This feature was produced in association with Cycle Surgery.
Seeing as this part of our introduction to new bikes for 2018 focuses on the more affordable end of the market, we figured it made sense to mention the Cycle To Work Scheme, which is particularly useful if you’d love a new bike but think you can’t afford one.
If you’re not aware of it, it’s a UK government initiative designed to get more backsides out of car seats and onto bicycle saddles.
As such it essentially allows you to offset the cost of a bike – up to £1,000 anyway – through your employer, whom you then pay back via your salary, typically over a 12-18 month period.
See bike2workscheme.co.uk to find out more about this.
As all three of the bikes we're featuring come in under the magical £1k mark, you could purchase any one of them without having to go near your savings or take out a loan.
We know, tempting isn’t it?
Giant Contend 1 2018
In a nutshell: With its relaxed geometry the new Contend will suit those who value comfort when they ride, but not at the expense of speed thanks to its lightweight aluminium frame and carbon fork.
Stand-out features: External bottom bracket bearings help make the Contend a bit stiffer and lighter at the bottom of the frame underscoring its speedy credentials.
But with mudguard mounts this could be just as easily used for touring as going for
a weekend blast with chums or taking on your next sportive.
£749 | cyclesurgery.com
Cube Attain Pro Disc 2018
In a nutshell: From its racy good looks, to its slender seat stays which filter out road noise and increase rider comfort, this represents a lot of bike for your money – not least when you throw in the mechanical disc brakes which will ensure plenty of stopping power whatever the weather.
Stand-out features: The Attain’s geometry has been tweaked for maximum comfort while providing stable, safe handling, however hard you push it.
£849 | cyclesurgery.com
Specialized Allez Elite 2018
In a nutshell: Revamp of Spesh’s super-popular entry-level racing bike. Made of aluminium, it manages to be a few hundred grams lighter than its alloy predecessor.
It’s also got a more relaxed geometry making it more comfortable and better suited to longer rides.
Stand-out features: The frame has been tested in the wind tunnel to make it more aerodynamic than ever, while the SmoothWeld technology gives the frame an incredible neat finish. The cassette features a 32-tooth sprocket for making short work of the hills.
£999 | cyclesurgery.com