Boardman Advise

[Veloscot]

Hi, I wonder if I could seek some advice.

 

I am looking to upgrade my bike, I currently ride a Trek 1200 with 50/39 and 12/ 26 gears, and can just about maintain 25mph on the West ferry at full gas, and can get up the Clune ok on my current set up but have no gears left at the first section

 

I am thinking of getting a compact chain set on my new purchase, the Boardman has a 50/34 and 11/25 set up. My question is that since most of my riding is done around this area, what are the benefits of a compact? I am worried that overall I can just about manage with my current set up and that I may run out of gears if going down hill or have a decent wind at my back (this of course could be nonsense!)

 

Also whats the view on the Boardman brand? (I am nervous about Halfords)

 

Thanks in advance

[Hertz Van Rental]

In general, anything from halfords is usually third rate stuff. Very, very occassionally they will dip a toe into the pond of decent brands and then withdraw quickly. After sales service (or even service in the first place!) will be at best fourth or fifth rate. To be honest - I despise ever having to go into the place.

 

Go into Dooleys and tell Ian what you are looking to spend and see what he can come up with?

 

On the other hand, your existing gearing is more than sufficient for the Clune. I always look on the biggest sprocket as an insurance policy for when things go very, very badly wrong. A 39x26 should see you climbing up the stairs to bed.

 

Many riders have a mental block about a steep bit of hill. They think that biggest hill automatically requires biggest cog - not always true. the first bit of the Clune is the steepest, but levels out a wee bit after 100yds or so when you pass the Hibernians hall. Try setting yourself a target of climbing in a 23(or 21/22 if you have it). If you can manage that first bit - at whatever speed, it will make the rest of the hill seem easier. I'm 16 stone and can manage it in 39x21...................slowly!

 

Always keep the breathing in control. Leg pain can be mind over matter to a certain extent but but breathing cannot. Give that a try and let us know how you get on?

[Kenny MacDonald]

Gordon et al

Normally would agree re Halfords. But as a Boardman user and having a son who'is an acredited Halfords/ mechanic have to disagree. Boardman kit is A1 he may be an @ahole but kit is good. So have to say bikes etc are good & Kit is good

[Kenny Christie]

Hi, I wonder if I could seek some advice.

 

I am looking to upgrade my bike, I currently ride a Trek 1200 with 50/39 and 12/ 26 gears, and can just about maintain 25mph on the West ferry at full gas, and can get up the Clune ok on my current set up but have no gears left at the first section

 

I am thinking of getting a compact chain set on my new purchase, the Boardman has a 50/34 and 11/25 set up. My question is that since most of my riding is done around this area, what are the benefits of a compact? I am worried that overall I can just about manage with my current set up and that I may run out of gears if going down hill or have a decent wind at my back (this of course could be nonsense!)

 

Also whats the view on the Boardman brand? (I am nervous about Halfords)

 

Thanks in advance

 

Ronnie,

 

The Boardman range of road and mountain bikes receives consistently good reviews. I neither own one nor have I ridden one but based on the general consensus, if I were considering buying one then I would have no qualms whatsoever. There are a couple of Boardman owners on here who are better qualified to give you user feed back. But on the whole it seems the road-bikes are very good at what they are designed to do and are priced keenly.

 

I think Halfords or Halfrauds get a pretty hard time to be fair. Granted, the trend is to knock them but you get shoddy standards in all walks of professional life. If you are set on a Boardman then don't let the fact that Halfords are supplying it put you off. If you are unhappy with the standard of service, then demand better. But give them the benefit of doubt.

 

Re; Compact chainset. I use one on 2 bikes, I'm not a competitive cyclist so perhaps a 50/34 ratio is frowned upon but it certainly helps me up the hilly bits! If your worried about spinning out then a 50/34 chainset with an 11/23 cassette gives you the best of both worlds. A nice big gear for the flats and a get out of jail card for the 20% bits. You may well run out of gears though it just depends how strong you are feeling.

 

You can further tailor your ratio with a 36 inner ring it just depends what you are comfortable with. I am riding a 50/34 and to be fair I think I will try a 36 inner ring because on the flat the drop from the big ring is substantial. You can be turning a reasonable gear one minute and spinning like mad the next.

[duncan thomson]

I may be wrong but i think that 50x 11 is a bigger gear than 53x 12 so spinning out is not likely to be an issue. Kenny's comment about the drop from large to small chainring is an issue but you get used to it. 36 would reduce the effect quite a bit though

cheers

duncan

[Paul C]

I have had a Boardman Team Carbon for 3 months (1,000 miles +) and have have no problems with it. Acceleration is great when you put the boot down. It is a light bike - 8 kgs- and goes well uphill.

As I am an older guy (59) and finding some of the very steep hills (Fairlie Moor) a trial I have changed the cassette from 12-25 to 11-28. Downhill the speed tends to top out at 35 - 38 mph.

 

Regarding Halfords, the guys at the Paisley branch are excellent - especially David (owner of 5 bikes and member of Inverclyde Velo). The bike was properly set up and I have had no problems with it. I bought the new cassette online and Halfords fitted it for free when I took it in for its free 6 week service.

 

I can only compare with my old alloy Specialised Allez but the Boardman is a lovely bike to ride and internet reviews support that.

 

Paul C

[DaveP]

I have recently bought a boardman cycle cross bike, mainly for commuting but have also used it on the ayr to newton stewart club run after I had put some gatorskins on.

 

I absolutely love it.

[Paul C]

Ronnie,

I should have mentioned in my earlier post - you are welcome to try my Boardman. It is 53 cm frame.

Paul C

[Veloscot]

Thank you for everyones advice, especially the offer of a trial of the Boardman.

 

Here is the outcome: I went into Halfords today with an open mind (Paisley branch) unfortunately the young chap behind the counter did not seem to know exactly what bikes were in the range, and my requests for prices to change the front chairing were returned with a blank look initially, this for better or worse was not a good start in regard to service back up from this retailer so took my money elsewhere.

 

Since you guys champion Dooleys so much I took a wonder over, it took only a few minutes of speaking to the staff to confirm this was a better choice, I am now placing my order on Monday for a Kuota Kharma, full carbon and 105 for £1500, a little more than I was willing to go to but looks like a great deal. And to seal the deal they will put a 53/39 on for me.

 

Now all I need now is a Cancellera style motor to stop being shunted off of the back of the Renfrew bunch!!