GT / Boardman Dilema - what would you choose?

[Rords]

I need your advice please - this decision is just driving me crazy!

I'm doing the cycle to work scheme, my problem starts with only being able to to buy from Halfords.

I have up to £700 to spend.

My choice currently is either:

GT Aggressor XCR or Boardman Comp.

The GT is currenlt £749 (was £799) but until Monday has another 20% off making it £600!!!
The Boardman is £699.

I am new to MTB. Currenly ride Specializesd on the road. Need an all round MTB that I can grow into.

Your advice is most welcome please.

GT Agressor XCR spec:
Frame Material: Aluminium
Frame Size: 19-20
Gears: 21+
Gender: Mens
Suspension: Front
Alloy Rims: Yes
Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
Chainset: Truvativ Firex 3.1 chainset with GXP BB
Exact Frame Size: 18"
Forks: Marzocchi 44TST2, 140mm travel, 15mm axle, adj rebound & lock-out
Frame Colour: White and Gunmetal
Frame-: Superlight GT Triple Triangle frame, hydroformed & butted tubing
Front Brake: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes, 185mm rotors
Front Mech: Shimano Deore
Gear Shifters: Shimano Deore Rapid Fire
Handle Bars: GT oversize handlebar
Headset: GT Alloy
Hubs: Formula dc20/e37
Number of Gears: 27
Pedals: Classic Cage with Toe Clips
Quick Release Wheels: Yes
Rear Brake: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes 160mm rotors
Rear Mech: Alex DP20 disc rims
Rear Shock: NA
Rims: Alex DP20 disc rims
Saddle: SDG Bel Air saddle
Seatpost: Alloy Black
Stem: GT Oversized
Tyre size: 2.3"
Tyres: Maxxis Ignitor
Wheel size: 26"

OR

Boardman Comp Spec:
Frame Material: Aluminium
Frame Size: 19-20
Gender: Mens
Suspension: Front
Alloy Rims: Yes
Brake Type: Hydraulic Disc
Chainset: Truvativ Firex 3.1 GXP 44/32/22T
Colour: Black
Exact Frame Size: 20"
Forks: Rock Shox Recon SL Air, 100mm travel, adjustable rebound damping & lockout
Frame-: Fully double butted aluminium
Gear Shifters: SRAM X5 9 speed
Handle Bars: Ritchey OS 31.8mm
Headset: Semi integrated cartridge headset
Hubs: Sealed bearings
Number of Gears: 27
Pedals: Wellgo alloy platform
Quick Release Wheels: Yes
Rear Brake: Avid Juicy - 160mm rotors
Rear Mech: SRAM X7
Rear Shock: NA
Rims: Ritchey Pro Disc 32H
Saddle: Cboardman, Cro-Mo rails
Stem: Ritchey OS 31.8mm
Tyre size: 2.1"
Tyres: Continental Speed King
Wheel size: 26"
Approximate Weight (KG): 11.7
Fork Lock-out : Yes
Fork travel: 100mm
Forks - Adjustable damping : Yes
Frame Colour: Black
Front Brake: Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes, 160mm rotors
Front Mech: Sram X5
Seatpost: Ritchey 27.2mm

Thanks.

 

[JeRkY]

Under the scheme you should be able to buy from other sources, I know both Evans & Cycle surgery deal within it.

Sorry I cant offer any advice on the bikes youve listed.

 

[Rords]

Thanks for the reply.

My prayers would be answered if I could buy from elsewhere but unfortunatley this scheme my work has decided only only permits Halfords/Bike Hut.

 

[Splatter Paint]

Depends of what terrain you want to ride and how much 'stick' you are planning on giving the bike. Rough and agressive - take the GT, fast and smooth, take the Boardman. I've heard good impressions of the Boardman range.

 

[Andy B]

Halfords used top be able to order most bike in.

Out of the GT or Boardman I'd go for the Boardman. Marzocchi forks have been very poor of late & are failing a lot due to poor QC & cheap parts used to build them.

Also the Boardman has a slightly better frame, fully butted & slightly better gearing.

Boardman bikes are getting very good (user & magazine) reviews. You may have to wait to get one as Halfords may be short on stock.

 

[Russell]

Boardman is the better of the two.

Can I throw a curveball in there and suggest you look at the Voodoo Limba? Its a cyclocross bike, but if you're using the bike to commute to work you might appreciate the extra turn of speed it offers. Halfords flog it for £699.

Also, what about the Kona Cindercone? Less than £600 at Halfords.

 

[Andy B]

The Kona is underspecced for the price, RS Dart's on a £600 bike! you normally see Dart's on a £400 bike, woeful forks

 

[Rords]

Ok, so the boardman may be the better bike, but is it £100 better?

BTW - thanks for the replies so far!

 

[Pickle]

I am known for being a GT man through and through, god knows I have owned a few.

But, given the choice of the 2 bikes above, I would plump for the Boardman.

Far more kit for the money, and as the Agressor is a lower end GT, the ride wont be up to much.

 

[Rords]

Thanks Pickle.

Interesting that you own GT's and still go for the Boardman. So it really is worth the extra £100 on the GT?!?