Last thoughts before I buy a boardman?
Discussion
Having decided on replacing my carrera tdf after managed my metric century, I'd settled on a 2009-2010 model year SRAM apex equipped Boardman.
Looking at a team carbon (5-600) or a pro (7-850) as the best bang for bucks. (Full carbon, 20 speed)
I can't however work out whether I need a small or a medium....
5'5" tall, any feedback from owners of boardmans would be welcome (I understand the geometry hasn't changed much since then)
Also any alternatives I should consider...
There's the planet x £999 special at a couple of hundred more new, but going over a grand (by my logic) I'd end up going well over and I can't really justify it (I'm not fit enough or fast enough, although I'm getting there day by day, to make the most out of one)
Looking at a team carbon (5-600) or a pro (7-850) as the best bang for bucks. (Full carbon, 20 speed)
I can't however work out whether I need a small or a medium....
5'5" tall, any feedback from owners of boardmans would be welcome (I understand the geometry hasn't changed much since then)
Also any alternatives I should consider...
There's the planet x £999 special at a couple of hundred more new, but going over a grand (by my logic) I'd end up going well over and I can't really justify it (I'm not fit enough or fast enough, although I'm getting there day by day, to make the most out of one)
I'm not sure I'd be buying a 3-4 year old used carbon bike myself. I know they're not super fragile but I wouldn't want to risk getting one which had been crashed and getting stuck with it.
If you really want carbon at that kind of price point I'd be looking at the Planet X and Ribble stuff new, but I think my cash would go on a discounted 2013 model year bike made out of aluminium (actually, I'd have a Genesis Equilibrium made of steel, but then I'm a bit strange like that...)
If you really want carbon at that kind of price point I'd be looking at the Planet X and Ribble stuff new, but I think my cash would go on a discounted 2013 model year bike made out of aluminium (actually, I'd have a Genesis Equilibrium made of steel, but then I'm a bit strange like that...)
When we were fitting one up for my missus they seemed to have quite a long top tube. Medium was 555mm if I remember correctly.
I'd go for a small at 5'5.
they'll be some big reductions soon as the 2014 stock starts to come in. We struggled to get a small and had to ship a display one from another store. In the end I messed up with the voucher not realising it wasn't one I could use in Halfords.
If you can go up to about a grand you might be able to get hold of one still. There was defo one at Halfords Mansfield 3 weeks ago. A further 10% off with British Cycling.
I'd go for a small at 5'5.
they'll be some big reductions soon as the 2014 stock starts to come in. We struggled to get a small and had to ship a display one from another store. In the end I messed up with the voucher not realising it wasn't one I could use in Halfords.
If you can go up to about a grand you might be able to get hold of one still. There was defo one at Halfords Mansfield 3 weeks ago. A further 10% off with British Cycling.
I think judging on responses to this thread, I need tobe carefully about crash damage and be prepared to take the chance... If I go for a second hand one.
Rather have the SRAM force than the 105 on the new ones....
Apparently there's a Halfords meeting today on new 2014 models so that information should start filtering out to stores soon.
I may have jumped the gun bidding on a pro carbon, otherwise I'll look at a new team carbon in small, with British cycling discount and have a word with a mate there about potential sales prior to the 2014s...
Rather have the SRAM force than the 105 on the new ones....
Apparently there's a Halfords meeting today on new 2014 models so that information should start filtering out to stores soon.
I may have jumped the gun bidding on a pro carbon, otherwise I'll look at a new team carbon in small, with British cycling discount and have a word with a mate there about potential sales prior to the 2014s...
Definitely a small for your height. It's also easier to fit into a smaller frame than one that is too big for you.
I'm just over 5'6" and have a variety of different size frames ranging from a carbon XS to a 56cm steel frame and they all fit but if I go to a traditional 57cm I can't quite get it to fit me properly and 58cm is way too big.
Best thing to do is try one for size before buying
I'm just over 5'6" and have a variety of different size frames ranging from a carbon XS to a 56cm steel frame and they all fit but if I go to a traditional 57cm I can't quite get it to fit me properly and 58cm is way too big.
Best thing to do is try one for size before buying
47p2 said:
Definitely a small for your height. It's also easier to fit into a smaller frame than one that is too big for you.
I'm just over 5'6" and have a variety of different size frames ranging from a carbon XS to a 56cm steel frame and they all fit but if I go to a traditional 57cm I can't quite get it to fit me properly and 58cm is way too big.
Best thing to do is try one for size before buying
Thanks, I'm just over 5'6" and have a variety of different size frames ranging from a carbon XS to a 56cm steel frame and they all fit but if I go to a traditional 57cm I can't quite get it to fit me properly and 58cm is way too big.
Best thing to do is try one for size before buying
Can't find anywhere local with a small or a medium in stock but I've tried a large to at least have a point of reference for the frame. I think the verdict is the medium will work out about the same size as my current 54cm top tube, that's a fraction too big but is still perfectly useable.
Might need a shorter stem.
Smalls unfortunately are thin on the ground, may have to go new for that and live with 105 instead of apex
Good choice! My 2009 team carbon has lasted daily commuting all seasons. The SRAM is fab! I wouldn't let carbon put you off, but do take the rear wheel off any potential purchase and check the metal inserts are snug in the frame. One of mine fell out! The thread on the rear wheel spindle can mark the frame with ham fisted rear wheel removal/fitting. Check for scoring around the bottom bracket where the chain might have come off and marked the frame. Easy to spot and not a big deal really but might annoy if you've bought a 'mint' bike then noticed it later. Be thorough and you'll be fine.
Finally bought a 2010 pro carbon :-)
Only a tiny bit of budget creep! But I did get the matching bottle cages and helmet I'd have forked out for anyway included, along with a spare low ratio cassette...
Really need to look into SPD pedals and shoes, but I'll drop some flats on till I get those sorted...
Just sorting out pickup
Excited doesn't cover it....
Only a tiny bit of budget creep! But I did get the matching bottle cages and helmet I'd have forked out for anyway included, along with a spare low ratio cassette...
Really need to look into SPD pedals and shoes, but I'll drop some flats on till I get those sorted...
Just sorting out pickup
Excited doesn't cover it....
TheLemming said:
Dixie said:
Looks really really nice mate!! Will you have it for this weekends "Indian summer"??
Off to get it tonight :-) Everyone is trying to convince me to keep my 2300 carrera tdf for the truly nasty weather.... But I'm kinda out of space as this will make bike #3....
You'll not get anything selling it - so consider it a no-risk investment
tigger1 said:
Make space / N+1
You'll not get anything selling it - so consider it a no-risk investment
I'll get more than I paid for the carrera judging by eBay sold prices, it was very very very cheap :-) Which actually means it doesn't owe me anything so I'm almost obliged to keep it as a runabout. Hmmm wonder if I could get some CX tyres on it..... And a smaller cassette.... Mudguards.. Hmmm :-) You'll not get anything selling it - so consider it a no-risk investment
TwistingMyMelon said:
I'd keep as a winter hack
Ebay prices are quite strong for popular brands, I reckon you would get a decent price, esp if in the London area
I've seen a few go for more than new price lol - admittedly this was during the sale. Wanted to set it up for my girlfriend to use but its a smidgen too big for her.Ebay prices are quite strong for popular brands, I reckon you would get a decent price, esp if in the London area
Mwuahahaha on the way to pick up my shiney (gollum voice) :-)
Finally back after a mildly nightmarish six hour trip to pick it up!
Lovely people, ended up chatting for an hour. Came with a pair of spare SRAM force shifters and they forgot to mention it was fitted with brand new apex shifters instead :-)
I think the wheels are upgraded as well...
Happy is an understatement, this bike is beyond mint.... :-)
Lovely people, ended up chatting for an hour. Came with a pair of spare SRAM force shifters and they forgot to mention it was fitted with brand new apex shifters instead :-)
I think the wheels are upgraded as well...
Happy is an understatement, this bike is beyond mint.... :-)
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