Expert advice
Buying guides
Practical advice for UK riders — not generic filler. Written around the brands we sell (Marin, Mondraker, Basso, Wilier) and the trails, lanes, and sportives our customers ride from Leicestershire and the East Midlands.
Start the bike finder wizard →Best mountain bike for beginners in the UK (2026 trail bike guide)
Practical 2026 UK trail bike advice for first-time MTB buyers — hardtail vs full suspension, sizing, and bikes we stock at Stretton Bikes in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Best mountain bikes under £1,000 in the UK (2026)
Which MTB to buy under £1,000 in 2026 — hardtails, kids trail bikes, and Marin models in stock at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Best mountain bikes under £2,000 in the UK (2026 trail bikes reviewed)
Trail bikes under £2,000 reviewed — Marin Rift Zone and hardtail options in stock at Stretton Bikes. Honest UK buying advice from our Leicestershire shop.
Best electric mountain bikes in the UK (2026)
How to choose an e-MTB in 2026 — motor, battery, geometry, and Mondraker & Marin electric trail bikes from Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Bosch vs DJI Avinox: which e-MTB motor is right for you?
Compare Bosch Performance Line CX Gen 5 and DJI Avinox power, weight, batteries, controls and ride feel to decide which e-MTB system suits you.
Best gravel bikes in the UK (2026)
How to choose a gravel bike for UK lanes, towpaths and mixed terrain — geometry, gearing, tyre clearance and models from Marin, Basso and Wilier.
Best road bikes under £2,000 in the UK (2026)
Road bikes under £2,000 — Basso Astra and Italian performance at Stretton Bikes. Sizing, groupsets, and finance options explained.
Hardtail vs full suspension mountain bike — which is right for you?
Hardtail or full suspension for UK trail riding? Practical advice and Marin examples from Stretton Bikes in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
How to choose your first mountain bike
First mountain bike checklist — budget, size, hardtail vs full sus, and where to buy in the East Midlands. Advice from Stretton Bikes.
Bike size guide — how to choose the right size
How to size a mountain, road, or gravel bike — height charts, reach, and professional fitting at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Cycle to Work bike buying guide
How to use Cycle to Work to buy a Marin, Mondraker, or Basso bike from Stretton Bikes — eligibility, budgets, and practical tips.
Best kids bikes in the UK (2026)
Kids bike buying guide 2026 — wheel sizes, safety, and Marin Bayview, Coast Trail, and Mondraker Trick models at Stretton Bikes.
Best electric bikes in the UK (2026)
Electric bikes UK 2026 — e-MTB, motor systems, range and sizing explained. Mondraker e-bikes at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch with Bosch-certified workshop support.
Best mountain bikes in the UK (2026)
Mountain bikes UK 2026 — trail, enduro and hardtail advice. Marin and Mondraker at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch with sizing help and workshop support.
Best road bikes in the UK (2026)
Road bikes UK 2026 — endurance, aero and carbon road bike advice. Basso and Wilier at Stretton Bikes with bike fitting in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Best electric bikes under £5,000 in the UK (2026)
Electric bikes under £5,000 — e-MTB options, motor advice and Mondraker at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Bosch-certified workshop support.
Best mountain bikes under £3,000 in the UK (2026)
Mountain bikes under £3,000 — Marin Rift Zone, San Quentin and trail hardtails at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Best road bikes under £3,000 in the UK (2026)
Road bikes under £3,000 — Basso Astra, Venta and Wilier options at Stretton Bikes. Italian carbon, sizing advice and bike fitting in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Best gravel bikes under £3,000 in the UK (2026)
Gravel bikes under £3,000 — Marin DSX, Wilier and Basso all-road options at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Bosch CX vs DJI Avinox — e-MTB motor comparison
Bosch Performance Line CX vs DJI Avinox M2S for e-MTBs — torque, battery, servicing and which suits UK trail riding. Mondraker at Stretton Bikes.
Gravel bike vs road bike — which should you buy?
Gravel or road bike for UK riding? Honest comparison of geometry, tyres and use cases from Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Choosing your first e-bike
First e-bike buying guide — motor types, range, sizing and servicing. Mondraker e-MTBs at Stretton Bikes with Bosch-certified workshop in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
How to choose the right bike
How to choose a bike — mountain, road, gravel or e-bike? Practical decision guide from Stretton Bikes, independent bike shop in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Carbon vs aluminium bike frames — which is right for you?
Carbon or aluminium bike frame? Honest comparison of weight, ride feel, durability and value from Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Mondraker Crafty — buying guide
Mondraker Crafty e-MTB explained — Bosch motor, Forward Geometry, model range and sizing. Buy from Stretton Bikes, authorised Mondraker dealer in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Mondraker Zendit — buying guide
Mondraker Zendit e-MTB — Avinox M2S motor, ZERO suspension, RR/RRS/XR models. Sizing and availability at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Mondraker Arid — buying guide
Mondraker Arid gravel bike — Forward Geometry, ride character and model advice. Stretton Bikes, authorised Mondraker dealer in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Mondraker Raze — buying guide
Mondraker Raze trail mountain bike — Forward Geometry, suspension and sizing. Buy from Stretton Bikes, Mondraker dealer in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Wilier Filante — buying guide
Wilier Filante aero road bike — geometry, ride feel and ordering through Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Italian performance road bikes.
Wilier Garda — buying guide
Wilier Garda endurance road bike — comfort, geometry and ordering at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Wilier Rave SLR ID2 — buying guide
Wilier Rave SLR ID2 gravel race bike — geometry, spec and ordering at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Wilier Rapida — buying guide
Wilier Rapida road bike — accessible Italian performance, geometry and ordering at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Basso Astra
Explore Basso Astra endurance road bikes at Stretton Bikes. Compare models, specifications, prices and availability from our authorised Basso dealer showroom.
Basso Venta — buying guide
Basso Venta road bike — accessible Italian performance at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Basso SV
Explore Basso SV aero road bikes at Stretton Bikes. Compare models, specifications, prices and availability from our authorised Basso dealer showroom.
Marin Rift Zone — buying guide
Marin Rift Zone full-suspension trail bike — models, spec and sizing at Stretton Bikes, authorised Marin dealer in Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Marin Alpine Trail — buying guide
Marin Alpine Trail enduro mountain bike — travel, geometry and models at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
Marin San Quentin — buying guide
Marin San Quentin hardtail mountain bike — playful geometry and spec at Stretton Bikes, Ashby-de-la-Zouch.