The latest hardtails from Boardman
MTB Pro 29er
Just like its popular predecessor, this £999 range-topper is based on a 29er platform but now sports a longer, 120mm fork, namely an RLT spec Rockshox Reba. There’s a 1×11 SRAM GX transmission and SRAM’s Guide four-piston brakes even make an appearance. The Pro rolls on a Mavic XM319 wheelset and gets Mountain King tyres rather than the X-King models found on the lower spec bikes.
MTB Team 29er
For £150 less there’s the Team 29er, which on the whole is a very similar bike to the Pro – though a few inevitable compromises have been made to achieve this price point. The frame is made of Boardman’s X7 alloy, rather than the lighter X9 variant found in the Pro model, and it gets a regular quick-release rather than a thru-axle rear end. Up front there’s a RockShox Recon Solo Air fork, and you’ll still find 1×11 SRAM GX gearing, though the crankset has been swapped out for an FSA item.
MTB Comp 27.5
This is now the cheapest way to get your leg over a Boardman hardtail, and unlike the other two bikes, this one’s 650b – maybe that’s what the budget calls for or maybe it’s the fact riders are still so divided on 29ers, we aren’t quite sure. Anyway, as Boardman told us, this is quite simply the lowest price point that the company could get to and still fit a fork that it deems sufficient quality – the air sprung Suntour Raidon. There are still hydraulic discs, but here they’re Avid’s most affordable DB1 hydraulic discs.
The 2×10 SRAM gearing is nothing exciting but should provide ample range. The Comp also gets an own-brand wheelset and Continental X-King tyres. This model features a 70mm stem and 720mm (S) or 740mm (M/L) handlebar as standard.
