Urgent advice regarding choice between two road bikes!

heartofwhite · 07-09-2014 4:39pm #1

Hi all,

So I am getting a road bike next week and it is one of two:

2013 Boardman Road Comp
2011 Trek 1.5

Here are links to both specs:

http://www.triradar.com/gear/boardman-road-comp-review/

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2011/archive/trek/15/

Which one would be best to get? In my mind the newer Boardman would make sense but the Tiagra of the Trek is also a plus. I am not into brand names so thats not a factor. I am aiming to do sportifs starting in January 80km plus if this helps.

Boardman - €500
Trek - €450

Any advice would be great!

Doc07 · 07-09-2014 4:47pm

If it has to be between these two Boardman has better spec. You may want to upgrade from the Trek 9-speed. (I have 10 speed, will do me forever but I'm jealous of the new 'this one goes to 11-speed' )

For similar money you could get Cube Peleton race with full 105 and Mavic Aksium wheels. I've done 160k sportives on it, comfortable and fast enough for most people.

heartofwhite · 07-09-2014 5:44pm

They are both 9 speed which I think is fine. My plan is to pick one of these up and use it for a year and then get the 2015 Defy 1 next August if I am still at the cycling! I did a 80km sportif a month or two ago using a 1985 5 speed Peugeot so either of these will be a huge improvement but which one is the problem!

not yet · 07-09-2014 6:14pm

Both 2nd hand?

I'd go for the trek, the frame alone makes it a better bike, you can upgrade the group set at a later date.

heartofwhite · 07-09-2014 6:17pm

Yep both second hand. I was ready to get the Trek until I saw the Boardman earlier and it is two years younger. Part of me thinks that it is not worth paying 450 for a bike that is nearly four years old.

Brian? · 07-09-2014 6:24pm

I'd go with the Trek. I'm not even a fan of Trek as a brand. I've heard too many bad reviews about SRAM Apex shifter reliability. That's one part you really don't need to be replacing.

All Shimano parts are bullet proof and always have been.

Brian? · 07-09-2014 6:26pm

heartofwhite wrote: »

They are both 9 speed which I think is fine. My plan is to pick one of these up and use it for a year and then get the 2015 Defy 1 next August if I am still at the cycling! I did a 80km sportif a month or two ago using a 1985 5 speed Peugeot so either of these will be a huge improvement but which one is the problem!

What size do you need? I wonder could you do better for €500.

heartofwhite · 07-09-2014 6:28pm

Thanks for the reply - perhaps the Trek is the way to go. It will only be for a year in any case and the resale value of the Trek might also be higher.

heartofwhite · 07-09-2014 6:31pm

I am a tiny bit under 5"10 so I am thinking a 56cm frame would be best. Honestly, I have been searching for a bike constantly the last two weeks and it is driving me mad. My budget is maximum €500 and I want to get a light enough bike that is at least a 9 speed with Tiagra if possible.

I really believed that it would fairly easy to pick one up that is a couple of years old for my budget but it does not seem to be the case!

Urgent advice regarding choice between two road bikes!

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