There’s seemingly a contradiction about combining Super Light Race and Endurance in the same name but the designers at Boardman have managed to combine easy speed and epic efficiency in the same bike.
A relatively long top-tube and tall head-tube mean the Boardman sizes up larger than some if you work off seat-tube measurements, but the geometry is sporty in terms of angles. Add a 100mm stem and you’ve got a speed-friendly stretch with classic road race front wheel weighting. Slightly longer than average seatstays also improve stability at higher speeds. The big, boxy C10 carbon main tubes make for a sure-footed and accurate road stance that remains unflustered whatever speed you go, or if you fit deeper section wheels.
The FSA Gossamer Pro brakes are communicative and adequately powerful. The Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres proved to be pretty hardy and hassle free. While we know from forum responses that they have a cult following among distance riders for their feel, speed and longevity, but they aren’t the finest when you come to rain soaked and flithy back road climbs. They’re the only part of the package we’d change at a later stage as the Boardman wheels they sit on are well balanced and a good weight for a bike of this price.
The Shimano Ultegra kit is a benchmark of flawless, seemingly perpetual motion, performance and the FSA Gossamer Pro chainset makes maximum use of the 30mm bottom bracket bore. Boardman’s finishing kit, including a carbon seatpost and carbon stem spacers, keeps the overall weight low, and you’ll appreciate the firm but fair Prologo saddle more as the miles rack up.
Cable adjusters and a chain drop stopper are helpful practical additions, but the extended chainstay head box behind the bottom bracket makes getting the rear wheel out a fight unless you totally remove the rear skewer. Considering the big box section chainstays and BB30 bottom bracket, acceleration isn’t as explosive as you might expect in the first few metres. Still, it doesn’t squander power as it surges up to speed and its low weight means it still feels keen overall. The tiny trade in torque urgency is repaid many times over in the premium ride quality. It’s not soft or docile and handling precision is confidence-boostingly brilliant. It skims over any road surface, at any speed, giving a clean, efficient glide that would be impressive on bikes over twice the price. The later you brake into a turn or the sooner you inject power after the apex the more the SLR will come alive and encourage you to crack on. The longer and later into the day you go the more the efficient and enthusiastic feel will justify its Endurance tag too. Boardman has done a great job of hitting a very tricky balance of differing performance vectors and price absolutely spot on.
Winner: Boardman SLR Endurance 9.0
“You won’t be bored, man”
The idea of this test was to see if shopping around the web or national bike megastores rather than restricting yourself to local shop choice could get you all the bike you need - whatever your road riding preferences - for around £1500. The simple answer is yes.
If you’re into speed you’ve got three options. Fuji’s Transonic has aero profiling and long distance comfort for flatlanders, but it’s a bit soft under power and drags extra weight up climbs. Planet X’s Galibier is stiff, light, precise and aggressive with great upgrade options, but it’s a hard ride for hard riders. If you want a disc brake bike then our two options are surprisingly diverse. The Vitus Venon is an eager and efficient performance machine but lacks big tyre clearance, and it’s a fixed package. The Ribble Gran Fondo Disc is a more relaxed, comfort-not-combat ride but will take fat rubber and can be customised.
Among these competent and characterful bargains two consistently stood out. The most dramatic is the responsive, quick and very affordable BTwin Ultra 900. It’s not forgiving in terms of comfort or handling but the quality of frame and components you’re getting is remarkable if you’re into the racier side of riding.
However, the Boardman rose to the top because it isn’t just a great value bike, it’s a great bike compared to any other you want to line it up alongside. In the grand scheme of actual measurable performance differences we doubt you could even plot it, but the way it combines easy efficiency, confident handling and a highly upgradeable lightweight frame is just right for all sorts of riding, from challenging to contemplative. It’s even good enough to forgive its hydrophobic tyres, although we’d definitely change them when funds allow.
Review by Cycling Plus, Summer 2017.