Boardman ADV 8.9

[dr_gn]

Has anyone got one of these?

https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2138-...

If so, what's it like?

Any comments appreciated. I'm after a comfortable, disc equipped road bike that will cope with the odd bridleway. Ideally under 10kg, and budget is about £1000 - £1500.

Thanks!

[Max5476]

Have they only just announced it as part of their 2018 range? I had been looking for something similar a few months ago but didn't see it then. Boardman used to run a press fit bottom bracket, but appear to be using a threaded one on this, so looks good for the money.

I ordered a Pinnacle Arkose 2 from Evans, which seems to be almost identical spec and price, I pick it up tomorrow, so will let you know how I get on then. I saved £100 by trading in my old bike.

[dr_gn]

Max5476 said:

Have they only just announced it as part of their 2018 range? I had been looking for something similar a few months ago but didn't see it then. Boardman used to run a press fit bottom bracket, but appear to be using a threaded one on this, so looks good for the money.

I ordered a Pinnacle Arkose 2 from Evans, which seems to be almost identical spec and price, I pick it up tomorrow, so will let you know how I get on then. I saved £100 by trading in my old bike.

That one was on the radar too, so I'd be interested to know what you think.

[Usget]

I think that's a great spec. They've really thought about it. Fitting one of those FSA 48-32 chainsets as standard is an excellent decision for a gravel bike. That rear derailleur will take up to 36T (even though Shimano claim it won't) if you need more off-road climbing ability, and proper hydro discs at this price point are a rarity.

Don't forget to use British Cycling discount, and vouchers if you have them, to bring it down to £810. With the £190 you save, you can buy some decent wheels. Man maths.

[dr_gn]

Usget said:

I think that's a great spec. They've really thought about it. Fitting one of those FSA 48-32 chainsets as standard is an excellent decision for a gravel bike. That rear derailleur will take up to 36T (even though Shimano claim it won't) if you need more off-road climbing ability, and proper hydro discs at this price point are a rarity.

Don't forget to use British Cycling discount, and vouchers if you have them, to bring it down to £810. With the £190 you save, you can buy some decent wheels. Man maths.

British Cycling discount? Not heard of that. I was thinking about cycle to work scheme - that might be a decent discount although I’ve not gone into it too much yet.

[dr_gn]

Re. The 36t cassette: If it meant swapping the rear mech, is it a trivial task, or would there be issues with the shifters (can’t see why, but worth asking).

I’ve figured that a 36t would, factoring in wheel size, be equivalent to about 3rd gear on my mountain bike. I know that this would be perfect for the types of bridleway I’d be riding here in the Peak District. Of course the larger wheel size would even out bumps a bit better too, and the bike is also 2.5kg lighter than my Stimpjumper FSR.

The standard cassette might be a bit high for my current fitness level.

Any advice appreciated!

[m444ttb]

I was going to buy their new MHT 8.9 hard tail MTB (as I don’t have an MTB) but now really tempted by an ADV 8.9 as a commuter. Stick some mudguards and pannier rack on it and my Cannondale CAADX could become a winter bike instead. Hmmm. The idea of running 38mm tubeless tyres under mudguards for the commute or stripping it all off and going for 40mm or so (I think I read somewhere) for a proper gravel ride is appealing.

[dr_gn]

m444ttb said:

I was going to buy their new MHT 8.9 hard tail MTB (as I don’t have an MTB) but now really tempted by an ADV 8.9 as a commuter. Stick some mudguards and pannier rack on it and my Cannondale CAADX could become a winter bike instead. Hmmm. The idea of running 38mm tubeless tyres under mudguards for the commute or stripping it all off and going for 40mm or so (I think I read somewhere) for a proper gravel ride is appealing.

It looks good - I'm trying to arrange a test ride. If it's suitable I'll get it on the bike to work scheme. I think the gearing might be OK as it is - I did some representative off-road riding on my mountain bike in fourth gear yesterday (equivalent to first on the ADV), and it wasn't an issue.

[Usget]

Like I said you won't need to swap the derailleur to fit a 36T cassette, you'll just need to wind the B screw all the way out. It's tight, but it works. This is what I have running on my Grade.

[dr_gn]

Usget said:

Like I said you won't need to swap the derailleur to fit a 36T cassette, you'll just need to wind the B screw all the way out. It's tight, but it works. This is what I have running on my Grade.

OK, plus, presumably a new chain?

Thanks.

[Usget]

Just one extra link I think - or you might get away with it as-is depending on how slack they set it up in the shop.

I had my LBS do mine for me, cost me £20 and saved me an afternoon swearing at it!

eta - this is the cassette you'd be wanting http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/gears-d...

Ignore me. I was thinking it was 11 speed.

Edited by Usget on Friday 27th April 18:26

[dr_gn]

Usget said:

Just one extra link I think - or you might get away with it as-is depending on how slack they set it up in the shop.

I had my LBS do mine for me, cost me £20 and saved me an afternoon swearing at it!

eta - this is the cassette you'd be wanting http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/gears-d...

There's a Shimano one for £29 - isn't it compatible?

[Usget]

Ah you're quite right I was thinking it was 11-speed - sorry. Yes Shimano HG50 is fine.

[m444ttb]

Am I correct in think thinking the Schwalbe G-One tyres supplied on the bike are the standard clinchers rather than the tubeless? Might swap them and get the thing tubeless straight off (or I'll never do it).

[dr_gn]

m444ttb said:

Am I correct in think thinking the Schwalbe G-One tyres supplied on the bike are the standard clinchers rather than the tubeless? Might swap them and get the thing tubeless straight off (or I'll never do it).

I’m assuming because it says “tubeless ready” the tyres themselves might not be.

What’s the advantage of tubeless - just weight?

Also, the bike looks ideal for me overall, although I’ve got the budget to have slightly better specced components. I’ve always had xt grade stuff on my mountain bike.

Since there’s no bike above it in the ADV range, if I wanted to upgrade the mechs and crankset, what would people recommend? I’d go for the 36t cassette if I was changing the mech.

I have no idea how good or bad Tiagra stuff is.

I guess I could either get the bike shop to do the upgrades, or do it myself and sell the original parts. Is either way likely to be significantly better in terms of cash spent?

[dr_gn]

Arranged a test ride for Thursday - from Halfords. After what I’ve read online about their willingness to let people try their bikes out, I was amazed at how helpful they were in getting a bike in for me to try (although to be fair it took three attempts at different locations!)

[Piginapoke]

Hi Dr_gn

The Boardman looks good. This wouldn’t be a new bike thread without an alternative, however. The below is carbon fibre but more importantly has a much better quality gear and brake set. It looks very good value.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOBBBCX1/on-one-bis...

[dr_gn]

Piginapoke said:

Hi Dr_gn

The Boardman looks good. This wouldn’t be a new bike thread without an alternative, however. The below is carbon fibre but more importantly has a much better quality gear and brake set. It looks very good value.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBOOBBBCX1/on-one-bis...

Thanks for that - Planet X is about 10 minutes away from where I work, I’ve been a few times to look around. For reasons I’d rather not get into, I won’t be buying a Planet X bike.

[m444ttb]

dr_gn said:

I’m assuming because it says “tubeless ready” the tyres themselves might not be.

What’s the advantage of tubeless - just weight?

Also, the bike looks ideal for me overall, although I’ve got the budget to have slightly better specced components. I’ve always had xt grade stuff on my mountain bike.

Since there’s no bike above it in the ADV range, if I wanted to upgrade the mechs and crankset, what would people recommend? I’d go for the 36t cassette if I was changing the mech.

I have no idea how good or bad Tiagra stuff is.

I guess I could either get the bike shop to do the upgrades, or do it myself and sell the original parts. Is either way likely to be significantly better in terms of cash spent?

Tubeless will mean a weight and rolling resistance advantage. You can also run lower pressures without the worry of a pinch flat and put some sealant in to seal up an minor cuts.

Take a look at this article: http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/240451-9-stars... They show the ADV 9.0 due to launch in mid-May apparently. It's £1,700 so a large step up in price but it's carbon and comes with 1x SRAM Rival, through axles and 650b sized wheels. So a little more off-road suitable than the ADV 8.9.

[dr_gn]

m444ttb said:

dr_gn said:

I’m assuming because it says “tubeless ready” the tyres themselves might not be.

What’s the advantage of tubeless - just weight?

Also, the bike looks ideal for me overall, although I’ve got the budget to have slightly better specced components. I’ve always had xt grade stuff on my mountain bike.

Since there’s no bike above it in the ADV range, if I wanted to upgrade the mechs and crankset, what would people recommend? I’d go for the 36t cassette if I was changing the mech.

I have no idea how good or bad Tiagra stuff is.

I guess I could either get the bike shop to do the upgrades, or do it myself and sell the original parts. Is either way likely to be significantly better in terms of cash spent?

Tubeless will mean a weight and rolling resistance advantage. You can also run lower pressures without the worry of a pinch flat and put some sealant in to seal up an minor cuts.

Take a look at this article: http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/240451-9-stars... They show the ADV 9.0 due to launch in mid-May apparently. It's £1,700 so a large step up in price but it's carbon and comes with 1x SRAM Rival, through axles and 650b sized wheels. So a little more off-road suitable than the ADV 8.9.

Owww my my my.