Finally my work has opened the Cycle2Work scheme again!!
I have been waiting for this government backed scheme to start again for almost 3 months now. I have been using my Specialized mountain bike I bought from Evans Cycles a few years ago for all my training so far. I love my bike, it’s a great bike and a pleasure to ride, but it is heavy and the tires very bulky – not ideal for long distances.
I had always planned to get a new bike in time for this trip, but I never realised it would take this long for the scheme to start again – but the almost 40% discount is well worth the wait as it means I can get a much better bike that I could normally.
So I have registered, completed all the necessary forms and I am now just waiting for my vouchers to come through in the next week or so.
My work has teamed with Halfords to supply the bikes and equipment – whom are not famous for their great customer service. Choice there is limited in the higher end, but thankfully they do offer the award winning Chris Boardman bike range which I have my mind set upon now.
I am after a hybrid bike that’s lightweight, and a pleasure to ride long distances. Essentially I am buying the bicycle for this trip, but I very much plan to use it often after returning from Paris. The Chris Boardman 2009 Hybrid range offers 4 models: Competition, Team , Pro and Pro Ltd. All of them get great reviews, which is reassuring but I can’t decide on which one is for me.
I have shortlisted the Pro and the Pro Ltd but I need help deciding which one I should actually go for. Here come the comparison:
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| Model | Hybrid Pro | Hybrid Pro Ltd |
| Price | £799.99 (Around £400 with discount) | £999.99 (Around £500 with discount) |
| Frame | Ultralight super butted | Ultralight super butted |
| Fork | Lightweight carbon fibre with alloy steerer | Lightweight carbon fibre with alloy steerer |
| Headset | Semi integrated cartridge bearing | Semi integrated cartridge bearing |
| Spacers | Full carbon 4×5mm, 1×10mm | Full carbon 4×5mm, 1×10mm |
| Stem | Ritchey Comp OS 31.8mm | Ritchey Pro OS 31.8mm |
| Handlebars | Ritchey Comp Flat OS 31.8mm | Ritchey Pro Flat OS 31.8mm |
| Bar End | Ritchey Comp | Ritchey WCS |
| Seatpost | Ritchey Comp 27.2mm | Ritchey Pro 27.2mm |
| Saddle | cboardman, Cro-Mo rails | cboardman, Cro-Mo rails |
| Brakes | Avid Elixir R hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotors | Avid Elixir R carbon hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotors |
| Shifters | SRAM X7 9 speed | SRAM Rival Double tap 10 speed |
| Rear Mech | SRAM X9 | SRAM Rival |
| Front Mech | Shimano R440 | SRAM Rival |
| Cassette | SRAM PG950 11-32T | Shimano CS-5600 12-27T |
| Chain | Shimano HG-73 | Shimano CN-5600 |
| Chainset | Truvativ Touro compact 50×36T | Truvativ Touro compact 50×36T |
| Bottom Bracket | Truvativ GXP | Truvativ GXP |
| Rims | Ritchey Pro disc rims | Ritchey Pro disc rims |
| Hubs | Sealed bearings | Sealed bearings |
| Spokes | Stainless steel double butted black | Stainless steel double butted black |
| Tyres | Maxxis Detonator 700×28c | Maxxis Detonator 700×28c |
| Pedals | Alloy body, steel cage, toe clips & straps | Alloy body, steel cage, toe clips & straps |
| Weight | 21.2 lbs | 20.6 lbs |
More information about these bikes can be found here: Chris Boardman Bikes Website. Chris Boardman bikes are exclusive to Halfords – see the full range of Chris Boardman bikes at Halfords
So, what do you think? Which one should it be?
Mate I would go for the Hybrid Pro , it being cheaper leaves you more money to buy all the bits and bobs .
Yeah, bits and bobs cost looooooaaaaads!
Just make sure you have lovely thin tyres and ul fly – my bike is almost effortless, which is down to the thin wheels – it was a third of the price of the bikes ur looking at (b4 discount) and its tonnes quicker and easier than anything iv every ridden. Me & Eduardo did about 25 miles on monday night (and it was a bit dark and rainy) and i didnt actually break sweat – thats nothing to do with my supreme fitness either
I like effortless – more time for beer!
Hi guys and girls, Thanks for your feedback!
Well I got my bike last week. Went for the Chris Boardman Hybrid Pro Ltd. Wasn’t my first choice (mainly because of the price) but due to stock limitations it was that or have to wait 3-4 weeks for the Hybrid Pro to get hold of one. Obviously with one 1 month to go, this was out of the question.
I have to say though, I am rather glad that it worked out this way. The bike is amazing!!
I’ve taken it out on two smaller runs and one big 40 miles ride last weekend. This bike is light, strong and a breeze to ride. Have got some issues with the gears, which I shall have to sort out. Looks good so far.
I will review the bike in more detail another time.
Here is a really good review on the Chris Boardman Hybrid Pro Ltd 2009 bike which helped me to make my final decision:
http://road.cc/content/review/4160-boardman-urban-pro-ltd
Here is an introduction to the whole Chris Boardman 2009 range:
http://road.cc/content/news/779-boardman-2009-performance-hybrid-range
[...] chosen bicycle was the Boardman Performance Hybrid Pro Ltd 2009 which retailed at £999.99. The bike was a pleasure to ride being so light, strong and fast. The [...]