Im getting a warranty replacement from halfords, will inspect it before taking it from the shop this time.

My 2012/13 one is ace, done two proper big rides on it – on in the lakes and the other in Yorkshire – that would be classed as proper Enduro cross kinda things and it handled them great.

It’s also cracking (mind the pun) for thrashing round the local woods and riding mixed bridleway & road routes

My experience from last Monday: Checked halfords website for a comp, it’s in stock, phoned, ‘we have one, for sale in two weeks’. Went there to order anyway, 10% off that day. Managed to eventually get out of Halfords with one the right size under my arm in a box. Pulled it out the next day, started snipping packaging off, almost done, blam, forks actually looked like they were trying to walk. Totally bent, paint was scratched here and there as well.
Straight back for a refund, no probs there. Bought a Whyte from Edinburgh bike coop instead.
To be fair, it looked like all damage was done after manufacture, and during transport and/or packaging up.

Was just pointed to this thread re filed welds and the paint.

At the risk of breaking an own-rule on here.. It’s basically sanded pollyfilla over the welds and it’s slightly flexible. The paint looks to be the same as one I’ve specced before and the factory did charge more to use it, a multi-layer paint that’s a pita for them but is a nice finish. Still use it on a few bikes with a different factory. So unlikely that’s a structural crack, more a combo of the over-weld filler and the paint layers.

Was just pointed to this thread re filed welds and the paint.

At the risk of breaking an own-rule on here.. It’s basically sanded pollyfilla over the welds and it’s slightly flexible. The paint looks to be the same as one I’ve specced before and the factory did charge more to use it, a multi-layer paint that’s a pita for them but is a nice finish. Still use it on a few bikes with a different factory. So unlikely that’s a structural crack, more a combo of the over-weld filler and the paint layers.
I wondered how they got smooth welds on such cheap bikes. Now I know!
Cheers James
(resists temptation to go out and detect the polyfilla on own bike)

Dunno how they deal with it, their call really. They’re far from the only brand using this process, should’ve made that clear. It’s quite common.

well Halfords have now confirmed to me that the bikes are on recall. Planet X instead i suppose.

I’d be happy with one of the “cracked ones”, Wanted to singlespeed it for some cross races later in the season. Back to looking elsewhere…

Thanks, I’ll see what happens with my order then and update as nessecary.

Ordered a comp at lunch which is suppose to be ready for collection tommorrow. See how we get on.

I got a full refund too bit disappointed as no bike for this weekend.

By yourself or by Boardman, if I may ask?

Ah right, still no word from Halfords regarding the plan for the 2014 frames.

Probably too busy fending off the Hope wheels carpetbaggers.

Yep, my mate Neil’s (Dammit on LFGSS) that he had stripped back and got a nice surprise! Like Jameso said, loads of other manufacturers use this technique, it’s purely for aestetic value. Jamie – sure thing. Email should be in member info.

Any 2014 CX Team owners heard about Boardman’s plans for their frames yet?

The Elite CX bikes out now. Quite pricey for the carbon ones.

So probably worth getting a second set of wheels with road tyres for the summer then.
I’ve tried a Boardman roadie in the past and it was pretty comfortable so that’s good news.

Picked up a 2012 model after the PSA on here a few weeks back.

Frame looks the same as the hybrid and the top tube length and cable routing is not for the CX purist. Enjoyed it on and off road so far but its currently awaiting a replacement fork as the paint has worn through to the carbon already where the cables pass around.

Seems the 2014 model isn’t the only one with a paint problem.