Boardman ATT 9.2 ridden and rated
Tested by: Michelle Arthurs-brennan | Miles ridden: 185 | Size tested: XXS | Weight: 8.25kg
he law of integration states that the fastest time trial bikes are always the hardest to tinker with. There’s a sub-law that determines a similar relationship between the price tag and number of watts saved. It should be pretty obvious how that line graph correlates.
The Boardman ATT 9.2 sits around a third of the way up the scale.
It’s a piece of speed-specific weaponry that’s fairly easy to live with, boasting a techloaded frame which can perform at an exceptionally high level with a couple of alterations.
Frame
Boardman’s time trial bikes are divided into two distinct families: the ATT and TTE bikes. The ATT is the more affordable of the two, with a frame coming in at £1,399 as opposed to £2,399.
The TTE’S superiority comes largely from a higher level of integration, but the ATT frame is no slouch.
Constructed from topend Boardman C10 carbon, the frame was developed using computational fluid dynamics, wind-tunnel and real-world testing.
The 9.2 ATT we tested features Boardman’s Aerodynamic Surface Trip technology. This tube shape tech delays the point at which airflow separates from the surface, thus reducing the size of its wake and overall drag.
The ATT features the same fully integrated fork and brake system as its top-end TTE brothers; the seatpost adjustment is located in the top tube and covered by a rubber seal and cables are tidied away just behind the stem.
The geometry is fairy aggressive. We tested the XXS with a stack/reach of 483mm/375mm, which is longer and lower than a Specialized Shiv and similar to a Trek Speed Concept.
A steepish head angle (72°) and short wheelbase (948mm) all add up to a frame that sits closer to the ‘racy’ end of the scale, with a lesser emphasis on stability.
Boardman offers a women’s version; the frame is identical but would be called an XS.
Specification
Boardman’s direct-sales model means it can provide pretty stellar builds for a surprisingly good price tag. The 9.2 comes in at £2,299 with Ultegra shifters, mechs and Shimano 105 cassette plus a nice little addition of Shimano Duraace brake levers.
The chainset is a sensible 53/39 with a close-ratio 12-25 cassette on the rear.
The brakes are TRP, arguably a bit of a let-down,
but they just about match my level of enthusiasm for stopping for a roundabout mid-flow.
The ISM saddle is an intelligent addition — the noseless perches are ideal for anyone riding on the rivet for extended durations.
The base bar comes from Zipp, but is the fairly entry-level Vuka Alumina construction which does the job but would want swapping in time. Ditto the Boardman Air Elite 5 wheels with a rim depth of 35mm, and Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres in 25c.
Ride
I rode this bike to a new 25mile TT PB of 56.03 — a pretty decent slice off a previous 01:00:36. It’s worth taking into account that I’d done quite a lot of bike riding since the last ‘fast course’ effort and the infamous R25/3H course in question enjoys a pretty substantial ski slope start.
Immediately noticeable was the stiffness of the frame. The bike loved flat out, straight road efforts.
I also tested the bike on a sporting course and on some local lanes. I wasn’t quite as comfortable cornering and descending on it hard. This could in part be down to the geometry and indeed the narrow shape of the base bar. The bike can handle the lanes, but it didn’t feel like they were its natural habitat.
I used the specced wheels for training rides and club events, and upgraded to a deep-section option to race.
I rode the bike one spacer from slammed — which doesn’t leave so much room for creating a more aggressive fit, should you need it. This said, a negative stem could sort you out if need be. There’s plenty of space for saddle adjustment too. The brakes are hidden behind the fork, with handy removable covers which can be unbolted to make adjustments.
The rear brake is also hidden, adding to aerodynamics. However, this does mean it’s not easy to adjust the brake quickly before an event — leading to a heart-stopping moment when I found it rubbing T minus two mins to start (whacked it into position — works every time).
Value
The Boardman ATT 9.2 carries Ultegra spec — with a sniff of Dura-ace — and comes in at a price range where many others feature 105. Touches such as the ISM saddle add a cherry on top.