Home > Feature Stories

2014 Boardman Elite Series – Overview and Actual Weights

8 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0759

Over the past couple years, Boardman bikes have been growing their presence in the US from a relative unknown. Started by the World time Trial Champion, TDF stage winner, and Olympian Chris Boardman, the brand has been expanding and improving their line through heavy use of CFD and FEA analysis to ensure that when the bikes finally make to to the wind tunnel, it’s more of a validation of the design rather than a test. With the introduction of the new Elite Series for 2014, there was a large emphasis on improving aerodynamics with the rider on the bike. When it came to designing and testing the aerodynamics of the new Air/TTE, the bike itself when compared with the previous model was about 20% faster in the wind tunnel – no small feat. However, as soon as the bikes were tested with a rider, the net benefit dropped to 4%. Still an impressive gain, but not nearly the 20% faster that would make for some great marketing.

Boardman seems to take that approach to nearly everything they do, sweating the details because after all, one of Boardman’s nicknames was the Professor.  The Elite series promises to be faster, lighter, and more comfortable whether you’re riding road, tri, or even cross. Check out the actual weights and more after the break.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0747 copy

The AiR Series is Boardman’s aero road frame complete with integrated brake sin the fork, a chainstay mounted rear brake, an aero seatpost, and internal cables to hide from the wind. Boardman bikes for 2014 all have slightly taller head tubes with 10mm more on the road side like the Air 9.8 here and 15mm on the tri bikes. With the exception of the fork on the AiR 9.8, all of the Boardman Elite series frames offer the same level of build in for each bike, so the AiR 9.0 uses the same frame as the Air 9.4 and so on.

As the high end, $11,000 AiR 9.8 Di2, this large came in at 15.76lbs (7.14kg).

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0757

The AiR 9.4 Di2 was also on hand which uses an Ultegra Di2 drivetrain and Boardman’s own carbon wheels to a more reasonable $5,800.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0745 copy

The lower spec results in a still respectable 17.31lb (7.85kg) weight for a 54cm frame.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0763

The AiR 9.2 retails for $3,800 with a mechanical Ultegra group and Mavic wheels.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0755 copy

The 9.2 weighs 17.42lbs (7.9kg).

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0758

Even though the top end light weight SLR wasn’t ready to be weighed, it’s more comfort oriented endurance racer cousin the SLS was. Built with a taller head tube, massive chainstays (that extend all the way to the dropout for stiffness), and slender curved seatstays for comfort, the SLS is made to be a fast but confidence inspiring bike.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0743 copy

The $5,800 SRAM Red equipped 9.8 in a large came in at 14.81lbs (6.72kg).

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0760

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0753 copy

The $4,600 Di2 9.4 was 16.64lb (7.54kg).

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0761

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0741 copy

And the $2,800 Shimano 105 equipped 9.0 was a bit heavier at 17.37lbs (7.88kg).

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0756

Off road more your thing? Then the CXR will be more interesting with 3 disc equipped cross bikes that are full fender and rear rack compatible. Boardman calls the geometry somewhere between a full CX race bike and a road bike, offering more of a do it all type of ride.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0749 copy Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0751 copy

Both the $3,600 9.2 and the $5,500 9.4 came in at the same weight – 20.26 pounds ( 9.19kg), and the 9.2 even had 700x28c slicks meaning this weight is a little light. Why the difference? While you’re paying more for the improved performance of the Shimano Ultegra Di2 system with the new hydraulic disc brakes, the system weighs about the same as SRAM force and BB7 SL brakes.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0762

The AiR TTE marks a huge leap forward in design compared to the AiR TT below which was the bike Pete Jacobs rode to victory at the 201 Kona Iron Man World Championships. The AiR TTE is up there with the other modern super bikes with hidden brakes, a super clean cockpit, and a carefully crafted aero package with tube shapes optimized to winds at 20 degrees yaw. According to Boardman’s measurements, the average wind speed encountered on a ride is about 9 mph, while the average yaw is about 20-25 degrees. They mentioned that they have been optimizing tube shapes to 20 degrees yaw since 2007.

Because they’re really looking at how the rider impacts the aerodynamics of the frame, Boardman prefers to use a live rider to test out their bikes in the wind tunnel and use the same rider across the board.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0737 copy

The TTE 9.8 Di2 will set you back a hefty $13,000 and comes in at 17.59lbs (7.98kg).

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0764

The Air TT gets an upgraded frame and fork, including aero brakes tucked inside the fork legs. Boardman is proud of the fact that the AiR TT 9.0 frame and fork has tested faster than the Ironman Winning bike of Jacobs, and it can be had for only $3,000 for a complete bike.

Boardman Bikes 2014 Elite Series Actual Weights20140129_0739 copy

The $5,500 Di2 AiR TT 9.4 weighs 19.55lbs ( 8.87kg) with non aero wheels.

If you’re looking for more details on each model, check out our original coverage of the Elite series, or head over to Boardman’s website.

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

8 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
M.A.
M.A.
10 years ago

I’ve always liked Boardman bikes… and it seems they are getting closer to coming to the states? (I just saw Competitive is selling them now). Yeah, you can order through Wiggle and ship… The only thing are the prices.

Mike
Mike
10 years ago

@M.A., actually Boardman have been available in the states since last year through a select number of shops, check the Boardman website for a list of retailers. Cheers.

William
William
10 years ago

White Paper?

It would be cool to see/know the aero drag numbers at various yaw angles so I could do some math with BestBikeSplit.com

Interested in both the TT frame and the road bike. Thanks!

erock
erock
10 years ago

The rider and bike pair is certainly important and it’s good that Boardman is testing the rider and not just the bike. But, each and every rider is going to have a different position so I find this type of testing great marketing value but of little real-world importance.

thesteve4761
thesteve4761
10 years ago

They look pretty. Sure hope the QC and ride quality is better than the first generation of “Elite” bikes.

John M.
John M.
10 years ago

BTW, wind tunnels are tools just like CFD is a tool used to help engineers design products. And as such, wind tunnels don’t validate the computer results found using CFD. This is because the air flow around the bike/rider and spinning wheels is so complex, that CFD at best is good for finding trends in aero performance and not in finding actual drag numbers. If the engineer tweaks the turbulence models used in CFD to match the drag numbers found in the wind tunnel, they would then find the localized air flow around the actual rider wouldn’t match the results found using CFD. In Formula 1, Simtek founder Nick Wirth tried designing the 2009/2010 Virgin cars with CFD only and without using a wind tunnel. Unsurprisingly, the car failed miserably earning zero points throughout the season. I think bicycle companies are all too happy using CFD or wind tunnel designed in their marketing as though it somehow validates them as a serious aero bike manufacturer.

Dougal
Dougal
9 years ago

I dont understand why the cross bikes are so heavy compared to the SLS. 3 pounds heavier for a similar build. Does it just have heavy wheels or is the frame a lot heavier. Competitors disk brake Ultegra equiped bikes rocking the scales at around 17 pounds.

vasile
vasile
7 years ago

thanks for reviewing these nice bikes. any idea if a 30c tyre will fit the sls ?

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.