Boardman CXR 9.4 (video)

The Boardman CXR 9.4 brings heaps of versatility and off-road capability as well as plenty of prowess on the racing circuit

Boardman CXR 9.4
The CXR has go anywhere versatility

Promotional feature with Boardman

The Boardman CXR 9.4 is Chris Boardman’s preferred ride, chosen for its go-anywhere versatility as much as its prowess on the cross circuit.

Boardman Bikes have always featured a broad spread of cyclocross models, with three in the Elite CXR range and the two CX bikes in the performance group. There’s also a frameset-only CXR option if you want to choose your own spec.

The CXR has go anywhere versatility

The range-topping Boardman CXR 9.4 is right on-trend, with disc brakes for assured stopping whatever the conditions, and thru-axle hubs to provide a rigid interface between the frame and wheels. Crucially for quick wheel changes, these are perfect for avoiding problems with disc rotor alignment.

Boardman CXR 9.4

Top grade C10 carbon fibre and a 1x setup

Internal cable routing is pretty much standard on modern bikes; on the Boardman it helps keep the cables out of the way when shouldering the bike and protects them from the typical muddy and wet conditions of cyclocross.

The frame is built from top-grade C10 carbon-fibre and comes with a SRAM Force 1 single-ring groupset with hydraulic brakes. You can opt for a double chainset if you prefer, but single-ring groupsets have taken the cyclocross world by storm in the last few years and we're big fans. They offer a broad gear range, while the combination of a clutched rear mech to maintain chain tension with deep wide/narrow teeth on the chainring, helps prevent chain loss and promote mud clearance.

Boardman CXR 8.4

Boardman's finishing kit

Boardman’s CXR Elite Five wheelset is tubeless ready and uses classic J-bend stainless spokes for ease of maintenance. Set your tyres up tubeless and you can run them at lower pressure, which improves grip in tricky conditions, while avoiding the risk of a pinch flat. The sealant will also help seal punctures when they occur.

Boardman CXR 9.4

Plenty of clearance for the sticky stuff

Available in five sizes from XS to XL, the CXR 9.4 is designed to suit riders from 1.67m to 2m in height. The CXR 9.4 is a pure race bike, but other bikes in the CXR range have mudguard and rack mounts, so there’s the versatility to use the CXR as more of an all-rounder or a winter trainer too.

Price            £2299.99

Frame            Boardman CXR, C10 carbon

Fork            Boardman CXR Disc, carbon

Size range            XS – XL

Weight            8.3kg/18.3lb

Groupset            SRAM Force 1

Gear ratios            38, 11-36

Wheels            Boardman CXR Elite Five Disc

Tyres            Vittoria Cross XM Pro

Brakes            SRAM Force hydraulic

Bar            Boardman Elite alloy

Stem            Boardman Elite carbon

Seatpost            Boardman Elite SLR carbon twenty

Saddle            Prologo Navo Evo 141

Distributor           www.boardmanbikes.com

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Paul Norman

Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.

He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.