2. It’s a stunner
We love the updated logo and stylish colour scheme, but if stealth black with blue flashes isn’t to your taste, you can order a custom paintjob from a choice of 17 colours, with matt or gloss finish. Pink with green highlights more your cup of tea? No problem!
3. It’s a featherweight
The new SLR certainly lives up to its name, the 9.4 tipping the BikesEtc scales at a svelte 7.57kg. This is in no small part thanks to a frame in Boardman’s highest-grade C10 carbon fibre with a claimed weight of just 850g, designed using Finite Element Analysis (essentially removing material where it’s not needed) to achieve an optimum balance of weight and strength. Bring on the hills!
4. It’s a thoroughbred
Every component bar the FSA chain is from Shimano’s superb Ultegra Di2 groupset, which means parts that are designed to integrate seamlessly for smooth, reliable gear shifting.
5. It’s futureproof
The 9.4 comes with Ultegra Di2 as standard, but even if you opt for the entry-level 9.0 with mechanical gear shifting, the frame is ready to upgrade to electronic gears whenever you are. Choose the top-level 9.9 and you get SRAM’s awesome wireless eTap groupset.
6. It has disc brakes
As well as the rim-braked model you see here, the SLR Endurance also comes with disc brakes – Shimano RS785 hydraulics on the 9.4 (£3,500).
7. It’s in titanium, too
In redeveloping the SLR, Boardman’s research and development team looked at all material options and concluded there was room in the range for the firm’s first titanium bike – ideal for an endurance bike thanks to its high strength, corrosion resistance and compliance. And the hand-painted frame looks even better than the carbon version.
8. It has great wheels
Boardman’s own-brand Elite Five wheels promise to be tough and reliable all-rounders, with sealed-cartridge bearings and butted stainless steel spokes (20 front, 24 rear), and stick to the bike’s lightweight theme at a claimed 1,565g per set.
9. It’s a good fit
The SLR Endurance comes in seven sizes, from XXS (50cm) to XXL (62cm) in 2cm increments – which should accommodate most riders.
10. It’s a great price
Available direct from boardmanbikes.com at £3,100, the SLR Endurance 9.4 is a lot of bike for your money, while the 9.0 model with mechanical Ultegra shifters is an even more affordable £1,900.
Frame: Boardman SLR Endurance C10 carbon, full carbon fork, tapered steerer, FSA BB-PF30
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Chainset: Shimano Ultegra, 50/34
Cassette: Shimano Ultegra, 11-28
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra
Bars: Boardman Elite Alloy
Stem: Boardman Elite Carbon
Saddle: Prologo Nago Evo 141
Seatpost: Boardman Elite SLR Carbon Twenty
Wheels: Boardman SLR Elite Five, 28mm deep rims
Tyres: Vittoria Open Corsa CX, 25c
Weight: 7.57kg (size M/56)
Review by Bike Etc, 17 MAR 2016