Cycling - Bike Advice wanted

[Godsahibby]

Alright folks, I'm looking for a bit of advice from all you biking experts out there. I'm getting a new bike through my worls cycle to work scheme and can get any bikes from Halfords.

I will be using it to cycle to work but also looking to get back in to a bit of mountain biking.

I've been having a look at these new Boardman bikes, the spec looks pretty dam good for the price and I believe they have won a few awards.

Has anyone had much experience with the Boardman bikes? Would you recommend them?

[Danderhall Hibs]

Alright folks, I'm looking for a bit of advice from all you biking experts out there. I'm getting a new bike through my worls cycle to work scheme and can get any bikes from Halfords.

I will be using it to cycle to work but also looking to get back in to a bit of mountain biking.

I've been having a look at these new Boardman bikes, the spec looks pretty dam good for the price and I believe they have won a few awards.

Has anyone had much experience with the Boardman bikes? Would you recommend them?

I’d say unless you’re going to start entering competitions and that it would be a waste of money going top of the range.

You don’t happen to work in AEGON do you?

[Godsahibby]

No mate I work for RBS

[Andy Bee]

Does it have to be Halfords C? plenty other shops do the cycle to work scheme eg Evans Cycles and you'll get more for your money.

No experience of Boardman bikes but they do seem to have a good right up although I prefer Fox suspension and XT running gear, all personal preference though

Try to get an 08 model or even better an 07, you'll save a fortune and the difference will be minimal and remember to factor pedals and shoes at least into your budget.

[robinp]

Alright folks, I'm looking for a bit of advice from all you biking experts out there. I'm getting a new bike through my worls cycle to work scheme and can get any bikes from Halfords.

I will be using it to cycle to work but also looking to get back in to a bit of mountain biking.

I've been having a look at these new Boardman bikes, the spec looks pretty dam good for the price and I believe they have won a few awards.

Has anyone had much experience with the Boardman bikes? Would you recommend them?

Depends how much you want to spend, remember that Halfords sell all brands of bike, fro, Scott to Specialised to Giant. They just don't advertise that fact so that you buy one of the brands they own. :greengrin

As somebody else has said, if you definitely can't get one from Evans, you can get an good level Giant/Specialised hybrid bike ordered from them for about £500.

Knock their bikes, but I got my first and only Road bike from them, a cheap Carrera (I think it's a halfords brand) for £450. Done over 3,000 miles on it in 4 years and done some mighty 80-90 mile cycles with nothing more going wrong than punctures. Unless your aiming for London 2012, no need to spend a small fortune.

[Fish]

Comes down to what you want to do with your bike and how much cycling you do. I have taken part in the schme for the last years with my work and have got a road and mountain bike (if you live in Newcastle go to KB cycles in Newburn, cracking!!!!). Have to say I mainly use my mountain bike now as it allows me to get into work quicker as I can take the short cuts off road. Also the cycle lanes around newcastle are not exactly road bike friendly.

My mountain bike is a Scott Aspect 65 and I have no complaints at all. its good on the flat as it is in the hills and its not half bad for coming down black runs, although I wouldn't fancy it on a proper downhill descent.

Furthermore, if you have to mount and dismount pavements on your way to work, you'll destroy a road bike.

[Just Jimmy]

Evens is defo worth a pop if you can, I don't know if they do your scheme, but Wiggle.co.uk is where I get most of my stuff.

if its for work etc, I'd reckon you'd be looking for a hybrid, something between a road and a mountain bike. Giant may well be worth looking at.

Plenty affordable road bikes around, but I'd recommend going into a bike shop and getting fitted to at least know your frame size for a road bike.

Good luck.