KIT: AFFORDABLE BIKES
We discover the best bike buys for two-wheeled countryside adventures.
When it comes to choosing a bike, the options can seem endless. So which three affordable bikes are best for two-wheeled adventures in the countryside? Our friends at BikeRadar offer three awesome options, whether you love lost lanes, rugged trails or taking it easy.
NUCLEUS 29 VR, VITUS, £550
A great-value package with a market-leading ride
Vitus is the in-house brand of online cycling retailers Chain Reaction Cycles and Wiggle, and its bikes are available exclusively via their websites.
Vitus’ consumer-direct model means you benefit from its enormous buying power and get a beginner’s mountain bike that, for the money, is arguably unmatched. The ‘cost’ is that you have to buy Vitus’ bikes unseen, and any warranty issues can’t be sorted out with a quick trip to your local shop. This shouldn’t put you off though, as the brand’s bikes have consistently scored well in BikeRadar reviews.
To start, the geometry of the bike is confidenceinspiring, with a roomy reach (how far you stretch to reach the handlebars) and a head tube angle that makes for great handling in steep or technical terrain. The cables and hoses on the bikes are routed externally. This may not look as neat as internal routing but it does make servicing far easier.
The Nucleus 29 VR also has exceptionally good specifications for the cash. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes provide decent stopping power. This bike is easy to set up for a wide range of rider weights, thanks to the air-sprung forks with 100mm of travel – an unusually high quality for this price. The fork is plush and controlled, which helps boost grip and control over rough terrain. The 2.3in-wide WTB Vigilante/Trail Boss tyres are one of the real spec highlights from this bike – instead of the hard, plasticky rubber often found on budget bikes, these tyres use WTB’s premium High Grip compound. No matter how hard we pushed the front wheel through corners, the tyre never squirmed or rolled on the rim (something which can feel very unnerving).
The Vitus confidently handled all the trail features on our test loops. Whether tackling through tight corners or hitting wild and loose sections, it proved itself to be very capable.
SPORT ELECTRIC BIKE, GTECH, £995 An e-bike from a vacuum-cleaner brand
Through extensive television advertising Gtech has helped to open up the idea of ebikes to the general public, many of whom may not have considered buying a bike of any kind before. But can a brand best known for a vacuum cleaner, strimmer and lawnmower turn out a bike worth buying?
The Gtech Sport’s key selling point is its simplicity. It has been designed for people who don’t know – or, really, care – about bikes. The Sport is built around a simple alloy frame and is available in either the pictured style or a step-through (with a low crossbar) version. It features a single-speed, belt-driven drivetrain. Without a chain, riders will never run the risk of an oily leg. Besides, gears can complicate the riding experience for the uninitiated.
Unlike many modern bikes, the Sport has v-brake rim brakes. These don’t have the all-weather consistency or out-and-out power of disc brakes, but they can be safely worked on by even the most inexperienced mechanic.
A bottle-shaped 200Wh removable battery pack sits on the down tube; an LCD display shows the battery percentage and what power mode the bike is in (normal or eco). It really could not be easier to use.
The motor system used on the Gtech complements your pedalling in a way that feels natural, without unruly and unexpected acceleration. The Gtech provides a gentle and continuous helping hand, as long as you keep your cadence (pedalling speed) down.
It’s not the fastest or most powerful of ebikes and you have to make an effort to assist the motor on steep gradients. Gtech claims a range of 30 miles but we found that something between 15 and 20 miles was more realistic when tested on some of Bristol’s steeper slopes.
The geometry of the bike is calm and predictable, with easy controls at low speeds yet remaining steadfastly stable at higher speeds, too.
The bike is only available in one size, but a quickrelease seatpost allows you to easily adjust saddleheight to suit a wide range of riders. All but the very tallest and shortest riders should get on fine with the Gtech Sport and the gentle pootling journeys it’s designed for.
Alongside the other testers, we clocked significant miles on the test bike without a hiccup, and as a result wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this as one of the best value e-bikes on the market right now.
TREADWELL EQ, CANNONDALE, £800 Flat-bar run-around with mudguards and a rack
Cannondale is a brand that likes to go against the grain, and its new Treadwell range of bikes – particularly the EQ (equipped) model on test here – is further proof of that.
The Treadwell range was launched in May 2019 and consists of three builds – the 3, 2 and the pictured EQ. Each is available in either a ‘standard’ frame or a classic step-through, for even easier mounting and dismounting.
All Treadwell bikes are available in small, medium and large sizes. The geometry is specifically designed to provide a comfortable, cruisy position, with a short reach to the handlebars, making it easy to put a foot down at the lights. The relaxed position ensures the Treadwell offers a luxurious ride – arriving in style is the name of the game here.
Practical protective rubber strips down each side of the top tube prevent scrapes on the paintwork when locking up the bike. A handy feature also allows you to mount your smartphone on the stem so you can use it as a bike computer for navigation.
A sensor in the front wheel tracks your speed and distance and can communicate with a free Cannondale app on your smartphone, developed in partnership with technology company Garmin.
The EQ is the most expensive bike in the Treadwell range at £800. The bike is built around a 1×9 Shimano Altus drivetrain that is simple to maintain. Similarly, the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes are powerful in all conditions and totally fuss-free.
The Treadwell looks like a traditional sit-up-andbeg Dutch-style tank at first glance, but weighing in at just 13.2kg, it’s in fact nowhere near as heavy as you might expect.
The Treadwell EQ is the only bike in the range that is fitted with a front rack as standard. The rack has a 10kg upper weight limit, but if you loaded it up with much more than that, the handling would be compromised anyway.
Chunky 47mm-wide Maxxis DTR-1 tyres are reasonably fast-rolling and offer a good level of comfort on rough roads. When combined with full-length mudguards, the EQ is well-suited to everyday cycling, while remaining fun to ride.
Cannondale is on to a winning formula with the Treadwell – it is delightfully nimble, comfortable, practical and a hoot to ride.
The Treadwell EQ is a great runabout. Made for running errands or a bit of shopping, it puts a smile on your face every time. But it’s also great for exploring country lanes or cycle trails at a more relaxed pace.