AND THE WINNER IS... TRIBAN RC520 DISC

This is a great value all-rounder from the Decathlon range

It combines Shimano 105 gearing, TRP’s hybrid disc brakes and a geometry for racking up the miles

All four test bikes here scored well, because entry-level bikes still represent good value plus each was genuinely really enjoyable to ride. Pinnacle’s Laterite 3 isn’t that much different to a similar bike from a decade ago, but its updates are very welcome. I’ve no problem with Pinnacle sticking with rim brakes – they work and are simple to service. The internal cable routing creates a clean look, there’s clearance for wider tyres – though Pinnacle supplies 25mm – and wider gearing gives a much lower bailout gear.

Part with £150 more and Boardman’s ADV 8.6 is a rather different beast. It comes with 38mm tubeless-ready tyres, a flared handlebar and adventure-riding ambitions that it more than lives up to, offering comfort and a poised, confident ride over a variety of surfaces. The only real downside is the braking, the mechanical disc brakes requiring lengthy bedding-in and never equalling dual-piston designs for power. The same is true of the otherwise-excellent Ribble Endurance AL Disc, with its very similar brakes. The Ribble balances a stiff frame with good levels of comfort, well-balanced handling and a not-quite-racy riding position that’s great for fast fitness riding. Tough Mavic wheels, wide gearing, mudguard clearance and the ability to customise kit round out a good package.

But Triban’s value-packed RC520 Disc is our winner. This combines Shimano’s excellent 105 gearing, TRP’s very effective hybrid disc brakes and a geometry designed for racking up the miles. It’s no lightweight – few bikes at this price are – but it’s big on comfort. Mudguard and rack mounts plus bags of tyre clearance maximise its versatility too.