VITUS NUCLEUS 29 VR £499.99

As the only bike here with 29in wheels, the Vitus has an immediate rollover advantage over its 650b rivals, if you don’t mind buying online. The reinforced frame has a tapered head tube and chain guide mounts, suggesting a seriously tough, attacking character to back up its aggressive geometry. It’s got some classy finishing touches too, but can a bike costing a penny under £500 really deliver on the promise of all this attitude?