Twenty years of Boardman engineering: How the brand continues to evolve at Halfords

It’s twenty years since Chris Boardman founded Boardman Bikes. His emphasis on affordable performance machines, along with the continuous development of its range continues to offer British cyclists an entry into road cycling as well as a range of high performance bikes. Here’s how Chris Boardman’s elite-level racing legacy continues to shape the brand.

TL:DR

Chris Boardman had an outstanding career as an amateur, Olympic gold medal winner, hour record holder and professional cyclist. He went on to lead British Cycling’s technical development team and pioneered the marginal gains approach.

The Boardman SLR Carbon bike range continues to develop, now offering aerodynamic tube profiles, disc brakes and integration as well as a modern design that allows riders to fit wider tyres. In stocking Boardman bikes, clothing and accessories, Halfords offers UK riders a choice of quality cycling gear.

Olympic heritage

Chris Boardman had a glittering career as a junior, an amateur and once he turned professional in 1993. He won the 4km pursuit gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games on the groundbreaking Lotus 108 bicycle.

As a professional, Boardman won three stages of the Tour de France and was the hour record holder on three occasions, as well as world time trial champion.

Chris Boardman's engineering philosophy

Recognising the winning edge that it could provide, Chris Boardman was exacting when it came to his equipment when he was racing. He was always interested in how the technology he used could help him achieve his goals, whether that was bikes such as the Lotus 108 or other equipment such as wheels and helmets.

After he retired from racing, Boardman held the position of Head of Research and Development for the Great Britain Cycling Team, leading the development of its race-winning equipment and coaching methods. He was one of the originators of the marginal gains approach now commonplace in elite sport and encouraged out-of-the-box thinking that delivered a crop of Olympic and world records.

Frame development

Boardman Bikes’ road bike frames have been at the forefront of road bike development. Boardman began to incorporate aerodynamic features in its carbon frames over a decade ago and has fine-tuned its frames since then, so that they offer a mix of cutting-edge features and a ride quality that’s repeatedly praised in the cycling press.

It continues to refine its carbon technology, with the C10 carbon used in the Boardman SLR frameset the culmination of years of carbon bike frame development and offering strength and low weight.

Component evolution

Recognising their superior braking performance, Boardman Bikes has now largely swapped to disc brakes across its entire bike range. This has allowed it to provide increased frame clearance, fit wider tyres and improve braking performance.

Many Boardman road bikes are equipped with the latest 12-speed groupsets and higher spec bikes employ electronic shifting. This offers precise, rapid gear changes, with the opportunity to configure shift patterns and button usage to suit your preferences.

Today's SLR platform

The culmination of Boardman Cycles’ development, the Boardman SLR is a lightweight bicycle frame built with a mix of carbon fibre unique to Boardman. It incorporates all the modern trends in bicycle design, including aerodynamic tube profiles, clearance for 36mm tyres and integrated cables and is compatible with both mechanical and electronic groupsets.

It’s designed for disc brakes only and offered by Boardman with a full range of groupset and spec options, including the Boardman SLR 9.8 Carbon, equipped with a top spec SRAM Red AXS groupset and Zipp wheels and mudguard-compatible.

How Halfords has helped bring performance cycling to a broader enthusiast audience

By stocking Boardman bikes, Halfords offers UK cyclists the opportunity to see and buy award-winning bikes country-wide via its network of over 350 stores and its website. It offers expert advice in-store as well as the range of servicing options allowing riders to keep their bikes in tip-top condition.

In addition, Halfords offers a wide range of clothing, components and accessories from both Boardman and other leading brands, allowing cycling enthusiasts to equip themselves for maximum cycling enjoyment.

FAQs

What is Boardman known for?

Boardman Bikes is renowned for offering quality bikes that are great value, across the road, MTB and urban categories. Its bikes are designed to provide a quality, affordable option for riders.

How has Boardman road bike technology evolved?

Boardman has kept abreast of the changes in bike technology, with the majority of its road bikes now equipped with disc brakes and wider tyres and its road bikes aerodynamically optimised.

Why does Halfords stock Boardman road bikes?

Halfords recognises the quality of Boardman Bikes’ engineering and the value for money the brand offers. Boardman Bikes allows Halfords to make quality bikes available to a wider range of cyclists and support the UK’s cycling enthusiasts.