Boardman ADV 8.9E

Boardman’s ADV 8.9E offers a well-priced and generously specced build for anyone looking to escape into the wilderness

Chris Boardman is an Olympic gold medal winner and former Hour record holder, and the bike brand bearing his name launched a number of years via leading UK retailer Halfords. With the brand’s offerings gaining a reputation for delivering high quality and great value, it was only a matter of time before electric models joined the model lineup.

The Boardman ADV 8.9E is, in Boardman’s words, “designed to offer maximum versatility for UK riding adventures. Blending the speed of a road bike with a more relaxed position and off- road-focussed geometry means this bike can turn its hand to almost anything”.

Like similar gravel bikes (or to use the updated parlance, ‘adventure bikes’), it is aimed at those who like a fast sporty ride on tarmac and reasonable- quality unsurfaced tracks like forestry tracks and canal towpaths.

The removable Fazua Evation mid- drive motor fits this remit well, offering just enough assistance to help in difficult conditions but not adding so much weight as to be a burden if you want to cycle without motor power.

This combination of characteristics should also mean a good range and the 56 miles in the lowest ‘Breeze’ mode quoted by Boardman is indeed extremely impressive from a relatively small 250Wh battery.

In fact it works out at almost double the miles- per-wh you might get from heavier, more power-hungry mid- drives. Come to a steep off- road climb, though, and the top ‘Rocket’ mode should be more than powerful enough to get you cresting the hill.

The 38mm Schwalbe G- One tyres have a great reputation for being fast on- road but wide enough and with enough grip to cope with moderate off- road conditions. However, there’s sufficient clearance built into the frame to go even wider if you want even more comfort and off- road ability. The bike also has full rack and mudguard mounts, ideal for bikepacking or touring.

► £2,799 boardmanbikes.com