The grit awards
The gravel genre has captured the imagination of the adventurous cyclist. What started out as a niche has become a genuine trend and a platform for freedom, allowing you to step out of your front door and straight into an adventure, regardless of terrain.
Of the many gravel bikes that have been put through their paces by Cycling Plus in the past year, the four on test here represent the whole spectrum. The Boardman ADV 9.0 (£1800) comes with a lean carbon frame and relatively affordable price tag, while the stylish and sleek Cinelli King Zydeco (£2849) is pitched at gravel (and road) speed.
Taking things up a notch in both price and spec is the Pearson Off Grid (£4000) from the celebrated Brit brand, which again has a roadinfluenced design aimed at two-wheel speed. Completing the quartet is the innovative Cannondale Topstone Lefty (£7500) with its unique fork design and gravel suspension: a do-it-all contender unlike anything else.
But will any scoop our various Bike of the Year awards? Time to hit the grit and gravel, tarmac and trails of Salisbury Plain to find out…
Boardman was an early adopter of the gravel genre. The original ADV was an aluminium machine with mountain bike-derived 650b wheels and an attitude that was all about getting rough and ready in the dirt. This new ADV 9.0 (£1800) is a rather more refined affair that is, we are happy to report, still very much up for getting down and dirty.
The jewel in the crown is the premium C10 carbon frame, tipping the scales at 990g, and the light 420g gravel fork. That’s light for gravel – in
