Boardman Bikes has revealed updates to its MTR range of full-suspension mountain bikes, including reduced suspension travel and a slacker head angle.
The brand says the new bikes sit in the downcountry section of the trail bikes category, with 130mm of rear-suspension travel – 15mm less than the previous MTR bikes.
This puts the new range in a similar travel and price bracket as Calibre’s new Bossnut, released last month.
The MTR has always represented good value for money and the same seems to be true of the latest model, with prices starting at £1,300 for a RockShox Deluxe Select equipped MTR 8.6 and topping out at £2,400 for the MTR 9.0.
All bikes are available now online at both Halfords and Tredz.
Redesigned frame
The new MTR frame looks less confused, with the front triangle featuring a simplified silhouette devoid of the cross member linking the top tube and seat tube on the previous bike.
All bikes in the range share the same 6061 Butted Alloy frameset and run on 29in wheels front and rear.
A Horst-link suspension system is still used at the rear, which is said to provide a progressive suspension curve.
Suspension travel has been reduced from 145mm to 130mm – an uncommon practice, with travel figures usually increasing with every iteration.
Boardman says this makes the bike an “ideal downcountry aggressive trail bike”.
The rear shock continues to be mounted under the top tube and there are bolts to mount a bottle cage on the down tube.
Cable routing is now an internal affair, entering the frame via ports at the top of the down tube.
The MTR appears to be upgrade-proof, with the new frame featuring 148mm Boost spacing and a Universal Derailleur Hanger – making it compatible with SRAM’s latest Transmission groupsets.
Longer and slacker
The new bikes are only available in three sizes: M, L and XL, so smaller riders may struggle to get onto the size chart.
There is a women's-specific model, which is offered in an S/M and M/L, although this is only for the MTR 8.8 spec.
Boardman has given the MTR a longer and slacker geometry. Reach measurements are now 5mm longer, at 480mm for a size L, and head tube angles are 0.5 degrees slacker at 65.5 degrees.
Boardman MTR spec and price details
Boardman MTR 8.6
- Fork: SunTour XCR34 Boost, 130mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select
- Drivetrain: Microshift ADVENT X 1x10
- Brakes: Tektro Hydraulic Disc Brakes
- Wheels: Boardman Trail Alloy
- Tyres: Maxxis Rekon (f), Maxxis Forekaster (r)
Boardman MTR 8.8
- Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL, 130mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
- Drivetrain: Shimano CUES 1x11
- Brakes: Shimano BR-MT200 Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels: Boardman Trail Alloy
- Tyres: Maxxis Rekon (f), Maxxis Forekaster (r)
Boardman MTR 8.8 Women's
- Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL, 130mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
- Drivetrain: Shimano CUES 1x11
- Brakes: Shimano BR-MT200 Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels: Boardman Trail Alloy
- Tyres: Maxxis Rekon (f), Maxxis Forekaster (r)
Boardman MTR 8.9
- Fork: RockShox Psylo Gold RC, 130mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 1x12
- Brakes: Shimano 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels: Boardman Trail Alloy
- Tyres: Maxxis Rekon (f), Maxxis Dissector (r)
Boardman MTR 9.0
- Fork: RockShox Pike Select, 130mm
- Shock: RockShox Deluxe Ultimate
- Drivetrain: Shimano SLX 1x12
- Brakes: Shimano SLX Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels: WTB STi30
- Tyres: Maxxis Rekon (f), Maxxis Dissector (r)
