How To Choose The Right Bike For You
With so many types of bikes on the market for different disciplines it can be confusing to choose the right bike for you. This guide is designed to help you choose which bike is best for you in three simple questions.
What is your budget?
Before you do any research it is probably best to get a firm figure in your mind. This will help you filter bikes to match your price range.
What type of riding will you be doing?
Leisure
Leisure riding can be short trips to the shops, meeting up with your mates at the park or riding down your local canal tow path. You'll want a versatile bike that can tackle a range of situations. A hybrid is ideal as they combine the efficiency of lightweight road bike, but the stability and durability of a mountain bike.
Hybrid Classic Bike
The ultimate leisure bike with a sloping top tube (the bar between your legs) for easy mounting. A comfortable stable riding position. Cycle to the shops, down to the park to meet with friends.
Hybrid Sport Bike
Choose a sport hybrid bike with a rigid fork and slim tyres for speed on tarmac. Or, go with front suspension and wider tyres for gravel tow paths and park tracks.
Commuting
For daily rides of less than 15 miles or so you'll want a comfortable bike that isn't too heavy and hard to pedal. Mudguard mounts are a great feature to keep you clean and dry. Powerful disc brakes are perfect for busy urban environments.
Hybrid Sport Bike
An upright riding position improves stability and makes you more visible to other road users. Great for shorter commutes on light gravel.
Road Bike
Very lightweight frames make for fast commuting, fitness training and racing. The fastest bike for getting to work. Ideal for longer commutes on tarmac only.
Cyclocross Bike
A blend of off-road and on-road performance. Ideal if you're commuting through dirt, gravel and tarmac to get to work. Ideal for longer commutes.
Road Riding
Fast-paced cycling on the roads. They are lightweight and require a bent over, low-down position to improve aerodynamics. Road riding can be races over short distances, or long distance (100+) endurance rides. These bikes are excellent for beating the morning rush to work too.
Road Bike
Built for speed. Lightweight, stiff and strong frames maximise pedalling efficiency and energy transfer. Ideal for commuting, fitness training and racing.
Off-Roading
When the tarmac ends, mountain biking begins. We're talking forest tracks, smooth singletrack and trail centre loops. Mountain bikes are durable with upright stable riding positions. Forks and suspension systems add weight so some strength and agility is needed for more rugged off-roading.
Hardtail Mountain Bike
Leave the road behind. These versatile bikes are built for gravel, dirt and trails. Suspension up front takes the sting out of rough conditions while letting you climb uphill efficiently.
Full Suspension Mountain Bike
With suspension on both ends, full suspension mountain bikes are designed for rugged off-roading and technical terrain. More capable than a hardtail these bikes smooth out the roughest, rockiest terrain.
What is your fitness level?
This is a key factor in choosing the best bike for you. Do you have any joint or mobility problems that would hinder you riding a heavy e-bike or mountain bike? Would being bent over into an aerodynamic position for a long time cause you back problems?
A hybrid classic bike with an upright riding position will be best in terms of comfort. Road bikes and cyclocross bikes need you to be quite flexible to reach the drop handlebars. A mountain bike requires you to be quite fit and agile as these bikes are heavier because they are more durable.
Consider an electric bike
Electric bikes (also known as e-bikes) are becoming more popular, with compact batteries and powerful motors to help assist your pedalling. These bikes flatten hills, quicken commutes and let you ride further for less effort. E-bikes are all about having fun.
You can buy an e-MTB to head into the wild, or an e-hybrid for speedy trips around town. You can now even get e-Road bikes.
See our full range of E bikes at all price ranges.
Women's specific bikes
Many brands offer women's specific bikes that come in smaller frame sizes and size specific components to help give you the best fit (and comfort) possible.
As the growth in women's cycling continues more bike brands are now offering bikes that have been built from the ground up for female riders. These bikes come with different riding positions to get the most out of the female anatomy. For more information read our women's specific frame guide.
Now you're ready to research
You're now armed with the knowledge to begin your research. Choosing a bike doesn't have to be difficult or confusing. Simply by knowing your budget, the type of riding you'll be doing and your fitness limitations, you can select the bike that's right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Think about if you want a Mountain bike, Road bike or Hybrid bike. Also think about budget. For more help please see our guide to help you choose.
Measure your height against a wall with measuring tape. Then please see our Bike Size Guide to see what size bike will fit you.
Perhaps you want a mountain bike for riding off-road, a road bike for riding on tarmac, or a hybrid bike to do a little of everything. Please see our guide for more details.
Generally speaking, a more expensive bike will be lighter and more efficient.
With the saddle in the correct position only tip toes of one foot should touch the floor. Please see our guide to adjust your saddle height.
This refers to the wheel size. For adults, there are 26 inch, 27.5 inch and 29 inch wheels available.