Is This The Best Value Road Bike in 2025?

In my weekly roundup of quite interesting bike tech news, a first look at Boardman's new SLR which might just be the best value road bike of 2025. Plus new things from SRAM, Canyon, BMC and Elves that caught my eye recently

Content
00:00 Boardman SLR
2:51 SRAM real-time tyre pressure sensor
5:46 Custom Canyon
8:08 BMC Teammachine SLR updated
9:43 Leaked Elves aero bike

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[hen]

My first thought when seeing the email about this was "Halfords are bringing the fight to Decathlon!"

[neil]

I think it's brilliant to see a race bike that can be fitted with full mudguards, why on earth is this not standard now that everyone is providing clearance for ridiculously wide tyres anyway? That said, for years I had a winter bike with full mudguards, but actually the SKS Raceblade Long are almost as good and can be fitted to any bike (rim brake at least).

[baarujoseph]

Gone are the days where 999 used to be a crazy good price

[ClaudioBernasconi]

Cannot wait for a review of the 2025 Cube Agree C:62 Pro.

[bobbafett]

You should have test wheels. Same wheel for all these frames you ride. That would be a better base line.

[burndownthediscos]

David I’ve got a 2023 Teammachine SLR. I still can’t find another bike that I enjoy the handling of as much. Especially downhill.
I Found out via BMC customer service that fitting the ICS integrated bars was going to involve new steerer. Ended up getting Bontrager RSL carbon stem and bars for semi integrated. Love it.
Next part of plan is to cyclescheme the Boardman SLR 9.8 which works out about £4K. That’s cheaper than I can get the groupset and wheels by themselves in the uk! Then put the red Axs and Zipp wheels on the Teammachine and transfer its force Axs and sr Swiss wheels to the Boardman for a winter/commuter bike.

[cuebj]

Mentioned it to my wife... she said get it, as we turn 70 in a few weeks and it would be the last such purchase. It does look perfect, just what I've been looking for to replace my Cannondale System6 from 2007 and Specialized Roubaix from 2018, both Ultegra cable operated, both purchased a year after release at about £1, 700 instead of £3, 500. Mudguards - just what I want for group rides and take off for fun on my own. I had Raceblades and they were OK, suspect they are better than nearly 20 years ago.
Edit. Slap wrist. Must have a new and thorough fit before buying a bike to make that last purchase as spot on as possible. That can be my 70th birthday present.
Edit. The 105 version with a second set of better wheels looks ideal for me (if a fit says so). And, if fit confirms I should use shorter cranks, I'd want to go that way

[judosteffer]

Crikey wasn't that long ago you could get a Planet X Pro Carbon with SRAM red for £1200. How on earth can they now be £8000?

[barryford]

What’s the difference between the c10 frame & the c7 frame? I’m thinking of buying the bike with normal 105 bike as a winter bike & not really interested in di2 on a winter bike.

[DanielFrench]

I run tyrewiz 2.0 and can confirm it’s epic to see your tyre pressure on the head unit. If you feel a twitch on the bike, you can instantaneously see if it’s not (or is) a puncture and can ride on accordingly. Well worth it.

[GingerBoy]

My friend has just bought one but it hasnt been sent with a the mudguard bracket for rear seat stays. Tredz are saying it doesnt come with the bracket so he's at stale mate? On the supposed 'dedicated kinesis mudguards' does the stays bracket come with mudguards (or should it come with the bike?). I also cant see any dedicated boarman mudguards on kinesis website? Any help appreciated.

[stuartburton]

Seems a great idea for the UK -I personally don't have space for a winter bike - I have Giant Roam for off road and a road bike for AYR use - prefer fixed mudguards over clip ons - This could be my first aero bike if its any good?

[ChrisMillerCycling]

Is that an invite Dave? Count me in for the Arthur Cotswolds Training Camp

[steveco]

Any concerns about PF30 bottom bracket issues these days? Are creaking problems and rattling internal cables still issues with bikes?

[edwardklein]

Curious what a Polygon S8X goes for shipped to the UK, if that's even possible. Doesn't hit every check box that your Boardman does, but it does offer full carbon frame and wheels with Ultrega Di2 as well.

[deanf]

Why do you need real time tyre pressure sensor's? I know almost instantly if I have a puncture by feel. Do people need to be spoon fed everything in life. More tech to go wrong and making a simple pleasure more expensive. Just ride your bikes.

[thsaintful]

i had hoped Canyon followed Propain's example, where you can choose the full drivetrain, wheels, tires, sadles, etc etc. from many options. Canyon's options are just too limited

[blakerichardson]

I didn’t even know boardman still made bikes

[Elves_Bikes_UK]

We would welcome a review from you on the new Falath Exp David.

[Ben-nisp]

Would you consider the SLR as relaxed geometry? i.e. suitable for endurance / for casual non racers?