Help buying a new bike

[L1ght]

Hi again! Thanks for all the help. On weighing everything up I decided to go for my original choice, the Boardman Performance Team 2011-2012. Halfords currently have a £70 off and it swayed me lol.

I've got a free assembley and pickup after Saturday around 4pm. Will post a pick when I get her home

 

[Murf]

Not sure why you're thanking us when you asked us for advice, then promptly ignored it all.

 

[touch]

Not sure why you're thanking us when you asked us for advice, then promptly ignored it all.

It may be against the advice of most people who posted in this thread, but i think he has made a good choice.

Compared to the equivalent boardman cx bike (Team CX), the hybrid is lighter, cheaper and has a better spec. He's using it for road riding and commuting, so i dont see the point in the CX at all?

 

[Jonny ///M]

It may be against the advice of most people who posted in this thread, but i think he has made a good choice.

Compared to the equivalent boardman cx bike (Team CX), the hybrid is lighter, cheaper and has a better spec. He's using it for road riding and commuting, so i dont see the point in the CX at all?

I was replying to huddy with my post about it.

Not sure what else is going on though.

 

[Murf]

i dont see the point in the CX at all?

I don't see the point in a 'hybrid' at all. Well, in what is referred to as a hybrid. Cross bikes are quicker and tougher. And you also have the option of taking it off road if you want.

For me personally, a hybrid bike is the worst features of a MTB\road bike combined, and a cross bike is the best.

And since it's just commuting, might as well have just bought a road bike anyway!

All personal preference I guess, but I have an intense dislike for hybrids. Everyone I know who bought when eventually had to go out and get an MTB or a road bike depending on which way they were leaning.

 

[uniQ]

Hi again! Thanks for all the help. On weighing everything up I decided to go for my original choice, the Boardman Performance Team 2011-2012. Halfords currently have a £70 off and it swayed me lol.

I've got a free assembley and pickup after Saturday around 4pm. Will post a pick when I get her home

Hope you used the online code NUSFEB12 for an extra 10% off your order.

 

[touch]

For me personally, a hybrid bike is the worst features of a MTB\road bike combined, and a cross bike is the best.

This used to be the case several years ago, but i dont think thats correct anymore. Looking at the boardman range (as that was what was linked in the OP), there is very little difference between the hybrid and the CX.
The cranks, drivetrain and wheels are identical on both bikes.
The hybrid has a more relaxed geometry, but it's lighter and has narrow, slick tyres as opposed to thicker, knobbly CX tyres, so i would assume that the hybrid would be faster on road.

CX bikes definately have their place, my dad has a Kona Jake the Snake which he uses for commuting. I raced a bit of CX on it a couple of years ago and i love it, it's a brilliant bike.
However, for the OP, doing all his riding on the road, i cant see any benefits of choosing a CX bike.

And since it's just commuting, might as well have just bought a road bike anyway!

Yep. If it was my choice, i would have gone for a road bike.

 

[Streeteh]

The hybrid has a more relaxed geometry, but it's lighter and has narrow, slick tyres as opposed to thicker, knobbly CX tyres, so i would assume that the hybrid would be faster on road.

Thing is though, drop handles are a massive deal for many, myself included. They're just so much more comfortable! The tyres that come with boardman bikes are a bit naff typically so they'll be swapped off in most cases. I'm running 23c tyres on my Boardman Team CX.

I do agree that if it was purely for road a road bike is the way forwards and a CX is probably very similar to a Hybrid in terms of speed. But if, like me, you plan to be on and off road and want to keep a decent pace on both terrains i feel a CX bike is definitely superior to a Hybrid as it can keep up a good pace off-road. Obviously a road bike and a MTB is the way forwards, but there's several reasons why i can't own two bikes so a CX felt like the best of both worlds.

 

[touch]

I do agree that if it was purely for road a road bike is the way forwards and a CX is probably very similar to a Hybrid in terms of speed. But if, like me, you plan to be on and off road and want to keep a decent pace on both terrains i feel a CX bike is definitely superior to a Hybrid as it can keep up a good pace off-road. Obviously a road bike and a MTB is the way forwards, but there's several reasons why i can't own two bikes so a CX felt like the best of both worlds.

Yes, there's no doubt that the CX is the best bike for your needs.

But for the OP, who will be riding purely on roads, i cant see any reason to choose the CX.

 

[Streeteh]

Yes, there's no doubt that the CX is the best bike for your needs.

But for the OP, who will be riding purely on roads, i cant see any reason to choose the CX.

But then the question still stands; why does a hybrid exist!?!

My post was more in reply into your not being able to see the point in a CX bike on reflection. The issue for me is on the roads a road bike is best, offroad a MTB is best and a CX is the most capable on all terrains. That leaves the hybrid which is pretty much just a slow road bike. What's the point? If you want comfort go for a cruiser surely?

 

[touch]

But then the question still stands; why does a hybrid exist!?!

There will always be people who are uncomfortable on road bikes. Maybe they dont like drop bars, maybe they need the more relaxed geometry. Using the brakes whilst riding one handed (when signalling etc) is also easier on a flat bar bike.

My post was more in reply into your not being able to see the point in a CX bike on reflection.

Thats not what i said at all. I said i couldnt see the point in a CX bike for the specific needs of the OP in this thread.
As i said earlier, i love CX bikes. For some people (like you), they are the best choice of bike. But that doesnt mean they are the best choice for everybody.

 

[Jonny ///M]

The boardman hybrids are basically flat bar road bikes that's the problem. Similar to a Gt Tachyon.

Most people view a hybrid as something like a Gt transeo/traffic which is have more mtb style geometry, fatter tyres 35-40c and lower gearing.

So the fact he bought a boardman hybrid...it's pretty much a road bike so I would have to agree that I'd have made the jump. I love sitting on the hoods and getting on the drops which I thought I wouldn't do as much as I do.

 

[Murf]

Yeah, if the Boardman is basically a road bike without the drops, that makes me more irritated!

Totally see your point(s) though Touch. I didn't realise Hybrids had moved on from those horrendous, fragile sheds they used to be.

 

[encephalopathy]

i have a boardman hybrid comp and have done 1000 miles since i bought it last august. as usual i have ended up tinkering a bit with it as i found the cockpit position put too much weight through my wrists and the forks made the ride very crashy if not smooth tarmac

things i have done (and yes i know i've probably changed too much/spent too much, but i'm happy ). i ride a mixture of tarmac and rough metalled tracks

changed 700x28 tyres to 700x30 schwalbe ones more more grip in the wetter weather
fitted adjustable stem to raise the bars up a little and take weight off my wrists
cane creek thudbuster seatpost - absolutely fantastic bit of kit albeit ££ that has fixed the back pain i was getting after 10miles +
and my newest tweak has been to replace the front forks with suntour swing fork again to help my wrists a little - 3cm of travel, not too heavy and work well for the routes i use

forgot about bar ends, spd pedals, sks commuter mudguards and magiclink for the chain