Boardman SLR 9.4 AXS
The SLR is stable at high speeds but with a steering response quick enough to keep things exciting when pushing your limits
£2700 / ROAD BIKE BRILLIANCE WITH SRAM’S NEW WIRELESS 12! SPEED RIVAL SHIFTING
Boardman Bikes may only be in its teenage years but, since its 2007 birth, its British-designed bikes have gained a massive popularity for riders of all disciplines and at every price point. Nicole Cooke powered a Boardman bike to Olympic victory in 2008 and Boardman-riding cyclists have racked up numerous titles on the road, off-road and in triathlons. As with many of its rivals, the SLR 9.4 was designed to provide genuine aerodynamic advantages – but it’s also an endurance bike in the manner of Sensa’s Giulia (p38) and Cervélo’s Caledonia 5 (p58). The chassis successfully mixes aerodynamics and long-distance comfort while adding hidden mudguard mounts and generous tyre clearances for the British riding experience.
Up until this year, Boardman’s topspecification C10 carbon was reserved for its premium models, but for 2021 C10 has trickled down to the 9.4. This results in a sub-900g frame and very light 350g fork: weights approaching those of a superbike.
Flipping good
The SLR 9.4’s main frame tubes have kammtail truncated airfoil profiles. Further racy features include the dedicated aero-shaped carbon seatpost, which comes with 20mm offset – but, you can flip the seatclamp to zero offset, effectively steepening the seat-tube angle for a racier position. A nod to Mr Boardman? Maybe. And with the clamp flipped and tri-bars fitted, you could easily tackle a time trial or triathlon.
The SLR’s geometry delivers a ride that’s stable at high speeds but with a steering response quick enough to keep things exciting when pushing your limits into a corner or on a fast descent. The geometry also has a relatively low stack for an endurance bike, which lets you get down into quite a sporty position, even if the reach is a little shorter than a race bike would be. If you do want
to go lower still, a new stem would let you adjust your fit. While much of the SLR’s brilliantly balanced ride is down to the chassis, some credit has to go to Alexrim’s RXD3 wheels. These may not be a premium name, but the 30mm deep aeroshaped alloy rims are tubeless ready and their 19mm internal width is well suited to the 28mm tyres. They’re very light for aluminium, pick up speed smoothly and combine with the wide rubber to blend lateral rigidity with compliance.
Vittoria’s middleweight Rubino tyres are tough, their all-weather performance is better than any previous Rubino and they grip well in the wet and dry. However, I’d switch them out later for something faster and lighter – and tubeless – but they don’t spoil the party.
It’s a wireless world
Boardman and SRAM have had a long relationship, and SRAM has partnered with Boardman for the launch of its Rival 12-speed eTap AXS groupset. Wireless AXS has only previously been available as part of SRAM’s RED and Force groupsets. The new Rival AXS has the same motors, circuits, antennae and electronics as its pricier siblings but ditches carbon for aluminium, offering the same performance with just a small weight penalty.
On the road this means the same functionality: the right button shifts to a higher gear, the left to an easier gear; click both together and the front derailleur shifts. It’s intuitive, precise, a match for Force and on a par with Ultegra Di2 – and less expensive than either. You can pair AXS with its free app and sync it with a Garmin head unit, where it will display gear selected, battery levels and multiple other metrics. SRAM achieves the 12-speed arrangement smartly, with a 10-30 cassette and 46/33 chainset that translates to a bigger gear for speed and a lighter climbing gear. A win-win. The Rival brakes are equally impressive and I found it hard to distinguish them from Force’s hydraulics. Using Rival AXS makes me feel like someone who has managed to get a Ferrari-like performance on Ford money.
Blown away
I was so impressed by Boardman’s SLR 9.4. It’s a bike that has everything going for it – a lightweight aero frameset, futuristic wireless shifting, great drivetrain, good wheels and competent tyres. I’d consider changing the handlebar later on and using plusher bar tape but – considering the price – those are minor matters. And for its all-round ride, comfort, performance and high-tech components this Boardman nabs the Cycling Plus 2021 Bike of the Year title.
THE VERDICT
The SLR was already a firm favourite – now SRAM AXS makes it a winner