As we enter the last few months of 2020, it’s time to start making decisions and prepare your fleet for the new year. For some bike rental managers, this will mean upgrading your wheels and finding new models that will help increase profits. But with so many styles and options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start.
In no specific order, we have rounded up our top 3 hardtail, hybrid and road bikes to help narrow down the choice and make your decision easier. The models we have chosen are the ones we think offer the best value for money with a great riding experience, making them a great choice for bike rental managers.
Top 3 Hardtail Bikes
1. Vitus Sentier 275 VR
Featuring a 140mm travel Marzocchi Bomber Z2 fork, the Sentier absorbs every vibration and gives total control for aggressive trail riding. The geometry, lock-on grips and quality Nukeproof cockpit give comfort, while the 2.6” Schwalbe tyres and Shimano brakes offer traction and responsive breaking in all conditions. The Sentier gives its rider the confidence to tackle the toughest terrains, and it’s no surprise it won Hardtail of the Year 2019.
RRP: £1,099.99
Manufacturer: Vitus
Pros: High spec, fast, versatile, light
Cons: No dropper post, cheap resin pad-only rotors
Weight: 13.82kg
Brakes: Shimano MT410
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 1×11
Wheels: Schwalbe Magic Mary / Hans Dampf 27.5″ x 2.6″
Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z2, 140mm travel
Frame: 6061 T6 Double Butted Aluminium
2. Saracen Zenith Pro
Another 2019 Hardtail of the Year winner, the Zenith Pro is one of the lightest hardtail bikes around. With its double-butted aluminium frame and 120mm travel RST Omega MLC 29 fork, this bike was built for speed. The fork could be a better quality, but for this price range, it’s still a great bike that handles especially well on singletrack.
RRP: £749.99
Manufacturer: Saracen
Pros: Handles well, lightweight, great on singletrack
Cons: Coil sprung suspension fork with friction damping
Weight: 13.85kg
Brakes: Tektro HDM-275
Drivetrain: Shimano Alivio 2×9
Wheels: Vee Rubber Crown Gem 29″x 2.3″
Fork: RST Omega MLC 29, 120mm travel
Frame: 6061 Custom Butted and Hydroformed Aluminium Tubes
3. Calibre Bossnut
The Calibre Bossnut has undergone a complete redesign and the current version delivers its best specs to date. A straight seat tube design means the seat can be easily adjusted, while new geometry gives a steeper seat angle that helps with climbs. The rear suspension has extra sensitivity and traction thanks to the RockShox Monarch R shock, which also makes for a more playful ride.
RRP: £1,200
Manufacturer: Calibre
Pros: Easy seat adjustment, geometry, extra sensitivity and traction
Cons: Stiff for lighter riders, front tyre visibly bigger than the rear
Weight: 15.43kg
Brakes: SRAM Level T, 180/160mm
Drivetrain: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed
Wheels: WTB Vigilante/Trail Boss 27.5″ x 2.3/2.25″
Fork: RockShox Recon RL, 130mm travel
Frame: 6061 T6 Aluminium
Top 3 Hybrid Bikes
1. Carrera Subway
This budget hybrid bike offers a great riding experience on both tarmac and trails. There’s no fork and it can get uncomfortable on longer rides, but it does feature Clarks M2 hydraulic disc brakes for excellent stopping power. The wide Kenda K841 tyres also perform well on various terrains and are puncture-resistant, while the double walled rims and high spoke count give extra durability.
RRP: £300
Manufacturer: Carrera
Pros: Lightweight, Shimano Torney gears, disc brakes
Cons: Stiff, heavy, pedals offer little grip in wet weather
Weight: 14.2kg
Brakes: Clarks M2
Drivetrain: Shimano Tourney 8-speed
Wheels: Kenda K841 27.5” x 1.95″
Fork: Rigid Hi-Tensile Steel
Frame: Alloy
2. Specialized Sirrus
A budget-friendly and lightweight option that can move fast on the road. The Sirrus keeps things simple with a sturdy aluminium frame, steel fork, and V-brake linear pull brakes. The geometry may be a little too relaxed for some and can result in a very upright position. But the Shimano 8-speed gears can shift quickly and offer enough power to tackle steep hills.
RRP: £425
Manufacturer: Specialized
Pros: Comfortable, good value, quick shifting
Cons: Upright position, feels sluggish
Weight: Not available
Brakes: V-brake, linear pull
Drivetrain: Shimano Altus 8-speed
Wheels: Specialized Nimbus
Fork: Hi-Tensile Steel
Frame: A1 Premium Aluminium
3. GIANT Escape 1
The GIANT Escape 1 is a fun choice for everyday rides. The D-Fuse seat post absorbs shocks and vibrations, while the upright position delivers even more comfort. Powerful hydraulic Tektro disc brakes deliver excellent performance in both wet and dry conditions, and the range of gears give more control up steeper inclines. The puncture-resistant tyres also offer extra durability, and overall this hybrid bike leaves its rider feeling confident.
RRP: £649
Manufacturer: GIANT
Pros: Comfortable geometry, internal cable routing, triple crankset
Cons: Heavy
Weight: Not available
Drivetrain: Shimano Altus 9-speed
Brakes: Tektro HD-R280
Wheels: Giant Crosscut Metro, Easy Ride Tubeless
Fork: Carbon
Frame: Aluminium
Top 3 Road Bikes
1. Triban RC500
The RC500 offers speed and quality at a reasonable price. The wheels are on the heavier side, but ergonomic geometry and a carbon fork make it easy and comfortable to handle. The Shimano Sora 9-speed drivetrain provides slick gear changes that are barely noticeable, while the disk brakes offer good stopping power. Plus, with five sizes to choose from, there are plenty of options to suit most riders.
RRP: £599.99
Manufacturer: Decathlon
Pros: Disk brakes, ergonomic design, Shimano drivetrain
Cons: Heavy wheels
Weight: 10kg
Brakes: Promax DSK-300R disk brakes
Drivetrain: Shimano Sora 9-speed
Wheels: Triban Tubeless ready wheels
Fork: Triban Evo fork with carbon blades
Frame: Triban Evo 6061 T6 Aluminium
2. Boardman SLR 8.6 Alloy
This entry-level road bike is a popular budget-friendly option. The aluminium frame is triple-butted to keep it light and sturdy, while the full carbon fork offers additional comfort. The Shimano Claris drivetrain gives assured gear changes, and the Tektro brakes deliver confident, controlled stops. Vittoria’s Zaffiro tyres are also puncture-resistant, and although on the heavy side, they do provide good balance and grip. This sturdy bike delivers all-round speed and comfort for a great price.
RRP: £500
Manufacturer: Boardman
Pros: Speed and comfort, full carbon fork
Cons: Heavy wheels
Weight: 10kg
Brakes: Tektro R315
Drivetrain: Shimano Claris 16-speed
Wheels: Boardman SLR Tubeless Ready with puncture-resistant Vittoria Zaffiro tyres
Fork: C7 Carbon
Frame: Triple Butted 6061 X7 Aluminium
3. Specialized Allez Road Bike
Another popular option, the Specialized Allez offers both versatility and quality. The aluminium frame keeps weight to a minimum, and the overall design is kept clean by using SmoothWeld tech and internal cable routing. The gear shifts are a bit clunky, and the Tektro brakes aren’t as powerful as other models. But, all in all, this is a solid budget option that offers a comfortable ride and value for money.
RRP: £725
Manufacturer: Specialized
Pros: Quality frame, internal cable routing, full carbon fork
Cons: Clunky shifting, brakes
Weight: 9.35kg
Brakes: Tektro alloy dual-pivot
Drivetrain: Shimano Claris 2000 8-speed
Wheels: Axis Sport
Fork: Specialized FACT carbon
Frame: Specialized E5 Premium Aluminium
Start planning with yoyo
These are just some of the best bikes available at the moment, and e-bikes can offer a whole new range of possibilities. The best thing to do is assess your current fleet and market, and work out what would be the best direction for your business. Once you have your new bikes set up and ready to go, yoyo can help you manage them more effectively with our bike rental management software. With organised maintenance records and reports ready at hand, future decisions about your fleet will be even easier to make.