Recommend me a bike.... Tri and London to Paris
Discussion
I've got a specialized allez which I've converted to a flat bar for use as a commuter bike.
AS I've now converted it I'm going to need something for the London to Paris and London Triathlon this year.
Want a carbon frame
Don't mind being a 2007/2008 bike
Budget about a £1000
Any thoughts?
AS I've now converted it I'm going to need something for the London to Paris and London Triathlon this year.
Want a carbon frame
Don't mind being a 2007/2008 bike
Budget about a £1000
Any thoughts?
The Boardman Team Carbon has had a very good review recently:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/...
Not full carbon, but I bought a Giant Alliance A0 (2008), for just under 1,000 towards the end of last year (I think you Cycle surgery may still have a couple?). 2008 bike retailed at £1,250.
Head tube, down tube and bottom bracket area are aluminium - rest of the tubes are carbon. I'm over the moon with it: soaks up the rough bits on the road, v light and great for stamping on the pedals out of the saddle. Sram Rival groupset is great too, once you get used to how it works.
I like the 'compact' geometry too - perhaps because I come from a largely MTB background... it just looks and feels right to me. Nothing I want to upgrade on it: which is very unusual with me and bikes.
Otherwise: as above, that Boardman looks a great bike.
Head tube, down tube and bottom bracket area are aluminium - rest of the tubes are carbon. I'm over the moon with it: soaks up the rough bits on the road, v light and great for stamping on the pedals out of the saddle. Sram Rival groupset is great too, once you get used to how it works.
I like the 'compact' geometry too - perhaps because I come from a largely MTB background... it just looks and feels right to me. Nothing I want to upgrade on it: which is very unusual with me and bikes.
Otherwise: as above, that Boardman looks a great bike.
value for money wise, something from ribble or planet x would be your best choice as the scope of personalising it with kit of your choice lets you put money where you think you will notice the difference. the focus cayo would be top of my list though. as i said recetnly somewhere else, brands like specialized, bianchi, giant etc are falling away at sub £1K level, they are trading on the name and the exposure and even with their buying powers cant seem to offer the same value for money as others out there...
the boardman is a top bike (i have an 08 team) and the 09 bikes look very nice, well built and well specced, more than adequate for the job. the brakes might cause you concern but if well set up they shouldnt be an issue. thats just down to how much time and attention you afford the bike. ritchey wheels shouldnt be a cause for concern either really, mine cope well enough with bristol roads and the ensuing pot holes when i commute in and god knows the state of the roads around here...
just read the review on bike radar, i thought you were referring hypothetically to the spec rather than actul reviews, yes, there is a bit of an issue there!!! sounds like a poor patch or very cheap spokes/nipples used. a cause for concern quite rightly... maybe something to ask the store if they are aware of and gauge their responses?!?
i think there is still some snobbery over boardmans, they are good bikes at a good price and have quality components where it matters leaving other stuff suitable for upgrade over time if you desire. they come from halfords, big deal, buy it unbuilt and spend a night doing it yourself putting time and effort into the build, greasing everything and setting it up right if its a big issue...
if you are going to use it more for road use rather than regular triathalons, go for comfort rather than speed and the all out racing position. think about what you will really notice, are you going to notice the weight of the wheels if you personally are not at a level of fitness where such things become important. ie if you think the wheels will hold you back hten you must be intending to be "competitive" to say the least...
the boardman is a top bike (i have an 08 team) and the 09 bikes look very nice, well built and well specced, more than adequate for the job. the brakes might cause you concern but if well set up they shouldnt be an issue. thats just down to how much time and attention you afford the bike. ritchey wheels shouldnt be a cause for concern either really, mine cope well enough with bristol roads and the ensuing pot holes when i commute in and god knows the state of the roads around here...
just read the review on bike radar, i thought you were referring hypothetically to the spec rather than actul reviews, yes, there is a bit of an issue there!!! sounds like a poor patch or very cheap spokes/nipples used. a cause for concern quite rightly... maybe something to ask the store if they are aware of and gauge their responses?!?
i think there is still some snobbery over boardmans, they are good bikes at a good price and have quality components where it matters leaving other stuff suitable for upgrade over time if you desire. they come from halfords, big deal, buy it unbuilt and spend a night doing it yourself putting time and effort into the build, greasing everything and setting it up right if its a big issue...
if you are going to use it more for road use rather than regular triathalons, go for comfort rather than speed and the all out racing position. think about what you will really notice, are you going to notice the weight of the wheels if you personally are not at a level of fitness where such things become important. ie if you think the wheels will hold you back hten you must be intending to be "competitive" to say the least...
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 28th January 15:12
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 28th January 15:13
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