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 Sport

Best urban electric commuter bike: VanMoof S3

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.
First Published Oct 5, 2022