Boardman HYB 8.8 women’s hybrid
Price £750, halfords.com
Frame 6061 aluminium
Gears Shimano Deore

Chris Boardman – Olympic gold medallist and former holder of the world hour record on three occasions – is often jokingly referred to as ‘The Professor’ because of his forensic attention to detail. The single-minded focus he harnessed during his riding days is now applied to his eponymous bike brand. This month he’s introduced 28 new models and also opened the UK’s first custom-built wind tunnel, designed specifically for cyclists. It’s based in Evesham and riders of all levels can use the facility to achieve optimum aerodynamics, physiology and biomechanics. He’s a man with a plan.

With all this to think about, it’s hard to choose just one of the new 8-Series bikes to review… In the end I opted for the 8.8 Hybrid. Like all the range it has clean lines and a modern design. It’s also terrific value – something Boardman has always prided himself on.

The bike has hydraulic disc brakes and carbon forks for a safe and comfortable ride, and features just one chain ring at the front. It gives quicker, smoother and more reliable gear shifting. It also means you have a huge range 11-42 tooth cassette at the rear. This means less weight, less to go wrong or maintain, the same overall spread of gears as with a 2 chainring set up and happily less chance of choosing the wrong gear. This technology has been used in mountain biking for a few years now, and the simplicity and lower maintenance suit a hybrid bike perfectly, too. A full carbon fork and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes ensure that control and comfort are even better, and with mounts for mudguards and a pannier rack – what more reason do you need to explore new possibilities?

Cool kit

Bike shoes don’t have to look like plastic toys. These DZRs are street smart and ready to ride. Named in honour of the grand, gritty alley of Minna St where DZR’s showroom is based, and featuring graphics designed by their favoured local artist and DJ, Jeremiah Bal, the DZR Minna Shoes represent a fresh homage to an original.

Made with a rich mix of leather and canvas, the Minna comes with DZR’s latest sole, and of course, their performance mapped flex, giving you great power transfer on the bike and a comfortable walking footbed. Completed by recessed SPD pedal compatibility, they also feature a 600 luminosity rear reflective badge for low light visibility.

Minna by DZR £108, alwaysriding.co.uk

Email Martin at martin.love@observer.co.uk or follow him on Twitter @MartinLove166