THE BIKE SON TEST ...

PINNACLE LATE RITE 3 £600

Evans Cycles’ second-top Laterite model is based around a semi-compact 6061 aluminium frame and carbon fork, and a largely Shimano Sora nine-speed drivetrain. Braking comes courtesy of Tektro rim brakes but up-to-date features include internal cable routing, wide-range gearing and clearance for wider tyres, making it suitable for commuting, leisure and fitness riding.

BOARD MAN AD V 8.6 £750

The ADV in the name is short for adventure. Designed as a go-anywhere bike, this model comes with a smooth-welded aluminium frame, tapered fullcarbon fork and Shimano Sora gearing with a 48/32 subcompact FSA chainset and wideranging 11-34 cassette. The tubeless-ready rims are paired with quality Schwalbe G-One Allround tyres designed to perform on tarmac and trail alike.

TRIBAN RC520 DISC £849.99

Decathlon’s usual value is evident in its Triban RC520. This all-rounder has a semicompact 6061 aluminium frame and carbon-bladed fork and, in spite of the price, comes with Shimano’s 11-speed 105 gearing. The Triban can take 700c tyres up to 36mm wide and 650b tyres up to 40mm in width. The disc brakes are TRP’s hybrid HY/RDs, which cleverly combine cable actuation and hydraulic calipers.

RIBBLE ENDURANCE AL DISC £999

Lancashire’s direct-sales outfit is the only one of our disc-braked bikes to come with thru-axles. The modern-looking aluminium frame has clearance for 32mm tyres, dropped seatstays and a full-carbon tapered fork. Shimano 10-speed Tiagra takes care of shifting, Tektro provides the mechanical disc brakes and the Mavic Aksium 19 Disc wheels have Continental’s 28mm Ultra Sport III tyres.