[Closed] Thinking about buying Boardman Pro hardtail...anything I should know?

Time it right.

Halfords do "20% off all bikes" weekend sales quite a few times a year

I like them but many on here will think it is automatically crap because of where you bought it. Fwiw, i think they ride very well, but it's quite a head down riding position.

Halfords - a head down bums up riding position? The irony...

..?

I've got the comp, rides well, good parts and it was about 3-400 quid cheaper than the equivalent big name brand.

I haven't found many compromises with it, the tyres were wire bead but that's about it.

I don't find it overly heads down, quite a neutral position.

Get a spare mech hanger while you are in store, as they tend to have them in stock.

I hear they have a very good spec for the price. If you are unlucky you might need to do some mechanical setting up yourself.

FWIW I am sorely tempted to buy one of their road bikes if they ever go on sale.

I am waiting for a Boardman sale to get one of the Hybrid Pros. Who cares if i have to take it apart then build it up again

...anything I should know?

only that you are buying a halfords own brand bike, that they are desperately trying to make look up-market by bunging chris boardman a few quid to use his name.

Some clueless replies above.

If you can avoid the snobbishness the fact is that the Boardmans are brilliant. The hardtails are good rides and the spec is brilliant. Same goes for the road bikes.

I would insist on putting it together myself though 🙂

The only issue I had with mine was the crappy Shimano chain breaking. Replaced with a sram one and all has been good.

It was put together fine.

Save a bit more . . .

Fair point above, re the chain.... Mine snapped after two miles too. Fine ever since though after the kindly chap at Kirroughtree put in an sram link (and it's taken a fair battering). Mine was built up by the York shop - all I did was turn the stem upside down and shoogle the headset spacers about until it felt comfy. I've had various bits off for quick fettling, and they've all been well greased (where they should be).

Also, replaced the tyres for bigger, spongier jobs and didn't even take the pedals out of the shop 😀 Changed the seatpost clamp for a QR job and got rid of the fugly grips too.

Quick edit: I've never come accross any real bike-snobbery whilst out and about - most folk are just curious to see this suspect bike which has been getting (well deserved) rave reviews. Then they pick it up and whistle...

I've got the top alu Boardman road bike. Only £800 quids worth, but the frame has some lovely details and is very light.

Whats with the ovalised top tube on the Boardman frames? I have seen frames ovalised before but this seems to be the other way, ie horizontal rather than vertical.

excellent bikes, a friend had one (bt it got nicked , yes from Bristol) if I was looking for a new bike and I wanted a fast XC bike I would definitely consider getting one, especially through b2w or on a 20% off day.

i have the 2010 hard tail, just put egg beaters and a ritchey carbon seat post/flat carbon bars and its weight is now only 21 pounds! you wont get anything near that for this price (£850 and on ride to work, with £100 free accessories.) rides great but bottle holder threads went and the paint is soft but halfords have been great!