Boardman Pro HT 09

[hewlett]

Hello

I've been looking at MTB's around the £1000 mark and this looks very favourable. Just wondered if anyone has an experience, know how in this area and views on this particular model..

Cheers

Steve

[Wooderson]

I'm going riding with a mate tomorrow, who bought his last weekend. Hope to have a go on it myself and will do a mini review after

They do look very slick and you can't knock the spec for the money. The only other comparable was a P7S, which might be worth a squizz...

[JPJ]

It's been getting excellent reviews, so a very good option. Also have a look at On One, Merlin Cycles and the Genesis range.

[hewlett]

Thanks guys, future review much appreciated

[mk1fan]

Depends what type of riding you want to do. On-One are more Trail than XC. The Boardman in a Racr/XC machine - and a fine one at that.

[hewlett]

Sounds ideal then, I'm definitely into the more aggressively set up bikes and was attracted to the Boardman because of the components and it's light weight. I'm planning to do a bit of downhill'ing as there are some good courses where I live half the year, near Bracknell Forest, the decent Avid brakes also were an attraction on this front.

[JPJ]

Based on your coment about going a bit more hardcore, the On One 456 might be a good one to think about. It's a very good 'do it all' hardtail and not so XC as some. Build can be done to pretty much any budget as well, so you could get a mix of parts to hit your budget.

[mk1fan]

hewlett said:

Sounds ideal then, I'm definitely into the more aggressively set up bikes and was attracted to the Boardman because of the components and it's light weight. I'm planning to do a bit of downhill'ing as there are some good courses where I live half the year, near Bracknell Forest, the decent Avid brakes also were an attraction on this front.

Boardman Pro isn't the right bike if that's the type of riding you're going to do. It's not an 'aggressively' set up bike at all, it's an entry level Race bike. An On-One Inbred 456 would be better suited http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/On-One_Compl.... Very capable frames and some excellent prices on kit options. The finish is workmanlike rather than detailled. That said they are fully functional and certainly fit for purpose.

There are a couple of complete Cove Handjobs on e-bay at the moment - also worth a look along with Dialled Bikes Prince Albert or Alpine, or a Charge Duster or a DMR Trailmaster (weighs the same as a car though).

[Wooderson]

Had a quick ride on my mate's bright white Pro yesterday. Looks the part, with a nicely detailed spec and impressive weight - I think it's meant to be about 24lbs book and certainly feels it. Obviously more geared to XC, with lightweight and narrow wheels/tyres and a long stem/low rise handlebar and a stretched out riding position. Suspension action was nice and there's plenty of adjustment options. It felt very much like a entry level race or flatcourse enduro bike as mentioned by Mk1 Fan above.

My mate never looked particularly comfortable jumping it or taking it through the really lumpy stuff scattered around the lower slopes of Leith Hill, so I don't think it would really suit for the sort of downhill/free ride style riding you mention. Given some fast flowing trailcentre style singletrack and it would shine I'm sure.

To make it more of a thrashable trail bike, it would need wider and stronger wheels/tyres, a longer travel fork, and a more relaxed cockpit setup. You'd be changing so much of the bike, you;d be better off buying something off the peg more suitable.

Oh, and he snapped the chain putting the rear mech into the wheel ! The gear hanger wasn't correctly screwed on and also the mech was poorly adjusted allowing it to move too far up and over the block ! Luckily no lasting damage once we bent it back and look the knackered links out, but just shows you need to check the quality of a build from Bikehut!

Hope that helps. A very nice bike (and for about £650 on CTW, an utter bargain), but perhaps not the one for you..

Phillip

[hewlett]

Great write up thanks Phillip

[MTY4000]

All good points, can't disagree with any. I'd say that a more relaxed geometry, wider bars might work better for you: Marin Rocky Ridge comes to mind at that price point (try and track down a 2008 model in the sales).

Review: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mount...

Otherwise, you can swap the bar on the Boardman?

Edited by MTY4000 on Monday 2nd February 12:44

[hewlett]

Cheers. Only one problem is that what I can choose is restricted by it having to come from Halfords via the C2W Scheme (which I forgot to mention!).

[Wooderson]

hewlett said:

Cheers. Only one problem is that what I can choose is restricted by it having to come from Halfords via the C2W Scheme (which I forgot to mention!).

I thought Halfords could source any bike imported into the U.K? Phone their CTW business helpline (should be on the website) and ask. I did this 2 years ago when I was after a Commencal and it was no problem.

Also some shops e.g. Condor Cycles, accept Halfords vouchers over the counter. You might want to check that out too..

[MTY4000]

Yep, ring them. They are paired up with Leisure Lakes (they were during 2008), so you can acesss a lot of bikes - might limit options to get a 2008 model though.

Edited by MTY4000 on Monday 2nd February 14:16

[mk1fan]

Shame you have to use C2W as there are a couple of full bikes on Bay at the moment that could be absolute bargains. Based around Leith Hill too!!

I think On One and Charge do a C2W scheme too.

[prand]

Wooderson said:

Had a quick ride on my mate's bright white Pro yesterday. Looks the part, with a nicely detailed spec and impressive weight - I think it's meant to be about 24lbs book and certainly feels it. Obviously more geared to XC, with lightweight and narrow wheels/tyres and a long stem/low rise handlebar and a stretched out riding position. Suspension action was nice and there's plenty of adjustment options. It felt very much like a entry level race or flatcourse enduro bike as mentioned by Mk1 Fan above.

My mate never looked particularly comfortable jumping it or taking it through the really lumpy stuff scattered around the lower slopes of Leith Hill, so I don't think it would really suit for the sort of downhill/free ride style riding you mention. Given some fast flowing trailcentre style singletrack and it would shine I'm sure.

To make it more of a thrashable trail bike, it would need wider and stronger wheels/tyres, a longer travel fork, and a more relaxed cockpit setup. You'd be changing so much of the bike, you;d be better off buying something off the peg more suitable.

Phillip

Absolutely agree with the above.

I got the Boardman Pro 2008 last year through Cycle to Work and Halfords. I've covered a couple of thousand miles of Ridgeway and South Downs Way on it and I'd say its suits my riding style - focussing on covering long distances, with lots of climbing and fast descents on smoothish trails. I swapped saddles for something a bit more "long distance" and to fit my behind, and played around with the tyres, but for climbs and covering fast, hard trails, I've been very happy with it straight out of the box. For what was essentially £650 I feel I got an absolute bargain.

I had two previous "off menu" choices via the cycle to work scheme and Halfords - an On One Scandium, and a Meria Matts. But Halfords made it so very difficult to get hold of them in the end I opted for the Boardman - which would be delivered much quicker. I'm glad I made the choice now!

Edited by prand on Tuesday 3rd February 14:03

Edited by prand on Tuesday 3rd February 14:04