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Individuals who need to purchase a bicycle for the primary time in a protracted whereas are sometimes plagued with questions and insecurity:
- How a lot ought to I spend?
- What number of gears do I would like?
- Are electrical bikes price it?
- Which bike ought to I purchase?
And it’s fully comprehensible. There are simply so, so many differing kinds and fashions of bicycles on the market. Likewise, the recommendation round that is usually needlessly sophisticated.
For most individuals in search of a motorbike for using round a city, that is all you really want to know:
- Low-cost bikes are completely superb (particularly should you care for them – plus you may all the time improve later)
- Seven gears are lots for the overwhelming majority of commuters
- Electrical bikes are wonderful, though they’re far more costly than a standard bike (though nonetheless miles cheaper than any motorised automobile)
- Hybrid bikes are probably the most versatile bike round (though everybody’s wants are totally different)
Till just lately, I’ve been using hybrid Decathlon bikes virtually completely.
Why? As a result of they’re low cost and so they get me from A to B. I’m not making an attempt to beat a private greatest, nor am I scaling a mountain.
Listed below are three Decathlon bikes I’ve ridden and loved. Why three? One I needed to depart behind after shifting nation. One was stolen (RIP) and the third (Riverside 500 – pictured under) remains to be with me.

Finest Low-cost Commuter Hybrid Bikes
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🇬🇧£350 🇪🇺€300 🇺🇸$549
Riverside 500
Light-weight, entrance suspension, 7-speed and really snug to trip. Very nice body design too.
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🇬🇧£500 🇪🇺€450 🇺🇸$600
Elops 500
A brilliant sensible hybrid metropolis bike that comes with fenders and built-in lights as commonplace.
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🇬🇧£200 🇪🇺€220 🇺🇸$349
Riverside 100
For those who’re on a extremely tight finances, this an excellent and dependable for easy rides. 6 gears and fairly mild.
Which Kind of Bike if Finest for Every day Use?
If you need only one bicycle that may deal with your day by day wants – one thing that you would be able to snug trip on a easy avenue or a bumpy path – I’d advocate a hybrid bike. Hybrids are the generalist of the bicycle world – they’re not the lightest, quickest or most sturdy, however they will
Every time I’ve purchased a hybrid bike. I like hybrid bikes as a result of they will do a little bit of all the things and might deal with most surfaces. They’re not the quickest, lightest or most sturdy – however they’re fast sufficient, you may carry them down a set of stairs and you’ll go on a path with them.
Clearly, everybody’s wants are totally different, so right here’s a fast TL:DR; abstract of who every kind of motorcycle is for:
- Hybrid bikes are appropriate for people who need a versatile bike that may deal with quite a lot of terrains, together with paved roads and lightweight off-road trails.
- Highway bikes are appropriate for people who take pleasure in biking on paved roads and need to cowl lengthy distances shortly and effectively.
- Mountain bikes are appropriate for people who need to trip on tough, rocky terrain and navigate steep inclines and declines.
- Folding bikes are appropriate for people who want a motorbike that’s straightforward to retailer and transport in small areas.
- Gravel bikes are appropriate for people who need a bike that may deal with a mixture of pavement and tough, unpaved terrain.
- Metropolis bikes are appropriate for people who need a snug and sensible bike for brief commutes and metropolis using.
Ought to I Purchase an Electrical Bike?
I really like electrical bikes. It’s like biking with an countless tailwind. What’s extra, individuals who buy an e-bike see their common bicycle use rise to 9.2km per day (from 2.1km per day for conventional bikes). This reductions any “lazy” arguments geared toward e-bike house owners, as individuals trip greater than 4x extra on common.
That mentioned, electrical bikes are costly in comparison with regular bikes (though nonetheless miles cheaper than proudly owning and operating any motorised automobile).
Nevertheless, there are just a few comparatively low cost e-bikes round which are excellent for commuting. Specifically, I’d advocate the Engwe P26, which affords all the things you want in an commuter e-bike.
Finest Finances E-Bike for Commuters
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🇬🇧£1,200 🇪🇺€1,200 🇺🇸$1,250
Engwe P26 E-Bike
A flexible hybrid e-bike with a 50+ mile vary. Seems cool and is extraordinarily snug selling an upright posture.
Engwe even have a number of different low cost electrical bike choices, whereas you can even discover finances e-bikes on the likes of Himiway, Aventon and Ancheer.
Nonetheless unsure which sort of motorcycle to purchase? Use our 10-second quiz to search out your excellent bike.