Never before has selecting a bike test winner been a truly life or death choice. But such is the gravity of assessing a vehicle for survival in the zombie apocalypse. All three of these test bikes possess their own unique attributes that make them suitable in different ways, so think carefully about what your requirements might entail.
In a world where resources are scant and conditions can deteriorate rapidly without warning, it must be said that adaptability and versatility are key. A bike that is capable of multiple configurations – gears or single speed, rigid or suspended, 27.5+ or 29in wheels – offers a huge advantage in being able to adapt to the surrounding environment, depending on what can be scavenged at the time. Throw in an internal gearbox and a quiet-running belt drive, and the Olsen Ram is a cross-country chameleon with long-lasting legs. It’s the reconnaissance vehicle of the bunch, ready to seek out a safe path for others to follow.
Meanwhile, the Shand Drove is the perfect all-terrain hauler for solo operators making the perilous journey to the Safe Zone. An off-road bikepacking rig like the tough Shand will give the pilgrim their pick of routes through troubled lands. Able to carry what they need to survive, the lone traveller will be able to traverse the safest course through whatever terrain they encounter. The addition of features such as a 14-speed Rohloff hub and belt drive means in- field maintenance is kept to a minimum, allowing riders to focus on avoiding the sick, dispossessed, and desperate and, therefore, remaining alive for another day.