I have mentioned previously that I own a vintage Raleigh roadbike that I bought from eBay for around £25 last year. I do love it. It’s been great for getting around London, but it’s just too heavy and antiquated to be suitable for long rides. So a new bike I must purchase.
Helpfully, I am able to sign up for the Cycle2Work scheme which will allow me to make some tax and NI savings on a new bike providing I use it for commuting. Dream! Frustratingly my company uses Halford’s scheme exclusively which means I have to go for a bike which they stock (or that they are willing to order in) and they’re hardly bike specialists! Having looked at their ranges online, instore as well as the brands that they list as being able to order in I have finally decided: The Boardman Fi Road Comp.
I went to the small Halfords in Putney this weekend and had a go on the bike. It felt really good. The female specific frame felt more comfortable than the men’s one. I think the narrower handlebars make a big difference. I have to be honest, I understand very little about the spec information, but I can read the reviews and on the whole they seem to be very positive. Plus, Boardman is a brand I think I can trust, so hopefully I’m not going too wrong here. Carbon fork- good from what I can tell? 9.5kg seems to be a pretty good weight for the cost of this entry-level bike. I like that I can fit mudguards too, as when commuting I’d rather not have the muddy spray up my back!
One thing I am going to have to get used to is the gears! My current bike has a vintage friction shifter (apparently!)- basically the gars are changed by moving a lever on the stem of the handlebars. It means there’s no set positions for gears, it’s stiff to change them and feels a bit unsafe sometimes when reaching down to change gears. I knew that getting a new road bike would involve a completely new system, but I think it will take some time to get used to them. I am looking forward to having 20 gears instead of 5 though!
I’ve sent off for my voucher at work, so hopefully this will come through in the next couple of weeks so I can get the bike ordered and get on the road! Next decisions are based on accessories… pedals…shoes…computer?…and apparently a whole host of additional things that I could purchase!
Training wheels... again 
February 15, 2013 at 12:43 am
Thanks for stopping by and following my blog! Have fun with all the purchases! Make sure to take cool pics and share! =)
February 17, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Boardman bikes are ok I reckon, frames are good, the groupsets are good and the finishing kit (where lots of manufacturers cut corners) are good, so although your choice is limited, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed 🙂
February 17, 2013 at 6:42 pm
I’m glad to hear this 🙂 Just waiting for my voucher to come through so I can order it and get out on it!
February 18, 2013 at 7:45 am
Brilliant bikes for the money, good components. You will not be disappointed.
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March 8, 2013 at 6:35 pm
I should think the bike will be ok, but don’t rely on Halfords staff to put it together for you correctly. Double check it when you get it home.