Bikes - Road

The Pinnacle Evaporite One is a new bike from Evans that's aimed at high-mileage riders but we found it too stiff for all-day comfort.

Evans Cycles has been offering its in house Pinnacle brand for a few years now and 2012 brings a new carbon frame to the range. It's found on the Evaporite One, Two and Three, all with varying levels of finishing kit depending on price. A quick scan of the blurb on Evans' website explains this model as, "A bike aimed at the sportive and big mile riders looking for speed and comfort." Sounds like me.

I'm sorry to see you leave, Cannondale CAAD8, our acquaintance was too short. When you came into my life, I thought you'd be just another run of the mill bike. How you proved me wrong.

'High performance aluminium is back' say the folks at Canondale and after riding the CAAD10, I'd be inclined to agree. Canondale are experts at the aluminium road bike, producing favourites among those looking for a capable race machine without the price tag of a top-level carbon option. The CAAD 10 is the latest incarnation, available in various finishing kits. We put the Ultegra version through its paces.

When the email from roadcc HQ landed on the digital doormat informing me that the GT GTR Series 2 would be my new mode of transport for the next month or so, a quick t'internet search revealed one of my worst nightmares. On paper the GTR Series 2's spec list looks like it's been designed by an accountant rather than a bike rider. Never judge a bike by it's spec sheet because if the Series 2 was designed by an accountant it was one who knows an awful lot about what makes a good road bike.

Here's the thing about the claims Cannondale make for the comfort of the Synapse: they're accurate. This is a really smooth-riding bike.

The Pinnacle Dolomite One is Evans Cycles' entry level sportive bike. It's a good looking bike with a lovely curved and sculpted fork. Unfortunately the ride quality doesn't deliver on the promise of "the ideal introductory bike to the world of sportives" though, if you're not going a long way, it could make a cheap fast-ish all weather commuter.

A pro level bike for a mere three and a half grand!! Alright it may not have the same level of kit as Cadel's did in his little ride around France but it won't be any heavier as our Team Machine weighs in just 10 grams over the UCI's minimum weight limit of 6.8kg.

Litespeed introduced the M1 a few months ago as the entry-level model in their carbon lineup. Although the M1 comes with a recommended retail price of £1,999.99 - call it two grand - Evans are selling it for £1,399.99, so that's the price at which we're reviewing it, can't see anywhere else you can buy it. Suffice to say it's not a big bargain at £1999.99.

The Kinesis Gran Fondo Sc is part of the eight frame Racelight road range which has something for the racer, distance rider, sportive rider, TT'er, commuter and tourer – pretty much every type of road cyclist then. The Gran Fondo is designed to ride like a race bike but with the geometry tweaked a bit to give a slightly more forgiving ride. I tested it alongside the new Gran Fondo Ti and it was interesting to compare the Easton alloy tubing with the renowned comfort of a titanium frame.

New for 2011/12 a titanium Gran Fondo frameset enters Kinesis's Racelight range, using the tried and tested geometry of the scandium version which we're testing alongside the GF_Ti as an experiment in comparing frame materials directly. The GF_Ti is all about taking advantage of titanium's ability to deliver a frame that's comfortable, durable, and long lasting.