Liv Avail AR 3 vs Boardman SLR 8.9 Disc
Both are endurance bikes at a similar price. Here is what actually separates them.
The short answer
These two score within 1 point of each other for a typical all-round rider, so there is no single winner — the right one depends entirely on which of the differences below you care about.
What actually separates them
- Price
- The Liv Avail AR 3 is £1 cheaper — £1,099 against £1,100.
- Weight
- The Boardman SLR 8.9 Disc is 0.4kg lighter, which you notice on long climbs more than anywhere else.
- Tyre clearance
- The Liv Avail AR 3 takes 38mm tyres against 32mm — the single most common thing buyers wish they had more of.
- Mudguards
- Only the Boardman SLR 8.9 Disc takes mudguards, which decides whether it can be your winter bike.
Side by side
| Spec | Avail AR 3 | SLR 8.9 Disc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,099 | £1,100 |
| Weight | 10.6 kg | 10.2 kg |
| Frame | alloy | alloy |
| Groupset | Shimano CUES U3030 2x9 mechanical | Shimano 105 R7000 mechanical |
| Stack / reach | 1.52 | 1.54 |
| Tyre clearance | 38 mm | 32 mm |
| Lowest gear | 26 in | 27 in |
| Mudguard mounts | No | Yes |
| Comfort | 67 | 52 |
| Speed | 26 | 36 |
| Climbing | 42 | 44 |
| Value | 54 | 62 |
Neither might be the right answer
This page assumes an average rider. Tell us how you actually ride and we will rank these two against everything else at the price.
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