Choosing the right bicycle can feel overwhelming, especially with so many Different Styles Of Bikes available. Whether you’re new to cycling or an experienced rider, understanding the various types of bikes is crucial to finding one that perfectly suits your needs and activities. This guide will demystify the world of bicycles, exploring the main categories and their unique features, helping you make an informed decision for your next bike purchase.
Diverse cyclists riding different styles of bikes, highlighting the variety available for different needs.
Different Bikes for Different Activities
The best way to choose a bicycle is to consider its primary purpose. Are you looking for a bike mainly for commuting? Do you need a versatile option that can handle both paved roads and rough trails? Or are you aiming for high-speed road racing in full cycling gear? While personal preference in aesthetics is valid, aligning your bike choice with your intended activities will significantly enhance your cycling experience.
Many beginners often gravitate towards mountain bikes, perhaps due to their rugged appearance and familiarity. However, unless you specifically intend to ride on mountain trails or truly love the mountain bike style, it might not be the most suitable choice. To simplify your selection, we categorize different styles of bicycles based on their intended use:
Types of Bikes: A Detailed Overview
Let’s delve into each category to provide a clearer understanding of their specific purposes and characteristics.
Check out our extensive selection of bicycles in the UK and explore the exciting new bikes of 2025.
An infographic showcasing various bicycle types, including road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes, to visually represent the range of options.
Road Bikes
Purpose of Road Bikes
As the name suggests, road bikes are specifically engineered for riding on paved roads. While almost any bike can technically be ridden on a road, road bikes are optimized for maximum efficiency and speed on tarmac surfaces. This specialized design, however, makes them perform poorly on off-road terrains like mountain dirt tracks.
If you’re interested in learning more about the nuances within road bikes, explore our blog post on road bike styles for a deeper dive.
A sleek road bike with drop handlebars and skinny tires, illustrating the aerodynamic design optimized for speed on paved surfaces.
Road bikes are designed with specific features to enhance road cycling performance. These include frame geometry optimized for speed and efficiency, narrow tires to reduce rolling resistance, and lightweight components to minimize weight. It’s important to note that road bikes are highly specialized; attempting to convert a road bike for off-road use by simply adding mountain bike tires is not feasible. Mountain bike tires are incompatible with road bike frames and components.
Defining characteristics of road bikes:
- Lightweight frames for enhanced speed and agility.
- Skinny tires to minimize rolling resistance on smooth surfaces.
- Drop handlebars, curving downwards for an aerodynamic riding position and multiple hand positions.
- High gear ratios, optimized for high-speed riding on flat roads and inclines.
- Aerodynamic riding position, reducing wind resistance for greater efficiency.
Proper sizing is crucial for road bikes to ensure comfort and performance. Consult our road bike size chart for accurate fitting guidance.
Road Bike Sub-Types
- Endurance Road Bikes: Designed for comfort over long distances, featuring a more upright riding position and wider tires for enhanced comfort and stability.
- Climber Race Bikes: Ultra-lightweight frames and aggressive geometry prioritize efficiency and speed, ideal for hill climbs and fast descents with sharp handling.
- Aero Road Bikes: Built for maximum speed on flat terrain, featuring aerodynamic tube shapes to minimize wind resistance and a longer wheelbase for high-speed stability. The aerodynamic focus may add slight weight compared to climber bikes.
- All-Road Bikes (Anyroad): Versatile bikes capable of handling rougher surfaces like gravel tracks, featuring wider tires and mounts for racks and fenders, making them suitable for varied terrains.
Choose a road bike if: You prioritize fast, efficient cycling on paved roads for commuting, racing, fitness, or recreational riding.
Avoid a road bike if: You plan to ride off-road regularly. Their narrow tires and frame design are not suitable for uneven or loose surfaces, and icy conditions can also pose challenges.
Recommended Road Bike:
- Giant TCR Advanced 0 Di2 2025 Road Bike
Road Bike Price Range
Road bikes typically start at a higher price point compared to hybrid bikes, primarily due to the integrated brake and gear shifter technology. Entry-level road bikes with aluminum frames and carbon forks start around £799. Full carbon frame and fork models begin at approximately £2000, with high-end, top-of-the-line models exceeding £10,000.
Mountain Bikes
A mountain biker riding on a rugged trail, showcasing the bike’s robust build and suspension designed for challenging terrain.
Mountain bike sub-types:
- Hardtail Mountain Bikes
- Full Suspension Mountain Bikes
- Electric Mountain Bikes
Purpose of Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are specifically built for off-road riding on mountains and trails. They are characterized by their robust construction, knobby tires for superior traction, and frame geometry optimized for handling uneven and challenging terrain.
Defining characteristics of mountain bikes:
- Wide, knobby tires provide excellent grip on loose dirt, rocks, and roots.
- Wide range of gears facilitates climbing steep inclines and navigating varied terrain.
- Suspension systems to absorb shocks and impacts from rough terrain.
- Hardtail: Front suspension fork with a rigid rear frame, offering efficiency on climbs.
- Full Suspension: Front and rear suspension, providing enhanced cushioning for jumps and drops, prioritizing downhill performance.
- Rigid: No suspension, offering a direct feel and low maintenance, suitable for smoother trails or budget-conscious riders.
For a detailed comparison, refer to our guide on full suspension vs hardtail mountain bikes.
Hardtail mountain bikes are generally more affordable and efficient for uphill riding, while full suspension bikes excel in downhill performance, offering greater control and comfort on challenging descents.
Choose a mountain bike if: Your primary cycling activities involve mountain biking or off-road trail riding.
Avoid a mountain bike if: You mainly ride on paved roads, prioritize speed on tarmac, cycle long distances on roads, or primarily ride in urban environments.
For sizing guidance, consult our men’s mountain bike sizing guide and women’s mountain bike sizing guide.
Recommended Mountain Bike:
- Giant Trance X 1 2024 Mountain Bike
Mountain Bike Price Range
Aluminum hardtail mountain bikes start around £425 and typically feature coil-sprung suspension forks. Higher-priced hardtails offer improved, more responsive suspension forks, with air-sprung forks becoming common on models above £1000, along with upgrades to brakes and gearing.
Full suspension mountain bikes are significantly more expensive due to the advanced suspension technology. Entry-level full-suspension MTBs start around £2000, with prices increasing for bikes with better front and rear suspension components, smoother and more robust gearing, and more responsive brakes. Carbon frame full-suspension mountain bikes typically start at approximately £4000.
Hybrid/Commuter Bikes
A rider on a hybrid bike in an urban setting, demonstrating the bike’s versatility for city commuting and paved paths.
Types of hybrid bikes:
- 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 designed as a versatile blend of road bike and mountain bike features. They offer a balance of capabilities, sacrificing specialization for adaptability, allowing you to handle various riding conditions.
A close-up of a hybrid bike highlighting its flat handlebars, moderately treaded tires, and comfortable upright riding position.
For a more in-depth understanding, explore our article: What are hybrid bikes? Hybrid bikes typically feature flat handlebars instead of drop bars, promoting a more upright and comfortable riding position. Some models include front suspension to absorb bumps on roads or trails, while others are rigid. They are designed for versatility and comfort, combining the comfortable riding posture of mountain bikes with smoother, narrower tires than mountain bikes but wider than road bikes. Tire options can be customized for more off-road capability or smoother tarmac riding, or a balance in between.
Choose a hybrid bike if: Your primary use involves commuting, city riding, and occasional rides on varied surfaces including light off-road trails or gravel paths.
Avoid a hybrid bike if: You prioritize high-speed road cycling in performance gear or aggressive mountain biking on challenging trails.
Hybrid Bike Price Range
Reliable and safe hybrid bikes start around £500. Higher-priced models offer improved components such as better gears and brakes, and lighter frames. Carbon hybrid bikes are available starting around £1500.
Gravel Bikes
A gravel bike with drop handlebars and wider tires, pictured on a gravel road, showcasing its capability for mixed-terrain riding.
Purpose of Gravel Bikes
Also known as gravel bikes, adventure bikes, or cyclocross bikes, these bikes evolved from road cyclists adapting their road bikes for off-season training on varied terrains. A gravel bike can be an excellent year-round choice, offering the speed of a road bike with the capability to handle off-road excursions. Explore the differences further in our blog post on road bikes vs gravel bikes.
Gravel bikes are available in both men’s and women’s frames. For women-specific designs, explore Liv Gravel bikes.
Cyclocross bikes are specifically designed for racing on off-road cyclocross courses, while adventure bikes are built for bikepacking, featuring wider handlebars and more frame mounts for luggage. For steel frame gravel bike options, consider Genesis Gravel bikes.
A cyclocross bike with knobby tires and drop handlebars, highlighting features designed for off-road racing conditions.
Defining characteristics of gravel bikes:
- Drop handlebars, similar to road bikes, offering multiple hand positions and aerodynamic advantages.
- Ample tire clearance, accommodating wider, knobbier tires for off-road traction and mudguard compatibility.
- Geometry that balances road bike efficiency with off-road stability, often feeling more like a road bike than a hybrid.
Choose a gravel bike if: You want a road bike with drop handlebars but desire the capability to ride on gravel roads and light trails.
Avoid a gravel bike if: You need a truly fast road bike for competitive road racing, a rugged mountain bike for technical trails, or prefer the flat handlebars of a hybrid bike.
Gravel Bike Price Range
Gravel bikes are priced similarly to road bikes, 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
A folded Brompton bike, demonstrating its compact size and portability for storage and transportation.
Purpose of Folding Bikes
Folding bikes prioritize convenience and practicality. They are designed to fold into a compact size, making them ideal for storage in small spaces like apartments or offices, and for easy transport on public transportation. Perfect for commuters with limited storage or those concerned about bike theft.
Folding bikes, especially brands like Brompton, are engineered to collapse into a manageable size for storage and portability. They are ideal for commuting, allowing cyclists to ride to train or bus stations, fold the bike, and continue their journey. Folding bikes also fit easily in car trunks or storage closets.
A fully assembled folding bike, showcasing its upright riding position and compact wheel size typical of folding bike designs.
Defining characteristics of folding bikes:
- Frame designed to fold into a compact size using hinges and folding mechanisms.
- Small wheel diameters, typically 16 to 20 inches, to minimize folded size.
- Upright riding position for comfort and visibility in urban environments.
Choose a folding bike if: You need a bike for commuting but have limited storage space at home or work, or if you need to combine cycling with public transportation.
Avoid a folding bike if: You plan to ride off-road or prioritize high-speed cycling. Their smaller wheels and folding mechanisms are not optimized for these activities.
Folding Bike Price Range
Quality folding bikes start around £850 for brands like Tern. Brompton folding bikes, known for their premium build and compact fold, start around £1500 for C-line models (steel frame and forks), with top-of-the-range T-Line models featuring titanium frames and forks starting around £4250.
Electric Bikes (E-bikes)
A cyclist riding an electric bike uphill, highlighting the ease and assistance provided by the electric motor on inclines.
Types of electric bikes:
Purpose of Electric Bikes
Simply put, electric bikes are designed to make cycling easier. Whether for commuting, road riding, or mountain biking, e-bikes provide pedal assistance, making cycling more accessible and less strenuous. Electric folding bikes are also increasingly popular, combining portability with electric assistance.
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, integrate an electric motor and battery to provide pedal assistance. While heavier than traditional bikes due to these components, e-bikes significantly reduce the effort required for cycling, particularly on hills. Most e-bikes offer various levels of assistance, allowing riders to adjust the motor’s input and still get exercise.
A commuter-style electric bike with a rear-mounted motor and battery pack, illustrating the integration of electric components in e-bike designs.
When pedaling, the electric motor engages, providing a boost that feels like a strong tailwind. This assistance allows riders to maintain a steady pace with less effort, making longer distances and hills much more manageable. Regulations typically limit motor assistance to a maximum speed of 15.5mph (25 km/h) to comply with e-bike classifications. Popular e-bike styles include hybrid e-bikes, electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) favored for downhill enthusiasts who prefer less strenuous climbs, and electric folding bikes for enhanced commuting convenience. Discover more about e-bikes in our guide: best electric bikes.
Defining characteristics of electric bikes:
- Integration of a battery and electric motor to provide pedal assistance.
- Available in various styles, including hybrid, mountain, road, and folding versions.
- Different levels of assist to control motor output and exercise intensity.
Choose an electric bike if: You want to cycle longer distances with less effort, tackle hills more easily, or commute without arriving sweaty and exhausted.
Avoid an electric bike if: You seek an intense workout and want to maximize physical exertion during cycling. For more e-bike information, see our E-bike Jargon Buster.
Recommended Electric Bikes:
- Gazelle Ultimate C5 HMB 2024 625Wh Low-Step Electric Bike
- Liv Rove E+ 2023 Women’s Electric Bike
Electric Bike Price Range
E-bike prices vary based on motor type. Front or rear hub motor e-bikes can be found starting around £1500, while center-drive motor models, offering more balanced weight distribution and performance, typically start at approximately £2000. Brompton electric folding bikes, utilizing front hub motors, begin at £2900. Electric cargo bikes start around £2700.
Electric Cargo Bikes
An electric cargo bike with a front cargo box, demonstrating its utility for carrying goods and groceries in urban environments.
Purpose of Electric Cargo Bikes
Electric cargo bikes are designed to potentially replace cars for many tasks, capable of transporting passengers, groceries, or deliveries. The electric motor assistance is essential for managing the extra weight associated with cargo and passengers.
A family riding together on an electric cargo bike with a longtail design and passenger seating, emphasizing its role in family transportation.
Electric cargo bikes are gaining popularity as a sustainable and practical alternative to cars, especially in urban areas. They offer substantial cargo capacity for weekly shopping, school runs, and delivery services. Brands like Tern, Riese & Muller, and Specialized E Bikes offer models with extensive accessory options to customize them for specific needs.
Equipped with powerful Bosch motors and high-capacity batteries, electric cargo bikes ensure effortless transport and extended range.
Defining characteristics of electric cargo bikes:
- Extended frame with a front or rear cargo bed designed for carrying loads or passengers.
- Powerful electric motor to handle heavy loads and varied terrains.
- Large battery capacity for extended range and prolonged use.
Choose a cargo bike if: You need an alternative to a car for transporting cargo or passengers regularly, seeking a sustainable transportation solution.
Avoid a cargo bike if: You don’t require significant cargo capacity. In such cases, a standard electric bike or a different style of bike might be more suitable.
Recommended Electric Cargo Bike:
- Tern GSD S10 LR Electric Cargo Bike
Electric Cargo Bike Price Range
Electric cargo bikes start around £2700, with prices increasing for models with more powerful motors, larger batteries for extended range, and advanced features. The average price for an electric cargo bike is approximately £4500.
Women’s Bikes
Purpose of Women’s Bikes
In essence, women’s bikes are designed to offer enhanced comfort and efficiency for women, recognizing that women often have different body proportions compared to men. While many manufacturers now lean towards unisex frames, brands like Liv continue to offer women-specific frame geometries.
Ladies bikes are designed with smaller frame sizes and frame geometries tailored to women’s average proportions. Step-through frames, once primarily for riders in dresses or skirts, are now a unisex design feature for ease of mounting and dismounting. Consult our women’s bike size guide for sizing assistance.
A woman riding a Liv brand women’s specific road bike, highlighting the frame geometry designed for female riders.
We encourage all riders to choose bikes based on fit and comfort, regardless of gender. While we offer a dedicated range of women’s bikes, these do not limit women’s choices. Women can comfortably ride men’s bikes, and vice versa, if the bike suits their body and riding style.
Explore our blog post on best women’s road bikes for more insights.
Defining characteristics of women’s bikes:
- Smaller and lighter frames, often with a shorter top tube (crossbar) for improved standover height.
- Wider women’s specific saddles designed for female anatomy.
- Often narrower handlebars with grips designed for smaller hands.
Choose a women’s bike if: It provides the best combination of fit, comfort, and style for your individual preferences and body type.
Avoid a women’s bike if: The geometry or components do not align with your comfort or performance requirements, regardless of gender labeling.
Touring Bikes
A touring bike equipped with panniers and mudguards, pictured on a scenic road, illustrating its readiness for long-distance travel.
Purpose of Touring Bikes
Touring bikes are specialized road bikes adapted for carrying loads over long distances. Designed for extended rides where stability, practicality, and rider comfort are paramount, they are equipped to handle pannier racks, mudguards, and slightly wider tires. Steel frames are commonly used for their comfort and durability.
A close-up of a touring bike highlighting its robust frame, rack mounts, and comfortable geometry designed for long days in the saddle.
Defining characteristics of touring bikes:
- Frame geometry optimized for stability and comfort over long distances.
- Capability to mount pannier racks and mudguards for carrying luggage and all-weather riding.
- Wider tires compared to road bikes for comfort and load-bearing capacity.
- Available with drop handlebars or flat handlebars to suit rider preference.
Consider touring bikes if: You plan to undertake long-distance cycling trips, want a robust commuter with touring capabilities, or need to carry significant loads on your bike.
Don’t consider touring bikes if: Your needs are better met by a road bike for speed, a mountain bike for off-road terrain, a hybrid for general versatility, or a gravel bike for mixed surfaces.
Touring Bike Price Range
Quality steel frame flat-bar touring bikes typically start around £1000. Prices increase based on steel grade, handlebar configuration, and component level.
Kids Bikes
Children riding a variety of kids’ bikes, showcasing different sizes and styles suitable for young riders.
Purpose of Kids Bikes
Kids bikes are specifically designed for children, ranging from balance bikes for toddlers to junior mountain and road bikes for older children. Whether you’re looking for a balance bike for a 2-year-old or a trail-ready mountain bike for an 8-year-old, there’s a wide range of options available. A frequently asked question is: What size bike does my child need?
A bright-colored kids’ bike with a lightweight frame and child-appropriate components, emphasizing features designed for young cyclists.
Defining characteristics of kids bikes:
- Smaller frames and wheel sizes proportioned for children’s heights.
- Components designed for smaller hands, such as brake levers and grips.
- Lightweight construction to make bikes easier to handle for children.
Choose a kid’s bike if: You are buying a bike for a child or if you are a small adult looking for a very compact bike for specific purposes.
Avoid a kid’s bike if: A small adult-sized bike would be a more appropriate fit and offer better long-term usability.
Kids Bike Price Range
While cheaper kids bikes are available, it’s recommended to invest in lightweight, good-quality bikes that children will enjoy riding. Quality kids bikes typically start around £270, with prices varying based on the child’s age and bike size.
Single Speed Bikes
A rider on a single-speed bike in an urban environment, highlighting the bike’s simplicity and suitability for city riding.
Purpose of Single Speed Bikes
Single speed bikes are chosen for their simplicity and fitness benefits. With only one gear, they offer low maintenance and a direct riding experience.
A close-up of a single-speed bike emphasizing its minimalist design with a single cog and chainring, showcasing its simplicity.
A single speed bike features a single chainring and cog, providing one gear ratio. Unlike fixed-gear bikes, single speeds allow freewheeling. The primary advantage is minimal maintenance due to the absence of gears, resulting in longer chain and cog lifespan and reduced wear. This makes them excellent commuter bikes, leisure bikes, or winter bikes in areas with harsh conditions. For a comprehensive look, read our blog on single speed bikes.
The Genesis Flyer is a popular single-speed model known for its affordability, robustness, and low maintenance, with options for mudguards and racks.
Bonus fact: Single speed bikes freewheel, unlike ‘fixies’ (fixed-gear bikes) which do not allow freewheeling.
Fat Bikes
Fat bikes are a subcategory of mountain bikes characterized by extra-wide tires, typically 3.8 inches or wider. These wide tires provide exceptional traction on loose surfaces like sand and snow, enabling cycling in conditions where standard bikes struggle. Most fat bikes are hardtails, though full-suspension models also exist.
Triathlon Bikes
A triathlon bike with aerodynamic frame and TT bars, designed for optimal speed and efficiency in time trial events.
Triathlon bikes, also known as TT (Time Trial) bikes, are engineered for maximum aerodynamic efficiency on paved surfaces. They position the rider in an aggressively aerodynamic posture to minimize wind resistance and maximize speed. Features include skinny road tires, aerodynamic frames, and TT bars (aerobars). These are the bikes used in time trial stages of professional cycling races like the Tour de France.
Tandem Bikes
Tandem bikes are bicycles built for two riders, positioned one behind the other. Ideal for cycling with a partner or sharing effort over long distances, tandems can achieve higher speeds than solo riders, assuming both riders contribute effectively.
BMX Bikes
BMX (Bicycle Motocross) bikes originated from racing on dirt tracks with jumps and berms. BMX bikes are also popular for stunts, tricks, and bike park riding. Key features include small wheels and compact frames prioritizing maneuverability and responsiveness.
Tricycles
An adult tricycle with a comfortable saddle and upright handlebars, designed for stability and ease of use for riders with balance concerns.
Tricycles feature three wheels, providing enhanced stability and balance. They are perfect for individuals who struggle with balance on two wheels or have mobility limitations. Tricycles are also suitable for riders with injuries or impairments that affect their ability to mount, dismount, or maintain balance at lower speeds.
Recumbent Bikes
Recumbent bikes offer a unique laid-back riding position, differing significantly from traditional bikes. Riders recline in a seated or semi-reclined position, reducing pressure on the lower back, shoulders, wrists, and hands. Some recumbent models even position the rider almost flat on their back.
Track Bikes
For cycling enthusiasts familiar with track cycling, track bikes are purpose-built for indoor velodrome circuits. These bikes are fixed gear, meaning they have no freewheel mechanism, and they lack brakes. Speed regulation is achieved solely through leg control. Track cycling is a highly engaging and exhilarating discipline, recommended by cycling enthusiasts for its unique riding experience.
Choosing the right style of bike depends heavily on your intended use, riding environment, and personal preferences. By understanding the characteristics and purposes of each bike type, you can make an informed decision and select a bicycle that best enhances your cycling adventures.
