Learn more about the different bike categories to find your perfect fit.
Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative
In This Article
How We Chose
Road Bikes
Fitness Bikes
Mountain Bikes
E-Bikes
What to Look for
Bike Accessories
Getting started with cycling as an adult can have a steep learning curve. But getting comfortable in the seat (aka saddle) is just a matter of time.
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One of the trickiest parts is finding a good bike for beginner adults. Whether you're looking for a road bike, one for cruising around town or a sturdy pair of wheels to hit up rockier slopes, choosing the perfect bike comes down to the activity you're doing.
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Finding your Goldilocks beginner bicycle can feel overwhelming, especially because there are so many options, and the price tag for a good bike can go into the thousands. Learn all you need to know about purchasing adult bicycles and browse some expert-approved models in each category to make sure you're making a good investment.
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How We Chose
To help you decide, we chatted with a trainer and a bike-industry expert to better understand what to look for in a beginner bike for adults. We chose our top picks based on their recommendations and criteria, including:
Price Terrain Bike size and weight Comfort
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Some bike manufacturers market bicycles to different genders, so we have listed both women's and men's picks below. However, the main difference between men's and women's bikes lies in the frame size. In most cases, men's bikes are a little taller than women's versions. Shop for your bike according to your body's height, making sure to check size charts before you purchase.
The 3 Best Road Bikes A road bike is meant for just that — the road. This pick is for someone who wants to move fast and is looking for an option that will challenge them on the move. Not typically intended for casual riding, road bikes have drop-style handlebars, which put the rider in a more aggressive, forward-leaning cycling posture. This form makes them great for speed and efficiency, according to Eddie Meek, customer experience manager at Priority Bicycles.
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He also adds that they have a variety of gears, which amp up your efficiency and tackle everything from long straightaways to steep climbs. "The extra control can help you match the energy output to the right terrain and gradient you're riding," Meek says.
You also want to take bike weight into consideration with road cycling, according to Garret Seacat, CSCS, a triathlon and cycling coach at Absolute Endurance. The lighter your bike, the faster you go. Browse Seacat’s personal recommendations below for a speedy beginner adult bicycle.
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1. Trek Domane AL 2
Visit Page
https://go.skimresources.com Image Credit:
Trek
Buy it: TrekBikes.com; Price: $1,129.99
Specialized Tarmac SL7 Pro
Visit Page https://click.linksynergy.com Image Credit:Specialized/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: Specialized.com; Price: $7,800
Ventum NS1 Road Bike
Visit Page https://ventumracing.com Image Credit:Ventum/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: VentumRacing.com; Price: Starts at $3,699 The 3 Best Fitness Bikes Fitness bikes (also known as hybrids) are best for multi-purpose riding, according to Seacat. These bicycles are ideal for someone who wants to ride around town but also enjoys a more intense bike workout over the weekend.
Advertisement Fitness bikes are in between a mountain and road bike. They do well on the road but won’t go as fast as a road-specific bicycle. Similarly, they drive well on gravel paths but probably won’t be too stable on a mountainous trail. These bikes also have more upright handlebars than a standard road bike, making it easier to stay alert on the road, Meek says. However, you could easily upgrade to a drop style if that’s the aesthetic you’re looking for.
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Cannondale Quick 1
Visit Page https://www.cannondale.com Image Credit:
Cannondale/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: Cannondale.com; Price: $1,625
Specialized Sirrus Expert Carbon Women’s Commuter Bike
Visit Page https://click.linksynergy.com Image Credit:Sirrus/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: Specialized.com; Price: $2,100
Canyon Roadlite 6
Visit Page https://www.canyon.com Image Credit:Canyon/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: Canyon.com; Price: $1,099 The 3 Best Mountain Bikes Mountain bikes are designed with a bumper on the back and include a wider tire with more tread compared to road bikes — that’s why they do so well on uneven trails, Meek says.
Advertisement They also come with the most gears available, as well as disc breaks, helping riders tackle adverse conditions, like mud or dirt on rocky trails. “This tread digs into dirt, rocks and looser terrain to make the ride as smooth as possible despite the obstacles in your path,” he says.
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Giant Trance Advanced Pro 29
Visit Page https://www.giant-bicycles.com Image Credit:
Giant/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: Giant-bicycles.com; Price: $3,830
Yeti SB115
Visit Page https://yeticycles.com Image Credit:Yeti/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: YetiCycles.com ($5,800); CompetitiveCyclist.com (on sale for $4,350)
Trek Roscoe 7
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.com Image Credit:Trek/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: TrekBikes.com; Price: $1,899 The 3 Best E-Bikes Most e-bikes — or electric bikes — cater to commuters or anyone looking for pedal assistance on the road. “They really make it easier for someone to get somewhere without showing up completely drenched,” Meek says. These days, there are more e-bike options than ever. There are now some e-bikes with all different kinds of gearing systems, built for various activities, Meek says. Something important to take into account when adding extra oomph to your pedal power: how much battery life the bike has.
Advertisement If you do a good amount of the pedaling, you could have a battery that lasts between 60 and 80 miles, Meek says. But if you use the bike pedal-free, depending totally on the motor, you get a much shorter range (about 25 to 35 miles). Before you leave home with an e-bike, make sure you know how much juice you’ve got for your ride.
Kona El Kahuna
Visit Page https://konaworld.com Image Credit:Kona/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: KonaWorld.com; Price: $3,499
Trek Rail 9.8 XT
Visit Page https://go.skimresources.com Image Credit:Trek/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: TrekBikes.com; Price: $9,199.99
Canyon Grail:ON CF 8 eTap Gravel E-Bike
Visit Page https://www.canyon.com Image Credit:Canyon/LIVESTRONG.com Buy it: Canyon.com; Price: $6,499 4 Factors to Consider When Buying Your Perfect Adult Bike
Terrain Terrain is the biggest determining factor when browsing beginner bikes for adults, according to Seacat. Take a look at the chart below to find the best type of bike for your needs: Bike Type Terrain Type Road Bike Speedy cycling sessions on asphalt or cement roads. Mountain Bike Bumpy or hilly trail rides on uneven terrain or gravel. Fitness Bike General commuting or bike riding on roads or easy dirt paths. E-Bike Road biking with a little extra power boost.
Budget Beginner bicycles for adults can vary in price from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. So, your budget determines a lot of the options available to you. However, price is a pretty big factor where bike quality is concerned, according to Seacat. Higher-end bikes, although pricey, are generally more reliable. Plus, most quality bike brands offer free tune-ups and warranties in case you experience any issues. Some warranties are even life-long, says Anna Wolf, who owns two bike shops in Brooklyn, New York: King Kog and Sun and Air. “The last thing you want is to buy something cheap online that will end up shortly in a landfill.” Although second-hand bikes are also an option, Meek suggests holding off to buy new until you feel confident about where you’re buying the bike and what you’re actually getting. “For $1,000, you can have something really, really solid,” he says.
Materials No matter the price point of your bike, you want to make sure it’s built with long-lasting materials, Seacat says, such as the following: Aluminum: This is a lightweight, durable metal that’s rust-resistant. Titanium: Here’s another popular bike frame material that lasts ride after ride. It even absorbs shock to help protect your knees while biking. Carbon fiber: Most commonly used on road bikes, carbon fiber is one of the lightest materials out there. However, it’s not quite as durable as aluminum or titanium frames.
Size Your bike size makes a big difference in staying comfortable and injury-free. Bikes range from 47 centimeters (18.5 inches) to 62 centimeters (24.5 inches) from the ground to the top of the seat, according to Seacat. Each frame size matches a specific height. But different sizes (small through extra large) correspond to different measurements across companies. So, before you buy a bike, check out the size chart for your specific brand. The best bike for beginner adults allows you to keep a good cycling posture. You should be able to stand over the center of your bike with both feet flat on the ground. When you’re in your seat, your hands should rest on the bars with a slight bend in your elbow. You never want your knee to lock out as you push down your pedals, either. Like your elbows, you want a small bend in your knees through each pedal stroke. The Best Gear for Your Bike
The 10 Best Bike Water Bottles of 2023, According to Cyclists and Coaches by Caroline Juster The 9 Best Bike Seats of 2023, According to a Cycling Coach by Lauren Bedosky The 6 Best Bike Bags and Panniers, According to Cyclists and Triathletes by Bojana Galic The 7 Best Bike Phone Mounts for Every Ride and Phone, According to Cycling Experts by Julia Sullivan The 10 Best Bike Water Bottle Holders for Any Ride, According to Cycling Experts by Caroline Juster The 10 Best Bike Bells for a Safer Ride in 2023 by Bojana Galic The 12 Best Bike Lights of 2023, According to Cycling Experts by KJ Callihan Additional reporting by Bojana Galic.Advertisement
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references
N.P.D. Group: "Cycling Industry Sales Growth Accelerates in April, Up 75%, Generating an Unprecedented $1 Billion for the Month, According to NPD"references
N.P.D. Group: "Cycling Industry Sales Growth Accelerates in April, Up 75%, Generating an Unprecedented $1 Billion for the Month, According to NPD"Learn more about the different bike categories to find your perfect fit. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative
Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative
- How We Chose
- Road Bikes
- Fitness Bikes
- Mountain Bikes
- E-Bikes
- What to Look for
- Bike Accessories
Some bike manufacturers market bicycles to different genders, so we have listed both women’s and men’s picks below. However, the main difference between men’s and women’s bikes lies in the frame size. In most cases, men’s bikes are a little taller than women’s versions. Shop for your bike according to your body’s height, making sure to check size charts before you purchase.
Visit Page
https://go.skimresources.com
Image Credit: Trek
Image Credit: Trek
Buy it: TrekBikes.com; Price: $1,129.99
Visit Page
https://click.linksynergy.com
Image Credit: Specialized/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Specialized/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: Specialized.com; Price: $7,800
Visit Page
https://ventumracing.com
Image Credit: Ventum/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Ventum/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: VentumRacing.com; Price: Starts at $3,699
Visit Page
https://www.cannondale.com
Image Credit: Cannondale/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Cannondale/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: Cannondale.com; Price: $1,625
Image Credit: Sirrus/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Sirrus/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: Specialized.com; Price: $2,100
Visit Page
https://www.canyon.com
Image Credit: Canyon/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Canyon/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: Canyon.com; Price: $1,099
Visit Page
https://www.giant-bicycles.com
Image Credit: Giant/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Giant/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: Giant-bicycles.com; Price: $3,830
Visit Page
https://yeticycles.com
Image Credit: Yeti/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Yeti/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: YetiCycles.com ($5,800); CompetitiveCyclist.com (on sale for $4,350)
Image Credit: Trek/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Trek/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: TrekBikes.com; Price: $1,899
Visit Page
https://konaworld.com
Image Credit: Kona/LIVESTRONG.com
Image Credit: Kona/LIVESTRONG.com
Buy it: KonaWorld.com; Price: $3,499
Buy it: TrekBikes.com; Price: $9,199.99
Buy it: Canyon.com; Price: $6,499
Bike Type Terrain Type Road Bike Speedy cycling sessions on asphalt or cement roads. Mountain Bike Bumpy or hilly trail rides on uneven terrain or gravel. Fitness Bike General commuting or bike riding on roads or easy dirt paths. E-Bike Road biking with a little extra power boost.
The 10 Best Bike Water Bottles of 2023, According to Cyclists and Coaches
by
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The 9 Best Bike Seats of 2023, According to a Cycling Coach
by
Lauren Bedosky
The 6 Best Bike Bags and Panniers, According to Cyclists and Triathletes
by
Bojana Galic
The 7 Best Bike Phone Mounts for Every Ride and Phone, According to Cycling Experts
by
Julia Sullivan
The 10 Best Bike Water Bottle Holders for Any Ride, According to Cycling Experts
by
Caroline Juster
The 10 Best Bike Bells for a Safer Ride in 2023
by
Bojana Galic
The 12 Best Bike Lights of 2023, According to Cycling Experts
by
KJ Callihan
N.P.D. Group: "Cycling Industry Sales Growth Accelerates in April, Up 75%, Generating an Unprecedented $1 Billion for the Month, According to NPD"
