Triban RC120

£399.99 Flanders-designed all-rounder for maximum bang for your buck Weight 10.66kg (M) Frame 6061 aluminium Fork Carbon 1½sin steerer Gears Microshift 8-speed shifters, 11-34 cassette and derailleurs, Shimano Tourney 50/34 chainset Brakes Unbranded deep-drop callipers with cartridge blocks Wheels Triban 700 Finishing kit Triban stem, handlebar and 27.2mm seatpost, Triban Ergofit saddle, 28mm Hutchinson Nitro 2 tyres

DECATHLON'S BIKE BRANDS HAVE long had a reputation for producing high-quality bikes at prices most of its competitors - even online-only brands can only dream of. This is true of its racier Van Rysel-branded bikes, but even more so of Decathlon's more entry-level Triban machines, and our £400 RC120 isn't even Triban's least expensive bike. It's also the only one of our budget-friendly quartet with rim brakes - which will probably please as many as it will disappoint. And while we say it costs £400, it's an even more bargainous £350 as we go to press - the same price as it was in 2019

The drivetrain's a mixture of Shimano and Microshift 02

Fancy fork

The RC120 is based around a 6061 aluminium semi-compact frame and a carbon-bladed fork with a 1sin steerer. The slim round-profile top-tube and down-tube are accompanied by a boxy down-tube and quite chunky-looking seatstays. Its value and versatility are maximised by fittings not only for front and rear mudguards - with clearance aided by the deep-drop brakes but there are mountings for a rear rack, with the front fork drilled for a low-rider rack with a 9kg capacity. The 'comfort' geometry means the frame has a shortish top-tube giving a fairly upright riding position. This will be ideal for commuting and all-round riding, or a handy, non-aggressive year-round trainer