Hi all,
Getting back into cycling as I recover from knee surgery, the mtb I had as a teen is too small now so looking to take advantage of the cycle to work scheme at my work and get a 26" xc mtb (using the full £1000). Wondering if anyone can tell me which bike is better value for money, the Giant XtC 2 (can only find the 2012 on the website but imagine it'll be much the same)
or the Boardman Pro...
also open to suggestions for other bikes.
The voodoo wanga from halfords for a long travel fun bike option.
Does it have Halfords:
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/genesis-mantle-20-13
Based on the same geometry as the High Latitude, lovely ride.
Cheers
Danny B
Both Boardman and Giant have a rep for excellent vfm. If you can, try tham out and see which you like best.
Have a look at www.on-one.co.uk I believe they do the cycle to work scheme too.
looks nice..
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FBOO4561X5/on_one_456_evo_x5_sektor_bike
Can't get one one bikes from the halfords scheme.
You get more for your cash with the wanga anyway. I had one, rode it to work for a year on scwalbe landcruisers and put the minions back on for weekends.
really depends on what sort of riding you'll be doing on it.I found the wanga great for thrashing around but if you're more xc oriented then the Boardman would be the better choice. Imo.
Boardman Pro imo has the best stuff on it
Where I work cycle to work has a large uptake and it's pretty much wall to wall Cubes. I gather you get a lot for your money.
I assume it's not a Halfords scheme but the govt cycle to work scheme.
http://www.on-one.co.uk/cycle-scheme
How long/steep is your ride to work?
I commuted for over 10 years in London in all weather. It took I while, but my best 'alternative' was a 26" rigid single-speed (Surly 1x1, but an inbred would be the same) that I could also use as a winter MTB. Using a geared bike for commuting just got everything knackered and was a pain to use as a weekend fun bike - salt and the like sprayed over everything for months on end in winter. Suspension forks on a commuter is a baaad idea and mechs seized up and wore out.
The Surly was great - with 2 rings on the back, 2 quick-links on the chain and 2 swapable front rings I could change the ratio and tyres in about 20 minutes. Dead easy to clean all the cack of too.
Thanks for all the opinions on this, I went for the Boardman. Really pleased with it although the mountain kings might have to go!