C2W Road Pondering

Morning! I’m in the fortunate position of being able to use my work’s C2W scheme, and I’m looking to scratch a roadie itch (apologies if that upsets non-roadists 😉 )

Firstly, this will be used for cycling to work (😁). Secondly, I’m looking specifically at the below Boardman, as it seems to be the best mix of decent spec and price that I can afford. I’m not looking for a race bike more an endurance style bike, but a lighter one than my current gravel bike. I’ve currently got a second set of wheels for the gravel bike but it’s not the ‘same’ and I’d prefer a dedicated road bike.

Just wondering if anyone has one that can comment on its quality etc? TIA

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Boardman-ADV-9-0-Road-2024-Road-Bike_266481.htm

If you are going to cycle commute I would be looking at being able to fit mudguards and a rack.

A wet bum is not great and sometimes it’s nice to be able to carry more than the essentials.

Why are there three water bottle bosses on both seat tube and down tube? Is this to vary cage placement?

I agree about mudguards though. It is rarely raining enough to get soaked riding to work but road spray is much more of an issue than falling rain.

It says “hidden mudguard mounts” in the description but it also sounds like theres plenty of room as they talk about gravle tyres as well. Theres plenty of good clip on mudguard sets so as long as theres room to fit them then mounts aren’t an issue.

I’m in agreement – that’s a very reasonable budget and I think you could get something with more capacity to do a broader range of jobs for you for that money.

Guards and possibly a rack even if you only had them on a small amount of time could be very handy. And yes there are half arsed methods to do this without proper guard fittings but why messa around when starting from scratch.

Edit – if there are hidden mounts then no drama…apart from a rack which only you will know is relevant.

I have the older version of this, think it’s called an Endurance SL.

Really nice hi-mod carbon frame (think that’s what they mean by C10), good balanced geometry on the sharper side of endurance and a lovely smooth ride (though I did change the wheels for carbon ones with tubeless tyres).

Looks good VFM in the current world of road bike RRPs.

If these had been in stock in summer ’20, I’d have almost certainly snapped one up, when my fatbike commuter crank sheared.

Thought about one when someone here posted about sales price ~2 months ago, when I became aware of the newer “all road” version, but I have to watch the non-essential pennies while trying to improve my long covid stamina/strength/fitness after leaving my old job last autumn.

Theres plenty of good clip on mudguard sets so as long as theres room to fit them then mounts aren’t an issue.

All the ones that I’ve seen or tried are rubbish compared to proper ones. If you’re buying a bike, and planning to fit mudguards, get one with mudguard mounts.

I’m struggling to understand what advantage an “endurance” road bike gets you that a gravel bike with an appropriate wheelset doesn’t?

I agree that for a commuter bike, mudguards and rack mounts are very useful. If I was buying one again, I’d also look at hub gearing.

different geometry, handling and weight? And n+1.. guess it depends on your gravel bike. Some are quite slack and porky.

I’ve barely ridden my commuter of late. It’s just so dull to ride despite being totally sensible with cheap consumables (3×8), full mudguards, puncture resistant tyres, chonky 36 spoke wheels, rear rack, brooks b17 etc.

Less slack geo, light(er) gravel bike with tubeless road wheels, winwing and ortlieb quick rack ftw..

Thanks for the responses. Already have clip on guards on the gravel bike, and use them when it’s wet etc already. Panniers if needed I’d put on the gravel bike too as it has proper fitting points though I just use a backpack. Panniers are in thought process though.

It’s an itch. An n+1. It will do for varying the commuting from the gravel bike and the mtb. It will also be used for club nights, and I might even pluck up the courage to join a Sunday social…maybe.

Thanks again folks.

All the ones that I’ve seen or tried are rubbish compared to proper ones. If you’re buying a bike, and planning to fit mudguards, get one with mudguard mounts.

Conversely, my bike has mudguard mounts, but I bought some Speedrockers for easier swapping on and off, and they’re better than the perfectly adequate Chromoplastics they replaced.

But also agree guards are the best upgrade you can make to a commuter, and a rack’s not far behind.

It’s an itch. An n+1. It will do for varying the commuting from the gravel bike and the mtb. It will also be used for club nights, and I might even pluck up the courage to join a Sunday social…maybe.

Would you not be able to go “full roadie” at that budget and get a race bike or similar?

Hmm I’d use the gravel bike for commute and get a nice road bike

Hmm I’d use the gravel bike for commute and get a nice road bike

Yep, I get that. Both my current bikes get used for commuting and their usual intended purposes, but a ‘nice’ road bike (as I’ve deemed nice) are above my budget. £2k is my limit (nothing to do with C2W).

My thought on a more endurance style road bike was geometry as I’m no racing whippet, and need a slightly less aggressive riding position to assist back/neck issues.

Never go full roadie

Never go full roadie

Never going FULL roadie, just maybe, now and then…(but never full lycra unless it’s covered up 🤣 I’m the wrong shape 😳)

Extra weight is a bind up the hills, but a rounder stomach is more aero. 😉