathom-29-2-2019. Not sure if the Fathom 1 is worth the extra.

    Any thoughts would be welcome...
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Not only is the Fathom not worth the extra, its not worth as much as the Boardman 8.8.
    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.
  • general-ref
    general-ref Posts: 15
    The Rookie wrote:
    Not only is the Fathom not worth the extra, its not worth as much as the Boardman 8.8.

    that's interesting to hear, thanks. What are the key points for comparison? I was struggling to tell the difference between frame/forks (which I've been told are key items for comparison). Other points I liked were it already having a dropper post in it, and it being tubeless. Are they not really much in the way of extra value?
  • Ace Rimmer
    Ace Rimmer Posts: 3
    Right , Cant get a cycle voucher from my employer till April next year so will probably go with the 0% finance from Halfords and will join Cycling UK to get the 10% discount. Will probably get a Voodoo as nearly half the price compared to the Boardman.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    general-ref wrote:
    The Rookie wrote:
    Not only is the Fathom not worth the extra, its not worth as much as the Boardman 8.8.

    that's interesting to hear, thanks. What are the key points for comparison? I was struggling to tell the difference between frame/forks (which I've been told are key items for comparison). Other points I liked were it already having a dropper post in it, and it being tubeless. Are they not really much in the way of extra value?
    Forks and brakes are better on the Boardman, nothing on the Giant is better.
    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.
  • general-ref
    general-ref Posts: 15
    The Rookie wrote:
    general-ref wrote:
    The Rookie wrote:
    Not only is the Fathom not worth the extra, its not worth as much as the Boardman 8.8.

    that's interesting to hear, thanks. What are the key points for comparison? I was struggling to tell the difference between frame/forks (which I've been told are key items for comparison). Other points I liked were it already having a dropper post in it, and it being tubeless. Are they not really much in the way of extra value?
    Forks and brakes are better on the Boardman, nothing on the Giant is better.

    Great, thanks for that. Have just plumped for the Boardman 8.8, thanks for the advice.

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