Badge Snobbery alive and well
Discussion
Reading through the latest copy of MBR I had to laugh at the negative comments I've read online regarding Boardman Bikes. Reading through the review of the £1000 Hardtails I really can't see a reason for buying any of the other bikes tested?
Just goes to show that a good bike is a good bike regardless of where it's sold or who makes it.
Just goes to show that a good bike is a good bike regardless of where it's sold or who makes it.
Hmm, bikes are easy to recommend when it's not you buying them though aren't they? A few mates and I had a conversation about the Boardman bikes a while back and my argument against them was this; Would I want to sink £1000 into an unknown brand, purely based on a few magazine reviews, which frankly could be paid for. I firmly believe that magazines of all varieties give preferential reviews to heavy advertisers, or companies who are willing to 'pay' for them in some way.
Now, independant reviews from fellow MTBers and owners on forums, at trail centres, that i've spoken to is a different matter. They've paid for the bike with their own cash and usually are happy to tell you what the bike is good for.
Until the Boardmans are in greater circulation and have 'proven' themselves, i'll remain a snob.
Now, independant reviews from fellow MTBers and owners on forums, at trail centres, that i've spoken to is a different matter. They've paid for the bike with their own cash and usually are happy to tell you what the bike is good for.
Until the Boardmans are in greater circulation and have 'proven' themselves, i'll remain a snob.
MTB'ers are genuine examples of b
hy snobs.
Watch next time you are at a centre, and another group approaches.
Glances from a distance immediately pidgeon hole the rider into a "genre" of the sport, with 99% trying to look and dress more hardcore than they will ever be able / brave enough to ride.
As the gap between the groups closes, you each clock the type of bike they are riding .... hardtail/sus .... then the actual make and model of bike .... then the individual componentry that the owner has spunked out on .... You make a mental calculation of the total value of the bike and kit .... get all superior if yours is more, or judge "what a waste" if your's is less .... you make a guesstimate on the ratio of parts bought for pose and for performance .... you judge and stereotype .... you smile, get eye contact, and say a friendly "Morning" .... they pass out of earshot .... you bh like a sewing circle of WI women with your mates.
.... or is it just me
hy snobs.Watch next time you are at a centre, and another group approaches.
Glances from a distance immediately pidgeon hole the rider into a "genre" of the sport, with 99% trying to look and dress more hardcore than they will ever be able / brave enough to ride.
As the gap between the groups closes, you each clock the type of bike they are riding .... hardtail/sus .... then the actual make and model of bike .... then the individual componentry that the owner has spunked out on .... You make a mental calculation of the total value of the bike and kit .... get all superior if yours is more, or judge "what a waste" if your's is less .... you make a guesstimate on the ratio of parts bought for pose and for performance .... you judge and stereotype .... you smile, get eye contact, and say a friendly "Morning" .... they pass out of earshot .... you b
h like a sewing circle of WI women with your mates..... or is it just me
Our fave game is to let better equipped riders "play through", give them an x minute head start, then fire off down the hills after them to see how long it takes to pass them 
mat205125 said:
Our fave game is to let better equipped riders "play through", give them an x minute head start, then fire off down the hills after them to see how long it takes to pass them
shouting 'coming through' or 'on your right' as you smuggly push past them at break neck pace because your more of a riding legend than them.WildCards said:
mat205125 said:
Our fave game is to let better equipped riders "play through", give them an x minute head start, then fire off down the hills after them to see how long it takes to pass them
shouting 'coming through' or 'on your right' as you smuggly push past them at break neck pace because your more of a riding legend than them.
That's what it's all about
Wildcards,
I think you've inadvertantly proved the point I was trying to make.
I have read a load of tosh on how, essentially, Boardman bikes are a load of crap because they are sold by Halfords. And these comments are made by people who haven't ridden them and have no intention of riding them because they are sold by Halfords.
I don't see any reason (on paper) not to buy one, the components are all top drawer (no issues there), the retailer is well established (again no issues). It could be argued that the frame is an unknown quantity / quality but that's what a test ride is for. Although everyone has their price, I can't quite believe that Chris Boardman is the sort of person who would slap his name on just anything for the sake of a quick buck. And the lead-in time before all the ranges were launched suggests that each bike has been well considered. So some reassurance of qualty can be taken from that.
I accept that you wish to hold a negative view on the opinions expressed in magazine reviews and that's your choice but to simply dismiss a bike simply because of where it is sold is (imo) ridiculous.
Just because somebody likes (for example) Kona's doesn't mean someone else will.
Now, I haven't ridden one but if I were looking to lay down a grand on a new HT then I'd give it a test. And because I was spending a grand on a HT I want to get the right bike for me, which means testing things to see what fits.
Who knows, you might be missing out on your perfect bike?
I think you've inadvertantly proved the point I was trying to make.
I have read a load of tosh on how, essentially, Boardman bikes are a load of crap because they are sold by Halfords. And these comments are made by people who haven't ridden them and have no intention of riding them because they are sold by Halfords.
I don't see any reason (on paper) not to buy one, the components are all top drawer (no issues there), the retailer is well established (again no issues). It could be argued that the frame is an unknown quantity / quality but that's what a test ride is for. Although everyone has their price, I can't quite believe that Chris Boardman is the sort of person who would slap his name on just anything for the sake of a quick buck. And the lead-in time before all the ranges were launched suggests that each bike has been well considered. So some reassurance of qualty can be taken from that.
I accept that you wish to hold a negative view on the opinions expressed in magazine reviews and that's your choice but to simply dismiss a bike simply because of where it is sold is (imo) ridiculous.
Just because somebody likes (for example) Kona's doesn't mean someone else will.
Now, I haven't ridden one but if I were looking to lay down a grand on a new HT then I'd give it a test. And because I was spending a grand on a HT I want to get the right bike for me, which means testing things to see what fits.
Who knows, you might be missing out on your perfect bike?
Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 6th March 15:01
I hadn't considered that it was sold in Halfords, and i'm under no doubt the kit list is good, but my post above was aimed at this comment in particular:
* Snobbery is being guilty of what Matt has said above, I make no bones that I am the typical MTBer he's describing.
Also, just to add, a friend of mine has recently bought a B1 Nirvana frame, despite it getting scathing reviews. He loves it, so that's two fingers to me isn't it?
mk1fan said:
Reading through the review of the £1000 Hardtails I really can't see a reason for buying any of the other bikes tested?
That I personally don't trust magazine reviews and prefer to rely on fellow MTBers on forums like this one for new bike or part recommendations is borne from catching a cold on too many products in the past after following up on a glowing magazine review. Now, I realise that if everyone was as untrusting as me, new brands and products would never break the market, so thank god there are more people willing to take the risk and sink £1000 into something that 'might' be a pile of pants. Until one of those people, with no agenda gives it a thumbs up, I won't be changing my attitude towards new and unheard of manufacturers. I don't think thats snobbery*, just common sense.* Snobbery is being guilty of what Matt has said above, I make no bones that I am the typical MTBer he's describing.
Also, just to add, a friend of mine has recently bought a B1 Nirvana frame, despite it getting scathing reviews. He loves it, so that's two fingers to me isn't it?
Edited by WildCards on Thursday 6th March 15:43
even a rubbish frame will ride ok round the car park. the confidence a really good frame gives is very hard to quanitifyably measure. and whats good for one person will be different from an other.
the only way it can be measure is by the size of the smile on your face at the end of the trail.....
best buy both then
custard
the only way it can be measure is by the size of the smile on your face at the end of the trail.....
best buy both then
custard
My comment on whether it was worth considering the other bikes was based on the 'on-paper' details.
The spec was so high (compared to the others), it was a pound lighter than the next bike. If the manufactuer names were taken away and just a spec list was posted on singletrackworld or bike magic, or mtbr for people to pick one I'd say the Boardman would win hands down.
Although I could have perhaps clarrified myself a bit more my point still stands that it is a bit sad how negative cyclists have been towards this range of new bikes, from a very successfull, British, rider simply because the range is sold by Halfords. People have had the same attitude towards Carerra bikes to (and Claud Bulter), but there are / have been some very capable bikes produced by them.
ETA: whilst sitting on the train on the way home I noticed that there no adverts for Boardman Bikes in MBR although there were ads for the other bikes.
I also forgot to mention that several of the testers stated that they would happily spend their thousand pounds on one.
The spec was so high (compared to the others), it was a pound lighter than the next bike. If the manufactuer names were taken away and just a spec list was posted on singletrackworld or bike magic, or mtbr for people to pick one I'd say the Boardman would win hands down.
Although I could have perhaps clarrified myself a bit more my point still stands that it is a bit sad how negative cyclists have been towards this range of new bikes, from a very successfull, British, rider simply because the range is sold by Halfords. People have had the same attitude towards Carerra bikes to (and Claud Bulter), but there are / have been some very capable bikes produced by them.
ETA: whilst sitting on the train on the way home I noticed that there no adverts for Boardman Bikes in MBR although there were ads for the other bikes.
I also forgot to mention that several of the testers stated that they would happily spend their thousand pounds on one.
Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 6th March 18:57
mk1fan said:
If the manufactuer names were taken away and just a spec list was posted on singletrackworld or bike magic, or mtbr for people to pick one I'd say the Boardman would win hands down.
Thats a really good point actually mate. I don't doubt given all the specs but not the name, most MTBR's would immediately know which one they'd plumb for.I've been lurking for ages waiting for my first PH post and it's about bikes. Oh well.....
I signed up for my work Cyclescheme. I had my doubts when it was announced it was with Halfords, but as discussed elsewhere, after confirmation I could order practically anything I wanted from other manufacturers, then I signed up for the full £1000 (I repay c£600 in real terms after tax). I was looking for a lightweight XC hardtail.
To cut a long story short, and after a lot of research, and a lot of palaver, I should be receiving an 18" Boardman Pro tomorrow.
I think if I had £1k to buy a bike I certainly wouldn't have gone for this bike, but once I had selected £1000 throgh the scheme, I was stuck at that really. There seems to be plenty at £850-900, and lots around £1100 but a real mixed bag at £1k (as the MBR review noted).
My heart was set on an On One Scandal for £999 with full XT kit - but shortly before I received my voucher Halfords stopped all dealings with them over some dispute with charging. Gutted!
I then ordered a Merida Matts 900 from Halfords which they said they could get no probs, but then a week later Halfords turned around and said it would take a further 4 weeks to deliver. Gutted again!
So out of frustration of needing a new MTB (old faithful Marin is literally falling to pieces), and as I've already paid back 2 months of installments on a bike I don't even know what I'm getting, let alone own, I went for the Boardman Pro MTB. For the spec, it is unmatched, and frankly at this stage, I couldn't care less about the brand I just want a new bike!
Imagine then my delight when I read in MBR this month they give the actual bike I've ordered a very complimentary 10/10! I really can't wait to get out and actually ride it myself.
I'll post my thoughts after a couple of weeks once I get some miles under my belt. I'm hoping to do the BHF South Downs run (100 miles) in June this year on it so It had better be good!
I signed up for my work Cyclescheme. I had my doubts when it was announced it was with Halfords, but as discussed elsewhere, after confirmation I could order practically anything I wanted from other manufacturers, then I signed up for the full £1000 (I repay c£600 in real terms after tax). I was looking for a lightweight XC hardtail.
To cut a long story short, and after a lot of research, and a lot of palaver, I should be receiving an 18" Boardman Pro tomorrow.
I think if I had £1k to buy a bike I certainly wouldn't have gone for this bike, but once I had selected £1000 throgh the scheme, I was stuck at that really. There seems to be plenty at £850-900, and lots around £1100 but a real mixed bag at £1k (as the MBR review noted).
My heart was set on an On One Scandal for £999 with full XT kit - but shortly before I received my voucher Halfords stopped all dealings with them over some dispute with charging. Gutted!
I then ordered a Merida Matts 900 from Halfords which they said they could get no probs, but then a week later Halfords turned around and said it would take a further 4 weeks to deliver. Gutted again!
So out of frustration of needing a new MTB (old faithful Marin is literally falling to pieces), and as I've already paid back 2 months of installments on a bike I don't even know what I'm getting, let alone own, I went for the Boardman Pro MTB. For the spec, it is unmatched, and frankly at this stage, I couldn't care less about the brand I just want a new bike!
Imagine then my delight when I read in MBR this month they give the actual bike I've ordered a very complimentary 10/10! I really can't wait to get out and actually ride it myself.
I'll post my thoughts after a couple of weeks once I get some miles under my belt. I'm hoping to do the BHF South Downs run (100 miles) in June this year on it so It had better be good!
Edited by prand on Thursday 6th March 21:20
mk1fan said:
My comment on whether it was worth considering the other bikes was based on the 'on-paper' details.
The spec was so high (compared to the others), it was a pound lighter than the next bike. If the manufactuer names were taken away and just a spec list was posted on singletrackworld or bike magic, or mtbr for people to pick one I'd say the Boardman would win hands down.
Although I could have perhaps clarrified myself a bit more my point still stands that it is a bit sad how negative cyclists have been towards this range of new bikes, from a very successfull, British, rider simply because the range is sold by Halfords. People have had the same attitude towards Carerra bikes to (and Claud Bulter), but there are / have been some very capable bikes produced by them.
ETA: whilst sitting on the train on the way home I noticed that there no adverts for Boardman Bikes in MBR although there were ads for the other bikes.
I also forgot to mention that several of the testers stated that they would happily spend their thousand pounds on one.
The spec was so high (compared to the others), it was a pound lighter than the next bike. If the manufactuer names were taken away and just a spec list was posted on singletrackworld or bike magic, or mtbr for people to pick one I'd say the Boardman would win hands down.
Although I could have perhaps clarrified myself a bit more my point still stands that it is a bit sad how negative cyclists have been towards this range of new bikes, from a very successfull, British, rider simply because the range is sold by Halfords. People have had the same attitude towards Carerra bikes to (and Claud Bulter), but there are / have been some very capable bikes produced by them.
ETA: whilst sitting on the train on the way home I noticed that there no adverts for Boardman Bikes in MBR although there were ads for the other bikes.
I also forgot to mention that several of the testers stated that they would happily spend their thousand pounds on one.
Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 6th March 18:57
mat205125 said:
WildCards said:
mat205125 said:
Our fave game is to let better equipped riders "play through", give them an x minute head start, then fire off down the hills after them to see how long it takes to pass them
shouting 'coming through' or 'on your right' as you smuggly push past them at break neck pace because your more of a riding legend than them.That's what it's all about
WildCards said:
Hmm, bikes are easy to recommend when it's not you buying them though aren't they? A few mates and I had a conversation about the Boardman bikes a while back and my argument against them was this; Would I want to sink £1000 into an unknown brand, purely based on a few magazine reviews, which frankly could be paid for.
What's amusing is that at the 1k mark, everything is either shimano/sram which is a known quantity, and the rest of the frame/parts are made in exactly the same taiwanese/chinese factories as every other big brand bike on the market.The only unknown quantity on the bike is the decals.
Saying that, I wouldn't buy one, but that's because I prefer to build up my own, due to slightly esoteric tastes.
Cabinet Enforcer said:
the frame/parts are made in exactly the same taiwanese/chinese factories as every other big brand bike on the market.
That's not to say the frame is exactly the same as every other big brand bike on the market. Things like frame materials, weights, suspension designs, geometry and angles all differ, otherwise we'd all ride the Specialized bikes wouldn't we?Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff