20 Of The Best Bikes To Buy Now
BEST AFFORDABLE BIKES
Bike Urbana Coleur Sixties, £218.62
Don’t let your pocket get between you and the open road. With a chic retro style, wide saddle and superior finish, this affordable option is our top pick.
Available at DeporVillage.net
Gazelle Van Stael Ltd, £749
This stylish town bike from Dutch brand Gazelle is a winning combination of retro styling and modern technology. It comes with full mudguards, low-maintenance hub gears, a smart Brooks saddle and one very loud bell.
Available at GazelleBikes.com
Giant Bicycles Escape 3, £399
Boasting a lightweight aluminium frame and upright positioning, this affordable bike is suitable for city streets and country roads alike. Full marks also go to the puncture-resistant tyres, guaranteed to keep you going on more adventurous rides.
Available at Giant-Bicycles.com
Pashley Penny, £695
Built for rural adventuring, this retro offering has five gears, fully enclosed hub brakes and a Brooks sprung saddle. An excellent choice if you’re looking for something well suited to longer journeys with a little bit of speed that wins on the style front.
Available at Pashley.co.uk
Temple Classic Singlespeed, from £615
Made to order in Bristol, Temple cycles are modern classics. Entirely customisable, this bike has single-speed gearing for a fool-proof cycle and less maintenance. A light and practical ride that won’t disappoint.
Available at TempleCycles.co.uk
BEST CITY BIKES
Bobbin Bikes Fold, £425
Available in a rainbow of colours with a new improved magnet design to aid speedier folding, this practical offering is also a great sharing bike, thanks to a quick-release seat post that fits most heights.
Available at BobbinBikes.com
Electra Loft 7D, £525
The city is your playground with this lightweight commuter bike. Equipped with 700c wheels to take on any pothole and an aluminium frame for easy lifting, this seven-speed is guaranteed to please.
Available at TrekBikes.com
Cannondale Synapse AL 105, £1,200
Suitable for daily commutes as well as longer weekend rides, this popular model offers a more upright position that’ll help you cycle faster and longer. Clever micro-suspension technology will protect you from bumps in the road.
Available at EvansCycles.com
Electra Loft 7D Special Edition, £450
Designed for reliable and agile city cycling, this aesthetically simple bike is anything but. With 7-speed gears and flat foot technology for a more ergonomic ride, this bike is bound to please.
Available at TrekBikes.com
Temple Cycles Classic Lightweight, £775
Weighing in at just 10kg, this Temple classic comes with a wide-ranging nine-speed gear, a chic Reynolds steel frame, a pearly powder coat finish and top-quality alloy parts throughout. Ideal for long day rides and light touring alike.
Available at TempleCycles.co.uk
BEST ELECTRIC BIKES
Brompton M6L 6 Speed Electric Bike, £2,715
Providing a much-needed boost on long work commutes, this folding bike can be charged safely inside your hallway or workplace. Small wheels mean fast acceleration and increased manoeuvrability through busy streets.
Available at Brompton.com
Roodog Polka Dot Women’s Electric Bike, From £1,150
Made from super lightweight aluminium alloy, this electric bike is easy to ride, with or without the help of a motor. Plus, each bike is hand painted, so no two are ever the same.
Available at RooDog.co.uk
Canyon Roadlite-ON, £3,449
At just 15kg, this super-light electric bike has the sporty feel of a fitness bike, making it ideal for workouts, quick commutes and leisure rides. The high-tech motor will keep you cruising at a steady 25kph.
Available at Canyon.com
Giant Bicycles Entour E+1 Electric Bike, £2,099
Aimed at urban and recreational riders, this industry favourite uses intelligent technology to determine and provide just the right amount of support needed for a comfortable ride. Unlike other brands, Giant also offers the ability to try before you buy.
Available at Giant-Bicycles.com
Volt Kensington, £1,559
Ride for 60 miles on a single charge with this pastel-hued offering. One of the prettiest e-bikes on the market, the Kensington provides a surprisingly quiet ride and has been voted by Total Women’s Cycling as the best electric bike for two consecutive years.
Available at VoltBikes.co.uk
BEST FOR FITNESS
Canyon Neuron WMN AL 6.0, £1,749
This full suspension mountain bike is the perfect entry-level option for those keen to explore the world of trail riding. The saddle has been specially designed for women and frame sizes as small as 2XS are available – a rarity in the bike world.
Available at Canyon.com
Canyon Ultimate WMN CF SL Disc 7.0, £1,949
Built for speed and efficiency with a dose of comfort and a whole lot of style, this racing bike is made for smaller riders. The hydraulic disc brakes are crisp and reactive, and the lightweight finish guarantees smooth sailing.
Visit Canyon.com
Liv Avow Advanced, £1,899
Using the latest aerodynamic technology, this women’s specific triathlon bike is a performance machine. The genius design exploits key muscle groups to guarantee speed and efficiency, and it’s comfortable, too, even when you’re in an aero position.
Available at Liv-Cycling.com
Temple Cycles Adventure Disc, £1,795
Two years in the making, this adventure bike is built to traverse rough terrain and keep pace on tarmac. Pricey it may be, but the clever anti-rust coating guarantees extra durability while the wheels are hand-crafted by local specialist Ryan Downes.
Available at TempleCycles.co.uk
Liv Avail 1, £749
Lightweight and balanced, this versatile endurance road bike will help you cover miles with ease. Designed for women, expect stability, comfort and precision. The intelligent PowerCore bracket also transfers power directly from each pedal stroke into the road for superb efficiency – it’s clever stuff.
Available at Liv-Cycling.com
HOW TO BUY THE RIGHT BIKE
Ready to get going? Cycling and triathlon coach Matt Bottrill shares his top tips for identifying the ride that will work best for you…
Think About Your Needs
Be clear about the sort of riding and terrain you want to tackle on your bike and consider the amount of time you want to spend in the saddle. Seek advice from an expert if you’re buying your first bike – I would recommend getting in touch with your local independent bicycle retailer so they can guide you towards the correct bike for your individual needs. Lots of brands also have great websites that support you through the shopping experience with online guides.
Get The Right Size
I can’t stress the importance of getting sized correctly. A wrong-fitting bike can result in a negative cycling experience and potential injury. You want to feel in complete control, with a comfortable hand position on the bars and easy reach of the brakes. Liv Cycling has a helpful fit guide to support consumers on sizing for different models.
Learn The Gears
The gears on a bike help to tackle varying terrain. Learning how to shift may seem basic, but gearing practice and shifting efficiently is something even veteran riders can work on. Proper gearing will improve your speed and make your ride more efficient. It can also increase your endurance on longer rides.
Think About Upkeep
It’s important to get your bike serviced regularly. This is an investment in your on-road and personal safety. This can cost around £30 a month, depending what needs doing to your bike.
Don’t Dismiss Electric Bikes
E-bikes are suitable for everyone, no matter your level of fitness – they’re all about getting places faster, and they’re super fun to ride. When looking for an electric bike, focus on the motor and battery as these are the key features that give you the benefit when riding.
INSPIRATION CREDITS: Instagram.com/TempleCycles
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