Chris Boardman bikes

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dudley 12 Mar 13:11  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

Bike:

My Profile 		As a general rule, i wont buy anything from Halfords. Their standard range is woeful and their staff knowledge is pitiful. They are a chain pumping volume over quality.

However, they are now exclusive stockists of the new(ish)Chris Boardman Range.

I like the look of them, and they seem reasonable priced against their competitors.

Anyone have any experience of them?

thanks in advance

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular
Routerider 13 Mar 15:20  

Joined: 12 Mar 2009

Posts: 1

Bike:

I have seen the new range and I have lst years hybrid Hardtail, I dont think I have had a better bike for the money. I uderstand the worry regarding halfords, but Mine was set up well and have had no problem, they recently sent out an email regarding the new range which is a lot bigger than last years.

Im contemplating getting a hard tail mtb from the new 09 boardman range anyonbe got any advice on which one?



cazp 16 Mar 12:38  

Joined: 16 Mar 2009

Posts: 1

Bike:

I recently purchased a Boardman Team 08 Road Bike and I must say it is absolutely fantastic.

I understand the problems with Halfords as the staff are very hit and miss - I'm lucky enough to have a chap in my local store who knows everything about Boardmans however if he's off the others don't have a clue!

However don't let this put you off my was set up fine and I also managed to get it on the cycle to work scheme and on the weekend when there was an extra 10% off so it went from £900 to £616 an absolute steal!

I can safely say it is the best purchase i've ever made - i've already done 600 miles on it in the last 5 weeks with the only problem being 1 puncture. I will soon be purchasing the Baordman 09 Team Mountain Bike to accompany it as I am so impressed with the range!

The specifications on it are incredible and if the parts were purchased seperately it would add up to a hell of a lot more than the bike is retailing for. Fair play to Chris Boardman and the team that put these together as they have obviously done their research - I hope Chris Hoy does the same when he brings his out!


dudley 16 Mar 13:11  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

Bike:

My Profile 		thanks guys

time to spend lots to save lots!!!

thought it was good - but keen to hear from those that have one.

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

dudley 29 Jun 11:19  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

Bike:

My Profile 		still waiting for the cycle to work scheme 'window' to open again in our company.

I have read lots of reviews now on the Boardman, and they are all good, EXCEPT there is a recurring spokes issue with the wheels. Seems that they are not properly tightened at assembly by Halfords, and people have had no end of bother resolving issues with this.

Any experience?

any advice?

still think it looks like a belter for the money, given the cycle to work limit of £1000

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

spenner 01 Jul 13:41  

Joined: 01 Jul 2009

Posts: 6

Bike:

My company are in the cycle2work scheme so I have just ordered the Boardman Road-Team bike (£799.99).
I have had problems with Halford’s ordering the bike for me, they should have done this at the beginning of June, as I was going on holiday, but I found on my return they hadn’t done anything. I have managed to get them to order the bike today so I should have it in the next week or so.

As soon as I get it I will let you all know what I think.

One bit of advice I would give is to order one soon they sell out fast.


L3EOO 01 Jul 14:37  

Joined: 24 Jun 2009

Posts: 5

Bike:

the boardman bikes are great value for money higher spec than others in price range, the only issue is dealing with halfords which is most often staffed by non-cyclists

thank god my work went with Evans for the cycle to work scheme


dudley 01 Jul 15:35  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

Bike:

My Profile 		we have a choice of Evans or Halfords, but i think the boardman bikes are only available through Halfords.

there are excellent schemes that promote the small local shops, but this are often bypassed by larger companies with a National presence.

This is a real shame as the local guys have local knowledge and give a great service.

I would spend a little extra to go local, but not give up the massive cycle-to-work savings

i will be having another 'word' with head office, all the good it will do me!

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

banbowers 24 Jul 09:48  

Joined: 20 Jul 2009

Posts: 7

Bike:

My Profile 		Hi all I have just bought a Boardman road comp 09 .this is the best bike i have ever owned .I did have a GT agressor and compared to the Boardman that was hard Work to ride .

My Latest Route: May 2011 Portsmouth and Langstone Harbour

spenner 24 Jul 13:25  

Joined: 01 Jul 2009

Posts: 6

Bike:

I have been using my Boardman Road/Team 09 bike for a few weeks now and I can't fault it what's so ever.

Go out and buy one!


chickenlegs 27 Jul 11:04  

Joined: 11 Nov 2008

Posts: 5

Bike:

My Profile 		I bought the Boardman Team Hybrid a year and a half ago. I was so impressed with it that I went on to buy the Boardman Pro road 9 months ago. An absolutely fantastic bike for the money! Amazingly fast even compared to bikes three times the cost!
The only draw back has been the headset, bottom bracket and wheel bearings wore out really quickly which when passed back to Halfords "pro"builder to replace, he totally balls'd it up 1 day before a race!!
I had to rush it to my local established, family run bike shop to strip down and rebuild.
So my main advice is: Have no fear purchasing a Boardman, Forget using Halfords for maintenance!!

My Latest Route: Mar 2009 Princetown to Widecombe Loop

dudley 27 Jul 13:23  

Joined: 16 Jan 2009

Posts: 498

Bike:

My Profile 		thanks!
this advice seems universal.

Halfords are cr*p, unless you're in the market for a carbon-fibre look-a-like filler cap, a Magic Tree, or an exhaust you can kick a football up!

My Latest Route: Nov 2009 Forth Estuary Circular

GYKev 06 Aug 17:20  

Joined: 06 Aug 2009

Posts: 1

Bike:

I have had my Boardman Team road bike for 6 months now, my firm went with Halfords Cycle to work scheme so had to go to them for the bike. Did not know that you could order other makes through Halfords cycle to work scheme so bought a Boardman, Glad I did a great bike, I had a few problems, having to drive 50miles to nearest store that had a Team bike in stock, they did not have anyone who could set it up for me so i took it to my local Halfords, Great guy there, knew what he was doing and talking about. I got a great deal as it was 2008 model instead of 2009, reduced from £899 to £699, then further 10% off for online order. Never been off it, rides and feels great having some longer rides now summer here !!!!
GYKev



jmagla 09 Aug 16:56  

Joined: 09 Jul 2009

Posts: 10

Bike:

My Profile 		Hi Guys,
I have just bought (pick up on Thursday) a Boardman Performance Hybrid Team fron Halfords, like many others I have concerns about set up, but we shall see. I intend to use it in a few weeks for the Great North Bike Ride which is mainly on tarmac with a few sections on gravel etc. I have read a couple of reviews where they have had several punctures and am slightly concerned, has anyone had any experience with these tyres? (Maxxis Detonator 700x28c) surely they should be ok for light offroad i.e. gravel etc.

Cheers for any help

Michael




arundel1977 10 Aug 07:00  

Joined: 10 Aug 2009

Posts: 1

Bike:

I agree with you mate, 2 month ago I bought Boardman Comp '09, first day on the road I bent front chainring. Went to Hallfords for repairs they took my number and the manager himself promissed me that he will call me back. After 2 month of phone calls to the store, to their custumer support line, after sending them a registered letter of complaint, I lost hope. I do not have anything against the bike, it is good (unless you have too much power in your legs, which has happend to me). If you ask me, I would never ever buy anything from them again and wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy. Staff knowledge about the bikes is minimal, customer service non-existant. I used that cycle to work cheme, spent 600£ and ended up with broken bike, for wich I will still have to pay.

A little bit about the bike: bike itself is good, very light, very responsive, but some of the materials it's made from, could be sturdier. I experienced that front big chainring is made out of lighter material, therefore is a bit weak, also the wheel rims (I am taking my front wheel to rebuild). Someone asked about Maxxis Detonator tires, well they are not so bad, but very slippery on the wet road.


jmagla 10 Aug 16:01  

Joined: 09 Jul 2009

Posts: 10

Bike:

My Profile 		Hmm, that does not sound good, I will take it out for a ride when I get back and if not happy will probably take it to a LBS, if it seems ok I wont.

Been in this morning to pick up some spare inner tubes for it (in anticipation of 1st puncture) and he was going to give me the smaller size which he said was the closest until I pointed out that they had the correct size, not very good.

Also at the same time a young lad brought a Boardman bike in that he had bought online from Halfords and asked if they would put the pedals on and do a PDI, the senior of the two guys was a bit off and said they were really busy and the earliest he could do it was next month!!

Just hope everything goes ok with mine, I know the Boardman bikes are supposed to come fully set up prior to getting to Halfords, they only put the pedals and handlebars on...I hope!

I will report back when I have picked it up.

Michael


Adymartin 11 Aug 13:59  

Joined: 11 Aug 2009

Posts: 2

Bike:

My Profile 		well, they look good to me, I'm definitely going to pick myself up a nice pro hardtail mtb for commuting and a bit of trail riding.
can't wait.
apart from some branding snobbery here and there, I haven't found anything to put me off them at all. In fact, it would seem the only reason not to get one is if it doesn't fit me properly.
time will tell...

My Latest Route: Aug 2009 Wortley to Green Flag Loop

banbowers 11 Aug 14:08  

Joined: 20 Jul 2009

Posts: 7

Bike:

My Profile 		Having Had my Boardman Road Comp for about a Month now .I think they are fabulous Bikes .I find mine so fast and responsive and comfortable to ride.Me previous bike was a GT Agressor 08 and that was Very hard riding compared to my Comp.It was not as comfortable hard on the hands and very Heavy in comparison .I would take the Comp any day in Preference .In fact I actually prefer riding it to using my car now .I spend all my spare time now out on the road and ride to work every day

My Latest Route: May 2011 Portsmouth and Langstone Harbour

jmagla 12 Aug 22:08  

Joined: 09 Jul 2009

Posts: 10

Bike:

My Profile 		Well I picked the Boardman Hybrid Team up tonight, only had a chance to ride it up and down the street a few times. Maybe I am being paranoid but the chain seems rather noisy around the rear derailleur, I expected it to be whisper quiet, I am not sure if I am looking for things that arent there after all the Halfords horror stories.

All the gears select ok, but the noise is there, no matter which gear is selected. I know I can take it back (hmmm) or take it to a LBS and pay £40 or so, maybe it is normal noise?, any thoughts?

Cheers Michael


Adymartin 13 Aug 12:40  

Joined: 11 Aug 2009

Posts: 2

Bike:

My Profile 		Sounds like it's not set up quite right.
Are you confident enough to try and tweak the gears?
If not, just take it back, It's not a tricky job when you know what you're doing but you can end up making things worse very easily, if you don't.
I'd take it back to Halfords if you're not confident in fiddling around yourself. If you're unfortunate that they are one of the 'Bad'ones then the LBS may be your only option.
Good Luck

My Latest Route: Aug 2009 Wortley to Green Flag Loop

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