What Type of Bike Should I Get

How it works

Not sure which kind of bike to look at? Press the button for one of 30 kinds of bicycle, from a gravel bike to a cruiser, with a line on what each is built for.

Read the full guide

Start from where you will ride

After your first press, the list beside the button narrows the draw: Roads and speed holds 8 kinds, Town and everyday 10, Dirt and trails 6 and Something different 6. Pick the one closest to your usual ride and press again.

Compare three

Set the count to 3 and read the lines side by side. Many kinds overlap: a flat bar road bike sits between a hybrid and a road bike, and a gravel bike borrows from both the road bike and the cyclo-cross bike. A bike shop can let you try the ones you keep.

Tips

Write down the surfaces you ride most, then choose the filter that matches.

Questions and answers

What is the difference between a gravel bike and a road bike?

A road bike is built for speed on paved roads. A gravel bike is a road bike made for gravel and other rough terrain, with fatter tires and a more relaxed frame shape.

What is a hybrid bike?

A compromise between the mountain bike and the racing bike: a light frame, medium-width wheels, derailleur gears and handlebars set for a more upright ride. Commuter, city and comfort bikes are all kinds of hybrid.

Is this a quiz?

No. It is a shuffled list with filters that gives you a kind of bike to read about. It does not ask about you, so it cannot say which bike fits you.

All 30 kinds of bike

Roads and speed 8

Cyclo-cross bike Light enough to carry over obstacles and robust enough to ride through mud.
Flat bar road bike A road bike with a flat handlebar and mountain bike-style shifters and brake levers.
Gravel bike A road bike for gravel and other rough terrain, with fatter tires than a road bike.
Randonneur bike Between a racing bike and a touring bike in frame geometry and weight. Made for long rides.
Road bike Built for traveling at speed on paved roads.
Time trial bike Like a road bike, but it trades maneuverability for aerodynamics.
Touring bike Built for long journeys: durable, comfortable and able to carry baggage, with a wide gear range.
Track bike For cycle tracks and velodromes: one gear, a fixed drivetrain and no brakes.

Show all 30 kinds of bike (22 more)

Town and everyday 10

Cargo bike Built to carry large or heavy loads, often with a flat cargo area or a large basket.
City bike Made for urban commuting, with a more upright seat and fairly wide tires.
Comfort bike An upright riding position, a front suspension fork and a wide, plush saddle.
Commuter bike A hybrid made for the ride to work, usually with a carrier rack and full fenders.
Cruiser A heavy-framed bike built for comfort, with curved-back handlebars, a padded seat and balloon tires.
Electric bike A bicycle with a built-in electric motor that helps to drive it.
Folding bike Folds quickly for easy carrying, for example on public transport.
Hybrid bike A compromise between the mountain and racing styles, with handlebars for more upright riding.
Step-through bike A frame with a low top tube or none, often used for utility bikes.
Utility bike For commuting, shopping and errands. Often has fenders, a chain guard and a basket.

Dirt and trails 6

BMX bike Small wheels and a single gear, made for stunts, tricks and racing on dirt BMX tracks.
Cross-country mountain bike A mountain bike with a light frame and front or full suspension, made for long courses.
Downhill bike A very strong frame and long-travel suspension, for downhill courses only.
Enduro bike A middle category between downhill and cross-country, with suspension at both ends.
Fat bike A mountain bike with very wide tires for soft surfaces such as snow and sand.
Mountain bike Built for off-road cycling, with a sturdy frame and wide, treaded tires.

Something different 6

Balance bike A bike with no pedals that a learner pushes along with the feet.
Exercise bike Stays in one place. It is used for exercise and not for getting anywhere.
Handcycle Powered by the arms rather than the legs, and usually built with three wheels.
Recumbent The rider reclines. Designed for comfort and low wind resistance.
Tandem Two or more riders, one behind the other.
Tricycle Three wheels. Adult trikes are used mainly for recreation, shopping and exercise.

How this list was compiled: 30 kinds of bicycle. Every line was checked by script on 2026-09-30 against the text of the English Wikipedia article in x.src, fetched that day: List of bicycle types for most, and the E-bike, Tricycle, Handcycle and Balance bike articles for those four. Each line says what the kind is built for, in the article's terms. No maker or model is named, and no prices, sizes, weights or speeds are given. Our own: the choice, the four groups and the wording. Licence: own work