A better question might be ‘what can’t you use them for?’

Adventure: The mid-geometry between cyclocross and endurance road bike geometry means that these bikes still feel great on the road, so you won’t be missing out on the joys of rolling fast and quick on the tarmac. However, the increased clearance means you can fit wide tyres, and have plenty of room for mud to accumulate without becoming a ‘mud gate’ and causing constant braking unless it’s seriously dirty out there. That means the ideal use is a long, all-day ride, exploring routes on and off-road – basically allowing you to dive around your local area, unrestrained by the surface below your wheels

Commuter: The upright position and added pannier rack mounts mean these bikes are often considered excellent commuters. Add in the disc brakes for those ‘emergency stop’ moments, and you’ve got yourself a dream machine for city streets.

Winter Road Bike: The endurance geometry means an adventure road bike could be a good companion for long, winter base miles. Space for wider tyres, which offer greater contact with the ground and thus better grip in the wet, are a plus, as are the British weather friendly disc brakes.

Cyclocross: Just because these bikes are a little less aggressive than traditional cyclocross race bikes, it does not mean that they’re not suitable for a few CX races. If you wanted to turn semi-pro and start giving Helen Wyman a run for her money, then you might want to upgrade, but many of these bikes will do the job with as little as a more mud-slicking tyre change.