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GT Grade Carbon 105 (heart) VS Boardman CX Team (head)

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  • September 22, 2017 at 1:59 pm #27662
    mart85

    Hi all, I’m new to road cycling having come from a mountain bike background and need some advice before I pull the trigger on a new purchase.

    I’m keen to sell my car in an attempt to save money and get fit by commuting by bike to work (only about a 6 mile commute each way). Ideally I want one bike thats versatile enough to commute to work (mainly road with some canal paths) whilst still being able to ride local trails with family and friends on mountain bikes. I want to go on adventures at the weekend on the same bike.

    Ideally my budget started off at around the £1000 mark and I had settled on the idea of buying the well known Boardman CX Team from Halfords- http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike

    The boardman is currently on offer @ £900 and I can get a futher 10% BC discount making it around the £800 for what is a lot of bike. I lilke the idea of being able to take it on trails and off road with my kids.

    BUT… I soon saw a good deal on a GT Grade Carbon 105 (2017) £1559 at wiggle and now I’ve had my head turned – http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-grade-carbon-105-2017-adventure-road-bike/ 

    I’ve read some really great reviews of the GT Grade and even one article which described the carbon 105 model as a great entry road bike (mainly due to the comfort). Please note I’m not looking for a thoroughbred Italian whip. Having never ridden road bikes before I’m going for the adventure/Gravel bike setup.

    My dilemma is will I regret purchasing and commuting on a carbon frame bike purely because its carbon and seems like a good deal? Having read a few reviews I like the idea that the Carbon Grade is comfortable and fun to ride and I’m worried the Boardman won’t give me the same get out of bed excitement. But the GT is really at the top of my budget and I wasn’t really supposed to be spending that much money!

    Any opinions or advice would be much appreciated? 

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  • October 2, 2017 at 9:59 am #902835
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    mart85

    alansmurphy wrote:

    alansmurphy wrote:
    Pressed the button this morning on the GT Grade AL 2017 after sitting on the 2018 at the bike show. Delivery Thursday, will update Friday. Oh and yep, I’ve took a gamble on the paintwork but know a guy :)

     

    Whats the verdict on the bike mate? 🙂

    September 29, 2017 at 10:26 am #902833
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    mart85
    alansmurphy wrote:
    I was looking at the Cannondale Slate with the lefty fork for a bit of gravelling but sense prevailed

     

    I’ve also looked at the Slate recently, downsides seem to be the tyres but I believe you can get  Schwalbe G-One’s to fit. What were your thoughts?

    September 29, 2017 at 10:24 am #902831
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    mart85

    Thanks again for all the

    Thanks again for all the great comments guys, I’ve still not pulled the trigeer but I’m getting closer, just trying to sell the car atm and weigh up all the sales going on right now.

    alansmurphy wrote:
    Pressed the button this morning on the GT Grade AL 2017 after sitting on the 2018 at the bike show. Delivery Thursday, will update Friday. Oh and yep, I’ve took a gamble on the paintwork but know a guy :)

    Hey Alan, hows the Grade AL?!! Any piccies? 

     

     

    September 27, 2017 at 11:45 am #902829
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    alansmurphy

    This was another n+1 and I

    This was another n+1 and I looked at them in 2015/16 and made the wrong choice going Specializes Diverge Claris.

     

    I was looking at the Cannondale Slate with the lefty fork for a bit of gravelling but sense prevailed. I now have a best bike (Carbon, 105, rim brakes) and will buy nobbly tyres for the Specialized and use as a Gravel/Tourer. Hoping the GT sits nice in the middle so that on that summer day where it’s raining (hmmm) I can leave the best bike in the shed and not feel the GT is slowing me down too much 🙂

     

    September 26, 2017 at 7:44 pm #902827
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    Simboid

    alansmurphy wrote:

    alansmurphy wrote:
    Pressed the button this morning on the GT Grade AL 2017 after sitting on the 2018 at the bike show.

    Sounds like a good deal. Those on the fb grade owners group with al grades love them, you won’t regret it. I have a 2016 105 carbon as my only bike. I only get passed by the skinniest super serious roadies and can take a bridleway or footpath if I feel like it. Why have any other bike?

    September 26, 2017 at 4:52 pm #902825
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    alansmurphy

    Isn’t the 2017 carbon on at
    Isn’t the 2017 carbon on at 1098

    September 26, 2017 at 4:45 pm #902823
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    alansmurphy

    Pressed the button this
    Pressed the button this morning on the GT Grade AL 2017 after sitting on the 2018 at the bike show. My current winter bike will have nobbly tyres and a rack now to get me thru the worst days.

    Hydraulic brakes and 105 for £762 at Whinstanley Bikes is just ridiculous value. For me, this was the best way to get close to my summer bike for wet days and then still have a commute / winter bike (my current winter bike). Delivery Thursday, will update Friday. Oh and yep, I’ve took a gamble on the paintwork but know a guy 🙂

    September 26, 2017 at 4:00 pm #902821
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    Canyon48
    mart85 wrote:
    Even though I don’t like the paint job on the GT Grade Alloy 105 (2017) I am now seriously considering this. Can anybody chime in regarding the difference in ride between the carbon and alloy grade? 

    I haven’t ridden either, but I might be able to be of some help with regards to components. I have/had FSA Vero, Shimano 105 and Shimano hydraulics.

    The Alu Grade 105 has FSA Vero cranks with a square taper BB. This system is a bit heavier and a bit less stiff. However, it’s VERY resistant to atrocious conditions (and I mean really bad, neglect, mud, sand, salt water etc – when all the other bearings start to fail, internal bb’s are laughing. The other major benefit of 5 bolt FSA cranks is the components are MUCH MUCH cheaper and easier to get hold of (i.e. if you wanted to switch one or more of the chainrings to a more CX gearing).

    My commute bike currently has 105 shifters with TRP Spyre (mechanical) brakes – the performance is very good overall – from what I have read and heard the TRP HY/RD mechanical hydraulic brakes (as found on the 105 al) are a step better again.

    And for the Carbon 105 Grade… The 105 crankset with external BB is lighter and feels a little better (not exactly sure how to explain the feeling, but it feels a little more planted and responsive). The shifting is also noticeably slicker and slightly quicker than FSA Vero – particularly under heavy loading. I have RS685, the ergonomics aren’t as nice as Shimano 105 5800, but they certainly aren’t bad. I haven’t properly used the RS505 that the GT carbon has (aside from a test ride), again they aren’t the same super-slim feeling as 105, but they are not at all bad – the shifting isn’t just as slick as normal 105, but it’s still good.

    The Clement Strada tyres on the carbon are vastly better than the Schwalbe Road Cruisers on the alu. The rims are also better (and tubeless ready) on the carbon. Not only that, the Carbon comes with an FSA K Force carbon seatpost (had one of them too, more comfortable than an alloy post) and it has a Fizik Aliante saddle.

    Sorry, bombarding you with (useless?) info. Maybe worth a sum up?

    Carbon Grade

    • better crankset = better shifting (though larger gearing)
    • better tyres
    • better rims
    • better (full hydraulic) brakes
    • better seatpost
    • better saddle

    Alu Grade

    • more durable BB
    • much cheaper and easier to get spares for FSA Vero cranks (no really, MUCH cheaper)
    • 50/34 compact gearing is easier more suited for commuting and CX than the 52/36 on the carbon.

    It depends on what you are looking for and what you can afford (in terms of your family). If you could go for the carbon, I would imagine it will feel that bit better and more exciting than the alu.

     

    September 25, 2017 at 12:07 pm #902819
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    rdmp2

    See link below for good

    See link below for good visual guide to comparing the gearing

    http://www.gear-calculator.com/?GR=DERS&KB=44&RZ=10,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32,36,42&UF=2185&TF=90&SL=2.6&UN=MPH&GR2=DERS&KB2=34,50&RZ2=11,12,13,14,16,18,20,22,25,28,32&UF2=2185

     

    mart85 wrote:
    rdmp2 wrote:
    The gear range of the 1x is identical to the 2x but has bigger jumps between the sprockets. Boardman has full hydraulic brakes vs Hy/Rd for alu GT. Boardman has smaller stack/reach than GT. With slick tyres either should be fine for group road riding. Get test rides- GT should be easy to rest. 

     

    Thank you! Really good advice there about the gear range. 

    September 25, 2017 at 9:58 am #902817
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    mart85
    rdmp2 wrote:
    The gear range of the 1x is identical to the 2x but has bigger jumps between the sprockets. Boardman has full hydraulic brakes vs Hy/Rd for alu GT. Boardman has smaller stack/reach than GT. With slick tyres either should be fine for group road riding. Get test rides- GT should be easy to rest. 

     

    Thank you! Really good advice there about the gear range. 

    September 25, 2017 at 9:47 am #902815
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    rdmp2

    Carbon bike might be overkill

    Carbon bike might be overkill for commute- will others bash it when adding their bikes to the rack? The gear range of the 1x is identical to the 2x but has bigger jumps between the sprockets. Boardman has full hydraulic brakes vs Hy/Rd for alu GT. Boardman has smaller stack/reach than GT. With slick tyres either should be fine for group road riding. Get test rides- GT should be easy to rest. Halfords are less keen for you to test ride them, but you might get lucky.

    September 25, 2017 at 8:57 am #902813
    0
    I am a human

    mart85 wrote:

    mart85 wrote:
    Also for those of you who own the Boardman – what is the SRAM Rival x1 like on the road and commuting? Am I likely to be left behind when out riding with friends on road bikes? The hydraulic brakes are tempting. I guess what’s holding me back is the notion that the Boardman might not be as fun as the grade?? Also would I regret commuting and long days out on the road riding on the Boardman given that its geared for CX?

    I’ve got the Boardman, and it is excellent on the road.  I’ve been out on club runs with 28mm slicks and it keeps up just fine.  The gearing is pretty similar in range to 50/34, 11-32 but obviously with bigger jumps at either end.  The middle of the cassette is fine though, as long as you’re not a super strict cadence nerd!

    As for fun, it’s ace.  I was on holiday in Purbeck in Dorset last week and I took the Boardman and rode up and along the downs which involved grassy paths along the tops of the hills, but rocky ascents and descents to get to and from the tops.  It was great fun, although my off road skills are sorely lacking.  I never once got the feeling that the bike was holding me back, only my skills and (lack of) bottle!

    September 25, 2017 at 8:37 am #902811
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    mart85

    Wow, thank you for the

    Wow, thank you for the replies guys. Really appreciate it, seems like this forum has a lot to offer. I’ve taken on board all of your comments.

    However, as often with advice I’ve been left more confused!  sad

    The grade carbon 105 is slightly more than I should probably be shelling out right now as we’re planning to expand our family. It’s just so damn tempting at that price! 

    So after reading all of your comments I’m still torn between them both (sensible Vs splash out)….

    Even though I don’t like the paint job on the GT Grade Alloy 105 (2017) I am now seriously considering this. Can anybody chime in regarding the difference in ride between the carbon and alloy grade? 

    Also for those of you who own the Boardman – what is the SRAM Rival x1 like on the road and commuting? Am I likely to be left behind when out riding with friends on road bikes? The hydraulic brakes are tempting. I guess what’s holding me back is the notion that the Boardman might not be as fun as the grade?? Also would I regret commuting and long days out on the road riding on the Boardman given that its geared for CX?
     

    September 25, 2017 at 6:26 am #902809
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    rdmp2

    Whichever you will want to
    Whichever you will want to ride on a rainy January morning – either the boardman because it’s less precious or the gt because you love it

    September 24, 2017 at 8:49 pm #902807
    0
    Anonymous

    There’s a massive price

    There’s a massive price difference between the two and mostly down to the carbon frame which you don’t need. The Boardman is sensational value and has the advantage of being able to fit wider tyres than the GT. The SRAM Rival 1X is awesome stuff, and with proper hydraulic brakes. 

    With the money saved you could buy a decent second set of wheels complete with tyres, discs and cassette – one for the off-road days and one for the days when you want to go faster just on the road.  Boardman is my pick (and I say this being the owner of a 2016 GT Grade alloy X).

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