When releasing its new urban range in 2017, Boardman set out to offer cyclists something to take on the unique challenges of city life without riding a bike that – in the company’s words – “looks and feels like a battleship”.
A simple glance at the Boardman URB 8.9 and there’s little doubt that brief – at least in terms of looks – has been filled, its striking frame, carbon fork, deep-rimmed wheels, belt drive system and internally geared hub all more fighter jet than battleship. It looks like a bike of the future, even five years on from its release, and its specs alone pit it against the best budget hybrid bikes on the market today.
The drivetrain, being a belt drive and hub gear setup, is a low-maintenance, low-mess, fuss-free alternative and while such hubs are not new to city bikes – Ridgeback have been making them for years, for example – belt drives are far less common. More likely to be seen on electric bikes, when they are found on mechanical examples they are single speeds such as the Priority Ace (opens in new tab) or more performance-oriented rides such as the Cannondale Bad Boy 1 and BMC Alpenchallenge 01 which both cost more than twice the URB 8.9’s £875 /$1022 retail price.
Available to buy in Halfords – a retailer best known in the UK as a car parts specialist – Boardman bikes may be viewed by some as akin to a ‘supermarket bike’ option, but they in fact have an impeccable pedigree. The company was formed in 2007 by Olympic gold medallist and Tour de France Yellow Jersey wearer Chris Boardman and – informed by his time as R&D director at British Cycling – has produced bikes that have been ridden to Olympic gold and Ironman World Championships. Boardman was acquired by Halfords in 2014 and as a result of that relationship its bikes – which include performance road, mountain and gravel models as well as the leisure & commuting range the URB 8.9 sits in – are often considered excellent value for money.
Design and specification
The Gates Carbon Belt Drive is the headline act here. Instead of a traditional chain with chainrings and cassette, the belt attaches to single sprockets at front and rear. An eight-speed Shimano Nexus internal hub on the rear wheel gives the gearing options, which Boardman claims makes the bike “almost maintenance free”. Unlike a chain, the belt requires no lubrication, can be cleaned…
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