So you've decided to ride to work... great choice! It's cheap, it’s green and it'll help keep you fit and active. It can also be quicker than many other modes of transport because you can avoid traffic jams and other delays, and it's a lot more fun than sitting in traffic or avoiding eye contact on the tube. With all that said, what are the best commuter bikes to take you there, then?
Best commuter bike for speed on a budget: Ribble Endurance AL Disc
Best value commuter bike: Triban RC 520 Disc Road Bike
Best compact folding commuter bike: Brompton C Line Urban
Cheapest full-sized road.cc-recommended commuter bike: Carrera Subway All Weather Edition Men’s Hybrid Bike
Best flat bar urban commuter bike with hub gears : Canyon Commuter 5
Best urban commuter bike with flat bars: Merida Speeder 900
Best commuter bike for road and gravel riding: Tifosi Rostra Disc Tiagra
Best budget folding commuter bike: Carrera Intercity Disc 9-Speed Folding Bike
Best commuter bike for additional weekend adventures : Sonder Camino AL Apex 1 Hydraulic
Best electric commuter bike for long commutes: Ribble Endurance AL e Enthusiast Shimano 105
Best commuter bike with additional accessories: Cube Nuroad FE
Best commuter bike for comfort: Kinesis GTD V2
Best electric commuter bike for climbing: MiRiDER One GB3
You can ride to work on pretty much any bike you like; go on a BMX if you want, or one of the best road bikes out there will more than suffice. But spend some time choosing the most suitable tool for the job and you’ll probably get there quicker and more comfortably.
We’ll run through a few different types of bikes and explain why each one might be the best choice for you.
Flat bar road bikes
A lot of people prefer the vision and control that they get from a bike with a flat handlebar over one with a dropped bar. With a flat bar road bike, you get the fast wheels/tyres of a standard road bike and gearing that allows you to commute quickly.
Road bikes
A road bike is a fast option if you have a long commute, especially if a lot of your ride is on open, out of town roads where you can make its speed and efficiency really count. Also, a road bike is ideal for riding sportives, training rides, or just getting out and seeing the country.
Hybrids
A hybrid combines features of a mountain bike and features of a road bike to give you, theoretically, the best of both worlds: a bike that is pretty quick and also tough and durable. In truth, it’s often difficult to tell where the flat bar road bike category ends and hybrids begin.
Gravel bikes
Gravel bikes are designed for riding off-road but the fact that they’re built to be both fast and durable means they can be excellent for everyday commuting, sometimes with some tweaks for the road.
Folding bikes
A folding bike is often the best option for multi-modal commuting. Say you want to ride to the station, take the train, then get off at the other end and ride to the office: a folder could be the ideal bike for you. Most people want something that’s quick and easy to fold and manoeuvrable when packed.
Electric bikes
Electric bikes make a lot of sense for many commuting cyclists, providing a solid alternative to a car for urban transport, and the options are growing, as is the technology.
Add new comment
6 comments
Good selection of bikes illustrating the options for commuters.
Love my fast and fun belt-driven hub geared (hydraulic disc braked) commuter. Minimal maintenance and totally weatherproof. Mine's a BMC Alpenchallenge but the similarly specced and priced Canyon looks great too (and easier to get hold of than a BMC).
Whichever bike you go for; add full mudguards and a rack for year-round commuting.
Then get a spare bike for when it's being repaired/serviced/awaiting parts.
Maybe make the spare an MTB so it can cope with a bit of snow. Maybe get it some spiked tyres for when it gets icy.
Commuter bikes? Where are the full coverage mudguards?
Yes. Commuting without mudguards should be illegal.
To be fair, all of the bikes on the list have the mounts to take mudguards, with the road and gravel models accepting full mudguards. They just aren't supplied by the manufacturer.
The ability to take guards was my number one criteria for each to be considered as a commuting bike, although not everyone is bothered about having them.
From the Ribble stable for commute purposes I would choose the CGR over endurance, as it has rack mounts. Not that I am biased and have one though obviously.
I have the the Endurance Ti and have a rack (using a seat post clamp with rack mounts and the mudguard points).