First road bike in.. well ages.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Hi folks, the last road bike I had was a Raleigh record to give you some indication of how long it has been, I do own a couple of mountain bikes which I use daily across the bridal paths and such like but I live in quite a flat rural location and going along the lanes at 12mph is frankly annoying.

So I bagged this:

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/group-tests/boardman...

What basics will I need, it says tubeless ready, what do I need to do there? is there anything I should look at upgrading right away?

Cheers.

[dirtbiker]

Good call, I bought one for my wife and she's very pleased with it!

I haven't checked but I assume that 'tubeless ready' means they already have the right rim-tape so it should be just a case of getting some valves and sealant. I used the Muc-Off kit recently and was pretty pleased with it (although it did take a decent ride to get one of the tyres to seal so it held overnight).

Other than that it's pretty well sorted out of the box, I had to true the rear wheel which was annoying but I have a set of Campagnolo Zondas which will be going on there at some point just to drop the weight a bit anyway.

Enjoy!

[Master Bean]

Just ride the bike as is. No upgrades necessary. Don't bother with tubeless unless you're doing many miles a month. It can be a faff to set up. Enjoy.

[mikees]

Wow thats a bargain.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Cheers chaps, guess I'll enjoy it a bit before i start playing with it.

[BrundanBianchi]

I’d upgrade the bottom bracket and crankset to one of these.

https://www.evanscycles.com/wheels-manufacturing-p...

and get a Shimano 105 Crankset. Other than that, it looks like a fantastic bargain. Enjoy.

[Piginapoke]

BrundanBianchi said:

I’d upgrade the bottom bracket and crankset to one of these.

https://www.evanscycles.com/wheels-manufacturing-p...

and get a Shimano 105 Crankset. Other than that, it looks like a fantastic bargain. Enjoy.

That BB and a 105 crankset would cost £200- 20% of the cost of the bike- not needed at that cost.

[Fas1975]

Love that bike, would be interested in your thoughts. Have been struggling with the Halford's website for a few weeks now, but I keep trying.

The SLR 8.9 2021 model in the standard blue / black paint is allegedly coming in next week according to their website, so hopefully will be able to get one. Looks like it still has the Shimano 105 groupset. Is the ltd edition just limited to the paint then?

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/bikes-available-nex...

[Sheets Tabuer]

It seems its just the paint judging by that, its a lovely bike, obviously coming from an MTB I'm not the best on road stuff just yet but it has knocked off 8 minutes from my usual route already so hope to get quicker.

Edited by Sheets Tabuer on Thursday 23 July 20:49

[Fas1975]

Sheets Tabuer said:

It seems its just the paint judging by that, its a lovely bike, obviously coming from an MTB I'm not the best on road stuff just yet but it has knocked off 8 minutes from my usual route already so hope to get quicker.

Edited by Sheets Tabuer on Thursday 23 July 20:49

The boardman looks the business. I’m in the same boat as you. I have an MTB but on the road routes, the wide knobbly tyres make it really hard going so this gives me the perfect setup for trails and street.

[BrundanBianchi]

Piginapoke said:

That BB and a 105 crankset would cost £200- 20% of the cost of the bike- not needed at that cost.

There’s a non ceramic version of the BB that’s a bit cheaper, and you can get some cracking bargains on the chainset at present if you look on the big bike bit websites at the moment. It’s a no brainer of an upgrade IMO.

[Sheets Tabuer]

Fas1975 said:

the wide knobbly tyres make it really hard going

From the few rides I've had it isn't easier you just go quicker

[Sheets Tabuer]

BrundanBianchi said:

There’s a non ceramic version of the BB that’s a bit cheaper, and you can get some cracking bargains on the chainset at present if you look on the big bike bit websites at the moment. It’s a no brainer of an upgrade IMO.

The crank could do with an upgrade, ive noticed that already, pedals need changing and tires feel a bit wooly. Mind you not sure what to expect on road bikes so will run it in a bit first.

[Fas1975]

Sheets Tabuer said:

From the few rides I've had it isn't easier you just go quicker

Dammit. I was hoping for easy!

[BrundanBianchi]

Sheets Tabuer said:

The crank could do with an upgrade, ive noticed that already, pedals need changing and tires feel a bit wooly. Mind you not sure what to expect on road bikes so will run it in a bit first.

That’s a good shout. But the BB and chainset upgrade is an often overlooked one, and is actually more ‘bang for the buck’ than you’d expect.

[Soft Top]

Fas1975 said:

Sheets Tabuer said:

From the few rides I've had it isn't easier you just go quicker

Dammit. I was hoping for easy!

It’s easier if you go at the same speed as the MTB. You just need to decide if you want to go faster!

[TCX]

Nice bike, lookd is great for the money,wouldn't bother with crankset or BB at the mo,probs look at continental gp4000 tyres,got slime inner tubes on mine,saves faffing about with punctures,maybe I'd get set of SPD MTB pedals n shoes for clip in,look at rear cassette,looks like long cage rear mech so mebs 11-32 cassette bit easier on hills,whatever you get 105 is more than good enough,just enjoy the ride