The 10 best commuter bikes

1. Giant Halfway City 2

£549, wiggle.co.uk

This 20in model is between a standard city bike and a fold-up, with a light(ish) aluminium frame, Shimano revo shift seven-speed gears and a monofork for folding.

2. Carrera TDF Road Bike

£329, halfords.com

No prizes for design and not the lightest bike, but with its 36-spoke wheel and sturdy frame it can soak up the punishment – and at less than £400, who can complain?

3. Velorbis Scrap Deluxe

£875, velorbiscycles.co.uk

Updates the sit-up-and-beg style for easy city cycling. Virtually indestructible frame, essential mudguards and dynamo-powered lights. Handy balloon tyres.

4. Foffa Prima

Around £500, foffabikes.com

A bespoke bike for around £500? Impossible. Not with Foffa's online service. Choose everything from the pedals to colour, single-speed or fixie – cycling nirvana.

5. Boardman Road Comp

£799, boardmanbikes.com

A good-value, solid bike from the Olympic champion Chris Boardman's firm. The Comp is a covetable ride with an aluminium frame and decent drive train.

6. Dahon Speed D7

£399.99, halfords.com

Want to do a little cycling but don't fancy tackling the whole of your 20-mile commute? Get a fold-up and cycle half-way, then take it on the train for the rest.

7. Cyclefit Guru Evolo

Price dependent on specification, cyclefit.co.uk

Invest some of the money saved in train and bus fares and get a made-to-measure bike. At Cyclefit they create the ultimate bespoke bike.

8. Singular Peregrine

£565, singularcycles.com

A true all-rounder. With road wheels and dropped bars, its right at home in the city; put some knobbly tyres on it and you'll soon be darting through the woods.

9. Specialised Allez Triple

£600, scotbycycles.co.uk

If you have a little cycling experience behind you and have racing ambitions, check out the 23mm-wheeled Specialised Allez Triple. It has lots of features.

10. Genesis Croix de Fer

£1,099, squarewheels.biz

This bike is one of the most versatile in its price bracket. The disc breaks, hardy Reynolds steel frame, and rack eyelets mean it's as good for cyclo-cross as it is for commuting.