# Which bicycle should I get? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 14, 2015, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bicycle-should-i-get/720021 "2015-05-14T11:36:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bicycle-should-i-get/720021/21 "2015-05-15T14:04:30Z")
> [@Dead\_Cat](#): > > Thanks again to you both for your helpful comments. Until I clicked the link I read the “extra £50” as being on top of the £500 for the Comp, I now see you meant an extra £50 on top of the £700 for the 2.0. Which is fine, I could still stretch to that. > > I should say at this point that I already plan to replace whatever the standard tyres are with puncture-resistant ones, and I will be swapping out the pedals for the clip-pedals I already have. I may well change the saddle also, depending of course on how I get on with the standard one. > > I must say I am tempted by the Boardman Team - it has a 10 speed on the back which should result in an even higher top gear, 2 cogs on the front should be more than enough for the style of riding I do. It also has hydraulic disc brakes - I understand the performance of mechanical vs hydraulic discs is much the same, but hydraulics should require less frequent servicing (albeit it is more fiddly - and hence more expensive too, for someone like me who is incapable of doing it themselves). However, any opinions on that issue are also welcome. The Boardman is also a couple of pounds lighter than the Ridgeback. On the other hand, I’m inclined to agree with **Mr Nylock** ’s analysis. Does the extra information I have added change your opinion at all? > > Even if I get the Boardman, I will still use my LBS for servicing, parts, accessories, including buying the new tyres and mudguards for the bike. > > One thing is certain - I’m glad I didn’t rush into buying the Boardman Comp, even if I had got it on Cycle to Work! tbh, hitting £750 on a bike you’re starting to get into good bike territory so I’d be looking beyond these two myself [e.g. last years models will be heavily discounted and still knocking around the shops]. Problem with that is you can go down the rabbit hole looking at endless different bikes, so I guess there’s a lot to be said for boiling it right down to this one or that one and just getting it bought. One other thing to consider is that if you want to move on from the bike in a couple of years the boardman will still have some re-sale value. Because boardman make performance bikes (at the top end) their brand has a bit more status. You won’t get a cup of tea for that ridgeback secondhand. Another thing in favour of the ridgeback, IMO is the shimano brake - I really despise avid elixirs after wrestling with a couple of sets on the mountain bikes (perform pretty well, but they don’t stand up to mud and grit and need a lot of maintenance). You wouldn’t have this problem commuting on the road, but I still reckon they’d need a lot more tlc than a shimano brake, which are more fit-and-forget IME (That’s v much IMHO - I know some people who love elixirs). Decisions, decisions - as **Mr Nylock** says, you won’t go wrong with either. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bicycle-should-i-get/720021/22 "2015-05-15T16:54:43Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > tbh, hitting £750 on a bike you’re starting to get into good bike territory so I’d be looking beyond these two myself [e.g. last years models will be heavily discounted and still knocking around the shops]. Problem with that is you can go down the rabbit hole looking at endless different bikes, so I guess there’s a lot to be said for boiling it right down to this one or that one and just getting it bought. I think this is pretty much where I started! I just had a brief look at secondhand bikes but I think I’d have to wait a while for the perfect one to come up located a reasonable distance away. It’s not a great time to buy a bike, seasonally (I started looking in January which would probably have been better for discounts/sales) but my old bike is really on its last legs and I want to return it to its original owner (my dad) before it falls apart completely (for example, the crank pivots about 10mm back and forth along the axis of the axle because the bottom bracket is knackered. It will probably last him a few more years of more leisurely riding though). I also haven’t got a lot of free time to go trawling round bike shops. > [@](#): > > One other thing to consider is that if you want to move on from the bike in a couple of years the boardman will still have some re-sale value. Because boardman make performance bikes (at the top end) their brand has a bit more status. You won’t get a cup of tea for that ridgeback secondhand. Thanks, but I’m more of a “ride it until it dies” type. I would hope either bike lasts me at least five years. Also, I thought the resale value of Boardmans is a bit depressed precisely because of people constantly swapping them out through Cycle to Work, flooding the market. > [@](#): > > Another thing in favour of the ridgeback, IMO is the shimano brake - I really despise avid elixirs after wrestling with a couple of sets on the mountain bikes (perform pretty well, but they don’t stand up to mud and grit and need a lot of maintenance). You wouldn’t have this problem commuting on the road, but I still reckon they’d need a lot more tlc than a shimano brake, which are more fit-and-forget IME (That’s v much IMHO - I know some people who love elixirs). > Decisions, decisions - as **Mr Nylock** says, you won’t go wrong with either. Useful, thanks - about a mile of my commute (or more if I take the longer, flatter route) is along gravel paths so that could be an issue actually. So, assuming I do go for one or the other, here is the final reckoning: Ridgeback 2.0: cheaper, supports my LBS more, prefer the brakes, prefer the gears, wider gear range, maybe more robust components. Boardman Team: could be cheaper if I wait for a sale, higher top gear ratio, lighter. Basically, I just want a bike that is as reliable and fast as I can get for this sort of money. Just spent a few minutes looking at other options like Cannondale and Hoy (it seems Trek don’t do anything in this price range) and I think I’m happy with my existing shortlist. I’ll see if I can go take a look at a Boardman Team shortly. Ultimately I think the lightness and speed of the Boardman may outweigh my mild preference for the Ridgeback’s brakes and gears. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bicycle-should-i-get/720021/23 "2015-05-15T17:21:03Z")
Not so fast. Here’s a[specialized bike](http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/sirrus/sirrus-elite-disc#specs)you might want to consider if available to you. It’s got the hydrolic disk brakes, the high gear ratio up front, decent componentry and frame. I’m thinking it’s going to be lighter than the other options as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bicycle-should-i-get/720021/24 "2015-05-15T18:09:02Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Not so fast. > > Here’s a[specialized bike](http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/sirrus/sirrus-elite-disc#specs)you might want to consider if available to you. > > It’s got the hydrolic disk brakes, the high gear ratio up front, decent componentry and frame. I’m thinking it’s going to be lighter than the other options as well. Hmm! Have found a source but looks like it will be £850, so a bit of a step up from the other two (as you would expect if it has good components and is lightweight). Given I started off wanting to spend £500, it’s starting to look a little pricey. On the other hand, right tool for the job and all that. The shop near me that sells them lets you go on test rides so I may just check that out. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bicycle-should-i-get/720021/25 "2015-05-15T18:59:57Z")
Yeah… I’d assumed the exchange from $ to £ would be more in your favour to make the Specialized more affordable. Enjoy whatever you end up with. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-bicycle-should-i-get/720021.md?page=1)