My New Road Bike!
Discussion
Nice machine mate, I totally agree with you changing your mind every 5 minutes. Doing something very similar myself at the moment. My next step is to go try out a few to see what I get on best with. For me its the gear changing which has been pointed out to me as something I should look at as not all shifters are comfortable to use when your in dropped handle position.
Let us know how you get on when you eventually get out on her
Let us know how you get on when you eventually get out on her
BPC7 said:
Nice machine mate, I totally agree with you changing your mind every 5 minutes. Doing something very similar myself at the moment. My next step is to go try out a few to see what I get on best with. For me its the gear changing which has been pointed out to me as something I should look at as not all shifters are comfortable to use when your in dropped handle position.
Let us know how you get on when you eventually get out on her
Thank you for your comments. Have you any particular bikes in mind? Even when I bought the Boardman I was still in two minds about it as I dont have much 'stand over' clearance. Im only 5' 8" and opted for the medium sized frame (53 inch). The manual says you should have at least 2" but mines more like half an inch! I did try the bike in a small but I think that was too small and would have made for a cramped ride. I'm hoping the rain holds out tomorrow so I can take her for her first ride. Im completely new to cycling so Ill just be going out to get used to handling the bike, changing gears etc.Let us know how you get on when you eventually get out on her
mcelliott said:
That's a very good looking bike - always had a soft spot for Boardmans. Ended up plumping for a Planex X but your bike looks fantastic. One thing though, it's probably a 53 cm frame, not 53 inches - that'll be like riding a tower scaffold!
Haha yeah of course I mean cm not inches!! 
Looks lovely!
Was in Halfords myself earlier - can't decide between the Boardman Comp Hybrid or one of the racing bikes - forget the name but it's about the same price - not as expensive as the Team one ...
Want to get out there on thr roads and do some mileage - should I be looking at a pure road bike or the hybrid?
Was in Halfords myself earlier - can't decide between the Boardman Comp Hybrid or one of the racing bikes - forget the name but it's about the same price - not as expensive as the Team one ...
Want to get out there on thr roads and do some mileage - should I be looking at a pure road bike or the hybrid?
Anthony Micallef said:
Thank you for your comments. Have you any particular bikes in mind? Even when I bought the Boardman I was still in two minds about it as I dont have much 'stand over' clearance. Im only 5' 8" and opted for the medium sized frame (53 inch). The manual says you should have at least 2" but mines more like half an inch! I did try the bike in a small but I think that was too small and would have made for a cramped ride. I'm hoping the rain holds out tomorrow so I can take her for her first ride. Im completely new to cycling so Ill just be going out to get used to handling the bike, changing gears etc.
When I first started looking it was back when the sales were on before Christmas and had a budget of up to £600. After looking at many in Halfords an Evans and many ideas posted on this forum I decided I needed to up my budget which I am currently saving for. New budget is going to be between £1000 and £1300 and from searching on line there is a much bigger choice. I have looked at the Boardmans but the wallys in Halfords couldnt find the keys to the padlocks so I couldnt sit on it DOH!There is a large GIANT store near me which I will visit soon to get an idea of what they do and also will go to Evans at Gatwick which apparently has a large selection which you can test ride too. Trek, Cannondale and Specialized are other makes I have looked at but not tried yet.
Lets hope is doesnt rain where you are today
Good choice!
I had a 2010 team (medium) and like you I am 5' 8". I did find it quite stretched out when I first started so fitted a shorter stem until my body learnt that it needed to fit the bike! My right shifter failed which kind of p*ssed me off on a new bike but I took the opportunity to switch to 105's which were way nicer than the Tiagra. Its strange as I have Tiagra on an old Specilized and they are very good, probably the result of cost cutting over the years!?
Oh and dont worry about the weather, it's made of aluminium not paper
I had a 2010 team (medium) and like you I am 5' 8". I did find it quite stretched out when I first started so fitted a shorter stem until my body learnt that it needed to fit the bike! My right shifter failed which kind of p*ssed me off on a new bike but I took the opportunity to switch to 105's which were way nicer than the Tiagra. Its strange as I have Tiagra on an old Specilized and they are very good, probably the result of cost cutting over the years!?
Oh and dont worry about the weather, it's made of aluminium not paper
yonex said:
Good choice!
I had a 2010 team (medium) and like you I am 5' 8". I did find it quite stretched out when I first started so fitted a shorter stem until my body learnt that it needed to fit the bike! My right shifter failed which kind of p*ssed me off on a new bike but I took the opportunity to switch to 105's which were way nicer than the Tiagra. Its strange as I have Tiagra on an old Specilized and they are very good, probably the result of cost cutting over the years!?
Oh and dont worry about the weather, it's made of aluminium not paper
Lol I know but its so clean and shiney at the moment I had a 2010 team (medium) and like you I am 5' 8". I did find it quite stretched out when I first started so fitted a shorter stem until my body learnt that it needed to fit the bike! My right shifter failed which kind of p*ssed me off on a new bike but I took the opportunity to switch to 105's which were way nicer than the Tiagra. Its strange as I have Tiagra on an old Specilized and they are very good, probably the result of cost cutting over the years!?
Oh and dont worry about the weather, it's made of aluminium not paper
Anthony Micallef said:
Im completely new to cycling so Ill just be going out to get used to handling the bike, changing gears etc.
New to cycling? Welcome to the club, but be prepared - you will be tempted to empty your wallet every time you walk into a bike shop. There's always something newer and shinier for you to lust after, from a water-bottle cage to a complete new bike. Staying solvent will take great willpower and a Yoda-like mastery of The Force. Good luck, and happy cycling! Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff