Ed Clancy and Rob Hayles pose with their team issue Boardman
The newly enlarged Halfords Bikehut 2009 squad was out in force at last weekend’s season-opening Eddie Soens, won by Olympic champion Ed Clancy. The race gave us the chance to scope the Boardman race bike the team’ll be campaigning this season.
Rob Hayles appeared to be riding an off-the-shelf Boardman Pro, which sells for £1499.99, but with a few subtle upgrades. The stock bike’s near-complete SRAM Force groupset was interrupted with an upgrade to SRAM RED shifters and customised white Zipp 404 wheels.
Both the Pro and the £2999.99 Pro/Race Prepared use the same carbon fibre frame and fork on which Nicole Cooke rode to victory in the 2008 Beijing Olympics road race. The unidirectional high modulus carbon fibre frame gets a 1.5” lower bearing race in the headset and the shifter cables route through holes in the sides of the large head tube for a more direct path.
Hayles’ bike was fitted with Ritchey seatpost, stem and handlebars, and he sits upon a white Fizik Arione saddle which matches nicely with the white hoods, white seat post collar and white Zipps. Hayles chooses to ride on Speedplay pedals, and brakes here are Tektro Ultralight R740 calipers.
Rob Hayles, who was crowned National Road Champion while riding for the team last year, said: “I’m thrilled to be part of the team again this year. We had a great season last year with just me and Tom [Southam], so now we have a full men’s road team we are on for a good 2009 season!”
