New Chris Boardman Carbon 2010 Review - UPDATED

[TheRozzers]

Just got an entry-level Comp Hybrid (1st road bike) and stripped it bare apart from a couple of those frog strobe lights. It's light and faaast :o) Halfords are pricks though lol. All the reviews on my new bike are great but all say the same about the Halfords clowns...... Buy the bike and run hehe! This guys bike is giving me a woody in my sweats...

[Cyberwwwizard]

Damage caused by crap rider!

[davnington]

Does anyone know where to buy new Boardman Carbon 2010?

[kan3co]

I was about to buy one this Boardman team Carbon 2011 before i found this video.

Wiggle is having a 20% discount on all articles and i need a road bike i was going to buy one,but with this coments better to think again.

What are the problems with this bike?

I am looking for a 1300€ bike with a carbon frame in Black Matt and this was perfect.

[jonbob6]

HI ON WATCHING YOUR VIDEO I BOUGHT SAME BIKE JUST YESTERDAY BEEN LOOKING FOR MONTHS AND CAUSE NEW BOARDMAN'S ARE SAY LOWER QUALITY I GOT A CRACKING 2010 CARBON IT'S A REAL BEAUTY.JUST GOT ME BLACKBURN'S TO FIT AND IM OFF.YOUR VIDEO REAL QUALITY THANKS.DO THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE MUSIC AND WORD'S OFF LET OTHER PEOPLE ENJOY IT.AND MAKE A NEW ONE ABOUT SUB STAND'ED NEW BOARDMAN'S.LOOK FORWARD TO SEE'ING THAT AS WELL.THANKS BIKE A CRACKER

[gravitygrabber]

@jonbob6

Glad you like the 2010 Bike. It'sa brilliant machine. Handles really well and the spec is amazing value for money. If the bike went on sale today you'd be looking at around £1,500 rrp.

But for God's sake, avoid the 2011/12 range.

[billingtonwasjohn5]

If you must purchase from Halfords, just get it, walk away and set it up yourself. Halfords Bike hut - clueless

[billingtonwasjohn5]

If you must purchase from Halfords, just get it, walk away and set it up yourself. Halfords Bike hut - clueless.

[villujogi]

its like porn movie

[horselaverda]

beautiful bike,buying one in a few weeks

[gravitygrabber]

@horselaverda

Sorry, but I no longer recommend the Boardman range. The new 2011/12 range has has major issues - well publicised and I've personal experience of dire treatment from incompetent Halfords staff.

Court is pending.

I'd advise looking into another make entirely.

[babbfamilyidaho]

@gravitygrabber What does Halfords have to do with the entire line? A bad retailer could mess up any good bike. Isn't it possible you just had a bad lemon and then on top of it Halfords has bad service? I'm honestly asking, I've never dealt with Halfords or Boardman bikes

[yenrodtheoriginal]

One hell of a bike + serious wheels ! looks like a triathlon bike in a way but w.out the tri-bars ??????

[davewinst1]

Thats an awesome tip about keeping tools etc in the bottle, think I'll steal that idea!Cheers. Beautiful bike by the way. I hate these bike snobs thinking these bike aren't a match for other well known brands, they are without doubt awesome bikes, the whole range intact.

[Rynodinio]

I have the same bike and was looking at a similar route with upgrades.

[Rynodinio]

How much does this bike weigh????

[bipedalame]

that bike should weigh about 8 odd kilos. fantastic value for money. after bitching your ride up (at great expense no doubt) with all that bling. it now weighs roughly the same as a grifter.

[jreacher79]

I've got the Boardman Comp I paid £699 a few months back but Halfords are doing good deals at the moment. It's not as nice as this one but still an amazing bike. Ideal for anyone new to road bikes. It's extremely light and fast and a joy to ride.

I love the wheels on this one but they're worth more than my bike brand new so I can't justify spending that sort of money just yet!

What mudguards (if any) are you using? I have the Crud mk2s and they fit nicely.

[wannabeuk]

I bought my L&M lights on eBay for $180, which is around £115. They are very small, very light, and very bright, and I think would make a great replacement for your current set up which (IMHO) makes the cockpit look a little cluttered and really detracts from the look of an otherwise gorgeous rig. I too looked at Planet X machines, but instead ride a Giant TCR 2 composite.

[jibaba123]

@gravitygrabber

How much difference to titanium skewers and hubs actually make? At the moment I ride a steel framed tourer to race! Although I am still young, and can't say I've won much (I only started riding 6 months back) I can say that the bike doesn't make so much difference, especially extras (eg.titanium skewers!) I just think its crazy to waste money on something unnecesary!

[gravitygrabber]

@videoplayer511

I had a Bianchi many years ago; I love the colour scheme. And your ride looks will nice. Good deal you had. Be proud of it.

Always clean it, no matter how short the ride. Use Blackburn Fleas or similar, front and rear, day or night, on flash when you ride.

Store your tools in an extended bottle - looks neater.

Always obay traffic signals. Always so hi to fellow cyclisys.

Once again, nice bike.

[jibaba123]

@gravitygrabber

Honestly- the Planet X bikes are lighter with better componentry. Also, you can get a local bike shop to help you repair the bike and if you have your head screwed on you can set the bike up yourself. Halfords occasionally don't set them up very well and it is much more expensive than a bike shop- £12 for a puncture! I love your bike, I'm just giving others another option for people for the same amount of money. And Planet X Carbon wheels are only £499.99 and are really great!

[gravitygrabber]

@jibaba123

They Plant X machines, like for like, are neither lighter, or better. You need to check your facts before you post. And as the similar machines have exactly the same GS, how can they have better components?

And if I spend £1,000 on a machine, I'd be pissed if I had to then unbox it, prep it and set it up myself.

Again, I looked at Planet X DS rims, but they don't have titanium hubs or skewers. But yes, for £500, they are sweet.

[SPIRITintheBOTTLE]

@gravitygrabber i prefer to build my bikes, everything is adjusted the way i want and i know nothing is going to rattle lose.

[jibaba123]

@gravitygrabber

For anyone who doesn't have as bigger budget as you I'd definitely recommend a Planet X full carbon bike with SRAM Rival groupset- £999.00!!!

[gravitygrabber]

@jibaba123

Sorry, you've lost me; this Boardman is a full carbon bike, with Rival GS for £999.00. AND it comes pre-built, unlike Planet X machines.

And Halfords are local and have decent pro mechanics (on both occassions I've dropped the bike off for a service the local Halfords to me did a great job). But who services a PX bike if it comes in a box, unassembled?

I did look at a PX bike before I bought the Boardman, as I'm sure they're sweet, but happy I chose the Boardman in the end.

[wannabeuk]

I just bought a set of light and motion stella 400 lights. Great value and kick out a lot of light with hi, lo, and flash modes. Very small and I mounted them on a bar extender to free up the handlebar tops near the stem where I like to ride my hands. Take a look.

[gravitygrabber]

@wannabeuk

Look really good - bloody small. I did consider these a while ago but couldn't quite afford them at the time. How much did you pay for them?

[gravitygrabber]

@videoplayer511

Cheers. Yes, totally recommend this bike - as I say in the video. Ask people who've posted, also for their comments.

The bike in this video is upgraded somewhat but the standard 2010 bike got 10/10 in Cycling Weekly and similar rave reviews in the pro press.

You may wish to consider holding off for the 2011 range - coming out in a few months.

[jibaba123]

That bike is amazing. Love the bar ends. How much did did the complete bike cost?

[gravitygrabber]

@jibaba123

Wheels, bike, cages and FSA seat post = c. £1,850. That sounds like a lot, but for a carbon mono frame, fork, 50mm carbon rims with titanium hubs and skewers, that's as cheap as chips :)

[DesignCartel]

Awesome vids.. where are the other ones gone?

I've launched a Boardman Facebook page.... all welcome! Search 'Boardman Bikes' on Facebook..

[michaelz372]

cheers will do, as much as i like em i got a say though i reckon all these carbon wheels like some of the top end bikes are overpriced... you can get a full quality race bike for the same price!!

[michaelz372]

very nice have the same, looking to put these wheels on mine but having hard job finding a set though.. U know chris is our Larmstrong!!

[gravitygrabber]

@michaelz372

Yeah, man. Chris is the man.

These wheels were very popular when they came out. But I understand they're almost identical to Reynolds 50mm deep section rims, so try Googling those. Keep your eye out for titanium skewers.

[army764]

Oh indeed. On the 8th day god created Chris Boardman - his mission "to build bikes"

[army764]

Picked up my 2010 carbon today mate and I'm over the moon. It goes like stink and rides like a dream. A guy at halfords told me that 2011 bike is more expensive but the parts are of a lower grade (he said head office are keeping everything else hush hush). The also gave me free clothing.....if you don't ask you don't get, right!

[gravitygrabber]

@army764

Nice one :-D

Welcome to the Carbon Club :-D

[wannabeuk]

I love the R.1 rubber. Very light and low rolling resistance. I run them on a set of Rolf Velctor Pros with Specialized inner tubes. I don't keep them at their Fu

[gravitygrabber]

@wannabeuk

Rolf Vectors: seriously nice.

[wannabeuk]

@gravitygrabber

[wannabeuk]

I roll with Schwalbe Ultremo R.1 rubber also. Day to day they are pumped to around 125psi for a little bit extra comfort. I have the black side wall version and they are also available in other colourways to match your own preference.

[gravitygrabber]

@wannabeuk

What do you think of the R1's?

[army764]

thanks for the info mate. Halfords are trying to "bully" me into taking 3 years bike cover for two, should i stay away the cover, is it worth it?

[gravitygrabber]

@army764

Well I took out the 12 month service plan with my machine and the local Halfords store has done a good job, but it's entirely up to you.

Take pride in your new bike and clean the bike and oil the mechs after each ride and you should be okay.

[army764]

what brand are the wheels. im struggling to find them on wiggle

[gravitygrabber]

@army764

The bike wheels are called "Racing 01 / R50'. They were available on the net last year but I think they were rather popular because of the price.

[army764]

I get mine at the end of this month (too long). The wheels are visual porn my friend, I may invest in some of these, you could be getting a msg from me soon to ask for advice

[gravitygrabber]

@army764

I'd warmly recommend Schwalbe Ultremo R1's for the spring and summer months.  165psi, excellent white wall design (looks nice on the Boardman) and the lightest clincher rubber you can get.

[anbrjd]

Considering getting one of these myself, given the rave reviews it's had in cycling mags. Looks great with the enhancements, especially the wheels. Once you've got a good frame like this, the sky's the limit when it comes to upgrading.

[gravitygrabber]

@anbrjd

The bike is superb. There are a lot of Boardman's out there now.

[wannabeuk]

The wheels look really nice. I saw a pair on eBay the other day and was wondering how they roll, so thanks for the comments. I used to run zipp 440s but found they flexed too much under load and have used Rolf Vector Pros for a few years now. Would like to think about an economic upgrade.

[gravitygrabber]

@wannabeuk

These are cheaper wheels than the 440's so please be careful. But lke I say, I've had no issues with these rims at all.

[wannabeuk]

Nice looking bike. How are the 01racing wheels for you?

[gravitygrabber]

@wannabeuk

They say for every £100 you spend under £1,000 you get a 10% performance gain, but for every £100 you spend over the £1,000 mark you only get a 1% gain.

Same is probably true for DS rims.

These particular rims are sweet; they spin really well, still are buckle-free despite contless pot holes and one big off, the bearings are top shelp and they're relatively cheap wheels.

Whilst you do get a marginal performance advantage, it's not noticable; psychological benefit is greater.

[25jonathan]

that looks so amazing! probably amazing to ride too :D also glad to see a cyclist who has spent money on proper practical equipment and not just a flashy bike, if you know what i mean..

[gravitygrabber]

@25jonathan

Thanks pal.

[66bluedonkeys]

The Flea's are a nice touch...

[hedleythorne]

You know, I have been cycling for years and it NEVER occurred to me to use a waterbottle for the puncture repair kit! My bike will now look much tidier from now on (unless I am doing a long sportive then I will need both bottles anyway!)

[gravitygrabber]

@hedleythorne

Just put your tools in those little food bag things you get from the supermarket to stop everything rattling around.

:)

I also put a few paper towels for my hands on top and this also helps pad it all out.

[sprocketpocket]

@gravitygrabber ... that's ingenius!!! =]

[army764]

@gravitygrabber mate you have a dragons den idea there pal....Theo you will buy it you a*sehole!

[surefeckoffthen]

Nice upgrade on the wheels!