Van crash wrote bike off. Upgrade time, Help!

pyrowill
pyrowill Posts: 40
edited July 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi guys,

QUick story, got hit by a van a month ago and it wrote off my Specialized Allez 2009 (I didn't see ya mate, I'm sorry blah blah blah).

Insurance has sent me a cheque for £550 which is cost of brand neww 2013 Allez. However, thinking about upgrading, my allez was my first ever road bike and my performance has really shot up! I'll be honest I think Carbon is quite wasted on me, I'm the wrong side of 15stone and Im not the sort that fights for grams. I just want some good spec in a good bike.

My mates were trying to convince me to get the Planet XL carbon but I don't think so. I was looking at about 600-800. perhaps a bit more. I only really know the popular well known brands, Trek, Specialized, Giant etc. So would be bit nervous about going for what for me is an unknown like the thousands of different italian sounding names!

Now I had a loan bike from the insurance company and it was a Boardman Road, its quite nice. Now listen, I hate Halfords, but I'm bit interested in Boardmans, but they are exclusive to them. I wasn't sure but I've just seen they have 10% off their road bikes. So was bit interested in the Boardman Team (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710) . Also jsut out of curiosity, Halfords are also doing a Bordman Team CARBON limited edition for the same price.....WTF? Is somthing wrong here (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710)

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Comments

  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    £750 will get you a Trek 1.2.
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    Your Specialized was one of the better Alu frames out there so definitely nothing wrong with going back to that (perhaps with a better groupset / wheels as an upgrade).

    Canyon would be a good place to look for another great Alu frame and unlike the CAAD10 that someone will mention soon doesn't have a tiny head tube so should build up to the same shape as the Allez without too much trouble.
  • jotko
    jotko Posts: 457
    This is a deal for £650

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/battaglin-s11-105-2013/

    Alu frame, carbon fork, racing 7 wheels, 105 (Tiagra chain/cassette)
    strava - http://app.strava.com/athletes/1217847
    trainerroad - http://www.trainerroad.com/career/joeh
  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    If you like the Boardman then go and have a look at one and if you like it - go for it. The Team Carbon is a great bike and whilst Halfrauds are very hit and miss when it comes to the standard of their setup - much the same can be said for many places. If you know what you're doing with indexing gears, sizing etc - then you can decide what you want and not be worried about the quality of Halfords setup.

    Frankly, having bought some very expensive bikes that have been "built" by experienced mechanics - i wouldnt trust any shop to do the job to the standard i expect. I would always strip and rebuild a bike myself now - and not leave bolts dry and so on which was the case with my £2k Moda. Being fair - bikes arrive part assembled and so regardless of how good the mechanic, they simply dont have time to fully strip and rebuild every bike.
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 40
    Quite like the look of that bike Jotko, I'll give it a thought so thanks for linking me.

    I'm kinda leaning towards Boardman if I'm honest. Even though I'm sure I can get a better deal with a lesser know brand like the Battaglin. I am going to keep on looking and checking these forums.

    Staying along the boardman route I wouldnt get the Team Carbon, (can't quite afford over a grand). I could get the Team Carbon Ltd Ed. If I was to spend 900 on a CB bike, I've seen I can get their Alu Team, or their LTD Edition Team Carbon, both for the same price. Better spec Alu, or slightly lower spec Carbon, same price.... what would you do? I'm almost 16 stone heavy guy so think saving 1kg in carbon is bit lost on me, but I can bust out some good speed and wouldn't consider myself a beginner roadie. I did London to Brighton in 3 and a half hours few weeks ago so not too bad.....
    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_ ... n_Ltd.html
    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team.html
  • shortcuts
    shortcuts Posts: 366
    pyrowill wrote:
    Quite like the look of that bike Jotko, I'll give it a thought so thanks for linking me.

    I'm kinda leaning towards Boardman if I'm honest. Even though I'm sure I can get a better deal with a lesser know brand like the Battaglin. I am going to keep on looking and checking these forums.

    Staying along the boardman route I wouldnt get the Team Carbon, (can't quite afford over a grand). I could get the Team Carbon Ltd Ed. If I was to spend 900 on a CB bike, I've seen I can get their Alu Team, or their LTD Edition Team Carbon, both for the same price. Better spec Alu, or slightly lower spec Carbon, same price.... what would you do? I'm almost 16 stone heavy guy so think saving 1kg in carbon is bit lost on me, but I can bust out some good speed and wouldn't consider myself a beginner roadie. I did London to Brighton in 3 and a half hours few weeks ago so not too bad.....
    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_ ... n_Ltd.html
    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team.html
    Being a member of British Cycling will get you a 10% discount at Halfords if that helps :wink:
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 40
    Thanks shortcuts! Although they are doing 10% off road bikes at the moment anyway!
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    pyrowill wrote:
    Thanks shortcuts! Although they are doing 10% off road bikes at the moment anyway!

    IME most bike stores will give 10% off if you just ask..
  • shortcuts
    shortcuts Posts: 366
    pyrowill wrote:
    Thanks shortcuts! Although they are doing 10% off road bikes at the moment anyway!
    No worries. It's nice being in a (seldom) position to help. But you get an extra 10% plus 3rd party insurance as well from BC membership. :wink:
  • markhewitt1978
    markhewitt1978 Posts: 7,614
    shortcuts wrote:
    pyrowill wrote:
    Thanks shortcuts! Although they are doing 10% off road bikes at the moment anyway!
    No worries. It's nice being in a (seldom) position to help. But you get an extra 10% plus 3rd party insurance as well from BC membership. :wink:
    Extra? I didn't think it was extra, you just got 10% off RRP, not off the already discounted price?
  • shortcuts
    shortcuts Posts: 366
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    shortcuts wrote:
    pyrowill wrote:
    Thanks shortcuts! Although they are doing 10% off road bikes at the moment anyway!
    No worries. It's nice being in a (seldom) position to help. But you get an extra 10% plus 3rd party insurance as well from BC membership. :wink:
    Extra? I didn't think it was extra, you just got 10% off RRP, not off the already discounted price?
    Really? I might stand corrected then. I am led to believe that it is 10% off the selling/displayed price.
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 40
    Well I will check it out regardless. I doubt it'll be 10% off the 10% already offered of roadies. Just popped down to halfords. Usual muppets working there. Might even be tempted and go bit cheaper and just get the Comp for £750. Main difference is SRAM Apex rather than Tiagra/105.
  • smithy05
    smithy05 Posts: 114
    Can't go wrong with a Boardman team, I love mine. I am now selling it however to upgrade to Carbon, so if you are after one with only 500 miles on it then let me know!
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 40
    Sent you an email smithy just in case. Still having trouble. Might pop to my LBS to see what they have.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    shortcuts wrote:
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    shortcuts wrote:
    pyrowill wrote:
    Thanks shortcuts! Although they are doing 10% off road bikes at the moment anyway!
    No worries. It's nice being in a (seldom) position to help. But you get an extra 10% plus 3rd party insurance as well from BC membership. :wink:
    Extra? I didn't think it was extra, you just got 10% off RRP, not off the already discounted price?
    Really? I might stand corrected then. I am led to believe that it is 10% off the selling/displayed price.
    You're correct.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 40
    bendertherobot wrote:
    shortcuts wrote:
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    shortcuts wrote:
    pyrowill wrote:
    Thanks shortcuts! Although they are doing 10% off road bikes at the moment anyway!
    No worries. It's nice being in a (seldom) position to help. But you get an extra 10% plus 3rd party insurance as well from BC membership. :wink:
    Extra? I didn't think it was extra, you just got 10% off RRP, not off the already discounted price?
    Really? I might stand corrected then. I am led to believe that it is 10% off the selling/displayed price.
    You're correct.

    So forgive me but if I sign up to BC I should be able to get 10% off on top of the 10% off road bikes offer they are stating?
  • shortcuts
    shortcuts Posts: 366
    That is how I understand it yes.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Yep. And just print off the voucher every time you make a purchase
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • patrickf
    patrickf Posts: 536
    markhewitt1978 wrote:
    £750 will get you a Trek 1.2.
    Last year I got a Trek 1.5 previous year model reduced for £700. Cheekily asked for a discount and they knocked another 10% off. So that was £630. Your money may stretch further.
  • patrickf
    patrickf Posts: 536
    shortcuts wrote:
    pyrowill wrote:
    Quite like the look of that bike Jotko, I'll give it a thought so thanks for linking me.

    I'm kinda leaning towards Boardman if I'm honest. Even though I'm sure I can get a better deal with a lesser know brand like the Battaglin. I am going to keep on looking and checking these forums.

    Staying along the boardman route I wouldnt get the Team Carbon, (can't quite afford over a grand). I could get the Team Carbon Ltd Ed. If I was to spend 900 on a CB bike, I've seen I can get their Alu Team, or their LTD Edition Team Carbon, both for the same price. Better spec Alu, or slightly lower spec Carbon, same price.... what would you do? I'm almost 16 stone heavy guy so think saving 1kg in carbon is bit lost on me, but I can bust out some good speed and wouldn't consider myself a beginner roadie. I did London to Brighton in 3 and a half hours few weeks ago so not too bad.....
    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_ ... n_Ltd.html
    http://www.boardmanbikes.com/road/road_team.html
    Being a member of British Cycling will get you a 10% discount at Halfords if that helps :wink:
    +1! I was going to mention this too. It's worth looking at BC membership regardless.
  • patrickf
    patrickf Posts: 536
    pyrowill wrote:
    Thanks shortcuts! Although they are doing 10% off road bikes at the moment anyway!
    The 10% BC discount applies to everything including sale items. The only thing you can't use it for are items paid for online (reserve online & collect in store is fine as long as you pay in store). That means you should get 10% off the sales price.
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 40
    And you just give Halfords a print out?
  • patrickf
    patrickf Posts: 536
    pyrowill wrote:
    And you just give Halfords a print out?
    Print off a voucher and take your BC card with you. Chances are the person behind the till won't know what to do though so be patient.
  • pyrowill
    pyrowill Posts: 40
    UPDATE.

    Going bike shopping tonight, its currently a toss up between the Boardman Team and the Giant Defy 1 2014. Benefits of Defy are a 'proper' bike shop, proper fitting and relaxed geometry since I do get back ache. Benefits of Boardman are slightly better wheels and Halfords are offering 10% off road bikes so its £100 less (although Giant have said they can prob do the same but in value off accessories not the bike since its just come in).

    I'll still pop into my LBS anyway and see if they have anythign with posh italian sounding names I've never heard of before though.

    Question, does having a less relaxed geometry bike make me slower? I'm a commuter not a racer, but I do care about my commute time and push myself.

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