Boardman Pro Carbon review
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

The Boardman Pro Carbon is a lot of bike for your cash, and stands head and shoulders above the rest. It’s the lightest by a mile, thanks in part to its top-end spec, and we struggled to find much to complain about with its performance. If we were to nit-pick then it could do with a smidgin more comfort. The 170mm crank issue was a quick fix, so not a real problem.
-
+
Lightest on test at just under 16lb
-
+
SRAM Force groupset
-
+
Ritchey WCS finishing kit
-
+
Stiff and fast-riding
-
-
170mm cranks are a strange choice
Why you can trust Cycling Weekly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Boardman Pro Carbon at a whisker under 16lb is the lightest on test by a long chalk.
With its T800 unidirectional carbon monocoque it was no surprise that the Boardman had a 'racy' feel. Its handling was likened by more than one rider to Scott’s CR1, which is certainly a compliment given the success of the CR1, which was a benchmark carbon frame.
The Boardman Pro Carbon gets top marks when it comes to the ups. Its sub-16lb weight is over 2lb lighter than anything else in the test, and when the difference is that marked, combined with a quality carbon frame, you’ve got a winning combination. Like the Wilier, the Boardman frame is a monocoque construction and it’s difficult to separate their climbing prowess. They’re both stiff, light and responsive, but the Ritchey WCS wheels on the Boardman are top notch and give it a competitive edge.
Boardman bikes: the range explained
The Boardman was more of a handful once you were going full flight. Both it and the Wilier picked up speed well, and it was becoming apparent that these two bikes’ frames shared a number of similar traits, except the Boardman’s combination of low weight, stiff wheels and stiff frame gave it a tendency to skip around if you weren’t careful.
The equipment on all four bikes isl pretty good stuff, but what stood out was the big gap between the kit on the Wilier Mortirolo Mirage and that on the Boardman Pro Carbon. OK, so the Wilier is a couple of hundred pounds cheaper, but even so. Its Campagnolo Mirage spec, while a solid choice, is somewhat belittled by the SRAM Force and Ritchey WCS kit on the Boardman. The only small spec-related gripe was the 170mm Truvativ GXP carbon cranks that we felt were too small for the bike. Nice kit’s one thing, but it’s no good if it doesn’t fit the rider.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Analysis: How Mathieu van der Poel won Milan-San Remo
After another exhilarating finish to Milan-San Remo, it’s time to look back at the day and the key tactical moments that defined it
By CyclingMole aka David Hunter • Published
-
Saved by a doping test: The pro rider treated for cancer after abnormal blood result
When his team doctor called about an abnormal test result, Torstein Træen could not believe what was happening – but it would turn out to be a potentially life-saving red flag
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
'No regrets' for Tadej Pogačar after falling short of Milan-San Remo podium
UAE Team Emirates rider says the best man won on the Via Roma
By Tom Davidson • Published