- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Cross country mountain bikes
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
forum
Sub £1000 R1vals - London Road v Boardman CX
So both these great looking bikes with the excellent new SRAM Rival 1 groupset (1x11 gearing + hydro stoppers) are under a grand, which makes them pretty good value at the moment compared to virtually anything else I can see on the UK gravel/commute/CX market right now.
Trouble is, Halfords are doing first 10% off last week, and I look in store today, and all the Boardmans are 15% off, so with the British cycling discount, the CX Team is now well under £800! (I confirmed this in store).
Planet X do offer 10% off, but you need to have a working student discount number...
What do people think about these bikes? The Boardman comes with chunky off-road tyres and no real customisation options, while the London Road is offered more with a variety of commuter tyres and stem options regardless of frame size. Both seem to be hovering just under 10kg in a medium, alloy frame, with carbon fork.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-cx-team-bike
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXLDNRIV1/planet-x-london-road-sram-rival...
Cheers.
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
Latest Forum Topics
Latest Comments
- Tom_77 18 min 43 sec ago
When I wax my chain I always get the electron microscope out and examine the wax molecules individually, just to be sure.
- mctrials23 22 min 26 sec ago
God yes. They will have a field day with this.
- Hirsute 26 min 55 sec ago
"He said he had been driving a company car " Fleet manager was doing a really good job then.
- brooksby 47 min 5 sec ago
I read this article - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/12/fremont-california-unhou... - this morning. There's a quote in it...
- wtjs 1 hour 12 min ago
I think you're both wrong- this post is so bad that it's not even one of the standard trolls, it's a troll mocking the opinions he claims to...
- chrisonabike 1 hour 45 min ago
I'm gonna guess something like "front wheel skids always throw you off but not rear wheel ones"......
- JMcL_Ireland 1 hour 56 min ago
SBS in Australia. They have the Tour, Vuelta, Giro, and a bunch of other races - all free and live. I think they do catch-up as well
- jayinjapants 5 hours 26 min ago
Mine takes 38s but the clearance on the front derailleur is rather tight.
- Simmo72 11 hours 32 min ago
TNT can sit on my seatpost and swivel. Not giving a penny to the vile bean counters.
Add new comment
5 comments
I've got the 2016 CX Team, paid £999 for it and even at that price I think it's great value.
The tyres are fine for off road but I think they're really race tyres and wear very quickly. The rear is showing considerable wear after only a 100-200 miles of a mix of on and off road, so if you want to ride it on the road factor in swapping to something more suitable.
The gearing is 42 x 10-42 at the back, giving a similar range to a 50/34 x 11-32 compact chainset but with bigger gaps. I assume that's fairly standard road range, but it's too high for off road, so I'm going to swap to a 38 tooth ring.
I had issues with the right hand crank arm starting to fall off shortly after purchase, and then needed the BB replaced shortly after, I think all due to poor assembly at the factory, so if you get one I'd take the BB area apart, grease and properly tighten before riding. Google "boardman BB" to see that it's not an isolated incident!
So overall not 100% perfect, but I'm still very happy with mine.
I've got the previous model CX Team. Rival 1x and hydro stoppers make the new one a brilliant package.
Do you have Rival 1 on it though Pennine? It's a pity Planet X don't offer more tyre options, such as Conti's Speed Ride.
I've ridden Boardman before, but wasn't impressed with the groupset (hard to shift Apex + BB5s that took ages to halt). The Rapid Robs were pretty good for country lanes and gravel, plus I think I preferred the old shiny paintjobs. At under £800 for the 2016 CX Team, I can't see anything else anywhere that comes near the groupset plus frame. I was just wondering perhaps on the London Road, the Vision wheels are somehow better, hence why it's still £999, unless you have a student card.
A pity Cube, Charge, Genesis or indeed, Ridley, can't offer similar models to compete at this price point.
For those still on rim brakes, and trying to cycle through towns on the hoods, hydro light touch brakes really can be a life and/or bike saver.
I ride a London Road. I'm happy with it. Yes, PX's customisation options are attractive I'd you want /need them.
It's in off road mode at the moment. In autumn I'll put slicks, mudguards and rack on it and it'll become my winter commuter.
I haven't ridden the Boardman. I'm sure it's good value. I just find the brand dull. But that's just me.
I've no experience with either but the CX Team seems quite well regarded by some, and that price difference could go quite some way to buying a second wheelset (e.g. wheels from superstarcomponents, tyres and a cassette should be doable for around £ 200). That'd be my choice, both look good though.