Welcome to your comprehensive guide to understanding the world of bicycles! If you’re new to cycling or even an experienced rider looking to expand your knowledge, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to demystify the various Bike Kinds available, helping you navigate the options and choose the perfect ride for your needs. Consider this your ultimate resource for all things bike types, suitable for beginners and seasoned cyclists alike!
Alt text: A diverse group of cyclists riding various types of bikes on a sunny road, illustrating the wide range of bike kinds available for different cycling activities.
Bike Buying Guide: Matching Bike Kinds to Your Activities
When it comes to buying a bicycle, we generally advise selecting one that suits your intended cycling activities. Of course, if a particular bike simply catches your eye, that’s perfectly valid too! Are you primarily seeking a bike for your daily commute? Perhaps you need a versatile option capable of handling both paved roads and rugged trails? Or maybe you’re envisioning yourself in full cycling gear, pursuing high speeds and road racing?
Many newcomers to cycling often gravitate towards mountain bikes, possibly due to their familiarity. However, unless you have a genuine passion for mountain bikes or plan to engage in mountain biking, a mountain bike might not be the most suitable choice. At our Co-op, we categorize different bike kinds primarily based on their intended use and the activities they are designed for.
Exploring Different Bike Kinds:
Let’s delve into each of these categories to provide you with a clearer understanding of what each bike kind is designed for.
We offer one of the most extensive selections of bicycles in the UK. Be sure to explore our latest bikes for 2025.
Alt text: An eye-catching graphic showcasing a variety of bike kinds, encouraging viewers to explore the diverse range of bicycles available and discover the perfect type for their needs.
ROAD BIKES
Purpose of Road Bikes
As the name implies, road bikes are specifically engineered for riding on paved roads. While technically any bike can be ridden on a road, road bikes are optimized for maximum efficiency and speed on tarmac. Consequently, they would perform poorly on off-road terrain like mountain trails.
Intrigued by the different subcategories within road bikes? Explore our blog post on road bike styles for a deeper dive.
Alt text: A sleek, modern road bike in concrete gray color, highlighting its lightweight frame, drop handlebars, and skinny tires, key features of this bike kind designed for speed and efficiency on roads.
Road bikes are meticulously designed to optimize road cycling through features like their specific geometry (frame shape), tire width, and component weight. It’s important to understand that you cannot convert a road bike into an off-road bike simply by swapping to wider, knobbly tires. Mountain bike tires are incompatible with road bike frames and components.
Defining Characteristics of Road Bikes: Road bikes are typically characterized by lightweight frames, skinny tires, drop handlebars (curving downwards), high gear ratios (optimized for high speeds), and an aerodynamic riding position. Proper sizing is crucial for road bikes – consult our road bike size chart for guidance.
Road Bike Sub-Types
- Endurance Road Bikes: Prioritize comfort over long distances with a more upright riding posture and typically wider tires for enhanced comfort.
- Climbers Race Bikes: Feature super-light frames and aggressive geometry for maximum efficiency and speed, along with sharper handling for fast descents.
- Aero Road Bikes: Built for ultimate speed on flat terrain, featuring aerodynamic tube shapes to minimize wind resistance and a longer wheelbase for high-speed stability. Heavier than climber bikes due to tube shaping.
- All-Road Bikes (Anyroad): Designed for versatility, capable of handling rougher surfaces like gravel tracks. Wider tires and rack/fender mounts make them more adaptable for varied terrains.
Choose a Road Bike If: You desire fast, efficient cycling on paved roads for commuting, racing, fitness, or recreation.
Avoid a Road Bike If: You plan to ride off-road. Their skinny tires limit their usability to primarily tarmac surfaces. Icy roads can also pose challenges for road bikes.
Recommended Road Bikes:
Giant TCR Advanced 0 Di2 2025 Road Bike
Road Bike Price Ranges
Road bikes generally start at a higher price point compared to hybrid bikes due to the integrated brake and gear shifter technology. Expect to find entry-level road bikes around £799 with aluminum frames and carbon forks. Full carbon frame and fork models start around £2000, with top-of-the-line models exceeding £10,000.
MOUNTAIN BIKES
Alt text: A mountain biker skillfully navigating a rocky trail, showcasing the rugged capabilities of this bike kind designed for off-road adventures and challenging terrains.
Mountain Bike Sub-types:
- Hardtail Mountain Bikes
- Full Suspension Mountain Bikes
- Electric Mountain Bikes
Purpose of Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are purpose-built for mountainous terrain and off-road trail riding. They are characterized by a robust build, knobbly tires, and frame geometry optimized for tackling uneven and challenging landscapes.
Defining Characteristics of Mountain Bikes: Mountain bikes feature wide, knobbly tires for superior traction and a wide range of gears to conquer steep inclines and varied terrain. Suspension systems vary: some have front suspension only (hardtail), while others offer both front and rear suspension (full suspension) for absorbing shocks from jumps and drops. Some simpler models have no suspension. Refer to our guide on full suspension vs hardtail mountain bikes for more details.
Hardtail mountain bikes are typically more affordable and efficient for uphill riding, whereas full suspension bikes prioritize downhill performance, often at the expense of uphill efficiency.
Choose a Mountain Bike If: Your primary cycling will be mountain biking or off-road trail riding.
Avoid a Mountain Bike If: You intend to cycle primarily on paved roads at speed, cover long distances on tarmac, or generally ride around town.
Mountain Bike Sizing: Consult our men’s sizing guide and women’s size guide for appropriate sizing.
Recommended Mountain Bikes:
Giant Trance X 1 2024 Mountain Bike
Mountain Bike Price Ranges
Aluminum hardtail mountain bikes start around £425 and typically include coil-sprung forks. As you invest more in a hardtail, you’ll find improved, more responsive front suspension forks, with air-sprung forks becoming common on models over £1000, along with enhanced brakes and gearing.
Full suspension mountain bikes command a significantly higher starting price due to their more complex technology. Entry-level full-suspension MTBs begin around £2000. Higher-priced models offer superior suspension components (front and rear), smoother, more robust gearing, and more responsive brakes. Carbon frames become available at approximately £4000 and above.
HYBRID/COMMUTER BIKES
Alt text: A rider-friendly hybrid bike parked in an urban setting, showcasing its comfortable upright riding position, flat handlebars, and moderately treaded tires, ideal for commuting and city riding.
Hybrid Bike Types:
- On-road Hybrid Bikes
- Off-road Hybrid Bikes
- Off-road Hybrid Bikes with Front Suspension Forks
Purpose of Hybrid Bikes
Hybrid bikes, also known as commuter bikes or city bikes, are essentially a blend of road bike and mountain bike characteristics. They offer versatility for various riding scenarios. While they may not excel in specialized areas, they provide the adaptability to handle different riding conditions.
Alt text: A close-up of a hybrid bike’s front end, highlighting its flat handlebars, front suspension fork, and moderately treaded tires, emphasizing the comfort and versatility of this bike kind.
Understanding Hybrid Bikes: Hybrid bikes feature flat handlebars instead of drop handlebars. Some models include front suspension to absorb bumps on roads or trails, while others are rigid. Designed for comfort and versatility, they offer a comfortable riding position similar to mountain bikes but with smoother, narrower tires. Tire options can be changed for more off-road traction or slicker profiles for tarmac commuting, or a balance in between.
Choose a Hybrid Bike If: Your primary use for a hybrid bike is commuting, general city riding, and occasional off-road or light trail excursions.
Avoid a Hybrid Bike If: You aim for maximum speed on paved roads in full cycling attire or desire the specialized performance of a dedicated mountain bike on challenging trails.
Hybrid Bike Price Ranges
Reliable and safe hybrid bikes start around £500. Higher-priced models offer improved gears, brakes, and lighter frames. Carbon hybrid bikes are available starting around £1500.
GRAVEL ROAD BIKES
Alt text: A gravel bike with drop handlebars and wider tires on a scenic gravel road, demonstrating its capability to handle both paved and unpaved surfaces, appealing to adventure cyclists.
Purpose of Gravel Bikes
Also known as ‘Gravel Bikes‘ (and adventure bikes or cyclocross bikes), these bikes follow the tradition of early road cyclists who adapted their bikes for off-season training by switching to knobbly tires. A gravel bike can be an excellent year-round option if you seek a fast road bike that can handle off-road adventures. Explore our blog post on road bikes vs gravel bikes for a detailed comparison.
Available in both men’s and women’s frames. For women’s specific models, explore Liv Gravel bikes.
Cyclocross bikes are designed for racing on designated off-road courses, while adventure bikes are built for bikepacking with wider handlebars and more frame space for luggage. For steel gravel bikes, consider Genesis Gravel bikes.
Alt text: A close-up of a cyclocross bike’s front, emphasizing its drop handlebars, wider tire clearance, and robust frame, highlighting its design for both speed and off-road capability.
Defining Characteristics of Gravel Bikes: The most distinguishing feature is the drop handlebars, similar to road bikes, but with greater tire clearance (space around the wheel) for knobbly tires and mudguards, akin to hybrid bikes. Gravel bikes offer more of a road bike feel compared to hybrids.
Choose a Gravel Bike If: You desire a road bike with drop handlebars but want the versatility to explore occasional off-road trails.
Avoid a Gravel Bike If: You prioritize a purely fast road bike, a rugged mountain bike, or a hybrid with flat handlebars.
Gravel Bike Price Ranges
Gravel bikes are comparable to road bikes in price, generally starting higher than basic bikes. Entry-level gravel bikes with aluminum frames and carbon forks start around £799. Full carbon frame and fork models begin at approximately £2000, with high-end models exceeding £10,000.
FOLDING BIKES
Alt text: A person effortlessly folding a Brompton folding bike, showcasing its compact size and portability, ideal for urban commuters and those with limited storage space.
Purpose of Folding Bikes
Folding bikes are designed for convenience and practicality. They can be folded compactly for storage under a desk at work or in a corner at home. Ideal for those with limited storage at home or work, or those concerned about bike theft.
Folding bikes, with Brompton being a leading brand, are engineered to fold into a compact size for easy storage or transport on public transit. They fit neatly in cars or storage closets.
Alt text: A folded Brompton bike in a vibrant blue color, highlighting its incredibly compact form and demonstrating its space-saving design for easy storage and transport.
Defining Characteristics of Folding Bikes: A folding bike frame folds into a small package, aided by small wheels. They typically offer a more upright riding position.
Choose a Folding Bike If: You want to incorporate cycling into your commute but have a long distance, or you need a bike with minimal storage requirements.
Avoid a Folding Bike If: You plan to ride off-road or prioritize high speed.
Folding Bike Price Ranges
Quality folding bikes start around £850 for Tern models. Brompton folding bikes start at approximately £1500 for C-line models (steel frame and forks), while top-tier T-Line models with titanium frames and forks begin around £4250.
ELECTRIC BIKES (E-BIKES)
Alt text: A cyclist smiling while riding an electric bike uphill, illustrating the ease and enjoyment of e-biking, especially for tackling inclines and longer distances.
Electric Bike Types:
Purpose of Electric Bikes
Simply put, electric bikes are designed to make cycling easier, whether for commuting, road riding, or mountain biking. A wide range of folding electric bikes are also available.
Electric bikes are, as their name suggests, partially electric bicycles. They include a battery and motor, making them heavier than non-electric bikes, but they eliminate the struggle of hills. Most offer various levels of assist, allowing you to still get exercise if desired.
Alt text: A stylish step-through electric bike in a silver finish, highlighting its integrated battery and motor, and comfortable design for urban e-biking.
When you pedal, the motor provides a boost, feeling like a strong tailwind, enabling you to maintain a steady pace without excessive effort. (UK regulations limit motor assistance to 15.5mph). Popular electric bike kinds include hybrid, mountain, folding, and now road e-bikes. Explore the best electric bikes for more information.
Defining Characteristics of Electric Bikes: An electric bike is essentially a hybrid, mountain, road, or folding bike equipped with a battery and motor.
Choose an Electric Bike If: You want to cover twice the distance with half the effort.
Avoid an Electric Bike If: You prioritize intense workouts and building muscle strength. See our E-bike Jargon Buster for more e-bike information.
Recommended Electric Bikes:
Gazelle Ultimate C5 HMB 2024 625Wh Low-Step Electric Bike
Liv Rove E+ 2023 Women’s Electric Bike
Electric Bike Price Ranges
Electric bike prices vary depending on motor type. Front or rear hub motor models can be found around £1500, while center-drive motor models start at approximately £2000. Brompton folding electric bikes use front hub motors and start from £2900. Electric cargo bikes start around £2700.
Electric Cargo Bikes
Alt text: A robust electric cargo bike with a large front cargo box, demonstrating its hauling capacity for groceries, deliveries, or even children, an eco-friendly car replacement.
Purpose of Electric Cargo Bikes
Electric cargo bikes serve as a car alternative, designed for transporting passengers, groceries, or deliveries. The electric motor assist is crucial for handling the extra weight.
Alt text: A family using an electric cargo bike to transport children, showcasing its practicality and safety for family transportation and daily errands.
Electric Cargo Bikes are gaining popularity as a car replacement due to their carrying capacity. They are suitable for grocery shopping, school runs, and deliveries. Brands like Tern, Riese & Muller, and Specialized E Bikes offer models with various accessories to customize them for specific needs.
Equipped with powerful Bosch motors and batteries for effortless transport and extended range.
Defining Characteristics of Electric Cargo Bikes: Feature a long front or rear bed for cargo or passengers, a powerful motor to handle heavy loads, and a large battery for extended range.
Choose a Cargo Bike If: You need an alternative to a car for carrying passengers or heavy cargo.
Avoid a Cargo Bike If: You don’t require significant carrying capacity. An electric bike might be more suitable.
Recommended Electric Cargo Bike:
Tern GSD S10 LR Electric Cargo Bike
Electric Cargo Bike Price Ranges
Electric cargo bikes start around £2700, with prices increasing for more powerful motors and larger batteries for extended range. The average price is approximately £4500.
WOMEN’S BIKES
Purpose of Women’s Bikes
Designed for comfort and efficiency for women, considering differences in body proportions. Many manufacturers now favor unisex frames, but brands like Liv still offer female-specific geometry.
Ladies bikes are designed for women, featuring smaller frame sizes and different frame geometry compared to men’s bikes. Some have step-through frames, originally intended for riders wearing skirts, although step-through frames are now unisex. See our women’s bike size guide.
Alt text: A stylish women’s specific Liv bike in ocean cube color, highlighting its frame geometry, saddle, and handlebars tailored for female riders, emphasizing comfort and fit.
We encourage all riders to choose bikes that feel comfortable and fit well. We offer a range of women’s bikes, but women are not limited to these models. Women can ride men’s bikes, and vice versa, if it suits them.
Explore our blog on the best women’s road bikes.
Defining Characteristics of Women’s Bikes: Smaller, lighter frames with shorter top tubes, wider and shorter women’s saddles, and often narrower handlebars with smaller diameter grips.
Choose a Women’s Bike If: It provides the best combination of fit, comfort, and style for you.
Avoid a Women’s Bike If: The geometry doesn’t align with your riding preferences.
TOURING BIKES
Alt text: A robust touring bike equipped with panniers and mudguards, set against a scenic backdrop, showcasing its readiness for long-distance adventures and carrying gear.
Purpose of Touring Bikes
Touring bikes are road bikes adapted for carrying loads over long distances. Designed for long days where stability, practicality, and comfort are paramount, they accommodate pannier racks, mudguards, and slightly wider tires. Steel frames are common for comfort and durability.
Alt text: A close-up of a touring bike’s frame, highlighting its sturdy build, rack mounts, and wider tires, emphasizing its design for comfort, stability, and load-carrying capacity on long rides.
Defining Characteristics of Touring Bikes: Touring bikes can have drop or flat handlebars, wider tires, space for mudguards and panniers, and are designed for long-distance comfort with a relaxed riding position.
Consider Touring Bikes If: You plan long-distance rides, want a commuter with touring capabilities, or need to carry significant loads.
Don’t Consider Touring Bikes If: Other bike kinds like road, mountain, hybrid, or gravel bikes better suit your primary needs.
Touring Bike Price Ranges
Quality steel frame flat-bar touring bikes typically start around £1000. Prices increase based on steel grade and handlebar configuration.
KIDS BIKES
Alt text: Two children joyfully riding kids’ bikes, showcasing the fun and freedom of cycling for children of all ages, and the importance of age-appropriate bike kinds.
Purpose of Kids Bikes
Kids bikes are specifically designed for children. From balance bikes for toddlers to trail-ready junior mountain bikes and road bikes for older kids, we offer a wide range for all ages. A common question is: What size bike does my child need?
Alt text: A lightweight and brightly colored Frog kids bike, highlighting its child-friendly design, smaller components, and focus on ease of use and enjoyment for young riders.
Defining Characteristics of Kids Bikes: Small size with components designed for smaller hands and bodies.
Choose a Kid’s Bike If: You are a child or have a child who wants a bike!
Avoid a Kid’s Bike If: A small adult bike might be a better fit for an older child or smaller adult.
Kids Bike Price Ranges
While cheap kids’ bikes exist, we stock lightweight, quality bikes that children will enjoy riding. Our kids’ bikes start around £270, depending on age and size.
Single Speed Bikes
Alt text: A stylish single-speed bike with a rider in motion, showcasing its minimalist design, clean lines, and suitability for urban riding and low-maintenance commuting.
Purpose of Single Speed Bikes
Single speed bikes are chosen for their simplicity and fitness benefits.
Alt text: A close-up side view of a single-speed bike, highlighting its single chainring and cog, and the absence of derailleurs, emphasizing its simplicity and low-maintenance design.
A single speed bike has one gear ratio, with a single chainring and cog. It allows freewheeling downhill. Advantages include minimal maintenance, longer chain and cog life due to reduced wear. Ideal for commuting or winter riding due to less exposure to salt and moisture. Read our blog on single speed bikes.
The Genesis Flyer is a great single speed example: affordable, robust, low-maintenance, and compatible with mudguards and racks.
Bonus Fact: Single speeds freewheel, while ‘fixies’ (fixed-gear bikes) do not.
Fat Bikes
Fat bikes are a mountain bike sub-type with extra-wide tires (at least 3.8″ wide) for superior traction on loose surfaces like sand and snow. Mostly hardtails, but full suspension fat bikes exist.
Triathlon Bikes
Alt text: A high-performance triathlon bike in grenadine color, highlighting its aerodynamic frame, skinny tires, and TT bars, designed for maximum speed and efficiency in time trials and triathlons.
Triathlon bikes, also called TT or time trial bikes, are designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency on tarmac. They feature skinny road tires, aerodynamic frames, and TT bars. Used in time trial stages of races like the Tour de France.
Tandem Bikes
A bicycle built for two riders. Great for cycling with a partner or sharing effort over distances. Faster than solo riding (assuming equal effort).
BMX Bikes
BMX (Bicycle Motocross) bikes are for racing on dirt tracks with jumps and corners, and for stunts and bike parks. Features include small wheels and compact frames for maneuverability and responsiveness.
Tricycles
Alt text: A stable tricycle with a comfortable seat and three wheels, highlighting its design for riders seeking balance and stability, or those with mobility challenges.
Tricycles have three wheels, ideal for those with balance issues. Also suitable for individuals with injuries or impairments affecting balance or bike mounting/dismounting.
Recumbent Bikes
Recumbents are unique bikes with a laid-back riding position, some almost flat. Excellent for riders seeking to minimize pressure on the lower back, shoulders, wrists, or hands.
Track Bikes
For track cycling enthusiasts. Track bikes are designed for indoor velodromes. Fixed gear (no freewheeling) and brakeless. Speed controlled via leg power.
Personal recommendation: Track cycling is incredibly fun! – Editor.
