News:
Win Win
Congratulations to Boardman sponsored world champion triathletes Alsitair Brownlee and Hollie Avil - winners of Men's Elite Triathlete of the Year and Youth Triathlete of the Year at the 220 Triathlon Awards 2010.
Sport Award Winner
Boardman sponsored triathlete Alistair Brownlee was presented with the UK Sport Award at the Sports Journalist Association (SJA) Annual Sports Awards lunch yesterday. In addition to winning the UK Sport Award, Alistair also made the final six in the SJA Sportsman of the Year Award alongside Phillips Idowu, Andrew Strauss, Tom Daley, Andy Murray and the eventual winner Jenson Button. Well done Al!
3D MTB film - get your glasses on!
We've made a fun little film about the MTB FS PRO using the latest 3D technology - check it out on YouTube now (be sure to select the correct version of the film to match the 3D glasses you have) - there's also a version in 2D if you can't get hold of the glasses... The film was shot in Cwmcarn, Wales and featured Rob Jarman as our test rider - thanks to everyone involved.
Take a look at the 3D film here...
2010 Limited Edition models
We've created a set of limited edition bikes, which are now available to pre-order. With limited edition paint finish and decals, they are signed and numbered from 1-500 (1-250 for the Hybrid). Take a look at the Limited Edition Road, MTB/HT and Hybrid bikes on our website.
Rasmus Henning is 5th at Ironman Hawaii in Kona
Rasmus Henning overcame a broken hand (suffered only 2 weeks prior to the race, resulting in 8 screws being inserted) to take an impressive fifth place finish at the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. Extremely well done!!! Rasmus races on the Boardman AiR/TT/1.
World Champion - Alistair Brownlee
Alistair Brownlee has become the ITU Triathlon World Champion on Australia's Gold Coast today. Alistiar won each of the 5 events he entered to end the year on top of the Dextro WCS leaderboard. Will Clarke was the second Brit home in 11th place. Al is the first ever winner of the JNR, U23 and SNR ITU Triathlon titles. The Boardman sponsored triathletes finished an incredible weekend of racing where Jonathan Brownlee almost made it a historic double with his second place in the ITU Triathlon Junior Championships.
Avil - U23 World Champion
Congratulations to Hollie Avil - the Boardman sponsored triathlete who is the ITU Triathlon U23 World Champion. Hollie took the title on Australia's Gold Coast earlier today and adds it to her 2007 Junior World title. "When you win a race the like that, working hard and really pushing the bike for the whole 40km and then getting off and nailing 10km of running, it feels great."
100%. 4 out of 4.
Alistair Brownlee has made it 4 wins out of 4 in the latest Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championships Series in London. With a blistering overall time, Al made a break during the run and never looked back. He's also back at the top of the championship.
European Champion.
This weekend, Boardman sponsored triathlete Rasmus Henning has added the ETU European Long Distance Triathlon Champion title to his Ironman China win earlier this year. Rasmus is riding the Boardman Elite AiR/TT/1. Now we can look forward to the next challenge - the Hawaii Ironman in Kona.
Win. Win.
Will Clarke and Hollie Avil both won at the Mazda London Triathlon today - Will won the Elite Men's race andHollie won the Elite Junior Women's race. Congratulations to both - and great preparation for the WCS in London in a fortnight, where all four Boardman sponsored triathletes will be racing.
Nocturne Winner.
Olympic Gold Medallist and Team Halfords Bikehut rider Ed Clancy wins the Nocturne Elite Criterium Series finale in Blackpool. The race saw 3 THB riders in the top 10.
3 in a row!
Madrid, Washington and now Kitzbuhel - Alistair Brownlee is number 1 in the rankings for the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championships Series after his third win in a row. He's putting the Pro Carbon RP through its paces and creating devastating results. Will Clarke and Jonathan Brownlee finished in 7th and 13th respectively.
Tour Series Winners.
Congratulations to Team Halfords Bikehut after taking the Tour Series title in Southend-on-Sea. Rob Hayle's victory ensured the team's success after an exciting series of town centre racing culminated in the 'showdown on the seafront'. The team put their Pro Carbon machines through their paces and came out on top.
Washington WCS Champion.
Well done Al! - Alistair Brownlee has won in Washington today in the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championships Series. This win follows his domination of the Madrid WCS earlier in the year. Will Clarke was the next Brit home in 10th place.
The Big Test... Speed Machines
"A high quality all-round performer at a bargain price" 9/10 and overall winner accolade for the Road Pro Carbon in this month's Cycling Plus.
WMB BIKE of the YEAR results...
Boardman Bikes are on the podium again! We've secured 3rd place in the What Mountain Bike Bike of the Year Awards with our COMP FS. What they said: "Excellent frame and parts in a sweet-handling speed package that's outstanding value for money." (First and Second place went to bikes at £2200 and £1900 respectively.) We've also scooped Best in Class for our PRO FS and COMP FS models.
Madrid WCS Champion.
Alistair Brownlee finished in first place after a truly impressive Swim, Bike and Run in Madrid today at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championships Series. Taking the lead after T2, Brownlee never looked like being caught, eventually beating Atkinson and Gomez by almost a minute. Will Clarke made it a succesful day by being the second Brit home with a top 15 finish.
National Champion (again).
Congratulations to Will Clarke, the Boardman sponsored triathlete is the 2009 National Champion after winning at Strathclyde. Will retained his 2008 title after breaking away from the pack on lap 3 of the bike, he lead by 30 seconds into T2, then ran well to take the win by a minute.
Two MTB Winners.
A double victory in the latest Bike Tests by What Mountain Bike... you've got to read the full reviews on the MTB PRO FS and HT's for yourself - we're incredibly proud of the fact that all our hard work has been rewarded so highly. WMB issue 96 June 09.
National Duathlon Champions.
Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee have won the National Elite and Junior Duathlon Championship titles in Loughborough. Both athletes are riding the Road Pro Carbon Race Prepared throughout the season.
Click here to see their bike...
Ironman China winner on a Boardman.
Rasmus Henning has just won the China Ironman competition riding the AiR/TT/1. His main aim was qualification into the Kona Ironman later in the year - he finished in first place almost 30 mins ahead of his nearest rival. Great start to the season, we'll keep you posted on his next set of races...
Triathlete's of the Year.
Congratulations to Boardman Bikes sponsored triathletes Alistair Brownlee, Hollie Avil and Jonathan Brownlee - winning the Men's Elite (AB) & Youth (HA) titles and runner-up Youth (JB) at the prestigious 220 Triathlon Awards 2009. More sponsorship details for 2009 to follow soon...
Performance Bike of the Year 2009.
The Boardman Pro Carbon has just won Cycling Weekly's Performance Bike of the year. Buy this week's issue (19th March) to find out more...
Another Gold.
Jonathan Brownlee, the Boardman Bikes sponsored triathlete, has just won Gold in the men's youth triathlon at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF). This adds to his bronze medal in the junior event at the 2008 ITU World Championship in Vancouver. Here's to a succesful season during 2009.
Another perfect 10.
The Boardman Road Team Carbon bike has been awarded 10/10 in the Cycling Plus 'The Big Test - Grand Designs - brilliant bikes for a grand'. The Team Carbon is taken from the same mould as the Gold Medal-winning and World Champion frame design.
"At just 8kg the Boardman is the lightest bike here by a distance." "Fast and exciting, sets a new standard for £1000 road bikes. 10." Cycling Plus issue 219.
Gold Award, Value Award and Editor's Choice.
The all new 2009 Boardman Full Suspension Comp bike has received high industry praise from What Mountain Bike Magazine. We're really pleased that all the hard work we've put into the frame design, geometry and component selection has tested so well. The entry level Comp model retails at just under £800 - take a look for yourself online or in store today.
Boardman 09 launches.
The all new 2009 bike range by Boardman was launched today (20th October) at the home of British Cycling - Manchester Velodrome. The 17 models include 6 Road bikes, 4 MTB Hard Tails, 3 MTB Full Suspension and 4 Hybrid models. The launch was attended by the cycling media - who were treated to a back drop of the GB team practicing on the track. News was also released by Dave Brailsford with regards to a new sponsorship deal for 2009 - more details to follow.
Nicole Cooke has become the first female rider to win the Olympic and World titles in the same year.
This is the perfect way to finish a highly successful year for Nicole - who has been riding a Boardman bike throughout this season - which has seen her win the National, Olympic and World Championship Road Race titles. Nicole rode the 2009 Pro Carbon Race Prepared frame for both the Olympics and World Championships - this bike will be available as part of the exciting 2009 range. More details to follow...
Olympic Champion rides a Boardman.
Congratulations to Nicole Cooke - the new Olympic Road Race Champion. A superb race by Nicole culminated in a sprint for the finish to clinch Olympic Gold in Beijing. Nicole was riding the new 2009 Boardman Pro Carbon race prepared frame.
The Perfect 10.
We're pleased to announce that all our hard work and commitment to bring you a top quality, performance based, value for money bike has paid off - we've got a Perfect 10 from mbr for the 2008 MTB Pro hard tail.
Source: mbr.
WINNER: Best Budget Road Bike of The Year.
The Boardman Road Comp has been named Budget Race Bike of the Year by Cycling Plus in their Bikes of the Year Awards.
"Rarely have we seen a bike this well specced for the money. With Shimano Tiagra gears, Ritchey wheels and finishing kit that make it feel lighter than its nearest competitors, it's a hard one to beat"
Source: Cycling Plus.
Boardman Bikes are the proud sponsors of a newly crowned World Champion and the 2008 National Road Race Champions for both male and female riders.
Alistair Brownlee is the u23 Triathlon World Champion after an amazing race in Vancouver. He has become only the second person ever to be World Champion at both Junior and u23 levels. Alistair has also been selected along with Will Clarke (one of our other sponsored triathletes) to go to the Olympic Games in Beijing. Congratulations to Nicole Cooke - who has become the National Road Race Champion for the 9th time and to Rob Hayles who is the 2008 National Road Race Champion. Both these riders are aiming to be selected for the Beijing Olympics.
Nicole Cooke to ride a Boardman in 08.
We're really proud to be the official bike sponsor to Nicole Cooke - and the newly created Team Halfords Bikehut British Pro Cycling team. The Team will consist of 10 women riders, and will also be supplemented by two top male riders, Rob Hayles and Tom Southam, who will ride a full domestic season of Premier Calendar and National Criterium Series events. Dave Brailsford, performance director of British Cycling is taking the reins as general manager - the innovative new approach is the first step on the road to a full British Professional Team. The unique deal between British Cycling and the UK’s leading cycle retailer will see the team riding bikes designed by Olympic champion Chris Boardman MBE.
Dave Brailsford, performance director for British Cycling, said: “The equipment for the team is incredibly important, and the Boardman bike delivers the highest levels of performance and quality. It’s a great endorsement of the product by the team and they are all very excited. Nicole Cooke has already ridden her bike on the Beijing Olympic course and is extremely happy with the way it performed.”
Reviews:
TEAM CARBON 10
GRAND DESIGNS - Winner
"There has to be a winner both in terms of outright performance and overall value for money... and it's the Boardman."
"Would we buy it? Yes, every day of the week. If you're looking for performance, almost implausible value for money and a bike that will inspire confidence right away then this is it."
Source: The Bicycle Buyer.
CX PRO 10
THE BIG TEST - Winner
"With extra stiffness at the bottom bracket and head-tube, it excels with excellent kit and a great all-round ride." "The Boardman frame is beautifully finished with super-neat, smooth welds." "What it is designed for is being thrown throght the woods and down trails with abandon, and the Pro CX wasn't found wanting."
Source: Cycling Plus.
ROAD PRO CARBON 10
First Ride
"Overall, this bike offers great value for money and performance equal to that of bikes twice the price
"New for 2010 is the encasing of the oversized bottom bracket bearings within the frame, adding to the frame's rigidity."
Source: Cycling Weekly.
ROAD TEAM CARBON
Top Bikes Under 1k
"It comes in at one penny under the £1,000, but if you paid double that and got a bike like this you would still be grinning from ear to ear. It's a superb machine - the lightest on test by a long way."
"Geometry is perfectly balanced to give nimble handling, great tracking through corners and a nice neutral rider position"
Source: Cycling Active.
ROAD TEAM
Best on Test
"Considering its low cost, the ride is exceptional. Most impressive was the way the bike picked up and accelerated both on the flat and up small rises."
"The Boardman picks up better, climbs better, cruises better and corners better. It's a bike that clearly stands out in its price range."
Source: 220Triathlon.
ROAD PRO CARBON
Overall winner
"As an all-round package it is very hard to beat"
Bikes on test from £1.5k to £3k.
Source: Cycling Plus.
MTB PRO HT
Winner. Gold, Value & Editor's Choice medals
"The Pro walks away with the honours by a substantial margin."
"It offers fantastic value for money, there's not a single duff part in the specification and the work that has gone into making the frame perform as well as possible is clear."
Source: What Mountain Bike.
MTB PRO FS
Winner. Gold, Value & Editor's Choice medals
"BUY IF... You want the best value all-round trail bike on the market."
"The totally sorted handling, balanced suspension, low weight and unbelievable kit value of the Boardman just can't be ignored... For under £1300 you're getting a bike that can genuinely best most bikes under £2000 and take everything from racing to the toughest trail centres in its stride."
Source: What Mountain Bike.
Road Pro Carbon 09
Performance Bike of the Year 2009
"...a clear winner. The Boardman Pro Carbon is a lot of bike for your cash, and stands head and shoulders above the rest. Its sub-16lb weight is over 2lb lighter than anything else in the test, and when the difference is that marked, combined with a quality carbon frame, you've got a winning combination."
Source: Cycling Weekly.
Road Team Carbon 09
10/10
"Our winner, though, is the Boardman Team Carbon. This is one high class rig. Exceptionally light and incredibly quick, it performs like a bike costing hundreds of pounds more."
"We've no qualms in saying it sets a new standard for sub-£1000 road bikes."
Source: Cycling Plus.
MTB FS Comp 09
9/10, Gold, Value & Editor's Choice medals
"A stunning value bike that's light, agile and great fun to ride.
A new benchmark on the budget full suspension scene."
Source: What Mountain Bike.
Road Comp 08
Cycling Plus Best Budget Bike of the Year
"Rarely have we seen a bike this well specced for the money. With Shimano Tiagra gears, Ritchey wheels and finishing kit that make it feel lighter than its nearest competitors, it's a hard one to beat"
Source: Cycling Plus.
MTB Pro 08
10/10
£1000 Bike Test
“We literally did a double take when the Boardman first came out of the box; the spec was almost too good to be plausible! From the Reba Race fork through to the SRAM X-0 mech, they really don't seem to have stinted anywhere on this bike.”
“Up front, you notice immediately the chunky internal headset gracing both top and bottom races of the short head tube; a nice touch with gives a quality feel straight away. Nicely finished welds and a solid-feeling paint job seal the deal.”
“With high-end SRAM populating the groupset department, the shifting is nothing short of superb, with accuracy and power as soon as you hit the shifter.”
“Verdict: There really was very little not to like about the Boardman. From the excellent spec to the purposeful riding position, everyone who threw a leg over it instantly took a liking to it. The low weight made climbing a joy when combined with the racy position, and while technical riding was a bit more challenging than on a more relaxed frame, it was more than manageable. The best compliment it got was from a few riders who commented how pleased they would be if they had spent their £1,000 on this bike. And at the end of the day, that's what it's all about.”
Source: mbr
Road Comp 08
220Triathlon issue 222
Tested £600-£750 race bikes - WINNER
“With the stiff Truvativ Elita cranks and wide-stance CXP bottom bracket, the impressive Boardman Comp gets up to speed quickly and effectively. The Comp doesn't just look good - it feels good, too. Really good. In fact, considering its cost, it feels absolutely fantastic. Though it is the cheapest bike on test, it consistently delivered the most complete, coherent, fast and downright enjoyable ride whenever we took it out. ...Boardman are able to spec an excellent component collection where the devil really is in the detail.
The winner was clear from the start. While it's the cheapest bike here by at least £50 (£150 in two cases), Boardman's Comp consistently felt the liveliest and most enjoyable to ride, whatever the weather or however knackered we felt.
The stiff Truvativ chainset meant it outkicked the only lighter bike here every time we put the hammer down, and it left the much more expensive bikes feeling distinctly lardy every time the road went up.”
Boardman: 9/10
Overall verdict: Winner
Source: 220 Triathlon
Road Comp 08
Tested £500-£700 race bikes
“The Truvativ Elita two-piece compact chainset looks like it should be on a bike costing twice the price... Lightest on test, the Boardman Comp’s carbon-bladed forks showed no limitations. The combined weight of the Boardman’s tyres, cassette and Ritchey Comp wheels make them the lightest on test at 2,920g and they are the only wheels in this price group to use cartridge bearing hubs, which are generally better than traditional ball and cone bearings. The black spokes - 20 front and 24 rear - look good with their aerodynamic elliptical cross section, and remained perfectly true throughout testing.”
“In his prime, Chris Boardman was unbeatable on the short, sharp efforts of a hill climb and the Comp reflects that by being the lightest on test... at this price point the equipment level, wheels spec and low overall weight places it firmly in the best buy category... and sets a new benchmark.”
Frame: 8/10
Equipment: 10/10
Wheels: 9/10
Handling: 8/10
Boardman: 9/10
A best buy at £599
Source: Cycling Plus.
Road Comp 08
The Sunday Times InGear
Test Bench Road Bikes
“...this sensational value model designed by Chris Boardman, Olympic gold medallist... The Comp has a smart aluminium frame, carbon front forks and lightweight wheels. It is topped off with a comfy Velo saddle, reliable gears by Shimano and decent brakes. The Comp weighs a reasonable 19.7lb and handled extremely well in tests. Aficionados may prefer a longer handlebar stem and better wheels but given the impressive specs, modest weight and low price, it sets a new benchmark for entry-level bikes.”
5 Stars. A best-buy at £599.
Source: Sunday Times.
Road Pro 08
“It's immediately clear that you're riding an efficient, no-fuss speed machine. With its impressively low weight - it's lighter than many more expensive bikes we've tested - acceleration is crisp and immediate. The Boardman Pro should be on every kit-hunters' shortlist this year and its value-for-money appeal is absolutely phenomenal... probably one of the fastest around at this price.”
Source: 220 Triathlon