The Ridgeback Horizon is a bike for people who want to get things done. It's not trying to look like a race bike. It's a proper, practical trekking bicycle — built from Reynolds 520 chromoly steel, fitted with everything you need to ride year-round, and designed to be as comfortable on a canal towpath as it is on a cross-town commute.

The most distinctive thing about the Horizon is its 26-inch wheel size. In an age when 700c is the default for many bikes, our decision to specify 26" for the Horizon is a deliberate one. Smaller wheels carry a greater strength-to-weight ratio, accelerate faster, and are notably more resilient when heavily loaded. For urban riding — especially on the potholed streets — they're a genuinely sensible choice.

Braking is handled by Shimano MT-200 hydraulic disc brakes — a significant upgrade over cable systems. Hydraulic discs offer consistent, progressive stopping power regardless of whether it's been raining, and they require far less effort at the lever.

Gearing comes from the trusted Shimano Cues 2x9-speed platform, a drivetrain engineered for practicality and longevity rather than outright performance. The wide gear range — 46/30T chainset with an 11-36T cassette — handles hills comfortably with a full load. The AtranVelo AVS rear rack (27kg limit) and Explorer front rack provide serious carrying capacity, and the AVS system on the rear rack means swapping between panniers, baskets and cargo bags takes seconds.

Full-length mudguards and Vittoria Randonneur 26×1.75" puncture-resistant tyres round out a bike that asks very little maintenance of its rider in return for a great deal of dependable service

• Reynolds 520 chromoly steel frame — lifetime warranty
• 26" wheel format — strong, manoeuvrable and widely serviceable
• Shimano MT-200 hydraulic disc brakes — confident stopping in all weather conditions
• Shimano Cues 2x9-speed drivetrain — dependable and easy to maintain
• AtranVelo AVS rear rack — 27kg carrying capacity
• Full-length mudguards — ride clean all year round
• Vittoria Randonneur 26×1.75" puncture-resistant tyres
• AtranVelo Parko HV kickstand — stands securely when loaded