It might have been a longer wait than normal, and the crest of the Tour de France wave made have been ridden heavily into Autumn, but as we congratulate Tadej Pogačar on his crown, it’s time for a personal purple patch of pedal power. Though it is a more unusual time of year for us mere mortals to be once again enthralled with cycling thanks to the Greatest Race on Earth. We’ve selected some of the best bikes, and best reasons, to get you back on the road.
Best For Pretending You’re Actually In The Tour de France
Madone SLR 9 Disc
£11,350.00
There’s really no better place to start, is there, you young Wiggins wannabe? Well get ready to sell your kids for this one. Look no further, the Madone SLR 9 Disc is your holy grail, the ultimate in speed and efficiency. The ultra-hi-tech bike has an all-new ultralight 800 Series OCLV Carbon frame, adjustable compliance and a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electronic drivetrain, making it the fastest, top-of-the-line aero road bike one can possibly find right now.
The Best To Escape Those Lockdown Blues
Giant Defy Advanced 1
£2,199
These are extremely worrying and uncertain days, when the only thing that’s guaranteed not to be in lockdown is your whirring mind. We all need a bit of escape, and it’s not the most ideal thing to go from the confines of your castle to the confines of a car. You need a bike. Now here is the rad racer that will help you get greedy for vast quantities of fresh air, miles away from home and that healthy dollop of Vitamin D (the last drippings of it at least!) A trusted frame designed for racing, with sleek and sizable 32c tyres and a Shimano Ultegra groupset, tubeless wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and an 11-34 cassette, all at a decent price for its range, this is the Giant Defy Advanced 1. Woof.
The Best For That Road Rookie Who Just Wants To Feel Right
Triban RC 520
£599.99
Getting a solid road bike with exceptional brake power doesn’t automatically mean breaking the bank. It’s understandable if it’s the jovial jaunt you require, whether that’s the commute, a trip to the shops, or a lunchtime reprieve. Look no further than the Triban RC 520, which emerges in the wake of a seismic rebrand for manufacturer Decathlon. At £600, it brings 28mm tyres, foam handlebar tape, new ErgoFit saddle, a solid Shimano Sora R3000 groupset, bottom bracket, front and rear derailleur and levers.
For brake control, the bike has effective and progressive mechanical disc brakes that will work in even very damp conditions, with a guaranteed lifelong frame, stem, and handlebars for life.
No excuses: get pedalling.
