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.

 

SPECIALIZED Sequoia Expert (RRP: $3500, From: specialized.com.au)

The Specialized Sequoia is built from their own Premium Cr-Mo, size-specific tubing. Specialized have ensured that every frame is strong, light, and capable, but also that each frame rides as they intended. The beefy FACT carbon fibre fork is designed to take the sting out of harsh roads and also comes complete with extra water bottle mounts for when you want to really go exploring. Coming equipped with fender rack mounts the Sequoia is a bike that should be able to tackle any open road, even if they are a little less frequently travelled. It can accommodate 700c tyres up to 45mm wide, or 650b wheels with 47mm wide tyres. The Expert is the top model, but the range starts at $1500.

NORCO Search, Aluminium 105 (RRP: $2,299, From: norco.com)

The versatile Search Aluminum blends all-road capability and long-distance comfort in a sleek, affordable package. The X-6 double-butted endurance road frame features a long wheel base for stability and confidence on a variety of surfaces. Maximum pedalling efficiency and power transfer is boosted by the Power Chassis design with 142x12mm rear thru axle which has an oversized head tube junction, down tube, BB shell and chain stays. Norco’s universal internal cable routing system is known as GIZMO and has a multi-purpose – to prevent cable rattle at entry and exit points within the frame and keep water and debris outside. The Search also absorbs and deflects fatiguing vibrations before they reach the rider’s body thanks to its specially engineered stays, seat tube, seat post and fork. Tyre clearance allows for up to 35mm rubber, while sizing is available from 48cm all the way up to 60.5cm.

 

BOMBTRACK Hook 2 (RRP: $2999, From: pushie.com.au)

Bombtrack might well be at the forefront of adventure bikes, with a range that covers just about every niche within the greater niche – if that’s possible. The Hook 2 is based on the original Hook, which proved its versatility time and again. The Columbus-tubed steel frame is aimed at cyclocross and gravel use, with 12mm through-axles front and rear, plus rack and fender mounts for the days that are long and never-ending, when you’re not pinning a number on for a local ‘cross race. The Sram Rival 1x group set and TRP mechanical brakes provide proven go and whoa, and the alloy steered tapered carbon fork should provide some piece of mind on your next epic adventure into the relative unknown.

MOOTS Routt RSL (RRP: $5,940, From: cyclingedge.com.au)

Moots began their Race Super Light (RSL) line-up back in 2010 with the Vamoots and the latest addition is the Routt, a bike built a little lower and more stable in order for riders to explore the roads less travelled. It incorporates new technology such as a 3D printed titanium dropout, featuring a flat mount disc brake mount, and is designed to handle everything that dirt tracks can throw at it – for an entire lifetime (with the warranty to prove it). The Routt RSL also features a new Moots gravel/cross full carbon fork with 12mm thru-axle, flat mount disc mount and recessed fender mounts. Moots believe that the Routt’s longer top tube and lower front end places the rider in a more aggressive position and delivers a very precise handling ride. Fans of hand built bikes will be pleased to know that every Routt is individually made in Steamboat Springs, Colorado – and comes in seven sizes from 50cm up to 60cm. Popular custom options include electronic internal routing, wireless shift ‘routing’, engraved head tube, polished logos, colour decals, pump peg, chain hanger, and third water bottle mount.

 

MASON Bokeh Ti (RRP: $4400, From: masoncycles.cc)

The Bokeh is a bike that British-based Mason Cycles claim can ‘crush a continent’ and follows on from the company’s award-winning Definition and Resolution models. As well as the Ti (titanium) there is also an Alu (aluminum) version of the Bokeh, both of which use entire custom tube sets made by Dedacciai in Italy, with the European company also supplying unique chain stays and seat stays that are designed to allow clearance and give comfort for long days in the saddle. The Ti frame uses a unique blend of Dedacciai, Rewel and Reynolds tubing and also features 3D printed dropouts from Reynolds. After being made in a small workshop in northern Italy, the Ti frames are then sent to Venice to be painted – in either Flare Orange or Element Grey. Both the Ti and Alu are designed to use either 650b x 50mm, or 700c x 41mm tyres, while the fork uses a 50mm offset to keep the trail dimension under control. Sizes range from 50cm up to 60cm, with the Ti frameset coming with fork, headset, seat clamp, MultiPort inserts, F-Stop thru-axles and all bolts.

3T Exploro Team (RRP: $4499 (frame set), From: echelonsports.com.au)

Italian company 3T claim the Exploro’s speed comes from a specially designed aero downtube that is wide enough to catch the airflow coming off the front tyre, but with a squared off tail – calling this shape the Sqaero. The frame has been optimised for water bottles, always needed on long, epic rides, and was also tested for performance while covered in mud. The short 415mm chainstays are designed to provide acceleration and grip on loose dirt as well as asphalt, while designer Gerard Vroomen created a so-called ‘Hang Loose’ rear derailleur hanger to make rear wheel changes even easier. The Exploro – available in Team and LTD versions - is designed to fit road, cross and mountain bike tyres following the GravelPlus standard.