This feature is produced in association with Cycle Surgery
Statistics show that while freewheeling around the countryside is one of Britain’s favourite leisure pursuits, it’s an inescapable fact that most cycling in the UK is of an urban variety.
Bicycle commuting in particular is becoming ever-more popular and the cycling industry has reacted by creating high-quality, well-thought-out machines that make riding in cities or towns a safer, more enjoyable experience.
So if you’re wondering about taking the cycle-commuter plunge, what sort of bike should you be looking at?
Well, steel and aluminium are the ideal choices of material for your frame because of the intrinsically gritty nature of urban riding as both are cheaper to repair than carbon, although if you live somewhere hilly (hello Sheffield!) a carbon bike will be lighter and therefore easier to get about on.
You might also want to consider a bike with disc brakes. These will give you all the stopping power you’ll need when traffic lights change or some oaf pulls out in front of you whatever the weather.
Mudguard and rack mounts are also important ingredients for a great urban machine, allowing you the versatility to carry any luggage on the bike rather than your back as well as attach those all-important bits of plastic that can protect you from road gunk.
A more relaxed geometry is also a plus, not only putting you in a more comfortable riding position but propping you up higher so you’ll be better able to keep an eye on the traffic.
Marin San Rafael DS2
In a nutshell: With its hardy but light aluminium frame, this one is great for city cycling, but it’s also well set up to serve you if you fancy getting off the beaten track for a bit.
Stand-out features: Taking a few licks from mountain bikes, the San Rafael 2 not only features hydraulic disc brakes but also hydraulic suspension on its fork to save your hands if you hit a pothole.
The heavy-duty Schwalbe Smart Sam Kevlar tyres offer a high degree of puncture protection, while you’ll find well-appointed fitting points for panniers and mudguards.
£525 | cyclesurgery.com
Whyte Carnaby
In a nutshell: With its long wheelbase and relaxed head angle, the Carnaby offers the best of both worlds with stability when you’re belting along, and a high degree of manoeuvrability when you’re moving slowly – through stationary traffic, for example.
Stand-out features: The rear dropout has been specially designed so that the hydraulic disc brake calliper can be fitted inside the rear triangle for easy fitment of a rack or mudguards.
With 32c tyres on 20mm wide rims this is also a bike that’ll treat you to a comfy ride.
£599 | cyclesurgery.com
Scott Sub Cross 20
In a nutshell: SUB stands for Speed Utility Bike and that adequately sums up this lightweight, yet entirely practical aluminium machine.
Stand-out features: With its Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, relaxed geometry, spread of 30 gears, rugged Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres and mounts for mudguards this ticks plenty of boxes.
We also like the remote locked-out suspension fork. Lifted from MTBs, this allows you choose between a rigid or squishy suspension fork by flicking a switch on your handle bars. Clever, huh?
£749 | cyclesurgery.com
Specialized Sirrus Sport
In a nutshell: With its ‘fitness geometry’ as Specialized call it, the Sirrus is geared towards the urban cyclist who sees each bike ride as an opportunity to work on their fitness but doesn’t want to compromise their comfort in the way that riding an out-and-out racing bike would.
Stand-out features: The lightweight aluminium frame is tough enough to survive life on the gritty city streets while the hydraulic brakes and internal cable routing will mean minimal maintenance is required.
Its Specialized Flak Jacket tyres will also ward off many a puncture.
£725 | cyclesurgery.com
Scott Metrix 10
In a nutshell: The Scott Metrix gets a makeover for 2018 that sees it issued with an all carbon frame and a set of sport credentials that’ll help you munch any hills that stand between you and your homestead.
Stand-out features: With its relaxed geometry, lightweight construction, and spread of 22 gears, this is a bike that’ll get you from A to B with surprising speed and ease, and in notable comfort thanks in no small part to the 32c tyres it wears. Hydraulic disc brakes take care of stopping duties while neat internal cabling adds to its good looks.
£1,899 | cyclesurgery.com
Specialized Sirrus Expert Carbon
In a nutshell: A carbon wonder with hidden, built-in comfort.
Stand-out features: Built into the head tube is a something which Specialized calls ‘Future Shock’.
Essentially a piston that allows 20mm of travel, it acts much as a hydraulic suspension fork would when you’re riding over cobbles or blunder into a pothole.
The frame is made from high quality FACT 9r carbon fibre that’s both lightweight and extremely responsive. Hydraulic brakes, and mounting points for mudguards complete the package.
£1,750 | cyclesurgery.com