Opinions on a bike for me...

mik_da_man

Hi Guys,

I'm in the market for a new bike, haven't done any proper cycling in about 6 years and would like to take it up again.
I used to do a bit of mountain biking and would like to take it up again.
I'm gonna be utilising the cycle to work scheme so pretty much have €1k to play with.
I know from reading a bit here that halfords are not the forum favourites but I've been looking there anyway

My initial thoughts were to get a carrera vengance disc
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_712159_langId_-1_categoryId_212589
Seems like very good value @ €370 for the compontents it has.

However when I went into the shop the Boardman Comp caught my eye.
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_502089_langId_-1_categoryId_212589

@ €875 it's a hell of a lot more but I haven't read a single bad review about it. It seems like a great bike.

I can afford the boardman but am wondering if it's a bit much to be splashing out.. The bike will be used for tipping in and out to work and will be bringing it to ballyhoura with a few mates.

Awaiting your opinions/suggestions

Mik

sibyrne

Specialized Rockhopper. Base model.


Best entry level Frame, Fork and finishing kit on the market

mik_da_man

Anywhere in Ireland sell them so I could get a look/spin first?

sibyrne

Where you live and ill tell you the nearest place.

As 90% of bikes are sold out at the moment due to the Bike to work scheme they are hard to get but i think a few are still available

CheGuedara

Specialized Rockhopper SL 2010 - pretty frame, but forks, cranks, and brakes all inferior to those specced on the Boardman.

Specialized finishing kit - analagous at best, in house but possibly equivalent to Richie branded kit on Boardman

Specialized wheels = Boardman wheels.

If they're the same price I know where my money would go...

parko202

thank god specialized are made down there in leitrim!

No but more helpfully, if you want to buy in a local shop you can go for the rockhopper which is lower spec but, you would have the advantage of being able to try the bike etc. And not knocking specialized at all, I have two of their bikes myself. There are good offerings from cube

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=31683
and
http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=31683

which are good spec for their price. Also, from a fully online retailer canyon http://www.canyon.com/_en/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=1802&WYSESSID=hpn7rtk30qgluedb97d286re63 is very good for the money.

It really is up to whether or not you would be comfortable buying online and how much of that 1000 you want to spend.

petethedrummer

sibyrne wrote: »

Point is, why not shop in a LBS?

Where do you buy your groceries?

poochiem

...and you're back in the room.

mik_da_man

Cheers for the info guys.
I live in cork so if anywhere around here stocks rockhopper if have a look.
I'm willing to spend as much of the 1k as possible. But leaving money for accessories.
Also I found out I can get an extra 15% discount in halfords so its looking more promosing.
I do want to buy in an Irish store of possible cause of the scheme, it makes it easier for the admin side of things.
But I will check out the links above before I make my mind up.

andysheehan2003

heres my 2 cents....
bought a boardman comp back in may thru c2w for same intentions occasionally cycling to work and trips to ballyh...been out in ballyh at least twice a week ever since im hooked:D
as for the bike had no problems with so far and it has taken a bit of punishment around ballyh. the components on it a much better spec for the equivalent spec. or giant or trek. only thing imo different would be the frame which i tink on the other bikes would have more longevity. but as i said the comp is a great bike for the money and will be well up to spins around ballyh...