Help me decide? Specialized or Boardman

Late to the table here, but I like the anecdote overheard in a bike shop by my other half recently "to be honest, in that price range there's really not much between them to differentiate - just go for the one you like the look of"

Hey Gordymac hows the italian ride?

I just bought a Boardman - would have seriously thought about the Battaglin if they had any in stock! Was the only thing with similar spec for the price.

nice one - let us know what you think of it!

We've got a Defy 2 in on test - I rode it in the Cotswold Spring Classic, a very impressive bike for the money. Giant and Specialized have had the benchmark bikes at this sort of price point for a good few years now. Although I would have to say that the Boardman does look exceptional value.

Recently rode a Giant Defy 2 which retails at £675 with Tiagra level kit and was impressed - a nice ride. The Defy 1 is £975 but has 105 kit. These are retail so you might get something off in current climate.

Not ridden the other two but would consider a Giant if buying again.

here's another spanner!

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=RIBBFRA...

How about some Italian bling, SRAM Rival 10 speed, all for £879..

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Battaglin_Stealth_Rival_2009/5360042852/

No worries, apologies to Gordymac for the deviation..

re:fringe - I would but my girlfriend has had a little bit of an accident with her laptop and I have to wait in for the insurance guys to collect it. I would have come as well, any other time though just let me know.

Hey Jon short notice and all that but ive got tomorrow morning off and was gonna head out on a "hills and coasts' ride, across the mendips, then back along through Weston, Clevedon and Portishead..fancy it?..

Out of the specialized and the boardman Id go for the boardman due to the quality of the kit on it but dont limit yourselves to those two, there are some other bikes that are great value on websites such as jejames (google search)...they may be last years frames/components but they are also heavily discounted.

great minds eh'!

I was just gonna recommend that one myself but could'nt see it on their website.. could it be they have sold out.. must be good.

What do people think about the kiron scandium available from wiggle for about £900 now....it had good reviews a year or so ago

how about looking at the Giant sub £1000 road bikes, they always seem to be a good deal. Personally speaking if i had to choose between the Specialized or the Boardman, i would go for the Boardman. Or try to find the best frame you can for your cash and dont worry about the rest of the kit which you can upgrade later. .or get on a cycle scheme if you can and get a bike tax free..or squeeze another £200 from somewhere and go for a £1000 bike, which gives you a bit more scope etc.. any help? thought not!

I love my old Allez Elite, although it was kitted out with 105 back then. It was a fab starter bike and now is my winter trainer.

i've not seen many bad reviews of the 09 boardmans and value for money wise they're pretty hard to beat. the Allez Elite is the £1k bike, the Sport is the one with Tiagra - Specialized finishing kit is fair enough, but the Ritchey stuff is better IMO. Rival vs Tiagra? Rival's 10spd and Tiagra's 9, whether you get on with double tap is a personal thing.

If it were my money I'd go for the Boardman. Next up in this thread: someone backing the Specialized.