BEST BIKES EVER? ?

Our chief tester reveals the bikes he bought

My love a air with bikes started at a young age. First a Raleigh Tomahawk, then a Commando, then a Grifter, then a series of proto-mountain hack bikes consisting of old tourers saved from skips. Then a Muddy Fox Courier comp for fun and a Peugeot Carbolite road bike for serious training. The list goes on... But once I started working for bike magazines, things changed dramatically, testing – at a rough estimate – more than 2000 over two decades. And the problem with spending all of your time working in a sweet shop is that you run the risk of becoming a glutton...

So, yes, I have a problem with road bikes: I test them, I fall in love with them and then I want to keep them, which often means reaching deep into my pocket and shelling out on machines I just can’t bear to be without. God help me if I had unlimited funds and unlimited storage – I’d own more than 200 by now. The fact that my bike stable is only a tenth of that shows a lot of restraint. Trust me, it does. The bikes selected here are the ones that I fell for in a big way and haven’t fallen out with since.

German brand Storck’s carbon bikes are pretty special, but the brand’s golden era was aluminium. This allalloy (Easton tubing) Scenario Comp was custom-painted for the 1999 Eurobike show for Storck’s stand. After seeing it, I was taken by the amazing candy-apple flip metallic paintwork. One day, my garage was burgled. I lost a lot of bikes, so after the insurance was settled, I used some of the money on a project to cheer myself up. The Storck Scenario Comp frameset was purchased, along with custom-built (by Harry Rowland) DT Swiss rims on matching green anodised Tune hubs (and green spoke nipples), a custom Tune chainset, custom green Crank Brothers road pedals (sadly no longer made), custom green tune components, a green Chris King headset, ultralight Alpha Q fork and Campagnolo Record. Even the cables were custom green anodised Nokons

(a cable with outers made from lightweight aluminium sections). It took 18 months to arrive and I put more than five figures into building it, but when it was finally finished, it was a 6.3kg superbike that rides brilliantly. Sadly, it took so long to build that, by the time of its completion, carbon had happened in a big way, drivetrains had got another gear and tyre clearances made more generous. I had ended up with something that was heading for obsolescence. Nevertheless, it’s a bike that I still judge favourable against the latest and greatest race machines.

It took 18 months to arrive and I put more than five figures into building it. But this superbike rides brilliantly

This is the bike that was crowned 2014’s Bike of the Year, and one that remains much loved to this day. The original 105 groupset stayed on the bike for a long time and it was only replaced (with Dura-Ace) when I didn’t have a donor frameset to build up with Shimano’s then new kit as part of a launch. I still think this modest Synapse is one of the most balanced bikes, combining fun handling and smooth comfort. In fact,

I can remember raising a few eyebrows at Cannondale when I said that this standard model was superior to the high-end, hi-mod carbon models; I thought that one lost its smooth edge with the transition into ultrasti , lightweight, highmodulus carbon. I believe an endurance bike should have comfort as a priority over sti ness and light weight. The Synapse is still my go-to bike for long days out as the ride position suits me – once I placed a Cane-Creek zerostack headset to reduce the front-end height – and the butter-smooth comfort is high-mileage heaven.

The Synapse is still my go-to bike for long days out. The butter-smooth comfort is highmileage heaven

This Lynskey came together when I was writing a feature on the legendary US titanium brand. As part of the research, I got talking to one of the Lynskey clan about bikes we’d always wanted. I explained that I fancied a bike with big clearances for o -road tyres, but with road geometry and a smooth Synapse-like ride; something versatile, sporty and comfortable. Lynskey accepted the challenge. Nothing I proposed was dismissed out of hand and it accommodated everything I asked for. The resulting bike has a paint scheme I designed and the geometry I wanted, as well as the clearances and ride quality. Lynskey even sourced an out-of-production FSA bar that was a personal favourite. I got to visit them to see it being finished in Tennessee, so this is the one bike that I’ll never part with because I had such a part in its conception. It rides so beautifully smooth I can take it anywhere, road or trail, and it always brings a smile to my face.

This is one bike I'll never part with because I had such a part in its conception. It always brings a smile to my face

The TCR is a bike that’s been around pretty much as long as I have been testing bikes. Across its incarnations, it’s always been a winner and the latest model looks to continue that trend. My 2018 edition is one hell of a machine and, in my opinion, is the epitome of what makes a great fast bike: the weight is low, the sti ness is high and the handling is rapid. This one was a long-term test bike. After a year of riding it relentlessly – and using the chassis as a test bed for masses of components –

I just couldn’t imagine being without it. So when Giant asked for its return at the end of the year, I asked for the bill. Since then, I’ve continued to use it as a test bed, but to me it’s perfectly set-up with its current component line-up. And that’s pretty much how it’s destined to remain.

The epitome of what makes a great fast bike: the weight is low, the sti ness is high and the handling is rapid

This is another test bike that was something a little di erent: an ebike for my 60-mile round trip commute to Bristol and back. Due to the pandemic, for most of 2020 it’s been the stalwart of our weekly shop at home; with the box mounted on the front porter rack and a backpack, I can usually carry our weekly food rations. This year, I’ve put more miles into the Sven than into my car and it’s been an absolute rock.

The Shimano steps system is bulletproof and the quality of Sven’s frame workmanship is stunning. It’s a ride that’s pure luxury in a very utilitarian way. And it’s got custom carbon mudguards too!

During the pandemic, I've put more miles into the Sven than into my car and it's been an absolute rock