Commuter
6KU Detroit, £325
If your commute is relatively flat, a single speed bike has lots of advantages: less weight, simpler to maintain and cheaper. This handsome option ticks all those boxes and comes equipped with both front and rear brakes and some stylish 30mm deep rims. And if the polished steel is a touch too hipster for you, other muted colours are available. It would be wise to accessorise it with clip-on mudguards for rainy days. Bricklanebikes.co.uk
Charge Grater 2 Mixte, £699
Unless you live in the Lake District, the Grater’s eight gears should be sufficient for your commute. The added advantage here is that they come as a Shimano hub system which promises to be maintenance free. The chainguard should keep grease off your turn-ups and the mudguards should protect you from road splat – the brilliant white bike, however, might need the occasional wipe to keep it gleaming. Chargebikes.com
Bakfiets Classic Long, £1,760
If your commute involves a school run this cargo bike will turn a few heads at the school gate. The marine ply box can transport four small children on two benches, two older ones on two or an 80kg load. It features hub gears, a dynamo front light and rollerbrakes – and if pushing four kids up a hill makes your calves explode you can upgrade to an electric assisted drivetrain. Londongreencycles.co.uk
Touring
Adventure Flat White, £439
A steel frame, 14-gears, a rear rack, mudguards and cantilever brakes at this price point is incredible value. It’s a great looking package without any major compromises on features. This bike could also double as a sturdy commuter – the Flat White could certainly take you exploring further than your local coffee shop. Adventureoutdoor.co
Fairlight Faran, £1,399
Faran is Old English for a humble and versatile workhorse, and this bike would be a ideal companion for cycling point-to-points. The all-steel frame accommodates 42c tyres (35c with mudguards) to soak up rough road surfaces, and it features bosses for mudguards, bags and dynamo lights, plus powerful disc brakes to bring you and your kit to a safe stop in all weathers. Each frame size comes in two different headtube lengths, guaranteeing a perfect fit and therefore reducing the likelihood of aches and pains on long rides. Fairlightcycles.com
Mason Bokeh Rival X1, £2,795
Probably the most versatile bike on this list – a solid choice for commuting, touring and sportives. It even has clearance to fit MTB tyres to it and splatter along some bridlepaths or single track. Mounts for racks, mudguards and three water bottles are featured for long-distance adventures. This version features Sram’s X1 single chainring drivetrain which cuts down on weight and maintenance, but will still provide you with all the gears you need. Masoncycles.cc
Sport
Verenti Technique Claris, £420
Despite the Latin name, Verenti brand belongs to budget UK online retailer Wiggle. The alloy frame is teamed with a carbon fork and 28C tyres to reduce road buzz, plus 16-gear Shimano drivetrain to help you up hills – and unlike many road bikes, it sensibly features mudguard mounts. Plus it has a fetching paint job too, which is rare at this price point. Wiggle.co.uk
Canyon Endurace WMN CF 8.0, £1,499
German online-only manufacturer Canyon have a reputation for lightweight, well spec’d, innovative bikes. This one from its women’s range doesn’t disappoint, featuring the same carbon frame found on more expensive models and full Shimano 105 groupset, with 22 gears. You may also find the 7.65kg weight helps you crawl past your friends on steep climbs. Canyon.com
Cannondale Synapse Disc Red eTap, £4,999
The Synapse is rapidly becoming the benchmark for endurance bike category – ie for sportives rather than racing. The Synapse Disc range starts at £2,199 and ends at £7,799 but this model with Sram’s eTap wireless electronic gears system and hydraulic disc brakes is the sweet spot, if you have the cash. Aside from the reliable and effortless transmission the carbon frame is packed with features designed to take the sting out of the road, including a new carbon handlebar engineered to flex a little with the bumps. The frame itself weighs less than kilo. Cannondale.com
