Best Of British

Feeling patriotic and fit? We test three iron-distance ready bikes from UK brands to find the best flag-flying race machine

- Jamie Wilkins

If you’re looking for a super-fast long-distance racer and you have your heart set on buying British, then frankly, you have slim pickings. The frame building industry in the UK is thriving if you want a handmade steel bike for your Sunday best, but an aero carbon monocoque? Those are as rare as rocking horse poo. Even assembling this trio required some bending of the definition of a British bike.   Planet X has long been a pillar of the UK tri scene and it was where the company’s founder, Dave Loughran, cut his teeth in the industry. Value for money has always been central to Planet X and achieving it dictates that they look to Asia to source frames, wheels and components. That process is more advanced than simply buying blank frames and slapping on some decals; Planet X contributed to the design of this Exo3 and had the chance to wind tunnel and CFD test and approve prototypes but they don’t make it.

Boardman Bikes, meanwhile, is practically a British institution. Founded by Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman MBE, still British owned (by Halfords) and raced by many famous UK athletes (including the Brownlees until this season), Boardman is as British as afternoon tea. The bikes are designed and developed in the UK and this TTE, like the other aero models in the range, did time at the R J Mitchell wind tunnel. Yet the bikes still aren’t made in the UK because doing so is expensive. Like Planet X, Boardman sell direct to consumers with value as a key factor, so like 99% of the bike industry they outsource manufacturing to Asia.

INTRODUCING REAP