Boardman has upped its gravel bike offering with the launch of an all-new, all-carbon, all-terrain, range-topping ADV 9.0 drop bar model.
Boardman has looked to make the new bike lighter and faster than its predecessor. That starts with the high modulus carbon frame, with Boardman quoting a weight of 990g for a painted medium size frame, paired with a 420g all-carbon fork.
The frame is designed to add compliance to the ride, with flattened, bowed seatstays and a cut-away D-shaped profile to the bottom of the seat tube.
Boardman says that the bike's geometry includes a 71.5-degree head-tube angle, a long top tube and a low bottom bracket (figures not currently available). Along with a short stem of between 80mm and 110mm, it says that this should provide stability and control when riding off-road, but a fast and engaging ride for any sections of tarmac.
You also get the three sets of bottle cage mounts and a top-tube mounting point, to up capacity for longer off-grid excursions.
A more all-round spec
The new bike replaces the previous alloy ADV 9.0, which Boardman had been offering since 2018 and was specced with 650b wheels and 50mm tyres.
Matt Dowler, Boardman’s product manager, says: “We loved smashing round forests and MTB trail centres on the original ADV 9.0, but to be honest, our MHT hardtails are a better option for most people when things get that rough off-road.
“It wasn’t exactly fast on the tarmac either, so for 2021 it was back to the drawing board, taking what we’d learnt with the old 9.0 to re-calibrate the new version for versatility and real-world multi-use fun
So Boardman has reverted to 700c wheels on the new ADV 9.0, with 38mm Panaracer GravelKing SK tyres that should roll faster on tarmac, while providing the grip to handle off-road outings.
The wheels feature 20mm internal width tubeless-ready rims, which are pre-taped, and ship with tubeless valves.
Other spec choices include a Shimano GRX 11-speed, two ring groupset with a 46/30 sub-compact chainset and 11-32 cassette – for a sub-1:1 lowest ratio to haul you up off-road slopes but provide a reasonable spread of higher ratios to use on tarmac.
The bar has a small 6-degree flare and is wrapped with soft-touch tape. Finishing kit is topped off with a Prologo Akero AGX saddle, designed for off-road use – AGX stands for adventure, gravel and cyclocross.
Priced at £1,700, the Boardman ADV 9.0 is available now in size large from Halfords and Tredz. Boardman says that the small, medium and extra large sizes will be available in shops and online from December.
Boardman ADV 9.0 spec
- Frame: Boardman 9.0 C10 carbon
- Fork: Boardman 9.0 C10 carbon
- Groupset: Shimano GRX RX600/RX810 11-speed
- Gearing: 46/30t, 11-32t
- Brakes: Shimano GRX hydraulic disc
- Wheels: Boardman ADV alloy, 700c tubeless ready
- Tyres: Panaracer GravelKing SK 38mm
- Bar: Boardman alloy, 6-degree flare
- Stem: Boardman alloy
- Saddle: Prologo Akero AGX
- Availability: Now (size large)/December (sizes small, medium, extra large)
- Price: £1,700
