Boardman Road Team Carbon 2012 Review
The original Team Carbon was seen as a bit of a bargain. It was a quality made bike, offering a great ride and a carbon frame, all for under £1,000. 2012 has seen the Team Carbon have a bit of a makeover though and the bike is all the better for it.
Boardman have upped the price to £1,299.99 but it is obvious to see where the extra money has been spent. The 2012 Road Team Carbon features a full Shimano 105 groupset, new Mavic Aksiums wheels and a Fizik Arione saddle. The bike also features a tapered steerer arrangement (from 1-1/8 to 1-1/4in), a BB30 bottom bracket and parallel 73 degree angles and 105cm wheelbase that offer great stability.
Boardman have done a great job with the Team Carbonʼs speed too. As soon as you start pumping the pedals you can feel the bike start to gain momentum. The 50/34-tooth FSA Gossamer Pro chainset also provides excellent options for even the most lung-busting of hill climbs.
The 2012 Road Team Carbon is a real all-rounder. It may not be the most responsive bike out there but it does just about everything else with aplomb. Rough roads are not a problem for the bikeʼs excellent chassis and forks and you can build up some real speed on smoother road surfaces.
For under £1,500 you are unlikely to find a better option than the 2012 Team Carbon. Boardman have done an excellent job on building almost the perfect all-rounder. They may have had to push up the price to accommodate all the new gear but as soon as you jump on the 2012 Team Carbon you will realise that it was worth every penny.
Boardman Team Carbon
Rating by Adam Samuel: stars ££
Written by: Quatos