South Downs Gravel Biking | Taking the Boardman ADV Off-Road

Meet up with my buddy Kev and took my Boardman ADV for some off road riding. We went out around Stanmer Park and up the South Downs, Sussex.
Sadly I am still getting issues with the gears that just don't seem to go away.
Please Note - This video was filmed before lockdown begun, so group rides were allowed.
My IG - / the_muddy_cyclist
#themuddycyclist #boardmanadv

[@themuddycyclist]

Where do you take your gravel bike off road? How much can it / you handle? Love to hear your thoughts.

[@darrenelbrow5144]

The Muddy Cyclist we were riding the Purbeck Hills in Dorset. Have a look at my friend’s channel, Wheelers at Large for some of our off road rides , all on various gravel bikes. I think you need to visit bike mechanic and get those gears sorted out. I’ve never had any issues with my Boardman ADV 8.9 after it’s initial bedding in. And some proper off road tyres will sort out the handling

[@themuddycyclist]

Thanks for the channel tip, will check it out. Think you may be right about the gears, it’s been dragging on a while. Finding an open bike shop might not be easy right now.

[@darrenelbrow5144]

The Muddy Cyclist the bike shop I work in is still open and we’re bloody busy

[@malcolmhales8181]

Downs Link, Highdown and the green lanes that link it all up.

[@themuddycyclist]

@@malcolmhales8181 Thanks,

[@ShutUpandRideMTB]

First, Ms. Gravel is just an acquaintance, then a friend, then you have some fun and a tumble and its a full-blown relationship. Great work Patrick!

[@themuddycyclist]

Thanks Matt. You never know, might turn into a life partner 🥰

[@HallMarc_Trails]

I don't think you know how addictive your vids are, i love watching them, keep it up mate and stay safe 😀👍

[@themuddycyclist]

Think you need to get out more 😆. Thanks buddy.

[@EatsTreatsMREs]

This is a great video, just got myself a Boardman ADV 8.6 and I love it.

[@themuddycyclist]

Excellent, I’ve had some great rides on mine.

[@alancavanagh-qq6qc]

I guess you figured out your gearing problems in the end and enjoyed your Adv 8.9. I see you've now upgraded to the Orro Terra C. A bike that I almost bought last Jan. Instead I waited for the Boardman Adv 9.0 which I got this week and on which I plan to go bikepacking. I live in Sussex too, but i dont know too many trails apart from the Downs Link. I'd love to know all the routes you take. I should take a look at Komoot I guess. Good channel though, I like your videos, you're an enthusiastic amateur which is great for novices like me👍

[@themuddycyclist]

Thanks for the encouragement. I post most of my rides on Strava, link is in the description. How is the 9.0? Was tempted but they were out of stock at the time.

[@mikehedges5954]

I’ve gone an bought a Boardman ADV8.9 as my first foray into Gravel. Learning from your videos: Bought some new tyres to be fitted from day one & I’m getting a pro to build the bike & set the gears up for me - I’ve tried to DIY on another one of my bikes, like you did & I’m rubbish!! If I’m well enough I’ll ride it down to Brighton on the Downs Link this Saturday.

[@themuddycyclist]

Congratulations, you are following the same gravel path as me. Good call getting it tuned in by a pro 👍

[@RCMTB]

Good gravel ride :) 😀👍

[@themuddycyclist]

Thanks buddy

[@WheelersAtLarge]

Well done in the slippy stuff on those tyres👍My Tiagra runs a 11-36 cassette so if you do find the gearing too big on the hills there's that option. Did you get the bike from Halfords? I think they offer a free or cheap check up after 4-6 weeks, or did when Richard got his, they would sort the indexing I'm sure.

[@themuddycyclist]

No got the bike online. Not really tried any very steep stuff yet, but have used the low gears on not very hard climbs so wondering if I could have a problem. Shifting improved, but still not 100%. 👍

[@malcolmhales8181]

Stick with it, you'll Love it when you adapt. Also, when you get the indexing correct. WTB nanos are the best tyre I've used 700 x 40s are great @ 35-40 psi off rd.

[@themuddycyclist]

Thanks Malcolm, I definitely will not be giving up. 🙏👍

[@ridewithgae1467]

I am looking to buy a Gravel road, I use a MB to go off road but I would like to have a Gravel one, right now I guess is not the right time and I want to wait till this corona craziness is done. Great Content BTW

[@themuddycyclist]

Thank you, as you say probably not the best time for bike shopping, but when this does eventually pass a gravel bike is a great idea.

[@kitjennings6063]

Have just bought one of these (Adv8.8) 2nd hand. It rides beautifully on the road, and I like the fact I can nip onto gravel tracks when I need or want to. Having a lot of troubl with the gears though - in the mid range (4, 5 and 6 on the rear) it constantly slips onto a smaller cog and then changes up again. Its now at my local bike shop to fix. They have replaced the rear cassette, and are going to try the chain next..

[@themuddycyclist]

Blimey, sounds like a mirror of my experience. But totally agree, it’s great to be able to nip off & then back onto the road. Hope bike gets sorted.

[@kitjennings6063]

Hi yeah bike is sorted now. New rear cassette and chain sorted it. Loving it now!

[@themuddycyclist]

Excellent, hope I don’t need that on such a new bike 😟

[@fontane007]

I use my ADV 8.9 on gravely trails from time to time but wouldn't put it through some of the muddy paths you were doing :-). If you do go off road though I think you may find better control using the hoods more instead of down in the drops which you appear to use quite a lot. Theres more control the higher your hand position is

[@themuddycyclist]

The bike is quite hard to control off road, find my hands are too close together when on the hoods that’s why use the drops, but will try them more 👍

[@Geshmaal]

I'm looking at getting the ADV 8.9 on C2W, these videos are really interesting! Looking at the stock tyres I'm expecting they'll be slippery on mud but hopefully by the time I get my bike we'll have some dryer weather so I don't have to change them immediately. I'm fully expecting to end up with something like the Vittoria Terreno Wet for half the year in the long run.

[@themuddycyclist]

You are right about the tyres, decided they were the first thing I’d change but 2 years later they are still on!

[@Geshmaal]

@@themuddycyclist ah you persevered! Did you find any particular trick to gaining grip in mud?

[@themuddycyclist]

@@Geshmaal It's really about choosing a good line & stay alert with those tyres!

[@michaelingledew]

I'm doing the SDW in a couple of weeks, the plan is to take my time, camp and enjoy the scenery. I am just stuck between taking the gravel bike or my mountain bike - I am hoping it will be drier when I go. What would you take if you were doing a loaded ride/camp SDW?

[@themuddycyclist]

Don’t have experience of bikepacking, so wrong person to ask. Try this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/roLIqp6FnLunbZI 👍. You probably could do it on a gravel bike if it’s dry & you don’t mind being a bit less comfortable.

[@CraigS1872]

I have recently bought the same bike new and after around 100 miles im not able to change into gear 1 or 2. Do you have any suggestions on how to fix, great video also 👍

[@themuddycyclist]

As you’ve probably guessed, I’m no mechanic, the best video I’ve found for gear adjustment is this Parktools one, kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5y9qYN_j5ahnbs. Good luck 👍

[@CraigS1872]

@@themuddycyclist thank you for the help, I'm the exact same😆 I was going to just put it into a bike shop but the waiting lists in my area are crazy at the minute.

[@joeorlando803]

Hi great videos do you think this gravel bike os worth getting you seam to have trouble with it a lot . Also is the gearing right do you need more eg 2 x11 gears what do you think ? Cheers

[@themuddycyclist]

The bike is pretty decent even though I’ve had gear problems. These sort of issues are solvable. The 2 x 11 has worked out so far, keep thinking I’m gonna run out of gears, but haven’t yet. 👍

[@gaza4543]

@@themuddycyclist I have a "gravel bike" hate the term all road is more appropriate, silly marking bods. Its a 1x11 (11-36 outback 40t upfront) never run out of gears though i was running 1x9 on the MTB for many years so pretty used to it. Keeps up with the roadies as well, all the funnier as I'm running 650b, it really plays with there heads. Smashing 18-19mph averages even with the 650b

[@themuddycyclist]

Sounds like you are smashing it ✊😁

[@garikgarik1310]

Nice video 👍 what size of the bike do you have and what is your height? Is it comfortable for you? Im around 5.10 and not sure what size to go for. ADV 8.9 looks good for the money as first gravel bike

[@themuddycyclist]

Well I’m 5’11” & I went for a large. I’m happy with the size. It’s been a great purchase & would recommend as a first gravel bike. Still not sure about the tyres though.

[@Joiedevivredesilives]

I have an Orbea Terra with 2× GRX 810 worth the money on or off road. But tyre choice makes a difference for off road in the wet.

[@themuddycyclist]

Still deciding on my winter tyre choice, but will be changing.

[@stevesnailfish]

I've owned one for about 2 1/2 years....first thing I did was get rid of the useless stock tyres...fat Schwalbe road tyres and shockingly bad on any mud at all.....I run 42c Schwalbe mud tyres all year round now.... I also couldn't ever set the front mech to have a full spread of gears in the big ring....been working on my bikes for at least 27 years but could never ever get it so could never get the 3 smallest rear cogs,yet on the inner ring I got the whole 10 speed block....I've now converted to a 1x10 running a 40t crank and an XT 11-36 cassette.....this is fine where I live where it's flat fens going west into rolling hills.....and I can get a full spread of gears....I do prefer 1x as it's on 3 of my MTB's already and I'm not a speed merchant......

[@themuddycyclist]

You are so right about the tyres, not changed mine out yet, but will do at the first sign of mud. Disappointed to hear about your gear problems, I’m still having issues, maybe I always will ☹️

[@JWK35]

Do you have the same orange ADV 8.9, and if so how fat a tire do you think you could fit? I've also got one which I'm running on Schwalbe 38c G-One all-rounds (one up in grip from the Speeds that come with the bike, which I personally loved). I do mostly road but am tempted to get a set of 42c+ tyres for gravel tours.

[@stevesnailfish]

@@JWK35 I now have Hunt 4 season gravel wheels on her now and am running WTB Resolute 42c's set up tubeless....Looking at the bike and chainstay clearance at the back, you could possibly get a 45c in there....Front has fairly big clearance as well....I'll possibly try that width next time I change tyres...

[@themuddycyclist]

I’m not sure what could fit in there, even I keep thinking of changing my tyres I still haven’t. They are very good on the road.

[@almaghrabee]

How have you found this on road?

[@themuddycyclist]

Really good, has performed very well on the road.

[@RighteousBrother]

Buster Hill in the background?

[@themuddycyclist]

Umm, 🤔, not sure

[@vim1471]

What bike has your mate got ?

[@themuddycyclist]

He has a Specilaized, think it’s called a Curve or Carve.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Got the same bike and not impressed with it at all. Thankfully as my grandson works part time for Halfords I got a good discount on it. Really wished I had brought a hard tail MTB even for riding on Sustran routes. We rode West Grinstead Station to Shoreham on Tuesday and if you have never done it its worth doing. Great cafe enroute as well in Henfield 😉

[@themuddycyclist]

Sorry you’ve not liked the bike, it’s not been plain sailing for me either but I’m lucky to already have a MTB hardtail. Think I’ve done that route you’re referring to, nice route 👍

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

I just don't and I don't ever think I will understand riding a road bike off road!!?? Such narrow handle bars in such a low down uncomfortable position, so dangerous!! And you summed it up whilst riding the MTB on gravel " This is the terrain this bike loves, on the gravel its fantastic" !! Sorry mate but this is my argument all along. Gravel bikes is just manufacturer hype and money making b....... Great film though!

[@themuddycyclist]

😁, love this comment. I’d admit it does feel a bit sketchy downhill and is a bit uncomfortable but I’m getting used to the riding position. Feel like a real gravel bike fan should respond to you because the jury is still out for me. Pleased you enjoyed the video 👍😊

[@bigdbaldydom]

Gravel bikes are great in the US, they have loads of gravel roads. over here though we have roads and trails where either a road or mtb are miles better. Thing is, this isn't a gravel bike, it's an adventure bike. It's designed to spend 80-90% of it's life on tarmac and to be able to cope with moderate trails.

[@themuddycyclist]

Think you’ve hit the nail on the head.

[@gaza4543]

This is completely nonsensical. Firstly the trails in the video are hardly difficult, no disrespect muddy! there just very slippy in parts, better tiers would solve that instantly and give more confidence, change them out straight away MC go tubeless, Renes herse or similar it would solve all this instantly. I could smash that route on knobbly 35c's. As for the comment on position, how is it dangerous? Even on an MTB, you pull yourself forward and down occasion and to be honest if you're on a racy XC hardtail your properly stretched out, almost road bike like, the position is much the same on the "gravel" bike. Except you have the option to tuck yourself out of the wind on the long drags. Yes, you have to move around a lot more on the gravel bike but we should all be doing that anyhow. Suspension has made most lazy and forget the importance of the position, a gravel bike you'll soon learn this again, weight the front too much and your coming off, same as any bike, heck some even have drooper post capabilities so you can flick them around under you. And yes, you have to think about your line a touch more. But what's your point? As for what they can handle, well that depends on the wheels and tires same as any bike, 650b can pretty much handle any XC routes (and TBH MC would of been much happier on 650b giving him more of the MTB feel), granted its a bit rougher in some cases and that slows you a touch but you can also be a lot faster on the smoother flat sections, 25-30mph in some cases, i would like to see an MTB do that with ease. BUT I certainly wouldn't be doing SOME black routes (depends on there flow), reds and blues all day long though. This comment seems to come from someone that has never ridden one in all honesty/or at least not given one a fair shake. Yes, the bike favours flowing tracks but so do some MTB's but that's more a geometry thing as they have a long wheelbase and low bottom bracket so you have to be mindful sometimes. All i saw in the video is that Muddy Cyclist is getting used to the bike and it all boils down to tyers as mentioned and a little technique, you could easily ride those trails on any bike. In fact, i'd say, the guy on the MTB was over biked. Those trails look made for CX and gravel machines. And I say F the puddles ride through them (as long as you know what's in them and I'm sure he does being a local) better than going from the slippy mud on a side bank. My Boombtrack hook ext handles dirty reviver easily and its pretty tough in places and after a 200km ride, I'm tiered but I dot feel like ive been beat to a pulp. But I stick some fast slicks on it 650b or 700c and im keeping up with all but the fastest roadies with the added benefit I can handle any torn-up B road that roadies just wouldn't go down.

[@gaza4543]

@@bigdbaldydom "It's designed to spend 80-90%of it's life on tarmac" What? All are designed to be off-road the whole time same as CX bikes mut they're more efficient than MTB on the road and it depends on the machine as to what they can handle whether it leans more into the MTB sector or road, you can pigeon hole them all like that. The industry is still in flux with it they have decided on what's "best" though i don't think they ever will.