Road bike of the year
Independent British testing
Editors’ selection
Rides worth your attention.
The bicycles and components that stood out after wet commutes, steep climbs, rough trails and thorough workshop inspection.
Browse all reviews
Latest bike reviews
Tested beyond the spec sheet.
Each verdict combines extended riding, measured checks, value analysis and maintainability. No catalogue copy. No unearned superlatives.
Road9.4Orion Vector SL
Balanced race geometry, excellent tyre clearance and a chassis that remains composed when the road deteriorates.
Tested at £4,799Full verdict →
Gravel9.2Northline Roam 2
A confident, adaptable gravel bike with stable steering under luggage and useful compliance on broken tracks.
Tested at £2,899Full verdict →
Trail9.0Vanta Ridge 140
Supportive suspension and intuitive handling make this a fast, forgiving choice for technical British trails.
Tested at £3,599Full verdict →
Urban8.8Foundry City Eight
Belt drive, hub gears and thoughtful contact points create a quiet, clean and capable everyday commuter.
Tested at £1,349Full verdict →
Electric9.1Voltfield Everyday
Smooth support, dependable wet-weather stopping and a realistic 72 km mixed-route range in our testing.
Tested at £2,499Full verdict →
Endurance9.3Mercer All Day
Generous fit options and excellent damping produce a rapid endurance bike that never feels vague or sleepy.
Tested at £3,999Full verdict →
How Halo Booth tests
Miles first. Opinion second.
We test bicycles in the conditions British riders know: wet lanes, rough chipseal, stop-start traffic, steep woodland and winter grime. Then every machine returns to the workshop for a detailed inspection.
01
Real-world mileage
Multiple riders, varied terrain and enough distance to expose comfort, handling and reliability traits.
02
Measured checks
Weight, tyre clearance, battery range, braking consistency, noise and key setup dimensions.
03
Workshop scrutiny
Assembly quality, bearing protection, cable routing, service access and replacement-part availability.
04
Value verdict
Performance is judged against direct rivals, ownership costs and the usefulness of the complete specification.
Bike parts reviews
Components that earn their place.
From tyres and drivetrains to lights and helmets, our parts reviews focus on performance, durability, serviceability and genuine value.
See the comparison
TyresBest all-season
Arcus FourSeason 32
Secure wet grip, sensible rolling speed and notably easy tubeless setup.
Halo score9.2
DrivetrainBest value
ShiftLab R12 Mechanical
Crisp shifts, excellent lever shape and replacement parts that do not punish your wallet.
Halo score9.0
HelmetsBest ventilation
Aeroform Vent Pro
Low weight, stable retention and excellent cooling without an excessive price.
Halo score8.9
WheelsetsBest upgrade
Parallax Carbon 45
Predictable crosswind behaviour, useful stiffness and hubs that are straightforward to service.
Halo score9.1
Workshop comparison
Four fast tyres. One wet lane.
Our latest 30–32 mm all-road tyre test compares installation, measured width, wet confidence, rolling feel and puncture protection.
| Model | Test size | Measured weight | Tubeless setup | Wet grip | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcus FourSeason 32 Winner | 32 mm | 338 g | Very easy | Excellent | 9.2 / 10 |
| Continental GP 5000 AS TR | 32 mm | 381 g | Firm | Excellent | 9.1 / 10 |
| Schwalbe Pro One TLE | 30 mm | 305 g | Easy | Very good | 8.9 / 10 |
| Pirelli P Zero Race TLR | 30 mm | 327 g | Moderate | Very good | 8.8 / 10 |
The Halo Booth promise
We review the ride you will actually own.
That means dirty bearings, awkward cable routing, winter grip, replacement costs and whether the magic remains after the launch-day shine has faded.