I’m looking into a new gravel bike and being from the UK our gravel is more mtb trail/footpath/ rocky stuff so considering some 40mm rudy suspension.
A boardman TRVL 9.2 really is high on the list as is currently £1600 aluminium frame, rudy 40mm forks, and apex AXS shifting. Trouble is it’s a boardman which doesn’t have the glam of other brands such as trek, specialised, etc.
Thoughts or am I just being a bike brand snob.
Other option is to keep my trusty Orange RX9 on 650b wheels with suspension stem and upgrade drivetrain and brakes. Would have to go hydro brakes and mechanical gears as AXS on its own is too much money!
Thanks in advance
by bikadd1
7 Comments
Both bikes look cool to me. I am in the US, so we don’t have either brand. I like the Boardman with the Judy and APEX AXS. I have that drivetrain now and it is great. I have Gen1 AXS on my MTBs and it is the same. Also, I have an affinity for orange colored bikes, my old road bike. I would get the one that fits the best for geometry and your usage.
Don’t worry about the glam level of your bike, you ride your bike, not others! funny in the US, while Trek and Specialized are top sellers, they do not hold as much glam as smaller brands! I have a specialized Creo2. my only big named brand.
You will love the suspension fork! I have got the same on my Canyon Grizl.
If you are riding hard packed smooth gravel and care abound speed, weight and power transfer, I would not get front suspension. Also you have more mount options if you bike pack.
Buy a suspension fork for your Orange?
I generally ride gravel for fun and don’t do a huge amount of bike packing (maybe a single night or 2 max). It’s pretty rare in UK you get any sort of smooth gravel you’re usually actually on dirt and short grass lol. I had considered forks for the orange but with forks and AXS FOR £1600 your almost getting frame and wheels for free!
Forks are great
When it’s about grvl, I would always prefer thicker tyre to a suspension fork