Devil’s Staircase: Testing the Boardman SLR 9.8 Road Bike on Wales’ toughest climb
Good preparation can make even the toughest road climbs feel more manageable
SPONSORED CONTENT CREATED WITH
An unrelenting climb requires grit, stamina, and a seriously well-engineered bike. The Devil’s Staircase in Wales is legendary among cyclists for its challenges, as well as its beauty. This made it the perfect place to try out the latest Boardman SLR 9.8 carbon road bike
from Halfords.
Know what you're getting yourself into
Researching your route beforehand might not be the most exciting part of a ride, but when gradients start creeping into double figures, knowing what's coming can make a huge difference.
Look at the total distance, elevation gain and, crucially, where the steepest sections appear. An average gradient only tells part of the story, and you don't want to empty the tank early only to discover the hardest section is still ahead.
Weather deserves just as much attention, particularly in Wales. Conditions at the top of a climb can feel very different from those at the bottom, and you'll really notice the temperature dropping when you start descending. Check the forecast before setting off so you can dress accordingly and make sure conditions are sensible enough to ride in the first place.
The carbon frame helps keep weight down, while the gearing gives you plenty of choice as the gradient changes. Electronic shifting also makes it easy to move through those gears quickly when you're already working hard. The hydraulic disc brakes come into their own on the way back down, giving you plenty of control when managing your speed on a steep descent. That said, whatever you're riding, the most important thing is making sure the gearing suits the climb, the bike fits you properly and everything is working as it should before you set off.
Unfortunately, no bike is going to make a 25% gradient feel flat, but the right road bike can make a demanding climb noticeably more manageable.
For Devil's Staircase, we'd opt for the Boardman SLR 9.8 Carbon SRAM Red AXS Road Bike, available from Halfords for £5,500. It's a premium performance option built around a Boardman C10 carbon frame and fork, with a SRAM Red AXS E1 12-speed electronic groupset, hydraulic disc brakes and Zipp 404 Firecrest carbon wheels.
The right bike makes a difference
1
2
When you're concentrating on your bike and fitness, clothing can feel like a secondary concern. A couple of hours into a demanding ride, you'll quickly realise it isn't.
The Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts use a high-density chamois pad designed to improve comfort on longer rides, while the Boardman Men's 9 Series Short Sleeve Jersey uses quick-drying fabric and has three rear pockets for keeping essentials within easy reach.
It's also important to remember that while you might be generating plenty of heat grinding your way uphill, you'll cool down quickly once you reach the top. The Boardman Men's 9 Series Gilet can be packed away during the climb before being pulled on for some extra protection on the descent.
Your contact points matter too. The Boardman Carbon Cycling Shoes have a stiff carbon-fibre outsole designed to improve power transfer, while a properly fitted helmet such as the Halfords Advanced Road Helmet is essential for keeping you protected.
Whatever kit you choose, make sure you've actually worn it before the big day. A climb like Devil's Staircase isn't the ideal place to discover your new shoes rub or your bib shorts aren't as comfortable as you thought.
Get your clothing and comfort right
3
With gradients that spike at 25% and a total climb of 139 metres over the kilometre section, you need to be fully prepared both physically and mentally for the challenge, but also have a bike that can match your efforts.
The road starts with that 25% incline and remains above 20% for the first half a kilometre, so it’s important to not get carried away too early. This is where the SLR 9.8’s ultra-wide gear range comes in handy, allowing you to remain seated and stay efficient, even when the incline and extreme hairpins kick in.
Built around a lightweight carbon aero frame, the SLR 9.8 features wider tubeless tyres to keep a good connection to the ground, even when the surface gets rough, giving you grip and confidence. The bike is stiff and responsive, and doesn’t miss a beat, making even this effort achievable. When it comes to the descent, the Boardman lets you shift right down and enjoy that too.
Boardman 9 Series Bib Shorts
£60.00
Halfords Advanced Road Helmet
£40.00
Boardman Mens 9 Series Gilet, Black
£45.00
Boardman Carbon Cycling Shoe, White
£90.00
Boardman Mens 9 Series Short Sleeve Jersey, Black
£50.00
Waiting until you're hungry or thirsty is one of the easiest mistakes to make on a demanding ride, so it's essential to start properly fuelled, carry enough water and take food you already know works for you.
It's also worth having a basic repair kit with you. At a minimum, you'll want everything needed to deal with a puncture, along with tyre levers, a pump or inflator and a compact multi-tool. A spare tube can be useful even if you're running tubeless tyres, and don't forget to make sure your phone is fully charged before leaving.
Halfords has everything from bottles and nutrition to pumps, tools and repair essentials, so putting together a checklist beforehand can save you from discovering you've forgotten something when you're already miles from home.
Fuel properly and pack the essentials
4
Once you finally reach the bottom of a climb you've spent weeks preparing for, adrenaline can make it tempting to attack it straight away – try not to.
Start at an effort you know you can sustain and resist the urge to chase other riders. Use your gears before your cadence drops too far, rather than fighting the bike until your legs are already overloaded. On something as steep as Devil's Staircase, saving some energy early could make all the difference when the road kicks up again.
Pace yourself and win the mental battle
5
It can also help to break the climb into smaller sections rather than thinking about the whole thing at once. Focus on reaching the next bend, signpost or landmark, then reset and go again.
There's nothing wrong with slowing down or even stopping if you need to. Big climbs are supposed to be challenging, and getting yourself and your bike to the top safely matters far more than whether you put a foot down along the way.
A climb like Devil's Staircase is never going to be easy, and that's exactly why riders seek it out. Reaching the top of something you've spent weeks preparing for is a huge part of the appeal.
The Boardman SLR 9.8 Carbon SRAM Red AXS Road Bike gives you a capable platform for that kind of challenge, but even a £5,500 performance bike can't do the hard work for you. The best preparation comes from combining the right bike and kit with sensible pacing, good nutrition and knowing what lies ahead.
Get those things right and you can spend less time worrying about your equipment and more time concentrating on the road in front of you. And when that road ramps up towards 20%, you'll probably be very glad you did.
