First Timer

[sc0tt]

Hi Everyone, I'm new to these parts!

I'm a car driver and a motorcyclist. I like the outdoors and the peace and quiet but its starting to cost me a fortune to go out motorcycling of a weekend.

I'm looking to buy a bike on my cycle to work scheme but don't want to buy anything over £499.99

I looked at this last night which currently has 10% off but it seemed to ache on the wrists holding the bottom peice of the bars (?)

Is it a good entry level bike?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

or for half the price ...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Your suggestions please gentlemen

[Gizmoish]

I love the steady stream of newbies we're getting

We need a sticky I think...

[grenpayne]

Timely thread, I'm looking at exactly the same bikes for the same reasons, so also really interested in people's views!

[Vocal Minority]

Boardmans are solid bikes and are building a pretty decent reputation for themselves.

I would also recommend the Btwin Triban range at Decathlon. I have never ridden the but reviewers rave about them in the press as the best in their price bracket by some distance. Shimano chainset and a carbon fork all for £299.99.

A £500 bike for £300, why pay more?

[greggers]

sc0tt said:

Hi Everyone, I'm new to these parts!

I looked at this last night which currently has 10% off but it seemed to ache on the wrists holding the bottom peice of the bars (?)

You mean the drops? I doubt you'll be on the drops that often, you'll be on the hoods like this most of the time:



If your hands ache on the hoods, adjusting the seat back a bit will help take the weight off them.

Edited to correct my poor grasp of the English language.

Edited by greggers on Wednesday 24th July 09:23

[Rob_T]

personally i cannot recommend boardmans strongly enough. i think they represent excellent value for money and are probably all the bike that 99% of the population need.

the only point i would make is that make sure that the bike is properly put together before you take delivery from halfords. my business partner recently bought a boardman and he's had a couple of issues with rattles where set up has not been as thorough as it should have been!

[sc0tt]

Vocal Minority said:

Boardmans are solid bikes and are building a pretty decent reputation for themselves.

I would also recommend the Btwin Triban range at Decathlon. I have never ridden the but reviewers rave about them in the press as the best in their price bracket by some distance. Shimano chainset and a carbon fork all for £299.99.

A £500 bike for £300, why pay more?

Because it has to come from Halfords

[Vocal Minority]

I understand!

In that case, personally I would go for the Baordman, as they are generally well built and accomplished frames and whilst a bit more expensive represent great value for money

[sc0tt]

Thanks for your input gents.

Also to note, I was very unstable getting going. Is this due to the width of the tyres?

[lynus2004]

The Boardman bike is better but still only 16 speed 2300 shifters and mechs so upgrading would be costly if you are bitten by the bug. Wheels are much better than the Carrera.

I know somebody with the Carrera and for £250 it's a great way to get into road riding.

Personally I would go for the Boardman if it's on cycle to work but either would be suitable.

[Viperzs]

sc0tt said:

Thanks for your input gents.

Also to note, I was very unstable getting going. Is this due to the width of the tyres?

It'll be because they are very light with very narrow tyres, it will take a couple of rides before you get comfortable with them and adjust yourself to only making small movements on the bike.

It will come to you, don't worry.

[anyideas]

I started riding in April and went down the Boardman route, great bike for the money and I really cannot fault it.

Trouble is finding this forum has meant I'm now waiting for a new Canyon which should be delivered this week.

[TheFungle]

sc0tt said:

Thanks for your input gents.

Also to note, I was very unstable getting going. Is this due to the width of the tyres?

Narrow tyres, narrow handlebars and possibly a lot of 'height' (full stack of spacers) will contribute to a strange sensation, you will soon get used to it My wife recently bought a road bike and reported pretty much the same thing, she is flying along now.

[y2blade]

Welcome along Scott.
I'm new to Roadbikes too, really enjoying it.

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Jonnny]

Welcome to road cycling.. I'm also a newbie!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I bought the Carrera Virtuoso, as I think from reading about the TdF and Virtuoso.. The Virtuoso appears to have a few more up to date things on it.

Only bad side is Halfords service

[sc0tt]

Jonnny said:

Welcome to road cycling.. I'm also a newbie!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I bought the Carrera Virtuoso, as I think from reading about the TdF and Virtuoso.. The Virtuoso appears to have a few more up to date things on it.

Only bad side is Halfords service

I liked the look of this. Better colours IMO but the boardman is £450 at the moment and I have been told its worth the extra cash.

The Carrera is £350 at the mo so only £100 in it.

[Lee540]

Spend more, the Halfords Cycle scheme is their own brand one.. Get your employers to use www.cyclescheme.co.uk instead, then you can walk into almost any LBS and take your pick, have a demo ride and get a generally better service, including advice, aftersales and better quality products.

I've just got my bike on the cycle scheme, £700 Merida Ride Lite 91 and £70 worth of stuff.. its only a salary reduction of £7/week.. if I couldn't afford that then something is seriously wrong!

[mini1380cc]

Vocal Minority said:

Boardmans are solid bikes and are building a pretty decent reputation for themselves.

I would also recommend the Btwin Triban range at Decathlon. I have never ridden the but reviewers rave about them in the press as the best in their price bracket by some distance. Shimano chainset and a carbon fork all for £299.99.

A £500 bike for £300, why pay more?

Unfortunately the £300 one (triban 3) doesn't come with a carbon fork any more. The first ones did, but I believe they recently switched to aluminium. Still cracking value though.

[y2blade]

Scott...Whatever you do Don't put Strava on your phone




It's fking brilliant.

[lynus2004]

Was in Halfords at dinner picking up some Dura Ace TT shifters (£42 which I thought was a bargain) and had a look at both the Carrera and Boardman and would say there is actually very little in it. The Boardman was surprisingly heavy and the kit on it (other than wheels) was no real step up from the TDF. Surprised me given the price of the bike