Eastway Emitter R4: bike review | Martin Love

A carbon-framed bike that breaks the magical 1,000 barrier and still rides as good as it looks

For cycling fans, the word Eastway is loaded with history. The original circuit was built in London in the 70s as a traffic-free, road-racing track, and many of the sport's greats spun their pedals on it, including Eddy Merckx. The ring was finally bulldozed to make way for the Olympic Park in 2006, but the name lives on in this British brand. The range has just been relaunched and the emphasis is now on 'affordable performance'. If that's what you are after, the Emitter R4 ticks both boxes. It performs well (it's light, responsive and fast) and it's affordable. Spending 1,000 on a bike never sounds like a steal, but believe me, for a carbon frame topped off with this level of kit, it is. My only quibble is the name: Emitter sounds like a projectile-vomiting baby" (wiggle.co.uk)

Price: 950
Frame: carbon
Gears: Shimano Tiagra 2 x 10-speed
Weight: 8.5kg