Boardman's ADV 9.0 is a fine-looking bike. At first glance you'd swear it was carbon, thanks to the super smooth tube junctions and classy, matt metallic paint. The only giveaway that it's made of metal (triple-butted 6061 aluminium to be precise) are the fish scales of the welds at the bottom bracket and seatstay bridge.
The ADV's good looks are backed up by a damn fine ride: on hard-pack dirt, its small 650b wheels and massive 50mm Clement X'Plor tyres feel lively, grippy and do a great job of swallowing up bumps. On looser stuff and in sloppy mud the tyres cope admirably - even when they do start to slide it's in a pretty controlled manner.
A full 1X SRAM Rival groupset with hydraulic disc brakes is an impressive addition at this price and provides an excellent range of gears, with a bottom 40/42 combo that's light enough to keep you pedalling when those around you are forced to push. The geometry of the front end makes for a sporty ride position but the slacker-than-usual 70.5° head tube angle adds stability off-road. A full complement of rack and mudguard mounts, and its compatibility with larger 700c wheels, means the ADV is adaptable and practical, and we'd have no reservations about recommending it for almost any type of riding, whether its commuting or conquering continents. It's a clever, cost-effective and impressive bike.
VERDICT
A very well thought out bike that’s serious fun to ride
Cycling Plus Magazine March 2019