CANNONDALE BAD BOY 3 £849.99

Cannondale has always built smart frames, here neat cable routing and a rubber strip along the top-tube protect against knocks. The rigid Lefty single-sided fork is stiff in a good and bad way; its steering is precise, but the ride isn’t exactly forgiving. It also reduces front mudguard options and keeps the front end high.

With £150 less to spend, and Cannondale’s use of a highspec frame, the kit can’t compare to the Giant’s. A 3x9 Shimano Alivio/Acera groupset is mated with a square taper FSA crank. Hydraulic brakes are a highlight and handy on an urban bike. The rest is basic but functional. We loved the Fabric saddle, but didn’t like the bar grips.

While not light, the Bad Boy’s wheels are broad and sturdy, meaning potholed roads shouldn’t leave them battered. High-volume Schwalbe Kojak tyres grip well despite minimal tread, and offer loads of rough-road comfort.

The high front end, quick handling and wide tyres make this a good bike for shorter urban commutes where you need to see around you and deal with poor road surfaces.