Boardman Mountain Bike Review

Chris Boardman mountain bike review. 1992 Olympic games pursuit gold medallist Chris Boardman, broke the Tour de France prologue speed record in 1994, has held the world hour record, at the time he broke the ultimate distance hour record in the ‘superman’ position and then went on in 2000 to achieve the then new Athletes’ record for the hour at the Manchester track, athletes’ hour pretty much means using a bicycle like Eddy Merckx did in 1972. In real terms he was the first since Merckx’s 49.431 km (30.715 mi) that stood for 12 years until Francesco Moser broke it on a low profile bike with a weighted rear wheel that give a flywheel effect.

It can be said Francesco Moser took track cycling to another level until Boardman and the ‘Flying Scotsman’ Graeme Obree arrived!!! Mind you we must say that Graeme Obree changed the whole way of positioning on a bike, firstly with his tuck position once that was banned he weent the opposite and created the superman position - good on you Greame...

Now, you can obviously notice some photos of the mountain bike are actually published on this Hub, while reading my young cycling years you will also understand just how much I love cycling.

My Boardman ‘Sport’ mountain bike. Without breaking the bank this I purchased from Halfords through the governments cycle2work scheme that, I was the first to do this through my employers! ask your bosses to get you a decent bike through work, yes you must pay for it but it saves on tax, a little like companies do with company cars!!! Oh, and it can help try get you fit…

Now, your viewing the photos reading this and wondering “C’mon then tell us about your bike rides and review it” The truth is, I have only been on a few short journeys way back in the middle of last year and then I started with my annoying illness. Telling you about it is something very good, it is the nicest mountain bike I have ever had the pleasure of riding.

Boardman bikes for 2011 decided to help sponsor a good team - the Pro Continental, United Healthcare Pro Cycling team with the aim of bigger events and of course Boardman bikes breaking into the massive US and Canadian markets.

First impressions I got when looking for a decent mountain bike, well when I visited the shop out of a huge range of mountain bikes the Boardman jumped out at me straight away, no real viewing of other bikes, this was the one. Now for my impressions when riding.

Drive system is the Truvativ FiveD 22 32 44 toothed chainwheel set, with the Sram X5 shifting system is a perfect match; beautifully ease of changing gear, even when out of the saddle up those steep inclines. The inside of the chainwheels have hooks which grab the chain when you decide upon a gear change, the ease is fantastic.

So many mountain bikes are available, whatever decision you make when purchasing a mountain bike have a good long thought on how much time you moght spend on the road and dirt tracks as opposed to solely off road. Knobbly tyres will waste energy and wear very quickly used on the road.

The 11 – 32 tooth Sram cassette I altered into a closer ratio of 11 12 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 this I did because I plan on using the mountain bike on the road, I did not like to have big changing’s in cadence when shifting gears. The ease is magnificent here.

Although this is a Boardman mountain bike review you must not forget about clothing for cycling, like hiking layers are the best, base layer, mid layering and outer jacket - all available light and not bulky.  I prefer a brighter outer layer, be seen.

Tektro Avriga comp twin piston disc braking system is very keen; it took me a little while to understand I only need apply gentle squeezing on the brake leavers! This system required a little adjustment as the disc rubbed very slightly.

Talking of clothing and the importance of upper body layering, the most important part of the shorts are the inserts.  Well padded and comfortable is what you need to be looking for, the last thing you want when out on a ride is to be quite away still from home when you start with saddle soreness!

Bars, stem and seat post are Ritchey and feel very solid, nice in matt black.

Original alloy platform pedals were changed for Shimano SPDs, keeping my feet secure on the pedals is something that everyone who starts cycling should learn to cope with, don’t worry, once you have learnt these type of pedals your feet do release very easy in emergencies!!!

Forks are RockShox Dart 3, 100mm adjustable travel with option to lockout the suspension. Locking out is important on the road, don’t waste that vital energy bouncing on the forks!

Wheels are Ritchey DiscO CR, on those I have fit Continental Travel Contact tyres, these tyres have a good central contact for a road surface, but also have knobbly grips down either side for when drifting into the off road scene.

The computer is a Cateye micro wireless, plenty of functions and channels learn it!

Computers now dont just function showing your speed and distance, Gprs systems are getting much more compact, altimeter, cadence, cycle movement time - trip distance.  Thing is, technology is moving at such a great pace that a cycle computer one day really will be a computer!

This bike is a very comfortable ride once set up correctly.  I have two led rear lights, and two led front lights, all have flashing function available, for me being lit up like a Christmas tree is important, do ensure drivers can see you whether it day light or night darkness.  ALWAYS wear a helmet, I don’t think any law should be passed to make it illegal not wearing a helmet but I always wear them.

Boardman mountain bikes are superb and great value, I should hope sales in the US and Canada should be very worthy. 

On another hub I write about Uveitis, or rather my Bilateral uveitis. Sunglasses are a big part of my everyday life now. Cycling sunglasses are very light, look good and very effective, most also come with interchangable lenses to even suite a cloudy day. Make sure they are also apart of your cycling enjoyment.