Think of Decathlon and most likely you’ll think of the huge sports stores dotted around France. Having crossed the Channel a few years back, the chain also has six stores in the UK, and as well as catering for sports enthusiasts into running, tennis, golf and watersports, they also produce their own range of bikes.

While most of us would love to justify buying an expensive steed or fancy frame, external influences often limit options to more affordable choices. It’s at the budget end of the bike market that things get really interesting though, and is an intensely competitive area. A look at the Decathlon range shows they have a lot going for them – you can certainly get a lot for not much money.

Let’s start with the Rockrider, the company’s hard tail range, with prices starting from just £199.99, rising through four models to £1,399. Pick of the range could be the £499 Rockrider 8.1, which squeezes a 6061 aluminium frame and RockShox Tora 302CL 100mm fork, SRAM X7, Avid Juicy 3 and Rockrider branded wheels and finishing bits into the asking price. We’ve got one of these on test now, we’ll keep you posted.

They do full-suss too, with the equally lightweight £699 pricetag hanging of the Rockrider 9.1. It’s a 120mm bike based around Decathlons NEUF design, essentially a linkage driven single pivot, with a X-Fusion O2 air shock doing the bump absorbing bit. It’s kitted out with a RockShox Tora 120mm fork with remote lockout, SRAM X7 components and Avid Juicy 3 brakes.

If you’re looking cheap long travel, then the FR6 with its 150mm might suit. It’s a sturdily built freeride bike using a simple single pivot suspension design with a matching Suntour 150mm fork up front. The price? Just £499.

Find out more at www.decathlon.co.uk