Best Road Bike For Under $500

[@gcntech]

🤔What do you think of this bike? Did we get a good deal? Let us know what you would look for in an entry level bike in the comments below!👇

[@trick700]

I’ve just sent your video to my brother who’s muttering about getting a bike. In terms of presentation why is Oli doing a hub sound check, folks interested in this kind of bike will not have a clue about what he’s on about. Also, why are you on about upgrades already it just confuses matters. Would be more important to talk about basic maintenance and keeping it clean at this level! 😮

[@___Bebo___]

Tektro calipers are a no go, they have a 2mm adjuster screw instead of a 3mm like Shimano and SRAM meaning your brake caliper can change positions from road vibrations. You can gum up the screw with a little purple loctite so this doesn't happen, but I would rather just pass if the bike has those brakes. Another bad thing about those calipers is that they aren't forged so they have to be chunky to be strong, which makes the tire clearance bad on them. You wind up having to use the mid reach or long reach in situations where you normally wouldn't have to on nicer brakes.

[@___Bebo___]

Bike looks really nice aside from the brakes though.

[@sherab2078]

I don't remember any other video I could agree with Ollie so much. I'm rather gravel-bike-man, but in terms of a road bike I would be ready to pay a little more to reach the 105 groupset (mechanical) and tubeless-ready wheels, I suppose. But I strongly believe most of us simply don't need anything better than this. I am waiting for the upgrades and comparison with the high-end bike.

[@NunoLima1337]

If instead of Halfords and Decathlon you had visited Go Outdoors, your £500 would buy a Polygon Strattos S3 with Shimano Sora.

[@98GuitarTECH]

Thank you gcn for finally acknowledging cycling the way the majority of us can enjoy it

[@IIISentorIII]

On a Screen?

[@dukabear2640]

They’re only doing now because - who knew?! - the bottom has fallen out of the market. You think they’re doing it out of fair-minded criticism? Grow up

[@campagnol1]

£400 bike, £600 pedals, wahoo has got me by the balls

[@gcntech]

We will always champion every corner of cycling 🙌

[@CaribbeanCyclist]

"It doesn't matter what bike you're on, the view doesn't change" GOLD!🙌🙌

[@AndrewisTri-tn1uo]

The other big thing is the fitness you get doesn't change, which is practically speaking probably the biggest reason people go cycling in the first place. So yes you might be 2-5% slower than a $5,000 bike, but if your aim is to get to a 4w/kg ftp or burn 3k calories or whatever, it makes no difference at all what your bike is or your finishing time is. At any point in the future you can buy that fast bike to be fast, but improving your body (which is the actual important bit) can be done on any road bike. The worst thing about entry level bikes is parts will sht themselves if you ride it a lot. Namely the wheels and bottom bracket will probably be cactus after 12-18 months of riding. That's why spending more on a decent 105 bike, even though the experience isn't that different, isn't as bad a economy as you might think. Buying wheels, cranks, bottom brackets individually (and labor to fit them) is super expensive compared to just getting that value package at purchase time.

[@Nessunego]

It doesn't matter if you are on a bike at all, the view's the same...

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Especially when they added in the magnificent drone shot as Ollie completed the sentence. 8:42

[@gcntech]

Just enjoy the ride 🙌

[@ianbauer4703]

Best comment!

[@paulj7997]

I bought this model, second hand, a couple of months ago as my first road bike (3 years on MTB's) for £125 it had very little use but was unloved, drive train. bearings, brakes etc all good so some new cables, tyres (28mm) and new bar tape and I've currently done 1,500Km and I'm hooked on road cycling! Just looking into new wheels and some slicker tyres for my future cycling.

[@wesleyvandeurzen7199]

Get hunt superduras and a pair of 30mm vittoria corsa controls with ridenow tpu tubes. elite setup

[@juliomarcelo5015]

Road to 3000km bro

[@williamko4751]

Get a decent tire and put in the $15 RideNow lightweight TPU inner. That's all you need. Don't go for tubeless, it is too messy

[@andrewmcalister3462]

That's a bargain entry to road cycling. 👍

[@gcntech]

this is so great to hear! 🫶

[@Neil_down_south]

More of this please ... GCN should be like 105 .... the channel of the people! (with some luxury eye candy sprinkled in too of course).

[@gcntech]

let's see what we can do! What would you like us to look into next? Cheers!

[@harimathur2191]

Please look into snobism in cycling​@@gcntech

[@mystscot9814]

I've had 32 years of cycling under my belt, daily cycling commuter and weekend trail warrior, never owned or used a car. Been through so many models, groupsets and bike types over those years. One thing I've realised, it doesn't matter what brand you own, what groupset you use, what frame type you have, end of the day just get out there and ride, regardless of whatever you want to ride, the same mode of transport gets us to the same destination. :)

[@iansingleton]

Boardman bikes are hard to beat. Every cycling magazine or site has a Boardman in their top 10 regardless of discipline! Road, Gravel or MTB. My mate has had 4 different types mtb and road, theyve all been fantastic. 👍 Boardman, bike of the people!

[@Alex-to8es]

As a person who has ridden Microshift 8 speed on a Triban for 20,000km commuting, it isn't any better or worse than Claris, in fact in terms of functionality, other than feeling of finess and underlying number of gears, it isn't much differnet from my 105 bike, it changes gear with a click, rain, shine, snow, ice, or salt...while having vastly cheaper replacement components than a newer technology like 11 speed. Everytime I sit there and go "I should upgrade this", I then just come back round in a circle and go "Why?", the bike is never going to be an aero speed machine, spend your money on some nice tyres, comfortable saddle, and good bar tape. Looks like a great bike for £450, maybe prices are getting back to some form of sanity, back in 2017 I brought a full carbon 105 bikes for £850.

[@SlickWillyTFCF]

I'm hoping the prices are returning to a place rooted in sanity. Carbon 105 bikes start at about $2,000 from Ribble and go up to about $3,000 for a Trek or Specialized, finding one for sub-$1,000 would be amazing

[@robbiefranklin8093]

Microshift is wildly underrated in my opinion. I preferred my microshift 8 to both claris and sora. It wasn't until Tiagra that I was like "okay this is better" but at that point it's almost triple the cost

[@bonbonflippers4298]

Last year a guy in an office suite was looking for a bike at my bike shop while I was getting a new chain. He wanted to get into mtbing and asked alot of questions. One of the questions was "are microshift good?" The employee looked at him and said "noo nooo microshift bad. Is bad." Like he was talking to a child. My kids bike has microshift atm and it shifts just as good as any other. I find it hard to justify anything more expensive that the budget groupset when you know exactly what you want out of cycling. Took me 3 years to figure out that some things are just for companies to steal your money.

[@Alex-to8es]

@@bonbonflippers4298It isn't just microshift now. My microshift derailleur broke after 20,000km, really I should have replaced it earlier it wasn't looking great it isn't a statement on the product at all. I went on youtube and aliexpress, found an L-Twoo R3 8 speed derailleur for £15, and its machining quality is perfect, the product looks and feels great (it is heavier than more expensive products), on the bike it is no different to the 8 speed microshift that ran for 20,000km either. So far over 500km it has been as expected, i.e. unremarkable changing gears when you want it too. That is insane that you can get a quality product for £15 that just works. I spent £10 replacing jockey wheels before, I should have just brought the whole derailleur. This is the thing that GCN are missing, there are Chinese brands coming and making 8/10 perfectly functional day to day products for a 4/10 price. They of course aren't going to get a massive pile of sponsor money from them, because that is one of the reasons they are cheap, they aren't wasting the money on advertising. The issue is while some brands are good, formerly the reputation and quality control of this area wasn't good, and that still is going to be case in some areas now. The key thing is it does have to work, and it is only in the last 3 year these products that are good and do work have started trickling through.

[@leonardhpls6]

850 for what bike in 2017

[@fennec13]

Boardman and Decathalon both make some really quality entry level, affordable bikes in Rim and Disc brake variants and Claris is an amazing groupset. I think most people who upgrade to higher level groupsets and frames (titanium for me) later forget how lovely a decent setup like this can be ! Kudos for highlighting a non-12,000 bike guys ! Lol, the pedals are probably worth more than the bike tho >___>

[@gcntech]

That's a great point! You really don't need much to enjoy cycling, a well made bike like this an be super fun to ride 👌

[@Markhypnosis1]

My first road bike 3 years ago was a used Cube Peloton Race for £450, with Campagnolo Zonda wheels. Fantastic bike. It got me some Strava KOM's.....beating thousands of others on the same segments. Did a few century rides and a 200 miler on it.

[@1969Rake]

EXCELLENT! Nice to see GCN review a true budget bike. While you can buy a much better bike for the money on the used market, most people getting into riding won't know if they are getting a decent used bike or overpriced crap. Congrats GCN!

[@joelaldridge3959]

Got myself a Boardman 8.9 SLR two years ago, and it's been a joy. Will say though the only downside (as I see them on your 8.6 as well) is the wheels - every tire I tried to fit on them so was tight they would never seat properly until pumped to high pressure with a track pump. Getting a puncture out on the road was always a nightmare, you could fix it but never get the tire back on properly! Upgraded to Scribe Duty wheels after six months and it's been a dream since.

[@richardggeorge]

No need to change wheels. Kool Stop Tyre Bead Jack is what you need. Impossible to get tyres on my tubeless rims otherwise

[@_rcs]

I had the exact same problem with my Boardman 8.9 SLR that I bought in 2019.

[@marccale9890]

Ha ha! i know exactly what you mean with the wheels! I've got the same bike and those wheels were a nightmare! I actually learnt new combinations of swear words thanks to them.

[@zedddddful]

Yeah the wheels were terrible I ditched mine as soon as I could for some DT swiss PR1600 and it transformed the bike tbh.

[@MrVizzle]

Good you showing newcomers something they may be able to buy as first bike. Take care of your future audience....

[@mundanebounds]

Reminded me of the old Top Gear format where the hosts turn up in used cars they got for some low budget, then go on a silly adventure. Maybe GCN should give that a go :D

[@chrishomel9558]

I love content like this because this is what I love about cycling and bikes. I'm constantly modifying some of my bikes to make them work better for me. It's fun and thought provoking, leaving you with a better understanding of how these machines work. Race content is great, but this was a video full of great tips and information for the beginner cyclist, which is equally as important, and enjoyable to watch.

[@gcntech]

hi! thanks for the comment! What are you currently modifying? We'd love to know! Cheers

[@alexhadfield657]

Nice to see content like this from GCN. I do love the eye candy bike you usually showcase, but I'll never be able to afford one, even if i had the money it would be hard to justify it. Im happily riding a roughly 10 year old Dawes Giro 200, and I love it. It originally had 7 speed Tourney groupset with butterfly shifters, which I changed to a second hand 8 speed Sora and recently upgraded again to L-TWOO 8 speed. It also has very good tyre clearance, for winter I had 35mm Schwalbe land cruisers on with zero issues, gone back to 28mm lugano 2s now though and it's a joy to ride.

[@gcntech]

hey! thanks for the comment! Sounds like you have got the upgrade "bug" which is great to hear! How are you finding the L-TWOO groupset? cheers!

[@alexhadfield657]

@@gcntech shifting is really smooth and the levers are really comfortable with a nice grippy section on the top of the hoods. They also got the seal of approval from the owner over my local independent bike shop, none other than Paul Curran, he said they're very much like Campagnolo, but better 🙂

[@KarlosEPM]

More important to me than the hidden shifter cables (which can actually shorten their lifespan) is the upgraded bottom bracket from square taper to octalink. Being a rider who stands on the pedals regularly, I notice the increased stiffness. The latter mitigates chain rub at the front derailer when I sprint.

[@AndrewisTri-tn1uo]

Just because you can notice something doesn’t mean it’s actually an improvement or a good use of money to upgrade. Stiffness is a good example of this. Stiffer is not always better in mechanical systems.

[@georgec2894]

Appreciate this video is focused on new bikes, but I just bought a Tiagra 9 speed bike in very good condition for £70 (including a £60 rrp helmet barely used, bike lock, mini pump, two spare tubes, and entry level shoes), Full shimano drive train (no cost cutting), tyres: conti ultrasports, no microshift, separate brake shoes... I'm not going to be popular on the next group ride ;)

[@gcntech]

sounds like you got a bargain!

[@marccale9890]

Nice to see GCN doing a very fair review of an entry level bike.

[@eduardolight4438]

Finally something for everyday person. This is exactly how we all have been hooked to road cycling. It is a great video that reminds us how we got there, and nice piece to tell people that it is ok not to have 10 k bike to enjoy cycling. I also started on a triban, then a domane, now have appetite to go for my first carbon frame. Thank you GCN to come down to earth and for remembering the average cycling enthusiast.

[@andreemurray7039]

I bought my son one of these bikes then upgraded with 10 speed which I had laying around plus handlebars saddle carbon seat post

[@D1N02]

Take of the reflectors for instant weight saving and more aeroness. Can't buy most of these value British brands here in the Netherlands, and it seems the market hasn't panicked yet here either.

[@TheMachoGabacho]

That’s my kind of bike! I’m currently riding an aluminum bike with Sora, and I’m enjoying it. I have a nicer groupset in the garage, but haven’t found a need to swap it out yet. I can’t wait to see how you upgrade the Boardman and how much effect it has on the performance of the bike.

[@sadiejones7991]

I have a Sora on my training bike that is 3 or 4 years old and it still works like new. It stays inside which might contribute to the longevity but that groupset is solid.

[@johngannon1]

Boardman offer great value for money. I started on a Boardman and will always be positive about them. Good choice. I can’t wait to see the next chapter

[@scottpardy990]

For the follow up video, I hear dura ace cranks are a good budget upgrade

[@nbartlett6538]

Sure, who doesn’t have a dura ace crank lying around? 😂

[@gcntech]

the gift that keeps giving!

[@beermonster1234]

Good video. I understand the need for sponsored and paid for content but this type of video is so much more enjoyable.

[@gcntech]

thanks beermonster! What videos would you like us to make more of? Cheers!

[@markvonwisco7369]

I did a 4 week bike tour in Southern Germany and Austria in the Summer of 1995. My bike had a steel frame with 52/39 tooth chainrings and a 7 gear cassette (11-28) with down tube shifters. The bike featured here is a better bike, for less money, than what I had back then.

[@_MrSnrub]

Love that GCN is focusing on budget stuff! I am no longer in the market for an entry-level bike but I love knowing what is possible for new riders, so I can keep giving good advice. More people on bikes are the best thing possible.

[@CrazyAboutCycling]

I found a boardman pro in Scotland with disc. It’s an absolute bargain but rare. I paid £435. I changed the tires to Conti 5k i had laying around. I changed the bar to a 1-piece carbon. Extended the Rear Dérailleur & added 34-11 for the Mrs. it’s her second proper road bike. It’s fast. It’s 105 with hydraulic RS505.

[@gcntech]

that sounds like some great upgrades! ❤️

[@CrazyAboutCycling]

@@gcntech it doesn’t cost much to be smart. My bars are drop tested & solid. I carefully have started using AliX sellers with good reviews. 1-piece aéro bar: x1 £56 each. It’s stiff. I had my mechanic double check it for safety (works for one of the largest uk dealerships). Everything on Sales. There are often sales.total cost incl bike was approx under £600* edited. RD 105 are £40 now. There’s a few of these bikes in the UK. Well worth it for winter.

[@leonardhpls6]

That's a shocking price 😂 after the "upgrades" you paid more than I did for a canyon endurace 105

[@CrazyAboutCycling]

@@leonardhpls6 typo, edited price. Brake pads too. How much did you pay? Which Canyon.

[@matt_m126]

I started my journey into road cycling in 2021 with a Devici Hatchet Claris, similarly specced to this one, except it had mechanical disc brakes, and was $1600 Canadian, COVID tax included. It made me fall in love with the sport. I have since upgraded to a Trek Domane SL5, but I upgraded the Hatchet to GRX 10-speed, lighter wheels, and 45mm tubeless knobby tires. I refuse to ever get rid of it. It is now my commuter and gravel rig.

[@peterturnbull9133]

Love this series - it helps us normal people to understand what is possible on a much smaller budget. My son is a very keen cyclist having multiple bikes, Pinarello, Orbea and a Specialize. I had a Heinz 57 bike which I built from some of his old parts; I still have a enjoy riding this (105 Calipers transformed the braking on this bike). I bought a B'Twin ultra-500, entry level bike for about £550 and I found this to be fantastic - certainly exceeding my capabilities and good enough for me to enjoy my cycling again.

[@davidlau2467]

Those reflectors must go... a 10W improvement guaranteed!

[@nbartlett6538]

The reflectors are a legal requirement in the UK which is why all new bikes will come with them.

[@stuartmisfeldt3068]

@@nbartlett6538Kumamon!!!

[@benoitbvg2888]

​@@nbartlett6538yeah but what's more important... Respecting the law, or a 10w gain ? 🤔

[@IIISentorIII]

@@benoitbvg2888 Is this a trick question?

[@gcntech]

10w 👀

[@cruachan1191]

As I said previously, glad to see GCN doing vids like this. I've got a Voodoo Nakisi (similarly priced gravel bike from Halfords), it was £650 list but reduced when I bought it and it has Sora and cable disc brakes over this bike, alloy frame and also alloy forks. It is quite heavy at 12.2KG so be interested to see Ollie's upgrades. Halfords take trade-ins of their own model bikes, so they almost always have stock of used bikes available, so bargains can almost always be had, albeit there's the risk, as with any purchase of a used bike.

[@gcntech]

12.2kg isn't crazy heavy though, for a gravel bike that's pretty good 🙌 What upgrades do you think you'll do?

[@cruachan1191]

@@gcntechThinking about hybrid pedals if I can find shoes I like, when the tyres have reached end of life I'll look at replacing the wheels as well to potentially save some weight and also have the option of tubeless.

[@christianchristiansen360]

Nice to see an review of an entry lvl bike👍

[@editdroid99]

I gave $300 for a schwinn focus about 5 years ago. It was on sale down from $500 somehow. Clairs with the microshift shifters. No name chainring and cranks. Aluminum frame/carbon fork. full rubber rim breakes. nearly the same bike. It now serves as my dedicated zwift bike.

[@IIISentorIII]

I just did buy two Specialized Epic 8 EVO Pro Yesterday for me and my brother as his Birthday gift. I hope that's alright.

[@aihsanasl]

Got an e-bike for 350 euro last summer made 300 km to this day, it has 7 gears, mechanic disc brakes, mudguards, torch etc. very happy so far.

[@IIISentorIII]

It was probably the same Bike we see here with 4 empty AA batteries randomly strapped on the tube.

[@aihsanasl]

@@IIISentorIII RKS NE-10 Google it

[@aihsanasl]

@@IIISentorIII RKS NE10

[@TheImprobableIronman]

Loving the new focus on real-world bikes - top work GCN. And, Ollie, please don't apologise for finding a bike on special offer - if Alex had done this video, we'd have been watching a review of a Pinarello Dogma-F he 'found in his spares box'.....😂

[@stevenfreeman7798]

My boardman is 9 years old and still going strong the sora groupset works smoother than my new 105 set up on my new bike! Best £390 i have ever spent!!.

[@BikesKomsCRO]

I have a boardman slr 9.2 from 2019..i have upgraded the wheels, bars, stem and groupset, tyres. Now it's equivalent to the 9.6 SLR however much lighter and custom. This bike is as fast as a Tarmac SL7. Buy a good frame, over the years just keep upgrading items. (Lun road 60mm wheels, rival axs, Easton Ec70 carbon bars, slammed stem, gp5000 s tr tubeless. Bontrager stem) whole new bike. Don't fall for marketing, this bike rides like an 8k bike.

[@shannontaylor3565]

I am really enjoying the direction this channel has gone re: discussing cycling the way many of us can enjoy it - on entry level road bikes, and cycle commuting

[@nbartlett6538]

Honestly the 8 speed cassette is great. Most people don’t need more gears than this, and you can use much cheaper chains which require far less maintenance.

[@giordanostramare]

I just bought for 250€ a Basso aluminium/carbon frame with 10s campagnolo groupset, ambrosio wheel, FSA crankset, prologo nago Ti Saddle. How does it ride? Perfectly. Used bike is the key to enjoy this sport!

[@gcntech]

Lovely! Is it a carbon rear-end? or carbon forks? Sounds like you got a great price on that!

[@giordanostramare]

@@gcntech the fork is half carbon with the top part in aluminium and the rear-end is carbon.

[@trentkleyn4393]

I remember a few years ago I bought my first shop quality new bike. A Fuji sportif 2.1 with sora and rim brakes. That bike has been amazing for me and is now converted for touring. I don't think I'd want to convert a carbon bike for touring but these entry bikes can be much more flexible.

[@Kitsonsonvacation]

I bought a Decathlon RC500 Sora as my entry level bike that I use it for commuting and weekend rides, pretty much a do-it-all bike with pannier rack and mudguards installed on it, roughly spent about 1100 cad ( about 630 GBP). It comes with 9 speeds, disc brakes and I put some 700x32 Pirelli Tires on it. Honestly can't complain other than the wheel is well-known for difficult to fit new tires on and they are a bit heavy (2000G). It's not a high end performance interstellar space machine except it's down to earth to use it as an all-purpose bike.

[@FuchsHorst]

UK only. Maybe do some checks on entry bikes available to main Europe, USA etc

[@alexanderpolta]

i like the dropped seat-stays. new wheels could make this a very quick crit racer.

[@alansmith2593]

this is my favourite GCN video yet, cheers Olly

[@dougt6568]

You can actually fit at least 32s on there. I tried it with marathons for a bloke interested in buying one the other day.

[@gcntech]

thanks for the comment and prior experience!

[@jeremynorth]

Yes keep these videos coming. Practical and engaging, no branding or advertising bollocks. No Hank no Manon, just makes sense

[@nickpatten5263]

Great video. Thanks for finally encouraging and assuring us mortals that can't afford superbikes that we can get just as much fun out of an entry level bike. Looking forward to the ideas and upgrades (economical upgrades that we could afford I hope).

[@lucitribal]

More videos like this, please! It's nice to see bikes that most people can afford 👍

[@angelolewis419]

Been waiting for this video! Can't wait to see the results!

[@melp-tb1ry]

Really enjoyed seeing a proper entry level bike and sensible upgrades being reviewed. Thanks

[@gcntech]

thanks! what other videos would you like to see us make?

[@n22pdf]

Lovely bike.. tribans to.. great entry to road cycling .. nothing wrong with FSA cranks.. or rim brakes.. look forward to the follow up vids 😊 Pete 🚴🏻👍

[@paullinnitt5450]

To all the ‘I just bought a Pinarello/ Madone/ Venge for £500 from somewhere ‘ brigade. Probably because you have knowledge/ a garage full of old parts (Alex). You are completely missing the point. A new rider would want the reassurance of a new unworn bike with some backup. Well done GCN, looks like a good series in store.

[@leonardhpls6]

Talk for yourself, I'd much rather a nice well looked after 2nd hand bike over this pile of shite

[@petewatts30]

I have this bike I bought it when my old commute bike failed. Very quickly the cone and ball rear wheel and freehub started clattering so I replaced the wheels with hunt aero race wheels which came with shwabe pro one tyres. New chain and a sram 11-28 cassette. It does the job but you get what you pay for. It's cheap.

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

If I saw right, those are Tektro brakes. Generally an excellent product in my experience, and they have other models that permit much wider tires, so the idea that rim brakes don’t permit that is incorrect. The Tektro R559 rim brakes on my Windsor TimeLine will handle up to 40 mm tires, and easily handles the stock 32mm. The Tektro R369 on my Linus Gaston 3 is similar, with stock 35mm and plenty of room for more.

[@pieterventer8212]

Hi Guys, interesting topic. I live in South Africa and regularly go onto international sites to look at bike and spares prices and your prices are most of the times exactly what we pay here if I do the conversion (without import taxes etc.) My logic tells me you should pay cheaper but you aren't, are your taxes so much higher or what could the reason be?

[@Thezuule1]

For $500 I picked up a carbon San Remo 76 with mechanical Ultegra. Couldn’t be happier. Bike is ace.

[@babygerald4645]

This is a great vid for the perfect entry-level price point. Usually at this level one can upgrade bit by bit as their need and income level allow. It's a much better bike than you could get for $500 in, say, 1990. Upgrade the tires and tubes and mentioned, get good pedals and shoes, a more comfortable saddle if necessary, wheels, brake calipers, the crank/BB and you'll get a noticeably lighter setup. I'm very much looking forward to the evolution that Ollie is planning.

[@markthomas3853]

Got a 2010 specialized roubaix elite for $250… carbon quarq cranks with power meter, American standards 58mm carbon wheels (alu brake track), and full 10 speed sram red… smp pro saddle… The guy I got it off of got it for $49 at goodwill… I was happy to pay him the finders fee

[@gcntech]

You got a great deal on that!

[@franchesee47]

Cool video, would be cool to see what value upgrades you would pick for this bike to make it even better

[@oplkfdhgk]

i am guessing this is where that new elitewheels sponsor will come in handy :D

[@franchesee47]

@@oplkfdhgk that would be interesting, entry level bike with entry level carbon wheels

[@___Bebo___]

Only a Fred would waste money on that bike IMO, better tires and brake blocks when you wear those out and that's it.

[@RD-qb1jd]

I have been waiting for this video ever since you mentioned you were going to make the Boardman 8.6 sensational, breathtaking and spectacular with extra modifications.

[@gcntech]

what upgrades would you like to see Ollie make?

[@Destide]

Great content, esp at the time of year people are looking at their first season. My daily is a Boardman MTX that I've slowly made into some sort of retro mtb gravel commuter. Boardman tend to put on a lot of standard almost universal components so they really make good modding bases. There are tons of these sorts of bikes seconds hand too as the price point is low enough for non enthusiasts you can find a lot that haven't been used too much you can get some great deals

[@derekhartloper11]

Great to see affordable bikes supported Ollie & GCN, thanks!

[@Digitalbath570]

Gcn help me understand the whole disc brakes are more expensive when you can get entry level hardtail mtbs for around 500 with hydraulic disc brakes.?

[@DionLewiis]

i was able to get the SLR 9.4 last year on a ridiculously good deal, around £600 off! honestly for the price point i dont think any company could match (full electronic shifting, 8.1kg built, sub 900g frame. hydraulic disc brakes.) There are areas to be improved, it is specced with alloy wheels, but even those come in at a weight of 1550g for the wheelset. my plan this summer is to try and get the weight down without compromising anything but my wallet, if i could get it to the 7.3kg mark i would be happy.

[@gcntech]

great stuff! What are you looking to change this summer? Cheers!

[@ellipticalsoul]

I'm still on my first road bike, which is a Boardman (although one that is higher spec but 10 years old haha). They're good bikes for they money!

[@abosworth]

I've got Poseidon X. I picked it up for close to this price point 2 years ago and have put around 2500 miles on it. It's been great and got me to love road and gravel cycling. I will probably be picking up a carbon Canyon road bike soon for a bit more performance. Would love to see it against a 10k super bike!

[@mommamooney]

This was a great look at an entry level bike. I like the positive look at it. Love Ollie’s passion!

[@jaimess]

At 29 I’m looking for my first road bike as a 30 minute commute bike to the office each day. I would love to make cycling more of a passion too with a goal in the next year to get into triathlon. Would be great to know if this is still the right sort of bike or if I should aim higher. I don’t have a garage or convenient storage space as I live in a flat so worry about theft if I store it in the communal bike shed. But as others have said, would love to see more content about bikes under the £1200 mark.

[@stefjanssen56]

Riding an entry level bike for 6 years now, shimano claris can do 50km/h as well and keeping up with high end bikes as well, and dont forget components are not heavily overpriced

[@BTcycle]

I appreciate this kind of content for those with a limited budget.

[@miniac60]

1983 $650 retail, down to $450. Fuji America 18 speed triple. Cromoly 321 double butted, no option for disk brakes lol

[@davidbuckland5976]

That's a good deal. I bought a Boardman adv 8.9 two years ago and had and still having some fantastic bikepacking tours with it.

[@gcntech]

nice to hear! Have you made any upgrades to it? cheers!

[@davidbuckland5976]

@@gcntech schwalbe ultrabite 40mm tyres and a Redshift Sports Shockstop Elastomeric stem. I try and stick to the UK cycling network routes, so lots of disused railway lines and canal tow paths. Had great trips from North Wales where I live to Cornwall and again from home to Hornsea, Bridlington and back.

[@Mitchell527]

Even after years, the Decathlon Triban 500 still is the best at its price. Besides good riding feel and true quality, you can install almost everything on it.

[@bikecommuter24]

Nice I can't help but get a chuckle that Ollie's Riding Kit, Pedals and Shoes cost more than the bicycle, but that is a good thing get a good decent, affordable bicycle and put the savings towards getting a proper cycling kit. 👍

[@mjock392]

The biggest improvement you can have on your bike is better you. Invest in HR strap and a power meter and you’ll gain much more with training than you ever will with carbon or aero parts.

[@MandyH1972]

I bought the same bike new last year just for using indoors on my Kickr. It's fine for that but the 8 speed Claris is a bit agricultural compared to the Shimano and Campagnolo 11 and 12 speed I have on my other bikes. The gaps between gears are huge. On the plus side it's probably helping build my fitness better than closer gearing would.

[@AdamJonesPhoto]

Stick mudgaurds, lights, and as much weight as you can for training on. Train heavy race light.

[@robbchastain3036]

Such a good, useful presentation, Ollie, thanks and yeah, tho' higher-priced bikes are nicer, there is so much to like about easily affordable bikes. And as an older sporty enthusiast who has been riding for decades, I never thought, back in the day, O how sickening, I have to ride a bike with a heavy metal frame and rim brakes and can you believe I'm losing five watts with these tires and tubes. Not at all, instead I was preparing myself for a duel with anyone who stood between me and the checkers. And at age 15 in Frankfurt, I won my first bike race on a Rixie 10-speed from the Kaufhof. I was cookin' on that bike. 😀

[@niceracleous9999]

You guys never talk about planet X, you can get a pro carbon frame with sram rival or even force for the same money, much better value for money, but no comment on Planet X ever from GCN

[@RD-qb1jd]

Yes you are right, I have three PlanetX cycles because they are fantastic bargains and excellent quality, a Holdsworth, Pro Carbon and Ec-130 and i love each one of them individually.

[@mattmc30]

Because Planet X do not sponsor GCN. Clearly Boardman did one way or another…

[@nigelwilkinson-xg9us]

for £450?

[@niceracleous9999]

There is one on eBay right now for £350 pro carbon,sram force group set !

[@ChrisCapoccia]

big disadvantage of rim brakes for most people is tire clearance and ability to move to tubeless not the difference in stopping power. rim brakes on alloy rims work pretty well and don't have nearly the problem in wet weather as rim brakes on carbon rims.

[@douglepong]

I’m glad more affordable bikes are coming out.

[@wrcompositi]

That's very ample tyre clearance for rim brakes, I really want such a bike in this price range, it ticks all the boxes of a practical sport bike and the frame is pretty too.

[@mvm9407]

Actually I think this bike is quite cool for its price. I'd add better wheels - you can find heavily discounted sets from Fulcrum, Mavic or Vision if you do a little research - and Continental Ultra Sport III tyres. If the provided saddle weren't serviceable I'd also look for something like Prologo Dimension 143 or San Marco Shortfit. Later I'd upgrade to Hollowtech II bottom bracket and Shimano Claris chainring, and finally I'd consider a move to Claris brakes. (I wouldn't care that much about more speeds; they make gearing smoother, but don't make the bike any faster.) Hopefully all this would make the bike some sort of an overachiever. And it would be looking quite neat too.

[@SystemParanoia]

Got a Triban3 a cpl months ago for £50. It's mint and looks brand new

[@gcntech]

you got a bargain!

[@SystemParanoia]

@@gcntech it really is. Fits 28mm tyres max ( hits brake caliper ), and it's a vast improvement over the old cracked 23mm ones it came with 🥳🎉

[@zdm5290]

*The rear derailleur cable would be best routed on the other side of the front brake one. Would provide a cleaner look, and prevent the housing from being kinked in the future.

[@hugobci]

For me, the only downside as heavy rider is to use rim brakes in the rain. Aside that it is all you need to adventure the world

[@JohnBatty]

Boardman are excellent value and for £450 you could get s top of thrir range bike.... second hand! I did when I started back into cycling 7 years ago.

[@IIISentorIII]

Yep *nothing* has changed in the last 7 years. idiots....

[@madsolsendoteu]

Love this video.. Really like the idea of enjoying riding for the sake of riding! I still ride my old Principia RSL (that i bought relatively cheap, since it was a box that was sorta in the way at a local bike shop. I have a way nice (secondhand) Argon18 bike, but that thing I don't want to trash in any weather..).. Nothing fancier than the tiagra gearing is was born with.. Rode it through several winters as my commuter bike (not atm unfortunately), but it just keeps working... Only "upgrade" i made to it, was a new wheelset from my dad-in-law (he had an old set just laying around, but fewer km's than mine) The cheaper geargroups just keep going, and when they finally needs a spare, the price doesn't break the bank.. Can't wait to see what Ollie does to it!

[@gcntech]

We love that your upgrade cost you nothing (we hope) as you obtained them from the dad-in-law! Nice!

[@madsolsendoteu]

@@gcntechTotally free upgrade! :D The best kind for sure..! (and now he has space to buy other new tech!)

[@ecopennylife]

Thanks for presenting an affordable bike, my Trek Emonda ALR4 2019 bike is similar, aluminium frame & carbon fork, rim brakes & the higher spec 10 speed Shimano Tiagra groupset. Still on original tyres, will upgrade tyres & tubes when the time comes 🚴

[@gcntech]

That is a great bike! Happy riding!

[@davidcarino6500]

I found some really good deals, but you need to know and do your own maintenance. If you ride a lot just replace the wheels with light weight, I've done that and put Ultegra cassette and took almost 2 lbs off!!

[@gcntech]

We agree, wheels are generally where you can make pretty sizeable improvements!

[@krzysztofkolodziejczyk4335]

it looks like fitting 35c shouldn't be a problem. Still i would take triban with disc brakes. ms is fine

[@paulgordon7526]

Boardman make decent bikes. the full carbon frame with 105 group set wasn't very much over £1,000 . I agree with the wheel and tyre upgrade. I got hunt wheels and Schwalbe pro one tyre's for my planet X carbon bike. lighter and without a doubt better rolling resistance

[@philadams9254]

Do a test on rollers using power meter pedals - before and after the waxed chain and tyre swap. Would be interesting to see the speed you get up to for a given power and how much you can reduce the losses by.

[@merckxy54]

See Alex for a Dura ace chainset!

[@gcntech]

👀

[@two-eyedRoy]

Adventure rides please! Bike feel comparison really in regards to modifying. A bit of a before and after to show that comfort and improvement isn't a huge investment at all. THEN... a century?

[@DavideTarasconi]

Last summer I did a 600km bikepacking trip on a 450€ Decathlon ELOPS Speed 900: not a touring bike at all, and entry level one, but it did its job. If the road quality and conditions are not the challenging part, then it's just about your legs and your lungs, not the bike.