Has your Instagram feed been filled with bearded-types who have shunned their skinny jeans and fixies, and reached for new bikes, technical clothing in muted colours, and headed off into the great outdoors?

Adventure bikes aren’t a fad. And while some companies might be looking at them as a fresh marketing angle, the reality is they’re a growing part of cycling because as cyclists we are increasingly looking to explore. An adventure bike might end up being the most versatile bike you own – and for many people it could be the only bike they need to own. If you’re not racing, why get a pure road bike? What’s the harm in being able to fit racks and guards for your utilitarian uses mid-week, before fitting your lightweight luggage for some back road exploring on the weekend? These are some of the most interesting adventure bikes we have seen at the moment, from entry level through to dream projects.

NINER RLT9 (RRP: Starting at $2600, From: rowneysports.com)

Niner call the RLT (Road Less Travelled) 9 an All-Road Mountain Bike that they believe rules the domain between pavement and singletrack. This is the company’s first ever offering designed for both 29” and 700C wheels, offering riders a wealth of possibilities depending on where they want their adventure to take them. The tube set design mirrors that of the proven AIR 9, with proprietary forged dropouts reducing weight and integrating the low-profile post brake mount with the chainstay. The RLT 9 also features a full carbon, gravel-tuned Niner fork (complete with integrated bottle cage mounts), while full cable housing keeps the grit out, plus there are ports in place for a Di2 electronic shift system. Niner say the RLT 9 is the Swiss Army Knife of off road drop bar bikes - capable of getting you to work during the week, road racing on a Saturday and then taking on the singletrack on a Sunday.

GIANT Revolt 3 (RRP: $1299, From: giant-bicycles.com/au)

Giant are now up to their third edition of the affordable Revolt, having first burst onto the scene in 2014. The lightweight ALUXX SL aluminium frame features versatile drop-bar geometry and plenty of clearance for large diameter tyres up to 700x50c. The advanced-grade composite fork comes with alloy OverDrive technology that features oversized headset bearings and tapered steerer tube. Giant believes this system translates into a much more accurate steering input from the rider’s hands, through the handlebar and stem, down to the front wheel. Full-length cable housing is designed to produce smooth shifting that won’t be compromised by dirt and mud, while the X-Defender downtube guard offers protection from debris on the road or the trail. Sizes range from XS to XL.