The latest collection of drop-bar Boardman adventure bikes has launched, showcasing new levels of design, performance, and innovation, all at an affordable price point. Whether you’re commuting, exploring off-road, or chasing speed on the road, the new Boardman ADV and TRVL ranges offer a bike to match your adventure goals.
Keep reading as we look at the differences between these new adventure/gravel bikes versus a conventional road bike, like Boardman SLR, and spotlight some of the standout models from the new Boardman collection.
Adventure bikes vs road bikes
To put it simply, an adventure bike is less efficient than a conventional road bike when cycling on the road. So, if you’re looking to go flat out on the tarmac, a dedicated road bike is a more suitable selection.
However, if you are looking for a bike that can handle varying surfaces, is fast, fun and comfortable, an adventure bike like the new Boardman ADV or TRVL ranges could be the perfect choice.
The Boardman ADV and TRVL are primarily designed for multi-surface adventures, while a road bike like the Boardman SLR is optimised for speed and efficiency on paved roads. Let’s go into these differences in more detail:
Position
The most significant factors of the Boardman ADV and TRVL is the riding position. Both have slacker head angles than the Boardman SLR Road range, making handling more stable on and off-road.
Additionally, the ADVs have a taller stack. This is measured as the vertical distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the central point at the top of the head tube. They also have a shorter reach, which refers to the horizontal distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the central point at the top of the head tube.
This design allows for a more upright and balanced riding position. When you add in the shorter stems and wider handlebars, the ADV and TRVL models provide increased control and comfort for the rider.
Versatility
Another notable difference is the versatility and adaptability of the ADVs and TRVLs. Starting with the wheels, the ADV range comes as standard with a wide 40mm tyre in the Goodyear Connector, and the TRVL’s wider still at 45mm, compared to 28mm on the road bikes.
Larger volume tyres mean you can run lower pressures, providing better grip in loose or muddy conditions and adding an extra level of comfort, enhanced further still once converted to a tubeless set-up, which is a simple and quick upgrade.
Tyre clearance in the frame and fork is also greater in both adventure ranges, with space to take up to a 50mm tyre on the ADV alloy and TRVL models should you want a more off-road-focused set-up.
Carrying capacity has also been increased on the ADV and TRVL. In addition to the two sets of bottle bosses found on the SLR road range, the ADV also features extra mounting points on the downtube, seat tube, top tube, and, for the alloy ADV models, on the fork legs. Luggage, hydration, food, tools, tents—it’s entirely up to you!
Something you also won’t find on the SLR is dropper seat post routing. All alloy ADVs and TRVLs have the routing ready and waiting for a dropper post to be fitted should you want to make your ride truly off-road capable.
Gearing
The main difference between adventure bikes and road bikes lies in their gearing. Road bikes typically feature two larger chainrings at the front and a rear cassette with closely spaced ratios, which are designed for speed and maintaining a consistent cadence. For instance, the SLR 8.9 Carbon has 50-34 tooth chainrings at the front and an 11-speed, 11-28 tooth rear cassette.
In contrast, the ADV and TRVL bikes have smaller single or double chainrings in the front and wider ratio cassettes in the back. While this setup reduces top speed, it significantly enhances the bike’s off-road capability.
For example, the ADV 9.2 alloy model is equipped with a single 40-tooth front chainring and a 12-speed, 11-44 tooth rear cassette. These gearing ratios make tackling gravel climbs easier, allowing riders to explore more challenging locations and terrains.
Boardman ADV – built for adventure
Whether you’re looking at the versatile alloy-framed ADVs or more performance-focused full carbon options, the ADV range is perfect for those who love mixing up their cycling adventures and everyday rides. Boardman’s ADVs are designed around a neutral geometry that provides stability and control on loose surfaces while still maintaining speed and performance on paved sections, which is typical for most UK gravel adventures.
Boardman ADV 8.9
The Boardman ADV 8.9 is an adventure bike built for both endurance and comfort, featuring a 6061 butted and smooth welded alloy frame and carbon forks for reduced weight and added control on tough terrain. With Goodyear 40mm tyres and a Shimano GRX drivetrain, the ADV 8.9 is a go-anywhere machine, equally at home on gravel roads or smooth city streets.
Why choose the Boardman ADV 8.9?
Frame & Fork
A smooth welded 6061 alloy frame with butted tube profiles sits at the core of the ADV 8.9 adventure bike. To complement its clean aesthetic, the frames, thinned tubes, and carbon fork work together to reduce weight and improve ride quality. In addition to its low weight and compliance, the alloy frame’s versatility shines through with hidden mounts for full-length mudguards, fixings for a pannier rack, dropper post routing, bottle and storage fixings on the top tube, seat tube, downtube and fork legs.
Gears
The Boardman ADV 8.9 is an excellent choice for those looking to jump into the world of gravel and adventure cycling. Fitted with Shimano’s GRX series groupset, this 10-speed drivetrain combines adventure-focused ergonomics with optimised gearing varying surfaces and ride profiles.
Boasting a robust 30/46 tooth double chainset alongside an 11-36 tooth cassette, this bike gives you complete control over a wide gear range. Effortlessly maintain speed on flat stretches while powering up climbs with high cadence. Prepare to tackle any trail with confidence!
Contact Points
Flared alloy handlebars wrapped in thick Boardman bar tape provide an optimal ergonomic and comfortable hand position on the hoods, enhancing control when in the drops and creating additional frontal space for carrying extra luggage.
Comfort is essential, whether you’re navigating potholed roads or exploring off-the-beaten path. The Boardman adventure saddle features a wider rear section and pressure relief channel, creating the perfect balance between comfort and firmness and an effective platform for pedalling.
Boardman ADV 9.0 Carbon
The ADV 9.0 is your all-weather, all-terrain companion. It’s equally at home on a fully loaded, multi-day gravel adventure, a brisk weekend road ride, or as your trusty mudguard-laden winter bike. Fast and efficient, robust and reliable, the ADV 9.0 merges precision carbon manufacturing with Shimano’s sublime GRX gravel-specific groupset and Goodyears 40mm Ultimate Connector tyres for arguably one of the best value, performance gravel bikes on the market.
Why choose the Boardman ADV 9.0?
Frame & Fork
The ADV 9.0 Carbon is built for adventure. The combining of a lightweight 990-gram frame with a 420-gram carbon fork and neutral 71.5-degree head angle delivers engaging, yet predictable handling on and off the road. Its dropped chainstays and wide tyre clearance offer added comfort and stability, while internal cable routing keeps maintenance low and the design sleek. With multiple mounts for gear and guards, the 9.0 is ready for anything.
Gears
Equipped with Shimano’s gravel-focused GRX series groupset, featuring a GRX 12-speed drivetrain with adventure-tuned ergonomics and optimised gearing. The double 30/46-tooth chainset combined with a 12-speed 11-34-tooth cassette enhances the shifting experience over its 10-speed counterpart, allowing for precise gear selection on any terrain or in any riding condition.
Geometry
The geometry of the Boardman ADV 9.0 is designed to offer a balanced blend of stability and agility, making it ideal for off-road adventures and long-distance road riding. Combined with a comfortable stack and reach, this geometry ensures a riding position that’s both efficient for long days in the saddle and responsive enough for quick handling on technical trails.
Boardman TRVL
For expeditions that demand more from you than the everyday adventures. Designed for and tested on some of the UK’s most punishing gravel tracks and trails, the TRVL range, with 40 mm of front suspension courtesy of a RockShox Rudy, generous tyre clearance, rack, mudguard, and bag mounts, plus a longer and slacker geometry over the ADV encourages you to go further, tackle more, and explore routes less travelled.
Boardman TRVL 9.2
The TRVL 9.2 might seem like a 90s MTB with drop handlebars, but it’s much more than that if you take a closer look. The 9.2s 6061 butted alloy frame features a myriad of mounting points for those fully-ladened expeditions where leaving something behind is simply not an option. Additionally, the dropper post routing and clearance for up to 50mm tyres allow you to customise it to tackle trails that those 90s MTBs would avoid.
Why choose the Boardman TRVL 9.2?
Frame & Fork
The TRVL’s geometry inspires confidence and encourages you to tackle routes previously out of reach to a drop bar bike. Its butted aluminium frame features a slacker head angle than those found in the ADV’s, as well as a longer top tube. The addition of the 40mm RockShox Rudy XPLR suspension fork increases comfort and control when things get lumpy and makes the TRVL the perfect choice If your goals are to spend more time off the road than on it.
Gears
The Boardman TRVL 9.2 benefits from SRAM’s game-changing wireless XPLR Apex groupset. With a single chainring up front and an intuitive gear selection system at your fingertips, you can focus on the road, path, track, trail, climb or descent in front of you rather than worrying about what gear you are in.
Contact Points
Gravel-specific bars wrapped in a 3.5mm thick, high tack bar tape reduce vibrations, increase grip and make time on the hoods more comfortable. A 6-degree flare ensures you have better control over the bike when in the drops, offering more space up front for additional luggage.
Why Choose Boardman?
Each bike in the new Boardman range is designed with the rider in mind, blending advanced materials, cutting-edge technology, and expert craftsmanship. Whether you’re a casual cyclist or an experienced rider, Boardman offers:
- Precision Engineering: Lightweight frames, responsive handling, and premium components.
- Comfort & Control: Ergonomic designs ensure a comfortable ride for long distances, while advanced braking systems provide reliable control in all conditions.
- Versatility: From gravel adventures to urban commuting, the Boardman range covers a wide spectrum of cycling needs.
Ready to explore the latest Boardman models? Check out the full range online. Our team of experts can help you find the perfect bike for your riding style, and with options like free bike builds and flexible payment plans, getting your hands on a new Boardman bike has never been easier.
Take your riding to the next level with the new Boardman bikes—engineered for adventure, performance, and everyday journeys.
