Boardman Bikes SLR Endurance 9.0 Ultegra Complete Road Bike 2016

For 2016, Boardman's line has stayed largely the same except for some re shuffled nomenclature and a graphical redesign. The SLR Endurance 9. 0 Ultegra Complete Road Bike is one of the greatest beneficiaries of the changes, as it represents the retirement of the SLS line in favor of the SLR Endurance. There aren't many changes to the bikes, just the name, which bumps the British manufacturer's endurance species into the SLR racing genus in a move that emphasizes the fact that Boardman is fielding a competition grade endurance frame. The reasoning for this is clear, as the SLS has long languished in the shadow of its race branded SLR counterpart, relegated unnecessarily to sportive duties despite its eminently capable layup and low weight. We believe the 9. 0's Shimano Ultegra shifting is equally under valued by the race scene, and when these two elements are combined the result is a surprisingly light, surprisingly aggressive racing platform that doesn't sacrifice a rider's comfort in pursuit of watts. Despite the shakeup of naming conventions, Boardman sticks with the same materials and geometry. This includes a targeted lay up of T1000 and T800 Carbon, which balances considerations of stiffness, price, and the ability to erase road noise, chip seal chatter, pave, and even feedback from gravel for a ride that's not just limited to well groomed roads. The SLR Endurance's post tarmac pedigree also owes a debt to the frame's geometry, which mirrors the outgoing SLS. Compared to the standard SLR, the endurance model has a shorter head tube and longer chainstays by about 20 and 5mm, respectively, which net a longer, more stable wheelbase across less than ideal surfaces. It's also got a higher stack and shorter reach, dimensions that benefit the recreational cyclist or the racer who recognizes the value of a comfortable ride position in races longer than 50 minutes. These variations are also good news for those of us whose height means that there's always a ...