Post-COVID, mountain bike pricing has gone mental, to say the least, but there's a real resurgence of the budget-busting mountain bike with the Calibre Bossnut breaking back onto the market as well as the Voodoo Canzo providing everything any rider needs for less than £2k. Now, Boardman has joined the party with its updated MTR platform that's been significantly overhauled but importantly, prices start at £1,300. 

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And Boardman isn't messing around as for that £1,300 you get the full shebang. The entry-level MTR 8.6 boasts an SR Suntour XCR34 Boost fork and a RockShox Deluxe Select R shock. Shifting is provided by Microshift with the Advent X drivetrain and there's a set of Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. It rolls on proper rubber too with a Maxxis Rekon at the rear and a Forekaster.

Boardman MTR 8.6 2.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Of course, that all revolves around a 6061 butted alloy frame but compared to the MTR of old, it's a completely different bike that gets an all-new tube set with the aim of reducing weight without affecting the ride. It now runs 130mm of suspension travel at both ends and its geometry has been tweaked to be a little more aggressive. All sizes benefit from a 65.5-degree head angle and a 77.5-degree seat tube angle. The chainstay measures 440mm and a large frame gets a 480mm reach. 

The theme of 'modern' runs right through the frame as it's equipped with a Universal Derailleur Hanger and internal cable routing. But for ease of maintenance, there's a threaded bottom bracket. Boardman has even gone so far as to revise the suspension kinematic to make the bike pedal more efficiently.

Boardman MTR 9.0 2.jpg, by Liam Mercer

Boardman's new MTR range tops out at £2,400 and for that, you get a bike that's more than trail-ready. It gets a RockShox Pike Select fork paired with a Deluxe Ultimate shock. There's then a dropper seat post with 150mm of drop and Shimano's 12-speed SLX drivetrain, paired with matching brakes. 

However, we reckon that the real value is found on the £1,900 MTR 8.9 model that dons  RockShox Psylo fork, a Deluxe Select+ shock, Shimano Deore 12-speed shifting, a dropper post, and the same Maxxis tyres.

• www.boardmanbikes.com

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