With the sun peeping over the clouds, temperatures rising and holidays approaching, it’s time to get ready for the summer and plan the fun-filled days ahead. Road, trail or a lark in the local park, you and the family will need the right bike for the job. Here are just a few suggestions to help you along:
For him
From entry-level, budget models to top-end road machines, Specialized, Giant and Trek are some of the top brands for those looking to speed across anything from the open road to the bumpy backwoods.
The renowned Allez model from Specialized, an entry-level road bike that has been described by BikeRadar as “without any obvious Achilles heel†and a solid 4.5/5, is a genuine class leader and an obvious choice for those taking up road riding for the first time. With a premium alloy frame and a FACT carbon fork, the Allez champions both durability and versatility without compromising on comfort and performance. Its dropped seat stays and light 9.4kg build grant the bike a turn of speed to rival some of the most premium carbon machines.
For a beefier, adventure-ready bike, the Trek Stache 9.6 is a perfect steed for riding off-road, every feature dialled in for rough and ragged terrain. An OCLV Mountain Carbon frame keeps weight low, the SRAM groupset ensures seamless shifting and the RockShox suspension absorbs all manner of humps and bumps, making the Trek Stache a dirt-munching monster.
If versatility and simplicity is more your thing but you still need to keep up with your energetic kids and maintain some sliver of pride, the Giant Rapid 1 may just be the bike for you. Designed to have all the benefits of a drop bar road bike with unrivalled speed and agility but with an upright and comfortable position, the Rapid is a perfect cruiser for all manner of terrain.
For her
The entry-level Trek Lexa 2 is a reliable machine with a no-nonsense build – a bike that can be ridden straight out of the box with no need for expensive upgrades. Stepping up from the Lexa, Trek offer their infamous Domane model altered with female-specific upgrades. The SL 5 disc may stretch the summer budget, but complete with disc brakes, front and rear IsoSpeed decoupler and a light OCLV Carbon frame, this is a bike that can be ridden all year round across a wide array of road terrain.
For those looking for an off the beaten track kind of adventure, Specialized’s gravel munching Diverge 2018 model may just be up to the task. Entry-level in price but with kit to put the most glamorous of adventure bikes to shame, the Diverge is a class leader, Future Shock suspension and space for 42mm tyres perfectly engineered for the thrill-seeking adventurer.
Don’t forget the little’uns
As your little’uns grow and become even faster aboard their two-wheeled machines, you may just want to consider equipping them with a similar setup to yourself. But, until then, the Frog and Specialized lines have a great selection of bikes for the smaller toddlers to the moody teens.
The Frog 58 Team Sky edition is a road-ready bike with a wide range of gears, super-safe cantilever brakes and go-faster Team Sky stripes – a perfect option for the future Tour de France winner. For those seeking thrills on the off-road, Specialized’s Riprock is an ideal first mountain bike, the 2.8-inch wide tyres perfect for maintaining balance and confidence when out on the trail.
Ready for a cycling-filled summer? Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather ahead and cake on the sunscreen – it’s not just your bike that requires planning and attention. For a look at other summer bike options, head over to our sale page to scout out a bargain or two.
