scarletfred
stranger
Reged: 29/06/2009
Posts: 2
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I am in a dilemma
About to buy on a ride to work scheme
I have £1000 and my research based on many different criteria has narrowed it down to these two bikes. My dilemma is do I go for the nicer looking and possibly slightly tougher Felt or what seems to be the lighter bike that seems to have better brakes ?
I just can't make my mind up - Riding is mainly forest but starting to hit wales and the mountains.
Any impartial views would greatly help my decision making process
thanks
Adam
i've added a poll for a straight vote on it 
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185nick
addict
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 427
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Hi Scarletfred wttf.
I've just been thinking about this and found it impossible to vote. First off they are quite different bikes. The Felt has 145mm of travel and if 32lb in weight, where as, the Boardman has 120mm and is 28lb. The felt will be able to take a lot more then the baordman and be a lot more fun downhill but you will find it much harder work on the flat and climbs.
I've just been looking towards changing my bike for a full suss and I looked and rode (only round the carpark) the Felt I quite liked it, but felt that it was downhill biased and that it wouldn't be as good for climbing as I wanted, although the equilink bar seemed to work well. I decided that it was heavy and more bike than what I actually need/want. I've not ridden/looked at the Boardman, but have looked at the spec and I feel that it's very XC orientated, so will prob be better than the felt for all day riding, but won't descend as well.
Have you ridden either of these bikes? Other people can give you advice on what they think of bikes (I certainly recieved a lot when deciding what bike to go for) but in the end a bike is a personal opinion thing and it really has to be comfy and feel right for you.
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scarletfred
stranger
Reged: 29/06/2009
Posts: 2
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thanks for that. I understand the downhill aspect but unless you've cheated you've got to climb the beast before you can ride down it = enter the lighter bike, so in that respect I guess it's swiungs and roundabouts. I have not sat on either and will buy over the net as will satruggle to get to the shops, especially as Boardman FS is only stocked in a handfull of Halfords, none of which are near me. The Felt is adjustable upto 145mm so could be ridden/compared as like for like
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Ben_Saville
addict
Reged: 23/06/2008
Posts: 579
Loc: Leeds
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The felts rear travel isn't adjustable its always 145mm.
The pikes up front are adjustable between 95 and 140mm and have a lockout funtion.
The bike is very good for the downhill stints, and I feel I'm letting the bike down by bottling it a few times. I've not come across anything that the bike can't do (obviously within reason - it doesn't make cups of tea etc!)
As for what nick said about the bike uphill...
Not really true, it absolutely flys up the hills. Lock the front (if you like it that way) and pedal yourself up, the rear travel tracks the bumps and lumps without absorbing the energy that should be going into the wheels. It does still bob whilst really pedalling hard, but it remains efficient enough to power up the hills.
Its hard to have a bike suitable for all scenarios, but i really do feel that the felt is a good all rounder and with the price reductions available it represents good value. This years bike hasn't changed too much and retails at £1800...
But the choice has to be yours...
The Felt will be good for all day riding and probably be a bit better on the bigger stuff while the Board is more XC based.
I'm very glad that I bought mine, and if your buying through wiggle PM me and I'll tell you how to get some free stuff from them!
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****************************************************
If Life Slows You Down.......
Pedal Harder!!!!
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Felt Compulsion 2 SE 2008 Mint Sauce Ltd Ed
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185nick
addict
Reged: 09/08/2007
Posts: 427
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Quote:
As for what nick said about the bike uphill...
Not really true, it absolutely flys up the hills. Lock the front (if you like it that way) and pedal yourself up, the rear travel tracks the bumps and lumps without absorbing the energy that should be going into the wheels. It does still bob whilst really pedalling hard, but it remains efficient enough to power up the hills.
That's good. Sorry, as I said I hadn't given one a proper demo, so my thoughts were just first impressions.
Scarletfred - I really would advice not buying a bike off the net if you have never ridden it before. You could spend your £1000 on one of these bikes, only to find that when it arrives you find it really uncomfortable and hate it. When I was choosing my bike there were quite a few bikes that I really fancied, but as I couldn't find anywhere that had them in stock I had to knock them off the wish list straight away.
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kernowdale
member
Reged: 13/03/2009
Posts: 134
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recent experience had made me decide that buying local is a must . having baught a Boardman (not an MTB( earlier this year I feel happy that i can walk into any Halfords store and get service . My experience with with other bike shops hasn't been the same .
I guess what I mean is that with a large concerne like halfords you can ask for the manager and make a fuss if the need should arise but with a private bike shop they can just be plain unhelpful and you have nowhere else to go .
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bongo_bill
member
Reged: 30/06/2009
Posts: 191
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You can get a Felt Compulsion 2 Mint Source ltd ed from wiggle for £999 at the moment. A great deal on a bike with that kind've kit on it. I was looking at it myself but have my heart set on either a 5 Pro or a Santa Cruz Heckler now.
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Orange 5
Specialized Big Hit 3
Specialized Rockhopper
Unhappy Girlfriend
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kernowdale
member
Reged: 13/03/2009
Posts: 134
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There is too much to choose from really IMO . Different bike mags etc say different things about the bikes so just as you think "thats the one " some tester decides its got a bendy frame and handles like crap while another says its the best bike ever made .
I have to admit Iam still confused by the catagories , ie trail bike , cross country ,length of travel etc etc which is probably the reason Iam still riding a hardtail . 
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Ben_Saville
addict
Reged: 23/06/2008
Posts: 579
Loc: Leeds
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I bought mine off the net from wiggle without riding it...
don't regret it, but it was a risk!
but when a complete bargain arose, I had to jump at it and pretty quick too.
I got the Compulsion for £880 with free DHB glasses, £50 of free stuff and through recommending my wife to be a customer I also got an extra £88 credit in a previous account!
All in all a great deal I feel!
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****************************************************
If Life Slows You Down.......
Pedal Harder!!!!
****************************************************
Felt Compulsion 2 SE 2008 Mint Sauce Ltd Ed
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