Thinking about buying a roadbike

pumaz

pumaz

pumaz

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Joined
7 Oct 2003
Posts
5,693
Location
Nottingham
At the moment i have a Specialized Hardrock Pro Sport Disc 2004, I've put slicks on it and use it mostly for commuting. It's been a while since i've been off road and after 6 years I think i'm due a new bike.

Although it's been a good bike and it's still in good nick I am becoming more tempted by a roadbike in particular the "Boardman Team Carbon Medium 2010" I guess i want to start going faster and doing more miles :) I've been to halfords to have a look and it was love at first sight!!!

I'm very tempted but is it a good idea? Will the transition from MTB to RB be easy, it's been 20 years since I last sat on a racer (41 btw) will I miss my MTB? Also what are RB wheels like these days? lets face it UK roads are terrible and full of pot holes that arn't always unavoidable and the wheels on RB's are thin, will they buckle easily?

One last thing, Halfords - my local store is terrible and from my understanding most are. I really wouldn't trust the kids they employ to setup a bike like this. Would it be possible to buy the bike in a box and get my LBS to set it up and roughly what would this cost?
 
My LBS charges about £25 for a 'Safety Check Services' just to make sure that everything is working and correctly fitted. I'd also recommend you get them to look at the wheels, tighten any loose spokes and make sure they are true.

If you've got a bit of cash to spare the find one that does Cycle-Fit (or similar) since they will adjust the saddle, stem, handlebars, cleats, etc for maximum comfort.

As for worries about wheels buckling easily; if they do it will probably down to a bad build. If road bikes couldn't handle UK roads then trading standards would have a field day. I do around 6000 miles a year on my bike and I have my wheels trued once a year.

The Boardmans are supposed to be very good bikes BT

Finally, admit that you are only doing this because you want to look as good as the rest of us roadies do in lycra; chicks digg it.
 
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From what I've read Boardman bikes need the front wheel putting on, handlebars setting up and the brakes setting up when bought in the box. LBS should have no problem and will probably charge you about an hours labour, I imagine £20-40. Although there might be a member on here who would do it for you!
 
[DOD]Asprilla;16306299 said:
As for worries about wheels buckling easily; if they do it will probably down to a bad build. If road bikes couldn't handle UK roads then trading standards would have a field day. I do around 6000 miles a year on my bike and I have my wheels trued once a year.
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Same. I'm a fairly "weighty" rider, but have never had problems with wheels, even after hitting some potholes fairly hard.
 
pumaz said:
I'm very tempted but is it a good idea? Will the transition from MTB to RB be easy, it's been 20 years since I last sat on a racer (41 btw) will I miss my MTB? Also what are RB wheels like these days? lets face it UK roads are terrible and full of pot holes that arn't always unavoidable and the wheels on RB's are thin, will they buckle easily?

One last thing, Halfords - my local store is terrible and from my understanding most are. I really wouldn't trust the kids they employ to setup a bike like this. Would it be possible to buy the bike in a box and get my LBS to set it up and roughly what would this cost?
Click to expand...

After riding HT/FS MTBs for a good few years, I got a road bike about 18 months ago (a Planet X SL Pro Carbon). Initially, I found the steering very twitchy and didn't like using the drops. However, after a few rides everything drops into place and I'm very happy wafting along on it now - how easy it is to maintain a good speed on tarmac compared to an MTB is an eye opener (well it was to me!)
 
Thanks for the comments guys, I'm ok with putting a bike together, it's setting up the gears so there perfect is what I would struggle with. I have a leisure lakes Lbs near where I live so might ask them as they seem very proffesional.

I forgot about Lycra!!! Is this compulsary for roadies? Going to have to sort out pedals and gel grip. Also read it's a good idea to change the seat.
 
pumaz said:
I forgot about Lycra!!! Is this compulsary for roadies?
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Yes. Once deemed proficient you'll be allowed wrap around shades as well.

pumaz said:
Going to have to sort out pedals and gel grip. Also read it's a good idea to change the seat.
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I'd see how the current seat goes first, you could spend forever trying to get the perfect one.
 
Think i have a ways to go before i can don Lycra and wrap around shades lol

I'm gonna see how I get on with the seat before buying a new one (not really got money to burn)

Would also like to keep my MTB but space is a little tight in my shed. Is it a good idea to use this bike for commuting or should i try and keep the MTB?
 
pumaz said:
Would also like to keep my MTB but space is a little tight in my shed. Is it a good idea to use this bike for commuting or should i try and keep the MTB?
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If you are commuting on road and you can keep a decent maintenance schedule (lube and wipe after every ride if possible) then use it to commute.

The correct number of bikes is n+1 where n is the current number of bikes, on no account should it be n-1. Keep the mtb (winter commuter), if you can.
 
[DOD]Asprilla;16312717 said:
If you are commuting on road and you can keep a decent maintenance schedule (lube and wipe after every ride if possible) then use it to commute.

The correct number of bikes is n+1 where n is the current number of bikes, on no account should it be n-1. Keep the mtb (winter commuter), if you can.
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Think your right, it's a little too much to do a full days work, cycle home then have to wipe the bike down etc. I'll keep the MTB for winter and bad weather commuting.

Just trying to get my wife round to the idea of a 1k bike, women just don't understand!
 
#Chri5# said:
Any option to get it through a Cycle 2 Work Scheme?
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They do the C2W scheme at my work but when i read through it, it sounded more trouble than it's worth. Especialy when at the end of the 12-18 month contract you have to buy the bike at Market value from your employer. If there was a real saving however i would be on it!
 
Found out about my works Cyclescheme, Basicly it works like this - I can have £1000 to spend on a bike, 12 monthly payments are stopped out of my wages and at the end of this period i can buy the bike for 5% total saving worked out to just over £400.

This is great and i'm really keen accept for one very slight niggle, Halfords are not on the list of suppliers :( but just about every other LBS is..

TRouble is I really want the Boardman but i would be dumb to turn down a 40% saving on any other bike......

What to do?

Should i look at other bikes? if so any ideas for up to £1000

Thanks again
 
Ideas for £1000?

Focus Varadio Expert
Specialized Allez
Specialized Secteur
Bianchi via Narone
Cannondale CAAD8 / CAAD9
Fuji Roubaix

How's that for a start?
 
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