Who doesn’t love new bike day? It’s even better when new bike day turns into new bike month because you have found a bike that makes you so happy that you just can’t wait to ride, even in the cold, dark of winter!
That’s what I’ve found in the Boardman SLR Endurance 9.2 road bike. It had been a very, very long time since I had been on a road bike, having spent the best part of the last three years on a time trial bike. I was nervous and sceptical about whether I could enjoy riding without the comfort of my aero bars, but all that faded away as I zipped my way around my local course, easily cornering in tight circles and feeling the responsiveness of this awesome bike.
That’s what I’ve found in the Boardman SLR Endurance 9.2 road bike. It had been a very, very long time since I had been on a road bike, having spent the best part of the last three years on a time trial bike. I was nervous and sceptical about whether I could enjoy riding without the comfort of my aero bars, but all that faded away as I zipped my way around my local course, easily cornering in tight circles and feeling the responsiveness of this awesome bike.Aside from all the technical specifications that come with the SLR, the reality is the bike is what you would expect from a company that was born from a world champion's desire to make great bikes. It looks the part with its sleek lines and pearlised finished paint job. I’ve teamed it up, literally, with my Vision Team30 wheelset, thrown on some Look Keo pedals and hit the road. Training for a race that has some climbing in it has been a joy on the Boardman – it’s actually been the reason I’ve tackled double my volume of hill training in this block! Its light C10 Carbon frame (7.66kg fully built thank you) is chock full of the best components from FSA, ensuring my ride is smooth and quiet. So quiet in fact that it is eerie compared to the whir of the TT bike.
The sizing in the range is the best I’ve come across, suiting all my female and male riding friends, regardless of height. I’ve got super long legs but a shorter torso and arms so often a men’s bike is my solution, but with Boardman's range, the options are far greater. I’ve chosen the medium women’s size but ride the men’s colour choice as I am such a black-and-white girl. It means I can accessorise to suit my mood – clearly very important!
I’m so thrilled with my Boardman SLR Endurance 9.2. It is going to be the bike I race on for triathlon world championship qualification races in 2017/2018 and I am excited to see just how responsive and quick it is under those racing conditions.
By Michelle Cooper – Pushys Sponsored Athlete