Carrera Vulcan has some of the best components and spec on test, and it’s clear this is where Carrera has spent its money, creating a good entry level bike.

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The extra travel of the suspension fork is also there to catch you when things go wrong. Alongside the Saracen Tufftrax it’s the best Suntour fork here, even if the rebound is a touch too fast.

The rest of the spec matches the XCM fork too, it has 27 gears on offer, something only the Calibre Two Cubed can match. The Shimano Altus shifters are a cut above too, sitting below the bar meaning you can go up or down the range with just your thumb. And then there are the brakes, the the Shimano hydraulic discs are superb and allow one-finger braking, power moderation for better stopping, and will require less fettling over time than the cable brakes.

To challenge the mighty Calibre though, Carrera needs to put more work into the frame — it’s too small, even in the largest size and I felt cramped in the cockpit, something that’s not helped by the quirky shaped bar.