Boardman SLR or better alternative?

Evening all,

I currently ride a hybrid, im 5’4 and have usually struggle fitting to road bikes. I was in halfords the other day and sat on a Boardman Carbon Pro with a 51.5cm frame.

With my feed on the ground the top tube was touching my groin…not uncomfortable but still a little closer than I would like. Sitting on the saddle my leg was straight with my heel on the peddle (how I have previously read to set seat height) so no problems there. Reach wise on top my arms were pretty straight but not locked…when in the drops they were more of a 135 degree angle rather than the 45 degrees the guy assisting me said it should be. So overall the reach is a little long.

Now they have the Boardman SLR which they never had built in my size, but they offer it in a 48.5cm frame giving sum much welcomed space between the top tube and my groin. The 48.5cm SLR has the same top tube and stem length as the 51.5cm Pro Carbon (90mm) so id still have the reach issue, however I could invest in a shorter stem to help me out a little.

The SLR is reported to weigh 7.4kg (although more of a bragging thing I love light weight bikes), carbon frame and kitted out with SRAM force 22. I can pick one up for around £1,160 with various discounts applied.

Do you guys think it worth picking one up for that price or is there a better option for around the same price? Im looking for a more exciting ride and would like to pick up the distance a bit, i have heard 20m+ can be uncomfortable on a hybrid.

All advice appreciated.