Types of Bikes

Designed for use on sealed roads, road bikes are one  best road bikes 2024  of the most efficient bicycles. Road bikes can be spotted by the skinny tyres and 'drop' handlebar that curls back toward the rider at the bottom. There are multiple types of road bikes, but they will typically fit into one of two categories: competition or endurance.

Competition bikes are built with speed in mind. They typically feature harder gears, stiffer frames and a more aggressive position to keep you out of the wind.

Endurance bikes can come in many forms but typically feature slightly more upright riding positions, easier gearing and a smoother ride. They're best picked for more social and fitness-based road cycling. Most brands will sell more endurance road bikes than competition models.

To learn more about these fast bikes, head on over to the blog to see our comprehensive guide to buying a road bike.

Triathlon & Time-trial Bikes

Triathlon/Time Trial bikes are designed for competition and not recreational purposes. They are focused on aerodynamics which makes them the fastest road bike in a straight line and against the clock. Such speed comes at the expense of handling and long-distance comfort. Designed for good quality sealed roads only, this type of bike is best ridden/raced alone or in small groups due to the pointed and narrow handlebar position that doesn't lend itself to agility or fast braking.

Many who own this type of bike will also own a road bike for training and social purposes. To learn more about these wind-cheating bikes, check out our comprehensive guide to buying a triathlon bike for more information.

Flat Bar Road Bikes
Flat Bar Road bikes combine the flat handlebar position of a mountain bike with the speed of a road bike. Due to the more upright riding position, flat bar road bikes are not as fast as traditional road bikes but offer a more upright riding position and greater visibility in traffic. This type of bike is a popular choice for commuting to work and general fitness cycling. They're best kept to sealed roads, although some flat bar road bikes offer wider tyres that can handle light gravel use too. To read more, check out our guide comparing flat bar road, urban and hybrid bikes to learn more.

Mountain Bikes
Arguably no category of bicycle offers you more choice than mountain biking. While choice is a good thing, it can also be overwhelming. If you're set on wanting to ride off-road, then read our complete guide to mountain bikes.

Choosing a mountain bike will come down to the type of terrain you want to ride, whether you're looking to compete and your current ability. Suspension is a common theme on mountain bikes, with more suspension provided as the terrain becomes more difficult.

The suspension commonly dictates the name of the mountain bike too. Mountain bikes with no suspension are referred to as 'rigid'. Mountain bikes with front suspension are called 'hardtails' as the rear is rigid. And bikes with suspension at both the front and rear wheels are called either full suspension or dual suspension bikes.

Cyclocross
Cyclocross bikes are built for the sport of cyclocross. This sport originated in Europe as a way for road cycling racers to stay fit in the winter, however, has since grown globally to be a loved form of bicycle racing. Cyclocross bikes look much like road bikes but instead feature wider treaded tyres and lower gearing. Both the frame and brakes are designed to allow room for deep mud.

Given their designated usage, cyclocross bikes sit in the middle between a road bike and mountain bike. This makes them an excellent choice for not just cyclocross racing, but also for gravel riding, adventure cycling, and commuting. If you're wanting to try out this new cycling discipline, then read our complete guide to cyclocross bikes.

Gravel Bikes
Gravel bikes, sometimes also referred to as adventure bikes, are essentially road bikes designed to tackle a variety of surfaces, sometimes carrying additional gear and are suitable for all-day riding on roads less travelled.

The versatility of gravel bikes makes them a great option for multiple cycling pursuits. They are suitable for all but the fastest of road riding, while the wider tyres and wider-range gearing make off-road trails, gravel and fire roads manageable. They are robust, comfortable and often can carry luggage making them ideal for light touring adventures or for those longer and faster commutes. To learn more about these capable bikes, check out our brief guide to gravel bikes.

Urban Bikes
The urban category is a tough one to describe and covers all types of bikes designed around transport in an urban environment. These bikes are typically designed for efficient transport over short to medium length distances.

Many urban bikes offer greater strength compared to lighter flat bar road bikes in order to handle the rigours of jumping off curbs and riding poor surfaces. Some urban bikes are designed with security in mind, offering theft-proof wheels, easy lock carrying and stealthy paintwork.

Others go in an opposite direction, grabbing influence from Dutch bicycles with classic styling and timeless colours. These are also known as 'Classic' or 'Vintage' bikes, read more on these below.