Forum menu
Keeping it as brief as I can I had my bike stolen from my garage last week. It was a 2010 Boardman team ht (the silver one) with upgraded wheels and various other bits. Fortunately it was insured and the insurance company have been really good (except for the fact that they appear to be solely linked to Halfords). However, I'm in a bit of a quandary about what to do. I have been offered either the new HT Pro or a £720 cash settlement. My intial feeling is that the bike is a great deal but the cash less so. The problem is that before I'd had the bike stolen I was seriously considering upgrading the bike and buying a steel frame that would be a bit more capable on steeper / bumpier stuff, possibly a 456evo or a Dialled Prince Albert. So this seems like an ideal opportunity and I don't really want another Boardman. Been there done it if you like.
With the cash settlement and money from the upgrades that were on the bike I can pretty much afford a One On 456 Evo X5 Sektor. This looks like a great bike (except i'd like an adjustable fork). However, I've read a lot about people buying a Boardman pro as a donor bike and putting the kit on another frame. The headline kit on the Boardman seems a lot better than on the 456, particularly the brakes and gearing so I was wondering what the collective wisdom is on getting the boardman, taking off the kit and putting it on something like a 456 evo or Prince Albert. I'd also probably want to change the forks for something with longer / adjustable travel which even selling the fork and frame I will probably take a bit of a hit on.
Will the majority of the kit be transferable?
Is it going to get more expensive than I realised?
Am I going to end up with a bike that is neither a "hardcore hardtail" or a xc machine? The stock wheels on my old bike were not the greatest and did not last long.
I tend to mainly ride Surrey Hills but also take trips to Chicksands, Swinley and the Welsh Trail centres.
So, not so short...
Push the insurance company for a better cash settlement if you don't think it's that great. If you didn't argue yet then you should do.
Use the cash to buy/build the bike you want. Taking a new bike from the insurance settlement as a donor then buying a frame sounds like an expensive strategy to me. You'll be unlikely to get what you expect for the Boardman frame when you try to sell it on.
If you also want to upgrade the forks, well there's two of the three most expensive parts of a bike that you're replacing immediately!
Maybe use the settlement money to get the best frame/fork/wheel combo you can afford (rolling chassis?) and then pick up the rest from the classifieds. You'll get more for your money and won't feel so bad if you upgrade them later.
Donor option if you ask me. Reba 120 is about perfect for many steel HTs, just ask the Soul owners on here. The rest will transfer, you stand a chance of getting up to a ton for your frame, and if you get a used steel hardtail it won't be much of a hit. The BB 30 may not transfer, but won't cost much to add a BB70 or whatever.
Thanks for the replies. Those are pretty much the exact arguments going around in my head. That and the knowledge that I'm pretty rubbish with a spanner so it might all go badly wrong.
The Reba on the last bike was great but I think the crux is that I quite fancy something with more travel, even though I wouldn't always need it (which is why I like the idea of adjustable travel).
I've asked the insurance company for a better cash settlement. I'm not overly hopeful but thought it was worth trying. that might settle the debate anyway.
So, shamesless bump.
Also, what frame would you recommend. £300 max
What size?
I'm 5 10 so i'm guessing the 17 inch frame