Frame Upgrade? Boardman 9.8

[TheLemming]

I currently run a Boardman Pro Carbon 2010 as my summer bike.

I Love it.

I'm getting tempted however by a Boardman Elite 9.8 frame, last year's model - either an SLR or the Air.
Both of which are available lightly used for a third of the new price.

Decision time soon, would I actually feel the upgrade?

I cant seem to find a frame weight for the current bike so a direct comparison is difficult, but has anyone tried the 9.8s and is able to provide a bit of feedback?

[TheLemming]

Managed to find some weights for the Pro-C frame.

1111g for the frame, 355g for the fork

[TheLemming]

pablo said:

I think weight is irrelevant to be honest, the SLR or AIR are probably 100gs or so lighter than your current frame but the real difference will be in how the frameset performs, power transfer, rigidity and the perrenial favourite "lateral stiffness", the fork should be stiffer too which will really be noticeable when you turn in fast corners.

How does the geo compare? I'd assume the AIR/SLR is something like 73.25 deg headtube angle and a shorter headtube comapred to the Pro Carbon?

Weight wise there's probably 200g in it for the SLR and nothing for the air - although not having ridden an aero frame I can't quantify the frame benefit.

Geo wise its as you suggest, I'd be slightly more stretched out that my current setup, not by a lot.

I'd be running a SRAM red / force mix and dura ace 7850 deep section clinchers.

[TheLemming]

So the question is SLR or Air?

Some of the United Healthcare riders used to prefer to race on the SLR apparently, and there's a sensibly priced SLR frame in my size for sale at the moment...

Alternately keep my eyes peeled for the Air 9.8.

[TheLemming]

Currently looking at an Air 9.4 (last years model).

Lightly used, right size, looks mint, Dura ace, factory tubulars, bars changed (to the ones I'd have picked anyway) and a rotor crank. The price is right.

I'm torn, it just doesn't on paper look like that much of an upgrade over my 2010 pro carbon running a force / red mix and DA 7850 wheels.

Same weight 7.2kg, the only real upgrade is the Aero frame and seatpost.

Need to make a decision pretty promptly.

[TheLemming]

BMWBen said:

I'll sell you my AiR frame if you like:
http://twitpic.com/e8keea

Joking aside, I'd buy another one, and I'm hoping that the bike shop are able to source a replacement. Looks awesome, just the right amount of stiffness, rides really nice. And at a great price.

Damn I looked at the pic before reading the rest of the post...

How did you do that?!

[TheLemming]

BMWBen said:

Went down quite hard but I think the damage was done in the ensuing pile up (racing).

Ouch... also ouch and ouch

[TheLemming]

Twistygit said:

Just wondering if there is any difference in the frames on the cheap carbons the £999, £1200 and £1600? So if I bought the cheap one and if I liked I could upgrade stuff as it wore out

To the best of my knowledge (and a quick check of the Boardman website to see if they listed anything I wasn't aware of) the frame on the Team Carbon, Pro Carbon and Pro Carbon SLR is identical.

There are no cosmetic differences and they quote the same T-700 UD carbon construction.

Sound like a plan

[TheLemming]

There may be other differences that aren't immediately apparent.... But all the reviews indicate they are well worth upgrading.

Personally I'd say get the SLR with ultegra 11 speed, its worth the price difference

[TheLemming]

Its an enthusiastically positive review if nothing else

[TheLemming]

And now theres a complete 9.8 for sale in my size... likely to be twice the price of a 9.4 though