Anybody know much about the Boardman full suspension bikes? I have the cycle to work scheme via halfords so am restricted with what I can get (and still be eligible for some free kit!).
Looks good on the surface (team version), but don't know if it's any good in practice
I have tested a couple out of the range, as you say great spec, get the shocks set up right for you and they are a hoot
Mates got one, it's great. To me it felt quite racy compared to my Meta 5.5.
Thanks for the help. Think I just needed someone to confirm they were a decent buy before signing up to get one
Cheers
i hear that Halfords can get ANY bike you want. doesn't matter if they normally stock it or not
WhatMTB did a review of the boardman FS, and they said it was better than a lot of bikes in the 2K range.
This is the MBR Verdict on the Team one.
[i]It's hard not to be inpressed by the specification offered by the Boardman team for the price. It is lightweight, built around a proven suspension design, fitted with high quality components and looks pretty slick to boot.
It's at home on the climbs and covers ground easily thanks to those light wheels, but with it's peadling oriented suspension and lack of stiffness it never really feels inspiring or premotes confidence on rougher stuff and downhills. The old-school feel hammered home just home much some other bikes have come on in the last few years and that the Boardman is not fulfilling its potential yet as a true go any where machine.
With this spectacular spec, extra stiffness in the frame and a more supple suspension action, the team could easily become a bike to be rekoned with.[/i]
The Whatmtb review of the comp is [url= http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/comp-fs-09-33793 ]here[/url]
They have also done the pro but thats not on line yet but the summary is [i]With nice detailed and proven frame desgin running a very well matched suspension mix, the proFS chassis is a great all-round baseline. The kit is unbelivevable for pricetag, deliving outstanding weight and performance dividends to create a genuinely great trail bike at a cost where others simply can't compete.[/i]
Sounds like a no-brainer then!
Reason I'm keen to buy through halfords is that they offer 15% of free accessories thrown in - sadly they don't do that if you source another bike that they don't stock
lack of stiffness
Far be it for me to argue with the mighty MBR reviewers, but when I've ridden it (and also wangled the rear wheel side to side with my hand) it seemed perfectly fine. Certainly no worse than my Meta 5.5 with 12mm Maxle is, nor my other friends Kona SomeStrangeNameDeelux (OK, I've forgotten it).
I think that having a 20mm fork makes more difference anyway.
whats this about free accesories?ive just got one of theese thru c2w via halfords and no body mentioned that! and i thought i did alright getting a free lizard skin!!
Different companies do different deals. I worked for a Bank, so we couldn't get the VAT saving on purchase - hence we got the equivalent amount in freebies instead.