Boardman has updated its SLR road bike for the first time since 2017 with a new frame, which it says improves aero performance by 5.7 watts at 50kmh. At the same time, it also has increased tyre clearance to 36mm, while retaining mudguard compatibility and adding a third bottle cage mount.
Prices for the five specs range from £1,400 to £5,500 and there’s a women’s specific version of the SLR 8.9.
Related questions you can explore with Ask Cyclist, our new AI search engine.
Aero and clearance updates
The previous generation Boardman SLR impressed with its performance and value when we reviewed it in 2019. But Boardman Bikes claims that its updated SLR is faster, more versatile and even better value than its predecessor.
As with that bike, the new SLR is aero-optimised, but also mudguard compatible. Clearance has increased to 36mm or 32mm with mudguards from the previous generation disc-equipped bike’s 30mm.
Boardman says that the new SLR is 5.7 watts faster than its predecessor at 50kmh averaged across a range of wind yaw angles to +/-15 degrees, which the brand says equates to a 0.3mph increase in ride speed or a 24 second time saving over 20 miles.
Boardman sells the SLR with two different carbon grades, C10 for higher spec bikes and C7 on lower spec models, with a claimed frame weight of 995g and fork weight of 450g.
The bike retains a two-piece bar and stem for adjustability, and while higher spec bikes boast cable integration, the entry-level SLR 8.9 retains external cable runs into the frame’s down tube.
Boardman will sell many of the components aftermarket too, so you’ll be able to purchase a different length stem aftermarket for £48 should you need to fine-tune your fit, with five lengths from 80mm to 120mm available.
Higher specs of the SLR are equipped with a two-position seatpost, which allows the rider to alter their saddle position between a 0mm and 15mm setback. Boardman will sell the seatpost aftermarket for £80 if you want to upgrade a lower spec frame and you can also fit a standard round 27.2mm seatpost.
Boardman says that it has designed the new SLR for practicality for four-season use for non-racers. As well as the hidden mudguard mounts, for which Boardman sells purpose-designed Fend-Off SLR mudguards priced at £60, there’s a third bottle cage mount under the down tube.
The frame has swapped to the increasingly popular UDH rear derailleur hanger standard, making for easy replacement and forward compatibility with any Full Mount road derailleur that SRAM may launch in the future. Although many brands are reverting to a threaded bottom bracket, the Boardman SLR has a BB386EVO Pressfit bottom bracket.
New Boardman SLR specs and prices
The new Boardman SLR is sold in five sizes from XS to XL, which Boardman says will fit riders from 162cm to 195cm in height.
In addition, there’s a women’s-specific version of the entry-level SLR 8.9. Sizes for this are designated SM, MD and LG and share the frame geometry of the XS, SM and MD men’s bikes respectively, although the women's bikes come with shorter stems and the narrowest 380mm bar width.
There will be store and online availability at Boardman Bikes, Halfords and Tredz from 20th March. There’s a lifetime warranty for the original owner on the frame and fork and a one year guarantee on components.
Boardman SLR 9.8
- Frame/fork: C10 Carbon
- Groupset: SRAM Red AXS, 46/33 x 1-33t
- Wheels: Zipp 404 Firecrest
- Tyres: Goodyear Eagle F1 R, 30mm
- RRP: £5,500
Boardman SLR 9.6
- Frame/fork: C10 Carbon
- Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2, 50/34 x 11-34t
- Wheels: Zipp 303 S
- Tyres: Goodyear Eagle F1 R, 30mm
- RRP: £3,500
Boardman SLR 9.2
- Frame/fork: C10 Carbon
- Groupset: Shimano 105 Di2, 50/34 x 11-34t
- Wheels: Alex Alloy Wheelset
- Tyres: Goodyear Eagle, 30mm
- RRP: £2,500
Boardman SLR 9.0
- Frame/fork: C7 Carbon Frame, C10 Fork
- Groupset: Shimano 105, 50/34 x 11-34t
- Wheels: Alex Alloy Wheelset
- Tyres: Goodyear Eagle, 30mm
- RRP: £2,000
Boardman SLR 8.9 Men’s & Women’s
- Frame/fork: C7 Carbon
- Groupset: Shimano Tiagra, 50/34 x 11-34t
- Wheels: Boardman Alloy Wheelset
- Tyres: Goodyear Eagle Sport, 30mm
- RRP: £1,400
Visit boardmanbikes.com for more or to buy now.
