ALL ROUND GREAT BUYS
FOUR £1000 BIKES FOR WORK DAYS AND WEEKENDS
We know that plenty of readers are astonished, angry even, at the prices of some of the bikes we test in CyclingPlus. (If that’s you then skip the luxury e-road bike test on p88!). In our defence, brands are always keen for us to review their newest, shiniest – and, yes, priciest models so they can be simpler to get hold of – especially at present.
However, we also realise that for a huge number of cyclists – many of us included – £1000 is a considerable outlay on a bike and, more than likely, that’ll be money that’s spare to spend on one bike and one bike alone.
So, we’ve tested four roughly £1000 machines that on paper offer levels of versatility that will make them astute purchases for those looking for a bike that’s fit for more than one purpose.
For many, £1000 is the price they set when they’re looking for a bike to ride to work – although the Ride To Work scheme parameters have changed this was, for a long time, regarded as the the top end of bikebuying tax relief. You can ride any bike to work but a model that’ll happily tackle a longer than average commute – say at least 10-miles each way – requires drop bars.
That then opens up the possibilities for longer weekend road rides, perhaps a sportive once your commute-earned fitness has built up. If the bike also has big tyres – or clearance for them to be added – you can think about leisurely towpath jaunts, perhaps some cheeky gravel rides on forest roads. Bigger adventures may be on the cards, too, particularly if the bike has mounts for mudguards and bike racks.
We have two gravel bikes on test: a Boardman ADV 8.8 and the Pinnacle Arkose D2, plus Marin’s long-distance adventure Gestalt and the Whyte Dorset with a mountain-bike inspired frame with drop bars. While all four have drop bars, that’s more or less where the similarity ends and each will suit a different style of rider.