Boardman SLR opinions

I may have an opportunity to get a new bike, but only through the cycle to work scheme for Halfords, which means only Boardman SLR 8.9 or 9.6 where I’d much rather an Emonda ALR.

I don’t ride outside much and when I do it’s on my own, so mostly for hill climbing 1-2h rides in Summer.

Get the Boardman, sell it new and then use the funds to buy the Emonda. :thinking:

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Not an option for me.

I usually get the bike I like the look of, but neither are inspiring.

The 8.9 is 105 so nothing special, electronic shifting on the 9.6 would be new to me and the paint job looks a bit more pro.

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I’d definitely defer to the 9.6 but then swap out the bars and maybe the stem.

The shape of those drops are a tell that they aren’t very good bars.

Boardman bikes are good. I’ve had a few over the years and looking at the ADV9.4 for a Road/Gravel rig.
The 9.6 does look good but have you considered Vitus bikes at all? The Vitesse Evo also looks good.

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I can only use Halfords which means only those two roadies.

They do have the ADV 9.4 but I’ve never used a gravel bike.

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You should be able to shop at Tredz as they are part of Halfords. Happy browsing!

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Specialised is the only mechanical groupset. Presumably the others are cutting back something else to include electronic.

This would be simple if only there were a red one, because they go faster.

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I think it’s all in the wheels… the Scott and the BMC have 25mm alloy wheels that are around 1700/1800g or more. The Boardman has 45mm high carbon wheels that are closer to 1600g.

Also, the Scott and the Merida have fully internal cable routing thorugh the headset. Not a problem if you have a friendly local bike shop, but if you were planning on changing the bar height or bars yourself it coumd be a bit complex.

If you don’t already have decent disc brake wheels, the Boardman 9.6 actually looks pretty good, especially if you prefer shimano gearing

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