Guide to Choose the Best Commuter Bikes
Which one you should Pick from Road, Urban, Hybrid, Mountain Bike? When it comes to commuting to work by bicycles, there’s nothing more important than having the right bicycle for the job.
Quick Answer : What is The Best Budget Commuter Bike?
- 6KU Aluminum : Best Commuter Road Bikes
- Vilano Diverse 3.0 : Best Hybrid Commuter Bike
- Golden Cycles: Best Single Speed Commuter Bike
- NAKTO 250W : City Ebike for Women
- Schwinn Discover : Best Budget Commuter Bike.
- Hiland Bike 700c : Best value commuter bike
- ANCHEER 26" Electric Bike : Best Commuter city bike
- sixthreezero Around : Best Cyclocross Bike For Work
- Schwinn Loop : Best Commuter folding bike
- Vilano R2 : Commuter Aluminum Road Bike
The best commuter bike will not only support the weight of you and your gear while keeping you comfortable but also ride smoothly in any weather conditions and make the commuting experience more fun.
To help you find the right commuter bike for your daily ride to work, we’re taking a look at how to choose the best commuter bikes and reviewing 16 of the best options on the market today.
We hope you will love the products recommended here,FYI we may get a small share of the sale if you buy through our links and it will not affect product price in any way
6KU Aluminum Single-Speed Commuter Bike
This commuter bike from 6KU is designed to pair the best of urban riding with a low maintenance design that you won’t have to think twice about outside of your commute. The bike is constructed from an aluminum alloy frame and front fork.
The simple geometry sits a bit forward of fully upright comfort bikes, but thanks to the flat handlebars are not overly aggressive for city riding and are comfortable over short and medium distances.
The commuter bike is best for flat cityscapes thanks to the single speed drivetrain. If you find yourself riding fixie most of the time, the rear caliper brake is designed to be easily removed – but it’s there for riders who want to use the bike in freewheel mode.
The wheels on this bike are stylish and fast, but somewhat out of tune with the urban focus of the bike since they are relatively narrow and have fewer spokes than other bikes – all of which makes this bike more susceptible to damage from potholes.
In addition, the bike does not come with fenders or a rack, so you’ll need to spend extra to outfit it for commuting fully.
Vilano Diverse 3.0 Performance Hybrid Commuter Bike
This hybrid commuter bike from Vilano is designed for performance on any road surface so that you can be confident in your ride on the way to and from work.
The commuter bike is constructed from a hydroformed alloy frame and a front fork that provides durability while also keeping the weight and cost of the bike down.
The geometry features a curved top tube, which allows the seat to be pushed back so you can ride aggressively on the handlebars but not have to contort your back.
The wheels on this bike are true hybrid wheels – slightly wider than standard road wheels, but not as wide or as large as mountain bike wheels, and fitted with grippy tires that won’t hold you back on smooth roads.
The wheels have a high spoke count, making them somewhat heavier than necessary but also more able to withstand impacts from bumpy and potholed roads.
The drivetrain is composed of a three-gear front chainring and an eight-speed rear cassette for a total of 24 speeds, so this bike is ideal for spinning easily up steep hills and then putting on gears down the other side.
Also, the hydraulic disc brakes on both the front and rear wheel give you plenty of power even on poor roads.
Note that: The bike does not come with fenders or a rear rack, so you’ll want to add those for commuting.
Raleigh Redux 2 City Commuter Bike
This unique ride from Raleigh Commuter Bikes is not your usual road bike in that it doesn’t feature the aggressive drop bars or clipless pedals normally found on this class of bicycle.
Instead, the road bike is designed from the ground up for medium- to long-distance urban commuting.
The frame and fork are constructed from aluminum, which offers a better balance between durability and weight than carbon so that the bike can handle bumpy city roads.
The wheels are also more stable on bumpy and wet roads and able to carry heavier loads than standard road bike wheels thanks to the high spoke counts, extra-large 27.5-inch diameters, and wide slick tires.
The bike is also able to tackle hills with relatively little difficulty thanks to a few nice design aspects. The hydraulic disk brakes allow the bike to stop on a dime during descents, even if the road is wet or covered in gravel.
In addition, the rear cassette has nine speeds to give you a wide range of gears for spinning smoothly up a hill and powering down the other side.
The lack of drop bars can be a disadvantage on this bike for users looking for an all-purpose road bike, however, since it limits your ability to use this bike for climbing workouts on the weekends.
In addition, the bike is relatively heavy for a road bike at nearly 26 pounds.
Sixthreezero Commuter Bike
This commuter bike from Sixthreezero is both stylish and eminently rideable thanks to its lightweight aluminum frame and simple, comfortable construction.
The bike modifies the typical road bike to push the seat further back, allowing you to sit in either an upright position or lean forward onto the handlebars as your riding style calls for.
However, note that it does not have drop bars like a normal bike and is not designed for aggressive long-distance rides.
In contrast to the Raleigh road bike, this commuter incorporates caliper brakes rather than hydraulic disc brakes, so be sure to leave plenty of stopping distance when riding in wet weather.
The inclusion of a three- or seven-speed rear hub allows this bike some versatility to handle small hills as you’ll find in the city, but don’t expect a wide enough gear range to tackle big steeps.
The hub is internal to help keep your bike clean and maintenance-free while riding on dirty city streets. The chain is also covered to reduce the amount of lubing and cleaning you’ll need to do.
The bike comes with nearly everything you need to get started commuting, making the moderate price point even more of a bargain. The wheels are covered with full fenders, and a rear rack for mountain panniers is included as well.
Pure Fix Original Fixed Gear Commuter Bike
This high-quality single speed bike from Pure Cycles leaves the decision as to whether you want to ride on a fixed gear or freewheel up to you thanks to the reversible rear hub.
The bike is relatively simple, with a standard road bike geometry to the steel frame that allows you to ride with an aggressive stance on the best handlebars.
The frame does a good job of absorbing shock on bumpy city roads and is highly durable – Pure Cycles even offers a lifetime warranty on the frame since it should be nearly impossible to damage.
The bike comes with 40mm deep wheels and slick tires that together allow for excellent handling and reduced flats, building on the overall low maintenance requirements of the bike.
The high spoke count also allows this bike to handle plenty of weight if you add a rack and carry a lot of items to work.
One of the things to watch out for with this bicycle is that there is no rear brake when riding as a single freewheel speed.
In this case, there is a caliper brake on the front wheel, but this can be dangerous if you need to stop quickly and does not provide a high degree of stopping power in wet conditions.
Big Shot Prime Line Fixie Bike for Men & Women
This low-priced single speed commuter bike from Big Shot Bikes looks and feels like a road bike in every aspect – except that it doesn’t have the multiple gears.
The steel frame is highly durable and shock absorbent on bumpy roads, yet constructed to provide an aggressive forward-leaning seat position that puts your shoulders over the bars.
The handlebar itself is a bullhorn design, modified from a standard drop bar to be more comfortable by allowing you to extend further out on the bars when riding hard without bending over your back.
The bike comes with 43mm deep wheels that, paired with slick road wheels, provide an excellent degree of handling while keeping rolling resistance to a minimum. They feature a high spoke count, which adds weight when riding to get in a workout, but also allows you to add a rear rack to this bike for heavy commutes.
The rear single speed hub is reversible to allow you to choose between fixed and single speed configurations, but there are both front and rear caliper brakes so that you can brake fully even when riding freewheel. The bike is also available in a variety of colors so you can express your style.
SAVADECK Carbon Fiber Portable Commuter Bike
Folding Commuter bikes often get a bad rap, but you can expect this nifty folding commuter bicycle from Savadeck to change your mind and make an impression. The bike frame is made from carbon fiber – which accounts for the high cost of this bike – but keeps the weight down to a scant 22 pounds so that you can easily carry the bike anywhere.
When fully folded down, which takes just one minute to accomplish, the bike is just 26 x 32 inches. That means you can feel confident that it will fit in the trunk of your car or on a train as needed.
The bike is also impressively geared, making it surprisingly suitable for tackling hills and riding anywhere. The rear cassette is a Shimano 105 10-speed, the same cassette found on many racing-style road bikes, and the bike also features a dual front chainring to give you a total of 20 speeds.
The bike also features powerful disc brakes instead of the typical caliper brakes to give you the power you need on slick hills – a major advantage over many true road bikes.
However, note that all of these features come with a significant burden of maintenance.
The seat is highly adjustable, so fit isn’t an issue for most riders despite the small size of the bike. Beware that the bike does not come with a rack or fenders and cannot fold with these accessories attached.
Dahon 20'' 7 Speed Folding Commuter Bike
This folding commuter bike from Dahon goes in an entirely different direction from the Savadeck bike, and while it loses some features for distance commuters, it is perfect for urban commuters who need their bike to pack down into a small package.
The bike frame is made from aluminum rather than carbon, which pushes the weight of this bike to 26 pounds but drastically cuts the cost.
The frame folds down quickly and easily for fast transitions when running for a train.
In addition, the bike comes with a rack and full fenders over the 20-inch wheels, which makes it much more friendly for commuters who want to ride in any weather and need to carry some additional items.
The bicycle is able to tackle small rolling hills thanks to the seven-speed rear cassette, although note that the shifter is activated by a twisting mechanism rather than a standard paddle shifter. The gearing also requires extra maintenance since it is not protected at all from road debris.
The wheels are somewhat low on spokes, with just 20 holes in the front wheel and 28 on the rear wheel, so heavyset users may have issues with this bike flatting frequently or may even experience bent wheels after hitting relatively innocuous bumps.
Raleigh Redux 1 Urban Assault Bike
This urban commuter bicycle from Raleigh is immaculately designed for city riding. The bike is constructed with an aluminum frame and aluminum fork, which together provide an excellent balance of durability, shock absorption, weight, and cost.
The frame is matte black, which can make the bike hard to spot at night but which also makes the bike less attractive to bike thieves if you leave it on the street during the day.
On the other hand, the bike is light enough that it’s not too much of a hassle to carry it up to your office or apartment.
The bike features Shimano Acera components, including an eight-speed rear cassette to give you the power options you need to get up and down hills.
The rear wheels are 27.5 inches, significantly larger than normal road wheels, to provide handling akin to that on a mountain bike and the wheelbase to help you roll through small potholes without noticing.
The wheels are paired with mechanical disc brakes that make the bike significantly safer in congested urban riding conditions where you may need to stop with little warning. The bike does not come with fenders or a rear rack, so plan to spend a little extra to outfit it for your commute.
sixthreezero Hybrid Commuter Bicycle For Men
This hybrid commuter bike from Sixthreezero is more than just a cross between a road and mountain bike – it also crosses with a cruiser bike.
The bike frame is constructed from lightweight aluminum that would enable you to ride fast on smooth roads, but the frame geometry is set back far enough and the handlebars raised so that you’ll want to upright riding rather than in an aggressive forward stance.
That can make this bike somewhat awkward for longer rides but is highly comfortable for medium-length rides across city roads. The bike comes with hybrid wheels with high spoke counts, which puts them on the heavy side.
However, the tires are relatively resistant to flats and offer enough traction for riding on wet and gravelly roads, which is a major advantage for all-weather commuters.
Unlike the Vilano hybrid commuter, this bike features caliper brakes rather than powerful hydraulic disc brakes – so be careful if your route involves a lot of steep hills.
The drivetrain is outfitted with a seven-speed rear cassette, offering enough versatility to climb small inclines but not enough to spend your commute tackling huge hills.
Note also that the addition of the cassette and derailleur means that this bike will need a significant amount of maintenance.
Diamondback Overdrive 29 Hardtail Mountain Bike
If you expect to be riding off-road to get to work or fighting your way over potholes, few bikes can handle the wear and tear day in and day out.
Thankfully, this bike from Diamonback is designed specifically to neutralize these horrendous riding surfaces with a full front suspension system so that you can barely feel them.
The suspension system allows the wheel to compress up against the handlebar so that you get a smooth ride – but beware, the flexibility this suspension offers the bike also requires you to put in much more power to get anywhere, so riding this bike can get exhausting if you have a long commute.
The bike also neutralizes bumps by offering huge 29-inch wheels, which can stride over small potholes without falling into them. The drivetrain features a three-gear front chainring and an eight-speed rear cassette to provide you with plenty of options for gearing when climbing and descending hills.
However, all of this gearing means that maintenance will be a regular part of your life with this bike outside of your commute.
Another advantage to this bike is that it comes with hydraulic disc brakes that provide incredible braking power when riding downhill or on wet roads.
Note that the bike does not come with fenders or a rear rack.
Diamondback Commuter Bicycles Overdrive
Diamondback offers another full suspension mountain bike for commuting at a price point more friendly for those on a tight budget. Like its bigger brother, this bike is designed to handle nearly any rough conditions you encounter on your commute and features 29-inch wheels, a 24-speed drivetrain, and disc brakes to give you confidence and versatility when riding.
Also like its bigger brother, these features mean that you’ll need to be comfortable with maintaining your bike and putting in a lot of pedaling power to ride even relatively short distances.
This bike does have some compromises for the lower price. The handlebars can be prickly because of the grips, requiring that you wear cycling gloves or change out the grips.
Also, the seat is unpadded, so if you don’t plan to wear bike shorts when commuting to work, you’ll want to add a cushion to the seat. That said, this bike is highly durable and will last for years of commuting if taken care of – which means the extra incentive for getting everything dialed into your body.
Note that, like most mountain bikes that double as commuters, it does not come with a rear rack or with fenders.
Tommaso Sterrata - R2000 Commuter Bike
This cyclocross bike from Tommaso is perfect for long-distance commuters who need a city bike that can do a little bit of everything - Climb hills, and carry a full load of gear and work clothes.
The bike is constructed from an aluminum frame and features a carbon fork that dampens vibrations from the front wheel while also improving the bike’s aerodynamics when riding fast.
The bike geometry is essentially that of a road bike, putting you in an aggressive forward-leaning position, and even features drop bars like a normal road bike.
Where this cyclocross bike separates itself from road bike competitors is in its durability. The wheels have 28 spokes each, allowing them to take a beating from bumpy roads and potholes even while carrying a heavy load.
The rear wheels are also slightly wide at 32cc, which improves handling on gravel and roads alike, and are equipped with disc brakes to stop you on a dime in any weather conditions.
The gearing includes three front rings on the chainring and eight gears on the rear cassette for a total of 24 speeds.
Although the bike doesn’t come with a rack or fenders, it features some pre-drilled eyelets so you’ll have your pick of commuting accessories.
Retrospec AMOK V2 CycloCross Commuter Bike
This cyclocross urban comuuter bike from Retrospec Bicycles is ideal if you’re on a budget and have a long commute ahead of you. The chromoly frame is lightweight compared to the steel frames ubiquitous at this price range, saving you energy when pedaling hard.
Although the bike doesn’t have drop bars to get aggressive when cycling, the seat geometry is comparable to most road bikes so you can get a fair amount of leverage on the pedals.
The wheels on this cyclocross bike are designed to take a beating, with high spoke counts on both wheels and double-walled rims.
The wheels are even wider than the Tommaso cyclocross bike at 35cc, which offers supreme handling in rough and bumpy conditions, while the included tires are puncture resistant and offer enough traction to grip on wet roads.
However, Retrospec opted for caliper brakes rather than hydraulic disc brakes on this bike, so stopping in wet weather can be somewhat dicey if you are moving fast.
The drivetrain is less complex than on other cyclocross bikes, including just a single front chainring and a nine-speed rear cassette.
This is ideal for many riders as it offers enough versatility to get up and down moderate hills while requiring far less maintenance than more sophisticated drivetrains.
sixthreezero Women's Cruiser Commuter Bicycle
For women who need a stylish and versatile hybrid city bike for women. Sixthreezero offers a smooth ride, low maintenance, and the ability to ride moderate distances comfortably.
The shape of the frame looks unusual at first glance, dropping right beneath the seat, but this is a major advantage in the design of this bike since it allows you to step over the bike to mount it and to step forward off the seat when stopped in city traffic.
The frame is constructed from aluminum, which saves a significant amount of weight in this bike while preserving its durability.
The geometry is that of a comfort bike since it allows you to sit upright while reaching up and forward to the handlebars.
The wheels are wide hybrid cruiser wheels with a high spoke count and puncture resistance. At 26 inches in diameter and nearly two inches wide, they are significantly longer than standard road wheels, allowing them to absorb bumps and small potholes smoothly.
They can also bear a significant amount of weight, which is good considering that this bike comes with a rack for carrying your things. The wheels are also covered with full fenders to keep you riding dry in any weather.
This bike is available in multiple drivetrains, ranging from three-speed to seven-speed to 24-speed configurations.
Retrospec by Westridge Cycles Beaumont
This seven-speed city commuter bike for women from Critical Cycles is perfect for women commuting on a budget. The comfort-style hybrid bike offers many of the same features of more expensive women’s bikes, including a step-through frame and seven-speed Shimano drivetrain.
However, the price cut does come with important differences. The frame is made of steel rather than aluminum, which is durable but also significantly heavier, and the wheels are only 700cc in diameter rather than 26 inches.
These differences are not huge for women on short commutes around the city, but they can be important when you have to carry the bike or for riding on rough roads.
The bike comes with a rack, full front, and rear fenders, a kickstand, and rear light, so the price is especially a steal considering that you will be ready to start commuting. The wheels have a high spoke count to support your weight and the weight of panniers.
However, note that the rear cassette does not feature an internal hub so plan to spend some time maintaining this bike outside of your commute.
Also, note that the bike comes with caliper brakes rather than the disc brakes found on many other commuter bikes, so leave plenty of stopping distance in the rain.
Best Ways To Finding The Best Commuter Bikes
There are a huge variety of bicycles on the market today, spanning a huge variety of uses and price ranges – so how do you choose the best bike for commuting ?
In this section, we’ll help you take a hard look at your commuting style and needs and then examine the many different types of bikes that make for good commuting rides.
What Type Of Commuter Are You?
One of the most important questions you need to answer about yourself when starting the search for the best commuter bikes is what kind of commuter you are?
This comes down to a variety of factors, including your riding style, the area you’ll be commuting in, and the distance between your home and work.
If you are planning on a short commute – for example, across a university campus or just a handful of blocks across a city – the chances are high that you won’t need a bicycle that’s prepared for an all-out ride on your way to work.
Many people within this category like to take a relaxed approach to their commute, sitting back on the bicycle seat, waving at friends along the way, and casually pedaling at an easy pace.
If that’s the case, a cruiser-style bicycle, in which the seat is set relatively far back in a position that is somewhat inefficient for pedaling but highly comfortable for your back while riding, could be the best option for you.
You probably also won’t need more than one or a few gears on your bicycle, since cruising along at a constant easy pace fits well with your commuting style.
These bikes typically don’t come with too many additional accessories beyond a front or rear basket and fenders, since more advanced features like disc brakes and water bottle holders won’t be needed for a short, casual commute.
But what if you’re facing a long distance commute? In that case, you’ll need a commuter bicycles that can channel your energy efficiently.
A road bike that seats you in a more forward position and offers aerodynamic drop bars can help increase your speed and pedaling efficiency, allowing you to put significant power into your pedal strokes and cut your overall commute time.
If you live in an area with a lot of hills, you’ll also want to be sure to find a bike with multiple gears to make grinding up steep ascents powering down descents easier.
Disc brakes are another good consideration, especially if you live in an area that sees a lot of rainy days and wet, slick roads that could cause your wheels to slide with standard caliper brakes.
Road bikes are also a great option for those who like to charge aggressively through the streets to get a workout in during the morning or afternoon commute.
Also,you can consider best electric commuter bike
How Much Maintenance Are You Willing To Do for Commuting?
Do you like bike maintenance? We didn’t think so.
That’s why another thing to think about when choosing a commuter
bike for ride to work is how much maintenance it will take to keep that bike running smoothly.
Single-speed and fixie bikes require far less maintenance than bikes with multiple gears since the latter have derailleurs and shifter cables that need adjusting and far more space for grime to build up in between gears.
If you do opt for a bike with multiple gears – which are almost essential in hilly areas – you can reduce the grime buildup by choosing a frame that houses the gears inside a hub and that protects the chain with a sheath.
However, note that these types of frames also make it much harder to make small adjustments when needed and are significantly heavier than a standard drivetrain.
When thinking about maintenance, don’t forget about the wheels.
Skinny road tires may be fast and light, helping you get to work more quickly, but they’re also more likely to flat than wider hybrid and mountain bike tires.
As a result, you’ll need to be familiar with how to change a tire in case the need arises on your way to work and carry a flat kit on your bike.
If you do choose a road bike for your commuting, consider pairing it with a pair of Gatorskin tires that are designed to resist punctures (at the cost of producing more rolling resistance than other tires slightly).
What kind of shoes will you be wearing?
The pedals might be the last thing you look at when choosing a bicycle for work, but they’re an essential part of your ride. Most bikes come with a set of flat pedals, designed to be used with any work shoes or sneakers.
However, some commuting road and mountain bikes are paired with clipless bike pedals that require special cycling shoes with cleats in the bottom.
Wearing cycling shoes can greatly increase the efficiency of your pedal stroke, which is helpful for conquering hills on your commute or riding fast, but this means that you’ll need to carry your work shoes in a pannier or leave them at work.
What is your budget?
Ideally, you’ll spend less on a commuter bike than it costs to drive to work for the year simply. Your budget can play a big role in choosing the best bike for your daily ride.
Thankfully, there are a variety of commuting bikes at every price range – although this can also make it easy to find yourself slipping out of your intended budget range or compromising on features to grab a deal.
To solve this, divide the features you would like in a commuter bike into needs and wants.
That way, you can focus on the needs first to narrow down the list of bikes, and then add in wanted features as your budget allows.
Types of Commuter Bikes
Now that you have an idea of what features you need in a commuter bicycles, we’ll look at some of the popular types of bike and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Road Commuter Bikes - Best For Long Distance
Miles of road between you and your office? A road bike will get you there in a snap.
Road bikes are a perfect fit for hard-charging commuters who want to get to work as quickly as possible and maybe get in a workout along the way.
In general, road bikes offer a lighter weight frame compared to other styles of commuting bike and multiple gears, so they are the best choice when you have a long commute with a few hills in between.
The downside to road bikes is that the light frames can take a beating when traveling over the bumpy, potholed roads found in many cities – and transfer that beating to your body since there is very little shock absorption.
Also, road bikes tend to require a high degree of maintenance since they use an uncovered driventrain and have both front and rear derailleurs.
Urban Commuter Bikes - Best for Inner City Commutes
When potholes and traffic lights abound throughout your commute, an urban bike is a ride you need.
Urban commuter bikes are designed for the harsh riding conditions of city life. These commute bikes feature extremely heavy frames that can feel sluggish compared to other styles of commuting bicycles, but that won’t break down over years of riding on bumpy roads, and that requires very little maintenance.
Also, many feature a drop-frame design that makes it easy to step over the frame to get on and off the bike at traffic stops as well as come with full fenders and racks for carrying your stuff around the city. Read our guide on best commuter backpack, if you need additional carrier.
The riding position is also upright, designed for comfort rather than putting in long miles or pedaling aggressively up hills.
Hybrid Commuter Bikes - Best All around Commuting Bikes
When it comes to finding the all-around best commuter bikes, it’s hard to beat a hybrid bike.
Hybrid bikes are so-called because they incorporate aspects of both road and mountain bikes. While the frames of hybrid bikes resemble road bikes, they usually have wider wheels with puncture-resistant slick tires that are good for moderately long commutes on smooth roads.
Many hybrid bikes offer multiple gears to help you ride over hills, and internal gear hubs are most commonly found on this type of bike for those who want to avoid long bike cleaning sessions.
The seat position can vary from upright to aggressive on hybrid bikes, so be sure to carefully consider your riding style and commuting distance when comparing hybrid bikes.
Single Speed Commuter Bikes - Best for Avoiding Bike Maintenance
Hate maintenance? Check out single speed bikes.
Single speed commute bikes are the ideal ride if the idea of spending a significant amount of time maintaining your bicycle turns you off riding completely.
With no derailleurs or shifter cables that need attention, single speed bikes are extremely hardy and can be ridden for an entire season without any more maintenance than quickly lubing the chain once per week.
However, beware single speed bikes if you need to ride over hills to get to work since there are no easy gears to help you spin up an incline.
Folding Commuter Bikes - Best for Multi-vehicle Commuting
If the thought of carrying your massive bike around all day gives you shivers, don’t worry – folding bikes off a solution.
Folding commuter bikes are an ideal option if you are pairing your bike commute with another form of transportation, such as a car or train since these bikes shrink down to a fraction of their riding size in just a few seconds.
Folding commuter bikes are also a good option if you want to store your bike inside a city apartment or carry it up to your office since they can be stored out of the way in a closet during the day.
Of course, folding bike do come with some compromises. Their small wheels make handling more difficult compared to standard bicycles, and most riders find them to be relatively sluggish on the road, so they’re not ideal when encountering hills or trying to get in a workout.
Mountain Bikes - Best for Off-road Commuting
Headed off-road? A mountain bike is the perfect pairing for your commute.
Mountain bikes are a mixed blessing for commuting. On the one hand, they are the burliest of bikes, allowing them to readily handle potholed roads and off-road detours without flatting at every turn.
They also typically feature a wide gear range, making it easier to manage hill climbs and descents.
On the other hand, mountain bikes offer more frame than most commutes require, so they are much heavier and more flexible than necessary and the wheels create a large degree of rolling resistance.
The extra gearing on mountain bikes also requires a lot of maintenance time. If opting for a mountain bike for commuting, look for one with a stiff frame and without a full suspension system.
Cyclocross Commuter Bikes - Best for Long Commutes on Rough Roads
If you’re tired of flats but don’t want to commit to a mountain bike, cyclocross bikes offer a middle ground.
Cyclocross bikes are essentially road bikes modified to handle poor roads, which makes them an interesting choice if you are a long distance bike commuters who prefer an aggressive stance on the bike.
While they are not as speedy as traditional road bikes, they offer increased shock absorption in the frame and wider wheels designed to withstand the impact of small potholes and bumps.
Plus, most cyclocross bikes come with disc brakes to give you better-braking power on steep descents that are slick from gravel or rain.
Electric Commuter Bikes - Best for Assistance on Hills
Electric commuter bikes have also generated a lot of buzz within the bike commuter community in the last few years.
These battery-powered bikes add power to your pedaling, reducing the amount of work that you have to do to speed down a flat road or climb a hill.
As a result, they can be a great choice of commuter bike for people who simply want a less expensive way to work but don’t like cycling, or for anyone who needs to keep their work clothes sweat-free on the way into work.
However, note that e-bikes can be much more expensive than other types of commuter bicycle and the electronic assist mechanism can be difficult to repair if anything goes wrong.
Having the best budget commuter bike for your daily ride can make a huge difference in how you feel when you get to work each day and how safe you’ll be when riding in rough conditions.
We can’t recommend a single best budget commuter bike because the bike you need depends so much on the roads you’ll be riding on and the distance of your daily commute. For inner city commuters, urban bikes and hybrid bikes represent durable and stylish options that will get you where you need to go comfortably.
On the other hand, distance commuters with a series of frightening hills along the way will need the efficiency and climbing capabilities of a road bike or the traction and braking power of a cyclocross or mountain bike.
Altogether, that means that you need to think hard about the types of features you need in a bike to choose the type of commuter ride you want.
