Boardman’s SLR chassis is split into two camps. This top-end 9-series bike uses the C10 carbon frame and fork, which at 900g (frame) and 350g (fork) is super-svelte. The more affordable 8-series uses Boardman’s cheaper C7 blend and has the same great looks but carries more weight.
That you can get what is a properly high-end chassis with a sub-kilo frame, with a fork this light too, is impressive stuff, and makes the SLR 9.2 the lightest of the bikes I had on test, which also included the Planet X Pro Carbon Ultegra, Sensa Giulia G3 Evo Ultegra and Tifosi Scalare Disc 105.
VERDICT
The champion by the smallest of margins is the Boardman SLR 9.2 Disc. The frameset is the star here - with top-grade construction and a pro-level lightness in its chassis not to mention the further weight-saving carbon seatpost. Add in Shimano Ultegra and some excellent (and light) wheels shod with truly great tyres, and you've got a contender for the best-value performance bike of 2021.
4.5/5 Stars