If you’re new to cycling and want to learn about the different types of bikes and what essential
accessories you need to make cycling more enjoyable, this is the complete guide for you.
We’ll look at the many different types of bicycle available to help you choose the right one,
whether you’re looking to swap the car for the daily commute or want to get lost in
the woods on an adventure or just encourage your family to get more active for the health
and fun benefits two wheels offer.
Cycling is hugely accessible. All you need is a bicycle and a few basic accessories,
and you can be spinning along in no time at all. Cycling provides the freedom to explore
the countryside, provides numerous health benefits, beats the traffic around town
and if you’re competitive, there’s a world of road and mountain bike racing waiting for you.
So what bike should you buy? And what bike do you need?
Bikes come in many shapes and forms but they share the same fundamental underpinnings of two wheels,
a handlebar for controlling your direction and pedals for turning your fuel into forward motion.
Which bicycle you choose will depend on your requirements.
Ask yourself things like:
Do you want to cycle with the family?
Do you want to get into road racing?
Do you want to commute on a bike?
Do you want to go mountain biking?
Let’s jump in and take a closer look at each of the main bike types.
A hybrid or city bike is designed for getting you from home to work or college or school or
just to the shops. It’ll be tough and sturdy, be comfortable and be able to carry books, laptops,
groceries and usually come fitted with mudguards to keep you dry and lights for visibility.
If you want to ride on the road, a classic road bike is an obvious choice. They are lightweight
and designed for speed and comfort with a wide range of gears for challenging hills.
If you want to emulate Tour de France heroes, this is the bike for you. They can be used for racing,
long-distance sportives, or simply exploring the countryside with friends and family.
Modern road bikes are versatile and many are perfect for commuting with the ability
to fit mudguards and racks for carrying loads. They can be very affordable or you can spend
many thousands of pounds on top of the range models with all the latest technology.
Based on a road bike, a touring bike is designed for long-distance rides
with an emphasis on comfort. They are ideal if you want to embrace cycling
for the health benefits and enjoyment of exploring your surrounding countryside
and aren’t interested in riding as fast as you can everywhere.
Comfort is a key focus so they are usually designed around wider tyres which are durable
and long-lasting, mudguards, racks and lights are common features to ensure extra practicality.
Mountain bikes are built for going off-road with chunky tyres, tough frames, suspension
and low range gears. They can go up and down impossibly steep trails and come in many forms,
from lightweight cross-country race bikes to all-purpose trail bikes to dedicated downhill race
bikes for tackling the most severe descents. Most entry-level level mountain bikes combine a rigid
frame with a suspension fork and disc brakes, providing maximum control on tricky trails.
Spend more and you can get a full-suspension mountain bike
which will provide more comfort and capability on extreme trails.
Imagine a road bike with chunky mountain bike-inspired tyres
and you have a gravel or cyclocross bike.
Cyclocross bikes are primarily used for racing, a popular winter sport on dedicated
circuits. Modern gravel bikes, a more recent development, are designed for mixed-terrain
adventures and can be used for combining road riding with off-road trails to long-distance
bike packing adventures where you carry all your camping equipment for an overnight stop.
Gravel bikes are hugely versatile,
durable and easy to ride, factors that make them ideal for commuting too.
For longer commutes where you might have to drive or use the train for part of the journey,
a compact folding bike is an ideal choice. Typically designed around small wheels with a
frame that quickly and easily folds in on itself, they can fit in the boot of a car or on the
luggage compartment on a train. Quick and nimble they are perfect for short trips across the city
from the station to the office, where you can easily fold it away and store under your desk.
Electric bicycles are the latest innovation in cycling
and combine a small motor and battery, often concealed in the frame or rear wheel,
to provide pedal assistance. Yes, you still have to pedal, it’s not a motorbike!
The motor matches your pedalling and you can choose the level of assistance
to suit your requirements – max power on the steep hills
and economy on flat roads to prolong the battery life.
E-bikes are the fastest-growing category at the moment as they make cycling more
accessible to many people, they’re ideal if you are put off by hills, are worried your
fitness will hold you back on longer rides, or want to replace a car for the daily commute.
Introducing the next generation of young cyclists to the joys of the sport
is one of the undoubted pleasures of biking, but it’s important to
bear in mind some key considerations when purchasing bikes for children.
Bikes for children come with wheel sizes of 12” for two to four year olds
all the way up to 26” wheel bikes for the over tens. They need to be able to withstand the
rough and tumble of childhood adventure and so reliability – and safety – are paramount.
Most kids will care more about the colour scheme than about the spec of the bike, so make sure
you buy with your child’s preferences in mind – any bike will be ridden more if it is loved.
If you want more information about buying a new bike, head to the buying guide in the link in the
description and if you’ve got any questions about buying a new bike, leave a comment down below.