Welcome! You’ve decided to start commuting to work by bike but undecided on what type of bike is best suited for your commute. We’ve put this post together to help inform on what types of bikes work best depending on the type of commute.
Why is Choosing the Right Bike for Commuting Important?
Choosing the right bike for commuting is especially important as you will end up spending a lot of time on the thing. Nothing is worse than a bike is either uncomfortable or not suited for your commute.
Some of the issues you may experience with choosing the wrong bike:
- Impractical to take on public transport due to bulk
- Not suited for hilly terrain
- Uncomfortable on bumpy dirt tracks
- Slow on city streets
For this reason, we recommend considering the following when making a decision on a bike:
- Will you be riding on country roads/tracks or city streets?
- Will you be taking the bike on public transport and need to fold it up?
- Do you want comfort or speed?
- Are you after lightness or toughness?
There’s the perfect bike out there for everyone but you need to first ask yourself what type of riding it is that you will be doing. There’s no point buying a bike that’s suited for road riding if you will be doing the majority of your riding along bumpy fire trail tracks.
Road Bikes
Example of a road bike
Road bikes are generally what most people think of when they think of a bike. Known for their drop handlebars which help put you in a more horizontal riding position to help with speed and aerodynamics, the road bike will suit some commuters better than others.
Road bikes are made in a variety of different materials from carbon (super lightweight) to aluminium and all the way to steel (more durable but slightly heavier). We recommend steering away from carbon bikes as they are not durable enough to cope with the conditions of commuting where a small crash could affect the integrity of the carbon on the bike.
Instead, look for a road bike that’s either aluminium or steel as this will better withstand the conditions of commuting but also come with additional extras such as the ability to attach mudguards or panniers.
Luckily in recent times we have seen road bikes evolve to include options previously only seen in mountain bikes such as disc brakes, suspension and fatter tyres. We will look to cover these types of bikes in the next section.
What type of commuters does a road bike favour?
- Someone who is looking for speed over comfort
- Someone who is happy to feel every bump on the road due to no suspension and skinny tyres
- Someone that wants something that will be quick to ride up hilly terrain
- Someone who has a long commute
What type of commuter does a road bike not favour?
- Someone who needs to venture off road from time to time
- Someone not confident riding in the rain with skinny tyres
- Someone with a short commute
- SUPER SHOCKPROOF PERFORMANCE: Equipped with a high-strength shock-absorbing spring and hydraulic shock fork, which has super shock-absorbing capacity and no noise while driving. More quieter than traditional electric motocross bikes.
- LONG-RANGE BATTERY: Provides you great performance and up to 90 minutes (Tested on 88.2 lbs weight/9.3 mph) long-range with rechargeable 36V sealed lithium battery system in all scenarios. Takes only 4-5 hours to fully charge.
- SAFE SPEED MODES: The dirt bike has 3 safe speed modes - Low: 5.0 mph (8 km/h), Medium: 7.5 mph (12 km/h), High: 15.5 mph (25 km/h). you can choose to use any speed to give you the best riding experience and keep your child safe.
- DURABLE & STRONG: Electric motorcycle designed for kids aged 3-10 with authentic dirt bike geometry provides for a solid ride off-road with a max rider weight of 140 lbs (64 kg). Larger suspension makes rider more comfortable
- EFFICIENT SUPPORT TEAM: Come with detailed instructions for use and efficient after-sales service. You can contact us if you still need help. we will serve you online 24 hours a day.
- 750W BAFANG POWERFUL MOTOR: Hiboy P6 electric bike for adults adopts a 750W BAFANG motor (MAX 1000W), producing a top speed up to 28+MPH. The BAFANG motor can even up to 1000W power and 80 Nm of torque! This is enough torque to get you up any hill.
- WATERPROOF REMOVABLE BATTERY: With a 48V 13Ah Removable IPX5 Waterproof Lithium-Ion Battery, fully charged takes 4-6h, this ebike is capable to achieve 24.9-31 miles in full electric mode and 49.7-62.1 miles in pure pedal assist mode (PAS mode).
- RELIABLE SAFETY SYSTEM: High-Strength Hydraulic Suspension Front Fork will help you easily avoid bumps in the ride and keep health for your spine. Dual Disc Brakes System enable the e bike to stop quickly and smoothly even when riding at high speed.
- 9-SPEED SHIMANO SYSTEM: Shimano 9-Speed System will satisfy all your speed needs for uphill, downhill, acceleration, deceleration, and steady speed. Combined with 26 x 4'' Fat Tires, ebike has perfect terrain adaptability, enough to conquer any road.
- PROFESSIONAL SERVICE: Professional package design makes electric mountain bikes protected perfectly. This electric mountain bike comes 85% assembled, you can install easily. Warranty Description: 30 days free return, one year parts warranty.
Gravel, Cyclocross and Adventure Bikes
Example of a gravel adventure bike
In recent times, road bikes have evolved to be more than just fast bikes you ride on roads. We’ve seen a new breed of road bikes released that are capable of riding on just dirt tracks (cyclocross bikes) all the way to bikes that are capable of riding both on and off the road (gravel and adventure bikes).
What makes these bikes more capable of riding off road than road bikes you ask? Good question. Some of the things that make these bikes more comfortable off the road include:
- Disc brakes for improved stopping power especially in the wet
- Basic suspension to help absorb bumps
- Fatter tyres to provide a more comfortable ride
Gravel, cyclocross and adventure bikes are well suited for any commuter that:
- Do the majority of their riding on and off the road
- Ride in the rain a lot to benefit from the increased stopping power of disc brakes
- People with longer commutes
Where these types of bikes are not suited for commuters who:
- Ride a relatively short commute
- Spend most of their time on the road
- Are on a budget
- Hybrid bike with an aluminum dual-sport frame and suspension fork that offers limitless adaptability with 700c wheels that fit to riders 5'4" to 6'2' tall
- Adult mountain bike is equipped with 24-speed twist shifters, ensuring effortless and accurate gear adjustments
- Mechanical disc brakes offer enhanced stopping power, providing you with additional control and braking performance
- Enabling precise riding, the handlebar and stem combination strikes a balance between lightweight design and durability
- Triple-density ergonomic grips and sport saddle touch key comfort points to soften the ride
- Repair A Hole in Seconds – If you run tubeless, you really need this! It’s a simple idea if your tire is leaking air, ‘ram’ a rubberised rope plug in the hole from the outside, re-inflate the tire with a bike pump or CO2 inflator. Job done
- Save Your Ride – When a puncture is too large for the tubeless sealant (including Slime or Stans NoTubes tire sealant), the combined tire reamer and insertion tool makes for easy plugging with a tire plug so you can quickly get back to the joy of your ride.
- Quick and Easy Flat Repair - for Mountain, Road, Hybrid, E-Bike, Cyclocross, Gravel Bikes and ATV. Storage canister neatly includes the needle (tire reamer and insertion tool), 5 ‘Bacon’ strips (otherwise nicknamed ‘Anchovies’), 0.06 inches / 1.5mm thickness for Road tires and smaller punctures and 5 ‘Black’ strips, 0.14 inches / 3.5mm for mountain bike and hybrid tires. Plugs made from vulcanized butyl rubber.
- Compact and Durable Storage - CNC machined aluminum storage capsule is durable and compact. Storage capsule doubles as a handle when the kit is in use. Safely store the exposed insertion needle and tire plugs in the fully sealed canister. Store the small capsule in your bike / saddle bag or hydration / backpack. Capsule dimensions (when closed): 1.1 inches / 2.8cm diameter, 3.03 inches / 7cm length. Weight 1.8oz / 50g.
- Pro Quality – We are so confident about the quality of our products that if you have any product issues, we're very happy to either provide a Refund or a Replacement!
Hybrid, Urban and Commuter Bicycles
Example of a hybrid bike
We’ve started to see commuter bikes emerge using more lightweight materials but we’d recommend sticking away from carbon and using a durable material like aluminium which will endure the harsh conditions that commuting will throw at it.
What type of commuting is a hybrid bike suited to?
- Someone who wants something that can ride on a range of surfaces (on and off road)
- Someone who just wants to be able to quickly get on the bike and ride without much hassle
- Someone with a mid to long commute
- Someone who has a good balance of hills and flats on their commute
What type of commuting would a hybrid bike not be suited for?
- Someone that wants to go as fast as possible
- Someone who wants a bit of suspension in their ride for bumps
- Hybrid bike with an aluminum dual-sport frame and suspension fork that offers limitless adaptability, 700c wheels that fit to riders 5’7” – 6’2” tall
- Adult mountain bike is equipped with 21-speed twist shifters, ensuring effortless and accurate gear adjustments
- Mechanical disc brakes offer enhanced stopping power, providing you with additional control and braking performance
- Enabling precise riding, the handlebar and stem combination strikes a balance between lightweight design and durability
- Triple-density ergonomic grips and sport saddle touch key comfort points to soften the ride
- 【Basic Configuration】The RUNDEER 20-inch aluminum alloy frame electric bicycle has a 4.0-inch fat tire and an electric motor of 750W, suitable for use on beaches, snow, and mountain tops; it is powerful and able to reach speeds of 32mph. As a result of complex assembly procedures and rigorous testing, it is more stable and safer than similar products.
- 【Excellent Battery】High performance A-grade for Samsung batteries (48V/15Ah) are applied to guarantee long-term stable work in any weather conditions and won’t have the problems of power decay. The batteries last for 26 miles+ in pure electric mode. Embedded in the box, which is made of aviation aluminum alloy and characterized by an easy-detachable, facilitates the charging process, avoiding batteries exposed that may cause damage, ensuring safety and durability.
- 【The Soft Tail】 The electric bike for adults has front fork shocks and additional shock absorption in the rear section of the body. This type of load-bearing design allows this bike to meet the requirements of mountain downhill riding enthusiasts and ensure greater comfort during urban riding.
- [Structured Perfectly]Rudeer’s handlebars come from high-temperature aluminum alloy forging; their strength is 3 times most similar products made of iron pipes. Guaranteed safety even in high-speed riding; Logan (TW) hydraulic brake system (brake stroke Max 1 cm) provides excellent control experience and protection. The Shimano7-speed system and high standard painting process make the body surface smooth, stronger, and less susceptible to scratching; you can find details in our masterpiece.
- 【Assemblies & After Sales】With 85% of our ebikes already assembled, you only require a quick assembly of the front wheel, handlebars, and saddle. Additionally, we offer a 5-year warranty on the frame (excluding wearing parts) and a 2-year warranty on the battery. We are equipped with offline engineers who can assist at any time.
Touring Bicycle
Example of a touring bike
As the name suggests, touring bikes are made for touring with long days in the saddle with panniers and bags attached. Touring bikes are designed with a similar look to road bikes with drop down handlebars but generally favour more durable materials like steel which can better withstand the different conditions of touring.
We think touring bikes make a great option for anyone who has a mid to long range commute and is looking for something that is both reliable and comfortable.
Touring bikes favour people who:
- Have a mid to long distance commute
- Prefer to ride with panniers and mudguards. Generally touring bikes are designed for these to fit natively on the bike without much effort
- Want a durable bike able to withstand the different conditions of commuting
Touring bikes won’t favour people who:
- Have a short commute
- Want a lightweight bike
- Powerful Motor & Long Battery Life: The 500W electric brushless hub motor allows for speeds up to 19mph. High capacity battery (36V/11.6AH) with a Max travel range of up to 25.6 miles under specific conditions, and max load of 220 lbs
- Upgrade Your Commuting: Hiboy S2 Pro electric scooters front and rear wheel equipped with 10-inch solid tires and rear dual shock absorbers provide max comfort, even on rough surfaces or speed bumps.
- Safety with Hiboy Scooter: Hiboy e-scooter features the ultra-bright headlights with a range of up to 15 meters to enhance safety. And double braking system features a disc braking and eABS regenerative anti-lock braking.
- Perfect for Commute and Travel: Hiboy e-scooter collapses for easy storage in car trunks and other compact spaces. Extra detachable scooter’s seat is available for a more comfortable option. (Seat NOT included)
- Hiboy S2 App: Simply connect Hiboy electric scooter's app to lock your scooter, to customize the scooter acceleration and braking responses.
- Keep Everything in Order: Size: 7 x 3.5 x 15 inches /18 x 9 x 38 cm. The front zipper bag and buckle bag allow you to store iPad mini, iPhone 7 Plus, power band, etc., with several separate small compartments inside, it can effectively keep your small items like makeup, tissue, keys and so on. The side mesh pocket is 6 inches height, it can hold 2.4 inch(diameter) bottle.
- Hidden Earphone Hole: There is a hidden earphone hole on the front, providing easy access to your earphones, you can enjoy music anytime and anywhere.
- Adjustable Reversible Shoulder Strap: Designed with 3 D-rings on the lower part, the adjustable shoulder strap can be connected with the left or right D-ring for your preference, so that it is convenient to wear on your left or right shoulder. The shoulder strap pouch is 3.5 x 1.5 x 7.5 inches (L x W x H), it hold the phone screen size under 7 inches easily. Shoulder strap can be adjusted from 31 ” to 39.5 ”.
- Superior Material: The shoulder strap and the back is made of breathable material, make you feel comfortable when travel, hiking and so on.
- 【After-sales guarantee】If you have any problem with broken or damaged items you purchased，please do not hesitate to contact us with your order ID. We will reply and address your issue within one day, so please purchase with confidence.
Fixies and Single Speed Bicycles
Example of a single speed bike
For those of you that want a bike with little maintenance, a single speed bike is for you. Designed with a similar look to that of a road bike, single speed bikes do not have any gears and relies on one gear. This results in less maintenance compared to other bikes which have a full gear set.
One downside to single speed bikes is they aren’t great on hilly areas where having a range of gears is handy when the going gets tough. The same also applies on flat areas where sometimes it’s handy to have heavier gears to help build up more speed. For this reason, we recommend fixie or single speed bikes for people that live in urban environments with a relatively short commute.
But what’s the difference between single speed and fixies? A fixie (or fixed gear) is similar to a single speed bike but without the freewheel. This means that when the wheel is turning also are the pedals. This can be quite scary when riding fast as the pedals start turning rather quickly. One of the positives of not having a freewheel is that pedaling backwards acts as a brake similar to what you may have had on a BMX bike when you were a kid.
What type of commuters should buy a fixie or single speed?
- Someone with a relatively short urban commute with no hills
- Someone on a budget
- Someone looking for a bike with little maintenance
What type of commuters shouldn’t buy a fixie or single speed?
- Anyone with a hilly commute
- Anyone who needs more than one gear
- Anyone who has a long commute
- 【Smooth Stationery Bike】35lbs flywheel and heavy-duty steel frame of the exercise bike guarantee the stability while cycling. The belt driven system provides a smoother and quieter ride than chain transport. It won't disturb your apartment neighbors or sleeping kids.
- 【Personalized Fit Exercise Bike】2-ways adjustable non-slip handlebar, 4-ways padded seat (inseam height 25-35in) and a large range of resistance give users a comfortable indoor riding experience. Workout your muscles / lose weight / enhance heart /lung function. 270 lbs weight capacity.
- 【LCD Monitor and Ipad Mount】The LCD monitor on exercise bike tracks your time, speed, distance, calories burned and odometer. The gift Ipad holder allows you to enjoy exercising and music at the same time, making it easier to keep exercising.
- 【Safe to Use】The adjustable cage pedals on exercise bike protects you from a fast ride. Press the resistance bar to stop the flywheel immediately. The water bottle holder allows you to replenish water in time. Transport wheels help you easily move this cycle machine. All parts are protected and your little baby can't reach them.
- 【What You Get】A YOSUDA exercise bike, all tools and instructions are in the package. Online instruction video can help you complete the assembly within 30 minutes. ONE YEAR FREE parts replacement.
- 6-speed adjustment: With a simple twist at the handlebar-mounted cable-attached adjuster, you can adjust the magnetic resistor and switch the six resistance levels in seconds to meet your requirements about resistance and speed.
- Color: black; Materials: steel, iron, PE plastic, magnet; Max. Load Capacity: 265lb / 120 kg ; Suitable for 26'' to 29'' and 700C wheels
- Make full use of what you already own: For cyclists who want to train uninterrupted by inclement or seasonal weather, this stationary bike stand is a practical and handy solution. With the cycling trainer, you can exercise at home with ease and leave those subjective or objective excuses behind.
- Protective levelness-adjustable feet caps: This magnet turbo trainer is secured by four non-slip feet caps, which prevents the trainer from displacing or damaging the floor during a workout. On each gear-like cap, the “teeth” are varied in thickness. You can rotate the cap and choose the right thickness to level the trainer.
- Smooth & Silent: Noise reduction resistance wheel helps cut out the spinning sound and offers you a quiet exercising environment and a good way to avoid bothering others as well. Highly recommended for apartment/condo/shared space dwellers. The smooth resistance wheel is also protective to the wheel, extending the lifespan of your bicycle.
Mountain bikes
Example of a mountain bike
We generally recommend mountain bikes for anyone that has a bumpy commute and a need for suspension. From our experience, suspension bikes can be slow as it absorbs a lot of the effort you make when riding which can result in a very spongy and sluggish commute when riding on smooth surfaces. While you can lock and disable the suspension, you might as well just buy a hybrid bike if you see yourself locking it often.
Mountain bikes favour people who:
- Have lots of bumps and holes on their commute to ride over
- Spend most of their commute off road
- Want quick stopping power that comes with disc brakes
Mountain bikes aren’t for people who:
- Have a relatively smooth commute
- Spend more of their time riding on road
- Are on a budget
- 【ORIGINAL STEPPER】 With a legacy of over 20k+ 5-star reviews, this is the perfect portable stair step machine. With its sleek and compact form, you can achieve your cardio goals anywhere, whether you're watching TV or working at your standing desk.
- 【 FULL BODY WORKOUT 】Dive into a holistic fitness routine! Engage your core, glutes, arms, and shoulders with this compact low-impact cardio training equipment. The included resistance bands ensure every part of your body gets a workout.
- 【 TRACK YOUR FITNESS 】 Stay informed with the LCD monitor, tracking steps, time, and calories burned. Shape your exercise regime to be more effective and aligned with your goals.
- 【 RESISTANCE BANDS 】 Boost your workout with 2 removable resistance bands. Target over 20 core muscles, enhancing toning for your chest, back, and shoulders, all while engaging in a low-impact aerobics routine.
- 【 QUIET AND SMOOTH】 Experience a tranquil workout with our state-of-the-art hydraulic drive system. It promises not only a smooth and consistent stepping motion but also operates quietly, ensuring an undisturbed and peaceful exercise session.
- 【Ideal for Physical Therapy】Niceday recumbent bike greatly reduces the burden on the back and puts less pressure on the joints. Aim to help knee and lower back arthritis patients work their mobility and recover from replacement surgery.
- 【Quiet & Smooth Performance】The precisely engineered 15LBS flywheel combined with the magnetic control system, ensures smooth and quiet operation. No disturbance to family and neighbors, fostering a harmonious home fitness.
- 【Premium Fitness Companion】Robust & heavy-duty frame for longer service life, excellent stability and safety. Maximum weight capacity is up to 400 LBS. Meet the exercise needs of the entire family.
- 【Tailor-made Thickened Seat】Bid farewell to hip discomfort. Embrace comfort with ergonomic high-density soft sponge cushion and breathable mesh backrest. 8-seat position is easy to adjust, providing ample leg room for user height up to 6'3".
- 【Personalized Customize Intensity】Niceday recumbent bike adopts mechanical resistance output, more durable than electric resistance. 16-level resistances are easy to adjust, ideal for gentle physical therapy and relaxing cardio exercise.
Folding bicycles
Example of a folding bike
We've written about some of our favourite Dahon branded folding bikes in the past and we're big fans! Folding bikes are a great option for anyone who is space conscious and has a relatively small commute. We wouldn't recommend them for people with long or hilly commutes due to the limited gear range which will make any hill a grind!
Who we think folding bikes are great for:
- Small commutes
- People who need to take their bike on public transport
- People who have limited space to store their bike
People who might not suit folding bikes
- People with longer commutes
- People with hilly commutes
- People who like the feeling of riding on a true to size bike
- People who like the feeling of multiple gears
- 【Ideal for Physical Therapy】Niceday recumbent bike greatly reduces the burden on the back and puts less pressure on the joints. Aim to help knee and lower back arthritis patients work their mobility and recover from replacement surgery.
- 【Quiet & Smooth Performance】The precisely engineered 15LBS flywheel combined with the magnetic control system, ensures smooth and quiet operation. No disturbance to family and neighbors, fostering a harmonious home fitness.
- 【Premium Fitness Companion】Robust & heavy-duty frame for longer service life, excellent stability and safety. Maximum weight capacity is up to 400 LBS. Meet the exercise needs of the entire family.
- 【Tailor-made Thickened Seat】Bid farewell to hip discomfort. Embrace comfort with ergonomic high-density soft sponge cushion and breathable mesh backrest. 8-seat position is easy to adjust, providing ample leg room for user height up to 6'3".
- 【Personalized Customize Intensity】Niceday recumbent bike adopts mechanical resistance output, more durable than electric resistance. 16-level resistances are easy to adjust, ideal for gentle physical therapy and relaxing cardio exercise.
- CUSTOMIZABLE CYCLING WORKOUT – Created for fitness enthusiasts of all skill levels, the Marcy NS-654 comes with a magnetic resistance mechanism that can be adjusted to the preset 8 levels, allowing you to tailor your training to your fitness level.
- COMFORTABLE SEAT WITH HANDLEBARS – Designed for a comfortable and efficient training session experience, this upright bike boasts a padded seat that’s furnished with high-density foam and comes with foam-covered grips to help you maintain proper body form
- LCD DISPLAY TRACKS PROGRESS – Push beyond your limits and track your progresses as you train with this gear using the LCD computer screen that acts as an odometer which lets you monitor distance traveled, time elapsed, current speed, and calories burned.
- COUNTERWEIGHTED PEDALS – This gear has weighted, counterbalanced pedals that provides maximized support for your feet. The pedals are equipped with adjustable foot straps to custom fit your exact foot size.
- FOLDABLE FRAME FOR EASY STORAGE – Featuring an ergonomically designed structure, this exercise bike has an innovative frame that folds up to facilitate convenient storage anywhere in your home.
Summary
Like anything in life, you get what you pay for and for this reason we'd recommend not cheaping out too much when buying a bike to commute on. Cheaper bikes generally won't last the harsh conditions that commuting throws at it.
One way to look at spending more money on a commuter bike is to think about all the money you will save elsewhere whether it be not needing to go to the gym anymore or saving money from public transport. I save $1,500 from not needing to catch public transport anymore so it's a huge saving!
Good luck in your hunt for a new bike!
I’m Ben! I used to catch a bus to work until one day I decided the time would be better spent commuting by bike to save time and keep fit. Ever since then, I’ve loved commuting to work with this blog sharing some of my favourite tips and equipment for fellow commuters.