Badge Snobbery alive and well
Discussion
Reading through the latest copy of MBR I had to laugh at the negative comments I've read online regarding Boardman Bikes. Reading through the review of the £1000 Hardtails I really can't see a reason for buying any of the other bikes tested?
Just goes to show that a good bike is a good bike regardless of where it's sold or who makes it.
Just goes to show that a good bike is a good bike regardless of where it's sold or who makes it.
Wildcards,
I think you've inadvertantly proved the point I was trying to make.
I have read a load of tosh on how, essentially, Boardman bikes are a load of crap because they are sold by Halfords. And these comments are made by people who haven't ridden them and have no intention of riding them because they are sold by Halfords.
I don't see any reason (on paper) not to buy one, the components are all top drawer (no issues there), the retailer is well established (again no issues). It could be argued that the frame is an unknown quantity / quality but that's what a test ride is for. Although everyone has their price, I can't quite believe that Chris Boardman is the sort of person who would slap his name on just anything for the sake of a quick buck. And the lead-in time before all the ranges were launched suggests that each bike has been well considered. So some reassurance of qualty can be taken from that.
I accept that you wish to hold a negative view on the opinions expressed in magazine reviews and that's your choice but to simply dismiss a bike simply because of where it is sold is (imo) ridiculous.
Just because somebody likes (for example) Kona's doesn't mean someone else will.
Now, I haven't ridden one but if I were looking to lay down a grand on a new HT then I'd give it a test. And because I was spending a grand on a HT I want to get the right bike for me, which means testing things to see what fits.
Who knows, you might be missing out on your perfect bike?
I think you've inadvertantly proved the point I was trying to make.
I have read a load of tosh on how, essentially, Boardman bikes are a load of crap because they are sold by Halfords. And these comments are made by people who haven't ridden them and have no intention of riding them because they are sold by Halfords.
I don't see any reason (on paper) not to buy one, the components are all top drawer (no issues there), the retailer is well established (again no issues). It could be argued that the frame is an unknown quantity / quality but that's what a test ride is for. Although everyone has their price, I can't quite believe that Chris Boardman is the sort of person who would slap his name on just anything for the sake of a quick buck. And the lead-in time before all the ranges were launched suggests that each bike has been well considered. So some reassurance of qualty can be taken from that.
I accept that you wish to hold a negative view on the opinions expressed in magazine reviews and that's your choice but to simply dismiss a bike simply because of where it is sold is (imo) ridiculous.
Just because somebody likes (for example) Kona's doesn't mean someone else will.
Now, I haven't ridden one but if I were looking to lay down a grand on a new HT then I'd give it a test. And because I was spending a grand on a HT I want to get the right bike for me, which means testing things to see what fits.
Who knows, you might be missing out on your perfect bike?
Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 6th March 15:01
My comment on whether it was worth considering the other bikes was based on the 'on-paper' details.
The spec was so high (compared to the others), it was a pound lighter than the next bike. If the manufactuer names were taken away and just a spec list was posted on singletrackworld or bike magic, or mtbr for people to pick one I'd say the Boardman would win hands down.
Although I could have perhaps clarrified myself a bit more my point still stands that it is a bit sad how negative cyclists have been towards this range of new bikes, from a very successfull, British, rider simply because the range is sold by Halfords. People have had the same attitude towards Carerra bikes to (and Claud Bulter), but there are / have been some very capable bikes produced by them.
ETA: whilst sitting on the train on the way home I noticed that there no adverts for Boardman Bikes in MBR although there were ads for the other bikes.
I also forgot to mention that several of the testers stated that they would happily spend their thousand pounds on one.
The spec was so high (compared to the others), it was a pound lighter than the next bike. If the manufactuer names were taken away and just a spec list was posted on singletrackworld or bike magic, or mtbr for people to pick one I'd say the Boardman would win hands down.
Although I could have perhaps clarrified myself a bit more my point still stands that it is a bit sad how negative cyclists have been towards this range of new bikes, from a very successfull, British, rider simply because the range is sold by Halfords. People have had the same attitude towards Carerra bikes to (and Claud Bulter), but there are / have been some very capable bikes produced by them.
ETA: whilst sitting on the train on the way home I noticed that there no adverts for Boardman Bikes in MBR although there were ads for the other bikes.
I also forgot to mention that several of the testers stated that they would happily spend their thousand pounds on one.
Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 6th March 18:57
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