Boardman bikes need little introduction. The brainchild of ex-pro rider and world-record holder Chris Boardman MBE (surely he should be a ‘Sir’, by now?), the brand has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2007.
The SLR 8.6 sits at the bottom of Boardman’s extensive road-bike range, but it still sports a well-appointed, triple-butted aluminium frame and a full-carbon fork (both the blades and steerer are carbon, though the steerer is not tapered).
The Boardman SLR 8.6’s aluminium frame is semi-compact with a gently sloping top tube. It has dropped, keyhole-profile seatstays for rear-end comfort, front and rear mudguard fittings, as well as fittings for a rear rack. It’s also the same price as it was a couple of years ago without any reduction in component quality which, as supply issues and inflation take hold in the cycling world, is becoming increasingly rare.
VERDICT
The Boardman SLR 8.6 represents a fine entry into the world of road bikes. 4/5