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After months of searching for something to replace my old, 26inch, cracked framed Kona, I finally got a new bike. It's not much, but as I was stuck between a bit of a rock and a hard place between "nothing I fancied" and "more than I wanted to pay" I managed to grab a Boardman 8.6 from Halfrauds.
Reasons: I had my heart set on something steel/nice forks/flickable but comfortable, but as the majority of the components I was looking for are well out of stock and a lot of "that'll have to do just now" would have come into play I settled for grabbing something cheaper so I could at least get out there. Also the opportunity to get something with up to date parts based on what had just died on my. Gone from 26 to 29er, 80mm fork to 120mm, shorter stem, wider bars, higher front end.
Thoughts: maybe its psychological but mad do those wheels feel big! I'm not noticing it being any slower to get up to speed but the actual speed does seem like more. I'm not getting the same backpain because the front does feel higher. The upgrade from cable discs to hydros is welcome. While I do like it size wise, It's going to take a few more rides to get used to, hence the "meh" rating at the moment. I'll be honest, the smaller size did somehow feel more fun, but I'll give it a chance. At the moment the inevitable "dream" bike that's now waiting till next year looks like It might be a 27.5 at this point, but I'm known to change my mind. Also, I think i'm going to source some higher rise bars, still feel a bit low at the front and the bars just seem a bit low for my liking, but that's nothing that can't be fixed.
Now the niggle: It's a small one and not one that I should really care too much about, but the mild disappointment comes from the chainset. I specifically wen't for the Boardman over the Voodoo I was looking at (a 27.5) because while the specs were almost identical, the Boardman came with the Deore chainset. What turned up is not the Deore but something called Prowheel, which as far as I can see is a Chinese brand that I'm guessing they sourced when they ran out of Shimano. Is it worth arguing with Halfrauds over? (I know, I should have probably went for something a bit more LBS, but my mental health was starting to suffer not getting out and the exercise bike just wasn't cutting it anymore)
“specs are subject to change without notice”. It could be a downgrade (certainly will be if you ever sell it on), whether or not it’s worth having a pop at Halfords depends on if you can be bothered really
Always worth a compliant with a major corporation. You might get some discount on the bike or vouchers to use in store. But as above, subject to change etc
In a normal world I wouldn't have accepted it, but in the current climate you don't have a lot of choice.
Once you've ridden 1000 miles on the 29er you'll literally laugh out loud when you see an adult riding a 26" wheel bike.
It can't hurt to have a wee complain and see if you can be the squeaky wheel that gets the grease... But you've accepted the bike as it is and ridden it, and they have the standard "specs may change"... Did you know about the spec change straight away- when it was delivered/when you collected it?
I'm curious, which Voodoo? I don't see anything in the range that can match the 8.6, probably the Hoodoo's the closest but its fork is a big step down from the Raidon.
Don't let it spoil your enjoyment or cast a shadow on your new bike, it really isn't that big a thing and it's not like it can spoil the bike. (And honestly, it's the same with "Halfrauds", all you're really doing is knocking your own purchase there)
I think of all the things that can be downgraded the chainset is probably one of the lesser ones I'd be concerned about unless the replacement was known to be particularly bad in some way. Do you know what type BB it uses?
As said above though, can do no harm to have a little moan and see if you can blag a little good will from Halfords.
Spring is finally here so enjoy your new bike mate, I suspect you'll warm to 29ers, I definitely did.
Yeah I’d let them know you’re not happy and see what happens. Otherwise just enjoy it!
Update: I spoke to Halfords on teh online chat yesterday and all they said was "you'll have to book it in for bike check with one of our experts"
tbh, i can't be bothered with the hassle. Had I noticed it when I took it out the box then it might have been a different response, but I rode it, and at the moment I'm going to focus on being happy with having a bike. It's not like it's a bad chainset, it feels and acts like anything I've had before.
This is a stepping stone bike which will become the winter bike that doesn't get washed as much as it should and I'm already window shopping for frames.
You might find it’s an internal bb bearing setup rather than ht2 external bearings with the deore. This may make it better sealed and will last ages - or it might be a really low budget affair that does as some as it sees some mud. Hard to know without knowing the spec.
Sounds like it’s just a case of riding it and see how it goes....
You're very lucky to find a bike in stock at the moment. The Deore changed probably won't feel any different anyway. Just looks nicer and maybe a little lighter.