Chris Boardman Air TT 9.4

By tejvan on August 2, 2012 in time trial

The Air time trial frame includes the following features:

Wind tunnel tested to gain maximum benefit from aerodynamics. Boardman bikes say it has undergone Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

In words of Chris Boardman:

“FEA, CFD, Pro Team testing and 20 years of experience have all been distilled in this totally performance-focused product. There isn’t a single square centimetre of the AiR/TT that doesn’t have a performance rationale behind it.”

Fairly big chainstays which help to maintain strenth and power transfer.

Wheels are own brand CBOardman Carbon tubulars. Tubs allow weight saving in the wheels of 200grams. Most people want to race on tubulars because of lower weight and better performance. The downside of tubulars is that when you puncture, generally it means buying a new tub – which can be expensive. Though for training rides, there’s no reason you can switch to clincher wheels.

Even seat tube clamp is aero.

Strong chainstay

Rear profile.

Full SRAM Red Groupset

Rear brakes taken out of the air flow. This is great for everyone except the bike mechanic. – Warning brakes are a lot more fiddly in this position.

Carbon Vision Bars with low profile

Front brakes hidden in fork

SRAM rear cassette. Internal routing cables.

Fizik saddle

Review of Chris Boardman Air TT 9.4

The time trial frameset is very good and excellent valu value. It is low weight, aerodynamic and has feeling of rigidity and strength – also important.

With brakes hidden from airflow, it joins a new generation of time trial bikes which have really sought to remove everything possible from wind. The straight lines may look unspectacular, though Boardman says they are straight because that is simply the fastest.

To ride it feels very good, it didn’t feel much difference to my Trek Equinox 9.9 SL.

You might arguably get greater ridigidy from some other framesets like Cervelo P5, but this is a really top level time trial frameset which offers a range of different options from entry level 9.0 to this version, 9.4 and beyond.

The 9.4 is very well equipped with SRAM Red. A discwheel will be quicker in most conditions. So it will be one upgrade to save up for later. But, this is a really high level entry bike level and excellent value. At £3,999 it’s well kitted out given the SRAM red is top of the range.

At 8.2Kg it is fairly competitive for a time trial bike. It will be good in hilly time trials, though still above UCI legal limit of 6.8Kg.