It\u2019s important to think about what you want to do with your bike and where you\u2019ll be going because the best bike for you depends entirely on this.<\/p>\n
Your choice of bike will depend on your own tastes too, and the kind of distance and terrain you want to ride. There are many different types of cycling and a multitude of bikes that will enable you to achieve your goals.<\/p>\n
Whether you\u2019re an urban commuter, a lightning-quick road racer, a trail centre hero, downhiller, fixed-wheel fan, gravel path explorer or something else, there\u2019s a suitable bike out there for you.<\/p>\n
Click on the following links to skip ahead to our sections on the different types of bike:<\/p>\n
- Road bikes: best for riding fast on tarmac<\/a><\/li>\n
- Mountain bikes: best for rough terrain<\/a><\/li>\n
- Gravel bikes: best if you\u2019re in a hurry on bad roads<\/a><\/li>\n
- Hybrid bikes: best for casual riders and short commutes<\/a><\/li>\n
- Electric bikes: best if you want a hand up the hills<\/a><\/li>\n
- Touring bikes: best for carrying luggage and travelling far<\/a><\/li>\n
- Cyclocross bikes: best for cyclocross racing<\/a><\/li>\n
- Fixed gear \/ singlespeed bikes: best if you want a simple bike<\/a><\/li>\n
- City bikes: best for hassle-free riding<\/a><\/li>\n
- Folding bikes: best if you\u2019re short on space \/ best for public transport<\/a><\/li>\n
- Kids\u2019 bikes: best for\u2026 kids<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Road bikes: best for riding fast on tarmac<\/h2>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Road bikes are best for riding on smooth, asphalted roads.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n As the name suggests, road bikes<\/a> are all about riding on surfaced roads, often as fast as possible. They\u2019ve got lightweight frames and skinny road bike tyres<\/a> designed to help you achieve maximum speed for minimum effort.<\/p>\n
They have dropped handlebars<\/a> (ones that loop down and backwards) that enable you to get into an efficient and aerodynamic riding position, and have gearing that\u2019s all about maximum speed.<\/p>\n
Under the guise of slightly more relaxed endurance road bikes<\/a>, they\u2019ll help you embark on big-mile rides with friends, but also lend themselves very well to commuting thanks to their ability to cover ground quickly.<\/p>\n
However, the speed-focused riding position can be uncomfortable for some riders and the lightweight wheels and tyres are susceptible to damage from kerbs and potholes.<\/p>\n
Many dedicated road bikes, especially aero road bikes<\/a> or climbing road bikes<\/a>, will lack the ability to carry luggage \u2013 so, if you need to lug a hefty load, a pure-bred road bike might not be ideal.<\/p>\n
But if they sound like your thing, head to our guide to the best road bikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Pros:<\/strong> Quick; efficient; fun<\/p>\n
Cons:<\/strong> Easier to damage; less comfortable for casual riders<\/p>\n
Road bike buyer\u2019s guides by price<\/h4>\n
- Best cheap road bikes: top-rated bikes for under \u00a3750 or $900<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best road bikes around \u00a31,000<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best road bikes under \u00a32,000 or $2,000<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best road bikes under \u00a33,000 or $4,000<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Mountain bikes: best for rough terrain<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Mountain bikes are best for riding off-road.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n Made to take on the most rugged off-road terrain that nature can offer, mountain bikes are built tough with aggressive knobbly mountain bike tyres<\/a> designed to find grip on almost any surface.<\/p>\n
They also have powerful disc brakes<\/a> that use car- or motorcycle-style discs at the centre of the wheels. More expensive machines will have suspension at both ends for better control over rough ground. The gearing is designed to get you up and down steep terrain, with a wide range to take on varying gradients.<\/p>\n
Even if you don\u2019t plan to tackle mountain ranges, mountain bikes can be a good choice for general leisure riding thanks to their more relaxed riding position.<\/p>\n
While suspension is great for pure off-road riding, it means extra weight, costs more and can be inefficient, so it\u2019s best avoided if you plan to spend most of your time on the road.<\/p>\n
If you fancy heading into the back of beyond, pushing your limits and exploring the path less travelled, then check out our buyer\u2019s guide to the best mountain bikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Like road bikes, mountain bikes are divided into sub-categories tailored to different riders\u2019 needs and terrain.<\/p>\n
The best cross-country mountain bikes<\/a> are designed around speed. The best trail mountain bikes<\/a> and the best enduro mountain bikes<\/a> have more suspension to take on extreme terrain. The best downcountry mountain bikes<\/a> sit somewhere in between cross-country and trail mountain bikes, offering speed uphill and enough suspension to take on trickier descents.<\/p>\n
The best hardtail mountain bikes<\/a> are a good option for riders looking for a more affordable mountain bike and one that\u2019s simpler to maintain due to the lack of rear suspension.<\/p>\n
Pros:<\/strong> Great brakes; upright position; tough; versatile<\/p>\n
Cons:<\/strong> Heavy; slow on tarmac<\/p>\n
Mountain bike buyer\u2019s guides by price<\/h4>\n
- Best mountain bikes for around \u00a3500<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best mountain bike under \u00a3750 or $900<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best mountain bikes around \u00a31,000<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best mountain bikes under \u00a32,000 \/ $2,500<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best mountain bikes under \u00a33,000 or $4,000<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Gravel bikes: best if you\u2019re in a hurry on bad roads<\/h2>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Gravel bikes are booming and growing ever more popular.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n Gravel bikes are becoming very popular and fashionable, and it\u2019s easy to see why.<\/p>\n
They overlap with other bike categories such as bikepacking bikes<\/a> and all-road bikes<\/a>, offering versatility and practicality across a range of surfaces and riding styles.<\/p>\n
Gravel bikes combine road bike looks and speed with loads of frame clearance for fitting fat, knobbly tyres. Gravel tyres<\/a> are often 40mm or wider to get you across almost any terrain, including terrible tarmac, gloopy mud, bridleways, gravel paths and more.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, gravel bikes are referred to as \u2018adventure bikes\u2019. Adventure bike<\/a> frame materials<\/a> include steel, aluminium, carbon and titanium, and at a range of prices from the affordable to the aspirational.<\/p>\n
Many will include eyelets for fitting mudguards<\/a> and pannier racks, disc brakes (hydraulic if you\u2019re lucky) for better braking, and more relaxed geometry than a road bike to deliver better handling on a range of surfaces.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re also a great bet for road riding in winter \u2013 just fit some puncture-resistant tyres and you\u2019re good to go.<\/p>\n
Adventure bikes that take luggage (typically frame bags, saddle bags and bar bags) are used for bikepacking, which is essentially touring, but with perceived better fashion sense and hashtags.<\/p>\n
Gravel bikes are quickly evolving and we are seeing more of these bikes come with gravel bike-specific suspension<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Interested in a gravel bike? Our list of the best gravel bikes<\/a> will help you find the perfect one for your needs.<\/p>\n
Pros:<\/strong> Fast; comfortable; practical<\/p>\n
Cons:<\/strong> Sometimes on the heavier side; attractive to thieves<\/p>\n
Gravel bike buyer\u2019s guides by price<\/h4>\n
- Best budget gravel bikes for under \u00a31,000<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best gravel bikes under \u00a32,000<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
Hybrid bikes: best for casual riders and short commutes<\/h2>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Hybrid bikes are a very popular choice for bike commuters, thanks to their versatility.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n Best thought of as the halfway point between a road bike and a mountain bike, a hybrid takes the comfy riding position of a mountain bike and pairs it with a lighter frame and fast-rolling road bike wheels<\/a>.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re great if you need to cover on-road distance but don\u2019t want to contort yourself into an uncomfortable riding position. Sitting in a more upright position may be less aerodynamically efficient, but it also enables you to look further ahead, which is a huge boon in heavy urban traffic and ideal for cycling to work<\/a>.<\/p>\n
If you want to go quickly on good roads but prefer a more upright position, or don\u2019t get on with drop handlebars, this is the way to go. The only major downside with a flat-bar road bike is that you\u2019re not as aerodynamic as you are on a race bike and therefore you\u2019re not quite as quick.<\/p>\n
Hybrid bikes often use more powerful disc brakes<\/a> that give more consistent performance in wet weather, though at a slight weight penalty. They\u2019re also equipped with plenty of mounts that enable you to carry more luggage, such as specialist pannier bags<\/a>.<\/p>\n
If you need to bridge the gap between urban performance and confident handling, then our guide to the best hybrid bikes<\/a> will give you all the information you need to know.<\/p>\n
Pros:<\/strong> Fairly quick; versatile; upright<\/p>\n
Cons:<\/strong> Typically heavier than road bikes; not as fast<\/p>
Electric bikes: best if you want a hand up the hills<\/h2>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Many electric bikes have chunkier designs, but don\u2019t let this fool you \u2013 they can travel at pace.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n With assistance from a powerful motor<\/a>, electric bikes or ebikes are great if you\u2019re a commuter who needs to arrive at work in a less sweaty state, or if you\u2019re less confident about your fitness<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Electric bike laws<\/a> vary from country to country and, in the US, can vary from state to state. However, in the UK (apart from Northern Ireland) electric bikes limited to 15.5mph \/ 25km\/h can be used on the road without a helmet or licence. They are bikes as far as the law is concerned because you still need to pedal to activate the electric assistance (hence the term \u2018pedelec\u2019).<\/p>\n
More powerful ebikes (some with motorcycle-style throttles) are also available, but in some countries, including the UK, these are classed as mopeds or motorbikes and therefore need to conform to the same rules (electric bike insurance<\/a>, helmets and so forth).<\/p>\n
Most ebikes are designed to be comfortable and easy to live with thanks to flat bars, mudguards and luggage capacity.<\/p>\n
Often, there\u2019s a significant price and weight premium over an equivalent regular bike for the battery, motor and electronics.<\/p>\n
However, as the technology develops, ebikes rise in popularity<\/a> and people realise their potential to help cut emissions<\/a>, prices and weights are coming down. The reduction in price means there are plenty of cheap ebikes<\/a> on the market.<\/p>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Electric mountain bikes can be a total hoot in the hills.<\/span><\/figcaption> - Best gravel bikes under \u00a32,000<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Best mountain bike under \u00a3750 or $900<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best road bikes around \u00a31,000<\/a><\/li>\n
- Mountain bikes: best for rough terrain<\/a><\/li>\n
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