Beginner's guide to buying a new bike
Which bike are you looking for?
Types of bikes
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Folding bikes
Folding bikes can be folded down to the size of a small suitcase making them great for travelling with, and easy to carry and store.
- Ideal for: Commuting
- Frame types: Steel, alloy
- Features: Compact and lightweight, easy to store
Hybrid bikes
A fusion of both a mountain and a road bike, hybrid bikes are ideal for leisure rides on a range of surfaces with a comfortable riding position.
- Ideal for: Leisure riding
- Frame types: Steel, alloy
- Features: easy to ride in cities as well as trails
Road bikes
Designed for flat surfaced roads, road bikes allow a smooth, aerodynamic ride making them both light and fast.
- Ideal for: Riding on the road
- Frame types: Steel, alloy
- Features: Lightweight, great for paved roads
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Mountain bikes
Mountain bikes are best for off-roading. They’re made to be ridden on the trickiest of terrains, from dirt trails to rocky and gravel paths.
- Ideal for: Off-road riding
- Frame types: Steel, alloy
- Features: Knobby tyres, brilliant suspension, best of off-road terrain
Electric bikes
Electric bikes or E-bikes have a motor that makes peddling easier and the ride faster. Think longer rides minus the fatigue.
- Ideal for: Urban riding
- Frame types: Aluminium, steel
- Features: Battery-powered, great for longer commutes
Bikes with carriers
With a front basket for storage and a rear carrier to secure a pannier or trunk bag, a bike with a basket is ideal for running errands.
- Ideal for: Running errands
- Frame types: Aluminium, steel
- Features: Front or rear baskets, great for grocery shopping
Tips and advice to help you choose and maintain a bike
Here are some tips to consider while buying and maintaining a bike:
- Choose a bike based on your lifestyle.
- Set a budget but don't forget to include the cost of helmet, locks and accessories in it.
- Buy a frame size that is suitable for you. It helps prevent strain and improves performance.
- Keep cleaning your bike regularly. Dirt can wear down the components faster.
- Keep lubricating the chain to increase the efficiency of the bike.
- Bring a repair kit along with you all the time.
- Remember to wear a helmet before you start your ride.
Best bike picks
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What size bike do I need?
While there isn't much variation between men's bikes and women's bikes, the frame of the bike is the biggest defining factor. Women's bikes have more of a slanted frame to suit a 'shorter torso, longer legs' female body shape. Moreover, the size of an adult bike is determined by the length of its frame. To get the right size model for you, check your inside leg length (the distance from your crotch to the floor) against the measurement listed on the bike's description.
Choose the right bike
Shop bikes by frame material
What type of bike brakes are best?
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Caliper brakes
Usually found on road bikes. The wheel rim is gripped by two brake pads to slow the bike down.
V brakes
Two long arms pull together when you brake, gripping the wheel rim with more force. This makes braking easier in wet and muddy conditions.
Mechanical disc brakes
These grip the centre of the wheel, rather than the rim. The brakes work faster and aren't affected by wet weather.
Hydraulic disc brakes
These also grip the wheel centre, but use fluid in the brake cables. Less effort is needed to apply the brakes and you can better control how much you apply.
How to assemble a bike?
The majority of bikes need a little assembly. Here are some helpful tips for you:
- You will usually need to attach the front wheel, pedals, seat and handlebars, but it depends on which bike you choose.
- Make sure that the pedals match with the correct sides of the bike. This video will help you attach pedals to your bike.
- Using your hands, tighten the pedals to the cranks by turning the right pedal clockwise and the left pedal anti-clockwise.
All the instructions will be included with your bike, but if you need more help, visit our bike support page.
Bike accessories
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Bike helmets
Whether you're going around the city or riding on the trails, wearing a helmet is essential. It helps you stay safe and offers peace of mind. Plus, there are many options to choose from. So, pick you style and ride safely.
Bike lights
Bike lights allow you to see and be seen, and are a must for rides after dark. If you’ll be mostly riding in well-lit urban areas, look for lights that will make you visible to others. For unlit paths and rural roads, you’ll need something brighter with a wider beam.
Bike locks
There are three main types of bike locks - cable lock, chain lock and D-lock. Light and easy to carry, cable locks are best used with another lock as extra security for the front wheel or saddle. Chain locks work the same way but are made up of chain links instead of a cable. More secure, D-locks do not have any moving parts and are difficult to break. You can understand how secure your bike lock is by checking it’s Sold Secure rating.
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Bike pumps and maintenance tools
Keep your ride smooth and stress-free by making sure you've got the right tools. A bike pump will ensure your tyre never goes flat, while a tyre inflator gives you the precise pressure in no time. Tiny enough to fit into to your saddle, a puncture repair kit can help you fix your ride easily.
Bike racks
Add extra storage to your bike without any fuss. Bike racks are a lightweight and a sturdy solution for when you need space to keep anything. Most of the racks do it without weighing you down. There is also a top coil that offers extra space, just in case you need it. also, most bike racks are compatible with bags, baskets and more.
Child bike seats
Child bike seats mainly come in two options - the more traditional rear seats allow you to strap your child behind you. These are best for children aged nine months to six years. Designed for smaller children, the front-facing seats are mounted below the handlebars, so you can keep an eye on the road and your child at the same time. Child bike seats fit best on medium or larger sized bikes.
Top bike accessories
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Bike safety tips
Enjoy your ride but also stay safe while doing that. Here are some essential safety tips:
- Wear the helmet during all rides, even on short ones.
- Be visible during dark hours using front and rear lights.
- Keep inspecting your gear before every ride.
- Educate yourself about rules of the road.
- Always follow traffic signals, road safety instructions and watch out for potholes and pedestrians.
- Strictly no use of mobile phones, headphones or any gadgets that can distract you.
- Using hand signals and communicate with other drivers on the road clearly.
- Avoid switching lanes suddenly and maintain distance from other vehicles.
- Don't drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Best bike reviews
Reviews Carousel
Floating on air
Getting used to having suspension at the front of the bike and not just the back has taken some getting used to, normally I only use single suspension...
Razorwrayfitnesslimited
Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, 24/03/2025
Folding bicycle
I bought this bike 3 weeks ago to replace an old folding bike that was on its last legs. The new bike is extremely well made and came very well protec...
Andyg
West midlands, 04/08/2025
Amazing bike to get to and from work
This bike has been an amazing purchase to get to and from work
Rebecca
Manchester, 23/10/2025
Frequently asked questions about bikes
What are the different types of bikes available?
Different types of bikes are mountain bikes for off-road terrains, road bikes for commuting, hybrid bikes for casual riding, folding bikes for riding on-the-go, and electric bikes for easy riding. You can choose a bike depending on your lifestyle.
How do I choose the right bike size?
To choose the right bike size, measure your inside leg length and check the measurement listed on the bike's description. This will help you finalise an appropriate frame size.
What accessories are essential for a bike?
Helmet, tyre puncture kit, pressure pump, bike lights, bike locks and bike racks are some of the essential accessories. If you often carry children, then a sturdy and comfy child bike seat is a must.
How to maintain a bike?
Maintain your bike using the following tips:
- Perform ABC testing - air, brakes and chain.
- Clean your bike regularly.
- Keep checking tyre pressure regularly.
- Regularly apply lubricant to all the moving parts so they don't wear out easily.
- Check the brake pads and replace them if you see wear and tear.
What are BMX bikes designed for?
BMX stands for bicycle motorcross. BMX bikes are specially designed for stunts, sports and racing. They're ideal for dirt tracks, skate parks and many other environments.
What is the 75 rule in cycling?
The 75 rule of cycling suggests that about 75% of your training time should be dedicated to easy and moderate paced riding while 25% of your time should go into high intensity efforts.
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