The Top 5 in every category.
Every category on bikers.co.uk, ranked one to five. Cycle helmets, road bikes, mountain bikes, motorbike helmets, sport motorbikes and more , each with its rating, price, and the honest reasons why it's on the list.
Top 5
Cycle Helmets
Top-rated road, aero and all-road cycling helmets tested on UK roads.
Specialized S-Works Prevail 3
The lightest, most ventilated Prevail yet, with proper aero credentials and a genuinely comfortable AirCage retention system.
Why it's good
- Class-leading ventilation on hot climbs
- Sub-260g in medium is exceptional
Watch outs
- Premium price against the mid-range field
- Deep vents let some rain through in downpours
POC Ventral Tempus MIPS
POC's cool-weather Ventral swaps big vents for aero coverage, and the result is a genuinely fast helmet you can wear year-round.
Why it's good
- Excellent aero shape at low yaw
- Warmer for UK winter riding
Watch outs
- Poor ventilation on hot summer days
- Sizing runs a touch narrow
Giro Aries Spherical
Giro's Spherical MIPS tech pairs with a genuinely ventilated shell to make one of the best-protected lids on the peloton.
Why it's good
- Class-leading MIPS Spherical protection
- Cool on climbs despite the aero profile
Watch outs
- Heavier than the Prevail 3 at ~290g
- Straps a little fiddly to adjust
Kask Elemento
Fluid Carbon 12 padding replaces MIPS, and Kask claims equivalent rotational protection in a lighter, cooler package.
Why it's good
- Genuinely light for an aero helmet
- Fluid Carbon padding is comfortable and cool
Watch outs
- Very expensive
- No MIPS may put some buyers off
Bontrager Circuit WaveCel
The best value road helmet on the market, with WaveCel protection that outperforms many helmets costing twice as much.
Why it's good
- Outstanding safety credentials for the price
- Fit guarantee via Trek dealers
Watch outs
- Heavier than premium rivals
- Ventilation trails the Prevail 3
Top 5
Road Bikes
Superbikes for tarmac, ranked by ride feel, aero and outright pace.
Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8
The bike Remco rode to a Tour stage win, brought right down to consumer trim, still absurdly light and now more aero than the Venge ever was.
Why it's good
- Sub-6.9kg complete with pedals
- Meaningfully more aero than the SL7
Watch outs
- Cost is beyond most mortals
- Proprietary cockpit limits fit adjustment
Trek Madone SLR 9 Gen 8
Trek's IsoFlow-equipped superbike gets lighter, stiffer and finally competitive with the Tarmac on gradients.
Why it's good
- IsoFlow smooths out rough tarmac
- Now competitive on weight (7.2kg)
Watch outs
- Integrated cockpit is a fit compromise
- Servicing is dealer-only
Cannondale SuperSix EVO LAB71
Cannondale's LAB71 halo build makes the SuperSix EVO the sharpest handling bike in the class, and one of the lightest.
Why it's good
- Best-in-class handling on descents
- Traditional cockpit means easy fit
Watch outs
- Aero deficit to the Madone at 45kph+
- LAB71 paint is delicate
Pinarello Dogma F
The bike of the Tour de France. Aggressive, stiff, and a genuine WorldTour weapon straight out of the box.
Why it's good
- Stiffest bottom bracket in the group
- Race-pedigree handling
Watch outs
- Firmest ride quality of the shootout
- Highest price by a distance
Canyon Aeroad CFR
The direct-to-consumer aero benchmark. Genuine WorldTour spec for £3-4k less than the equivalent big-shop brand.
Why it's good
- Astonishing value for CFR-level spec
- Adjustable-width one-piece bar is clever
Watch outs
- Direct sales means no dealer test rides
- Cockpit swap is expensive if fit is wrong
Top 5
Mountain Bikes
Trail, enduro and downhill machines put through UK bike parks.
Santa Cruz Nomad 6
Santa Cruz's iconic enduro sled goes mixed-wheel and gets a longer, slacker, harder-hitting attitude.
Why it's good
- MX wheels transform corner exit speed
- 170mm rear travel with brilliant support mid-stroke
Watch outs
- Overkill for anywhere flat
- Reserve-wheel builds push the price hard
Yeti SB160
Yeti's Switch Infinity linkage delivers arguably the best-supported rear end in enduro, and the SB160 is the sharpest expression of it.
Why it's good
- Exceptional mid-stroke support
- Race-ready geometry
Watch outs
- Costly builds across the range
- Ride is demanding for less confident riders
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO
150mm of the most adjustable trail travel on the market. Six geometry positions and a bike that can genuinely be anything.
Why it's good
- Six-position geometry adjust
- Balanced on climbs and descents
Watch outs
- Not as sharp as pure enduro rigs
- Cable routing through the headset
Trek Slash 9.9
The high-pivot Slash is the most composed big-hitting bike Trek has ever built. Straight-line speed is genuinely startling.
Why it's good
- Astonishing high-speed composure
- High-pivot rear axle path smooths square hits
Watch outs
- Idler adds drivetrain drag on climbs
- Heavier than direct rivals
Orbea Rallon M-Team
MyO custom paint and a properly playful 160mm chassis. The Rallon is the bike for the rider who wants something a little different.
Why it's good
- MyO custom paint programme
- Poppy, playful rear suspension
Watch outs
- Less composed than the Slash flat-out
- Some pedal bob on climbs
Top 1
Gravel Bikes
Fast, versatile drop-bar bikes built for mixed British terrain.
Top 1
Folding & Commuter
Practical everyday bikes for train commutes and city miles.
Top 1
Cycling Tech
GPS units, computers and connected kit that make riding better.
Top 5
Motorbike Helmets
Sport-touring, race and modular lids tested in real conditions.
Shoei GT-Air 3
Shoei's third-generation sport-touring lid brings a bigger sun visor, a quieter shell and a proper intercom-ready shape.
Why it's good
- Noticeably quieter than the GT-Air 2 at motorway speeds
- Deeper drop-down sun visor with anti-fog coating
Watch outs
- Heavier than a pure sport helmet at around 1,600g
- Premium price, especially in graphics
Arai Quantic
Arai's sport-touring flagship prioritises airflow, all-day comfort and the brand's famously round, protective shell.
Why it's good
- Best-in-class ventilation on hot days
- Superb interior comfort straight out of the box
Watch outs
- Louder than the Shoei GT-Air 3
- Fixed peak means no drop-down sun visor
AGV Pista GP RR
MotoGP-derived race helmet with a hydration channel, tear-off posts and the shell that Rossi wore to nine titles.
Why it's good
- MotoGP-grade shell tech
- Aggressive aero at 150mph+
Watch outs
- Noisy at motorway speeds
- Race-fit is tight for touring
HJC RPHA 91
A properly light modular that flips up cleanly and comes ready for HJC's Smart HJC 21B intercom.
Why it's good
- Genuinely light at 1.7kg
- P/J dual homologation
Watch outs
- Interior comfort trails Shoei
- Chin bar feels plasticky vs Schuberth
Schuberth C5
The quietest modular on the market by some margin. Aerodynamically shaped for touring bike screens.
Why it's good
- Class-leading wind noise reduction
- Excellent Pinlock 120 fitment
Watch outs
- 1.85kg is heavy
- Vents can whistle at some speeds
Top 5
Sport Motorbikes
Litre-class superbikes ranked on road and track performance.
Ducati Panigale V4 S
The most complete production superbike on sale. 214bhp, semi-active Öhlins, and MotoGP-level aero.
Why it's good
- MotoGP-derived aero package
- Semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 3.0
Watch outs
- Extreme riding position for the road
- Servicing costs are eye-watering
BMW M 1000 RR
BMW's Motorsport-badged homologation special. 218bhp, carbon wheels standard, and WSBK-winning aero.
Why it's good
- 218bhp, revs to 15,100rpm
- Standard carbon wheels
Watch outs
- Character trails the Ducati
- Expensive in Motorsport paint
Aprilia RSV4 Factory
The connoisseur's superbike. Aprilia's V4 remains the most communicative front end in the class.
Why it's good
- Sublime front-end feedback
- Latest APRC electronics
Watch outs
- Dealer network is thin in the UK
- Firm ride quality on rough roads
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R
The most affordable way into a genuine WSBK-derived superbike, and the one Jonathan Rea made unbeatable.
Why it's good
- Best value in the litre-bike class
- Race-winning chassis
Watch outs
- Electronics trail European rivals
- Cramped for tall riders
Yamaha YZF-R1
The crossplane R1 remains the most usable litre-bike on a British B-road. Still track-day-ready, still road-day-friendly.
Why it's good
- Crossplane engine is uniquely usable
- Reliable, easy to live with
Watch outs
- Now UK track-only in 2027 spec (no Euro5+ update)
- Screen tech feels a generation old
Top 1
Motorbike Gear
Jackets, airbags and armour built to actually save your skin.
Top 1
Motorbike Tyres
Sport-touring and sport rubber that suits British weather.
