Chris Boardman TEAM or Kona Caldera?
Discussion
Have been looking getting the Kona Caldera for some time now, but the catch has been how poor the spec is on them for the price, i know they have good frames but are they worth the money or are you just paying for the name?
So whilst in Halfrauds i came across the Chris Boardman Team MTB, which is near as dam it the same price as the Kona. But the spec is far greater in everyway.
I thought that maybe it was the frame that must be the let down on it, but after looking into it, it seems to be pretty good too.
Has anyone had a ride on one or owns one? are they worth getting one, i havent ridden one but am hoping to do tis weekend.
Thoughts please.
thanks Drew.
So whilst in Halfrauds i came across the Chris Boardman Team MTB, which is near as dam it the same price as the Kona. But the spec is far greater in everyway.
I thought that maybe it was the frame that must be the let down on it, but after looking into it, it seems to be pretty good too.
Has anyone had a ride on one or owns one? are they worth getting one, i havent ridden one but am hoping to do tis weekend.
Thoughts please.
thanks Drew.
Without comparing specs, hard to say, but point of note - I have never heard of Chris Boardman bikes. I know a LOT of bikes.
Anything 'endorsed' by anyone, is usually shite, IME.
Do you know who actually makes the bike?
On the other hand I've owned various Konas, And of the bigger taiwanese brands I've found their hardtails to be excellent quality, and they ride brilliantly.
Got any links for us?
Anything 'endorsed' by anyone, is usually shite, IME.
Do you know who actually makes the bike?
On the other hand I've owned various Konas, And of the bigger taiwanese brands I've found their hardtails to be excellent quality, and they ride brilliantly.
Got any links for us?
Oh, and again, without looking at the specs I'm making assupmtions, but I've never found Kona's to have poor specs for the price., quite the opposite in some cases.
It may be that your are looking at other bikes which have poor frames for the money.
Remember - minor bits can wear out and be replaced within months, Frames should last for years and years.
It may be that your are looking at other bikes which have poor frames for the money.
Remember - minor bits can wear out and be replaced within months, Frames should last for years and years.
www.boardmanbikes.com its the Team bike.
http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2k7bikes/caldera_2k7.ph...
The Boardman it by far the better spec for the money, But Konas do have great frames.
http://www.konabikes.co.uk/2k7bikes/caldera_2k7.ph...
The Boardman it by far the better spec for the money, But Konas do have great frames.
Ok, quick look. Not convinced by the Boardman.
The Fork is better, thats given. However the MZ has long been the best budget fork out there, so its not a part that will give issues.
I would put money on the the Marzocchi being butter smooth and fault freee long after the RS is in dire need of a service, fresh oil, and seals. Marzocchis Forks are like Jap cars they just keep on working no matter how much shit you give them.
Transmission is roughly comparable. The X7/X9 is 'worth' a little more than the kona's, but both are guilty of topping off mid level stuff with a high spec mech.
However I still prefer Shimano - Deore Level kit is great value and reliable.
Hayes HFX brakes were for a long time std fit on many more expensive bikes and are the most reliable of all brake manufacturers.
However, there is very little info on the Boardman frame, and I can't see any Geometry info.
What I CAN tell you though, is that the Kona will be a beuatiful ride, neutral and quick. That is a given - Kona invented the Compact, sloping top tube MTB frame and there Geometry is always spot on.
You need to ride them to be sure, but, I'd take the Kona.
The Fork is better, thats given. However the MZ has long been the best budget fork out there, so its not a part that will give issues.
I would put money on the the Marzocchi being butter smooth and fault freee long after the RS is in dire need of a service, fresh oil, and seals. Marzocchis Forks are like Jap cars they just keep on working no matter how much shit you give them.
Transmission is roughly comparable. The X7/X9 is 'worth' a little more than the kona's, but both are guilty of topping off mid level stuff with a high spec mech.
However I still prefer Shimano - Deore Level kit is great value and reliable.
Hayes HFX brakes were for a long time std fit on many more expensive bikes and are the most reliable of all brake manufacturers.
However, there is very little info on the Boardman frame, and I can't see any Geometry info.
What I CAN tell you though, is that the Kona will be a beuatiful ride, neutral and quick. That is a given - Kona invented the Compact, sloping top tube MTB frame and there Geometry is always spot on.
You need to ride them to be sure, but, I'd take the Kona.
Im dissappointed, the road range of the boardman bikes is ok, but where are the time trial and track specific bikes, this is after all what he made his name racing.
They look ok for specification, but I would rather than buy a branded from somewhere frame that is not distributed by a company like halfords. Unless you really have to go to halfords, find your local independant bike shop.
They look ok for specification, but I would rather than buy a branded from somewhere frame that is not distributed by a company like halfords. Unless you really have to go to halfords, find your local independant bike shop.
Theres a lot of good bikes at your price point.
Main ones would the Spec Rockhopper and the Giant XTC.
Scott and Marin should have very competitive bikes at the price aswell.
Edit - And Trek aswell, of course. In fact loads of other. Go buy What Mountain bike. And MBR.
Main ones would the Spec Rockhopper and the Giant XTC.
Scott and Marin should have very competitive bikes at the price aswell.
Edit - And Trek aswell, of course. In fact loads of other. Go buy What Mountain bike. And MBR.
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 26th July 11:44
BadgerBenji said:
Im dissappointed, the road range of the boardman bikes is ok, but where are the time trial and track specific bikes, this is after all what he made his name racing.
They look ok for specification, but I would rather than buy a branded from somewhere frame that is not distributed by a company like halfords. Unless you really have to go to halfords, find your local independant bike shop.
Definitely go to the local indy bike shop - mine gave me a great deal on an ex-demo road bike, knocking £200 off the price.They look ok for specification, but I would rather than buy a branded from somewhere frame that is not distributed by a company like halfords. Unless you really have to go to halfords, find your local independant bike shop.
ewenm said:
Definitely go to the local indy bike shop - mine gave me a great deal on an ex-demo road bike, knocking £200 off the price.
Worked in a couple over the past years, and one thing we used to do was visit different halfords branches just out of market research purposes, and it was shocking the advice you got given, on anything from sizing to suitability. Independant shops usually try and only recruit keen cyclists, this way when you talk to them you know you are getting advice based on experience not just brochure speak.Yes that is true, and whenever i am after good advice i always use my Local shop or the forums like i am now.
My question was not how good you think Halfords are cause we all know they are not a 'bike shop' But they do sell bikes and my company are sorting the cycle2work scheme through them so that is where i shall get it from.
The bike will never go back there as the Local shop will get the trade for if it needs fixing regardless of the cost, because i want to support them.
My question was not how good you think Halfords are cause we all know they are not a 'bike shop' But they do sell bikes and my company are sorting the cycle2work scheme through them so that is where i shall get it from.
The bike will never go back there as the Local shop will get the trade for if it needs fixing regardless of the cost, because i want to support them.
Building a good bike is about much more than getting the most amount of expensive parts onto a collection of tubes for a given price.
Who has designed the Boardman frame? Have you seen any reviews? I dont like not being able to see any geometry. Bike handling is like Car handling, its not quantifiable, but we all know what is is, and whats good and bad.
Kona are one of the oldest manufacturers - there frame is pretty much guarenteed to be a good ride, and the combination of components will be well matched, and carefully chosen. Proven.
Bikes are greater than the sum of their parts.
Try the Kona, get it in the right size, and I think you'll like it.
Who has designed the Boardman frame? Have you seen any reviews? I dont like not being able to see any geometry. Bike handling is like Car handling, its not quantifiable, but we all know what is is, and whats good and bad.
Kona are one of the oldest manufacturers - there frame is pretty much guarenteed to be a good ride, and the combination of components will be well matched, and carefully chosen. Proven.
Bikes are greater than the sum of their parts.
Try the Kona, get it in the right size, and I think you'll like it.
Building a good bike is about much more than getting the most amount of expensive parts onto a collection of tubes for a given price.
Who has designed the Boardman frame? Have you seen any reviews? I dont like not being able to see any geometry. Bike handling is like Car handling, its not quantifiable, but we all know what is is, and whats good and bad.
Kona are one of the oldest manufacturers - there frame is pretty much guarenteed to be a good ride, and the combination of components will be well matched, and carefully chosen. Proven.
Bikes are greater than the sum of their parts.
Try the Kona, get it in the right size, and I think you'll like it.
Who has designed the Boardman frame? Have you seen any reviews? I dont like not being able to see any geometry. Bike handling is like Car handling, its not quantifiable, but we all know what is is, and whats good and bad.
Kona are one of the oldest manufacturers - there frame is pretty much guarenteed to be a good ride, and the combination of components will be well matched, and carefully chosen. Proven.
Bikes are greater than the sum of their parts.
Try the Kona, get it in the right size, and I think you'll like it.
So good you wrote it twice huh!!
I already have a kona, i do like it but the purpose was to see if anyone had had a go on the Boardman bikes. I can't find any reviews on them at the moment.
TBH i have tried to contact them regarding who makes the frame etc but they have not got back to me. This isnt good from there part.
I have e-mailed Kona before and have my issues sorted within the hour.
I already have a kona, i do like it but the purpose was to see if anyone had had a go on the Boardman bikes. I can't find any reviews on them at the moment.
TBH i have tried to contact them regarding who makes the frame etc but they have not got back to me. This isnt good from there part.
I have e-mailed Kona before and have my issues sorted within the hour.
The Board man comp looks to have more XC racer type geometry - i.e. less travel & a more forward, lower riding position.
Apart from the flattened top tube the frame on the lower level Boardman Comp looks very similar to the Carrera Fury to me (which actually gets very good reviews).
The Fisher Hoo Koo e Koo is also excellent at this price and you may possibly find a discounted Trek 8000 for around £800. Both have very similar top quality ali frames and good components.
Apart from the flattened top tube the frame on the lower level Boardman Comp looks very similar to the Carrera Fury to me (which actually gets very good reviews).
The Fisher Hoo Koo e Koo is also excellent at this price and you may possibly find a discounted Trek 8000 for around £800. Both have very similar top quality ali frames and good components.
funny this should crop up.
I was in hellfrauds last night buying a car battery. Whenever in I always pop up to the bike section (dont know why as nothing they have in interests me and have never bought anything bike wise from them!) and saw the new Boardman POS display with the three roads bikes and three mtb bikes.
The wee red nobs on the top spec mtb first caught my eye (ah juicy 7's interesting) so decided to have a closer look and a sit.
I can confirm that they do indeed wear some flash compo's and that they do look trick. But look closer and it seems this is what they are using to sell the bike. It appeared that to compensate for the expensive parts they have made cost cutting else where i.e Hubs, headset ect. It also has a strange geo as well. I felt very raked and stretched on it, almost race bike feel!?
If it were my choice I would go with the kona. As said before they are a well established firm who know what they are doing and are well proven.
Hey, if you start off with a decent framed bike, think of the fun you could have upgrading the parts as they wear out!
I was in hellfrauds last night buying a car battery. Whenever in I always pop up to the bike section (dont know why as nothing they have in interests me and have never bought anything bike wise from them!) and saw the new Boardman POS display with the three roads bikes and three mtb bikes.
The wee red nobs on the top spec mtb first caught my eye (ah juicy 7's interesting) so decided to have a closer look and a sit.
I can confirm that they do indeed wear some flash compo's and that they do look trick. But look closer and it seems this is what they are using to sell the bike. It appeared that to compensate for the expensive parts they have made cost cutting else where i.e Hubs, headset ect. It also has a strange geo as well. I felt very raked and stretched on it, almost race bike feel!?
If it were my choice I would go with the kona. As said before they are a well established firm who know what they are doing and are well proven.
Hey, if you start off with a decent framed bike, think of the fun you could have upgrading the parts as they wear out!
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