Best commuter bikes 2024 — beat the traffic by cycling to work

If you have a longish commute then a road bike like the Ribble Endurance AL disc is ideal as it brings speed and comfort, it also takes full mudguards which are a must if you are riding whatever the weather.

For just over a grand you are getting an aluminium frame and full carbon fork, a Shimano Tiagra groupset with hydraulic disc brakes, quailty Level finishing kit and set of Mavic Aksium wheels.

Read our guide to the best road bikes under £1,500

We found the geometry to be ideal for commuting putting you in a reasonably aero position for the open road, although the front end is tall enough that you can see clearly when negotiating traffic. The slightly more upright position also reduces pressure on your back and makes it easier to carry a rucksack as there are no rack mounts on the Ribble. 

It's also hugely versatile too, making the ideal winter training bike, club machine or entry level racer when you aren't using it for commuting. 

We couldn't have a commuter bike guide without including a Brompton, the brand behind the iconic folder available in a range of builds, materials and now comes in electric versions too.

Bromptons are acknowledged as having one of the easiest folding mechanisms and compact sizes when folded. This makes them particularly appealing for commuters who combine their ride with public transport (no need to reserve space for a folding bike on the train, and you can take them on the tube), and the addition of two small wheels that allow you to trolley the bike when folded is very useful. All very convenient.

Since we reviewed the S6L back in 2017 the line-ups have had a bit of rebrand with the differing ranges now being called A Line, C Line, P Line and T Line bringing a mixture of steel and titanium frame options.

This C Line Urban build is part of the third tier range using a classic steel frame and fork. It uses a two-speed transmission, comes with mudguards and a front flap to keep your feet dry, plus a carrier mount to accept Brompton's luggage range.

You can also get a model that comes fitted with lights for the ultimate year-round folder. 

The Canyon Commuter 5 is a fast and fun urban bike that provides all the performance that people who are ready to splash £1,000+ on a commuter are probably looking for. It's not the most forgiving ride, but – ironically – considering how responsive it is, that's actually quite easy to forgive. Perhaps most surprising, though, the Commuter 5 provides all its thrills while also coming with a hub gear.

Just like the MiRiDER above, it also comes with a belt drive which is ideal from a commuting point of view alongide the hub gear. You get longevity, minimal maintenance and it remains clean.

The Canyon is definitely one for those who like a spirited ride, and while it can't take a rack, mudguards are possible. 

If your commute is a mixture of road, by-ways or canal paths then the Tifosi Rostra could be exactly what you are looking for as we found it to be hugely versatile.

Based around an alloy frame and carbon fork with geometry similar to that of an endurance road bike the Rostra is a capable machine on the tarmac, rolling along smoothly on a on a set of slicks up to a maximum width of 32mm tyres with full mudguards fitted.

Gravel bikes v N+1 - is a fat tyre bike the best alternative to a fleet?

When we reviewed it our test model came with a set of 35mm knobbly tyres which certainly opens up the options of routes and terrains.

The handling is well balanced wherever you are riding and the slightly flared handlebar gives extra confidence in the drops on loose surfaces, or wet roads.

Fitted with the latest Tiagra hydraulic groupset Tifosi haven't scrimped on the spec and the external cable and hose routing makes for easy maintenance at the weekend. It'll take a rear rack too.   

Alpkit's Sonder Camino AL is a very capable gravel machine that is also well prepped to take on the role of a multi-terrain commuter thanks to big tyre clearance, loads of mounts for racks, bags and mudguards.

The 2022 version of the Camino AL gets an uprated fork to full carbon fibre, and also with eyelets for load lugging. The frame also now has internal cable routing and the fornt end geometry has been slackened off a bit to give more confident handling whether cruising along the local gravel trails or winding your way through the rush hour traffic.

Read our guide to the best gravel and adventure bikes under £2,000

There are various build options available, or you can create your own build around the £449 frameset that we recently reviewed.

 It's the ideal machine for getting you to the workplace and back during the week before heading out on an epic adventure at the weekend.

Cube's Nuroad range uses the sizing from their cyclo-cross bikes and the geometry from the endurance based Attain range. This gives a quality bike that works across a real mix of terrains without feeling as though it is sacrificing performance or ride quality on any of them.

Tyre clearance is 45mm overall with it easily swallowing 35mm rubber with the mudguards fitted and the Nuroad will take a front and rear rack for carrying your kit to the office.

We found it to be a fun bike to ride behaving well on both the road and the gravel tracks and the gearing is suitably low to offset the weight of the bike and any loads you are carrying.

The Nuroad is another one of those ebikes that gives you lots of options on your commute, plus it makes a fun gravel or road bike when you have some time to yourself.

The range topping models get a carbon fibre frame, but the FE we recommend here looks great value for money with its 6061-T6 aluminium frame and included mudguards, dynamo lights, Claris groupset, kickstand, rear carrier and bell. 

We've already mentioned a couple of folders but if you want a bit of help on the commute something like the MiRiDER One GB3 with its electric motor might be just what you are looking for. 

It has a funky-looking single speed fold-in-half style magnesium frame with integrated but removable battery, mid-frame elastomer suspension and adjustable height handlebars and seatpost. It also gets a three-speed EFneo GTRO gear unit to give some lower gears for the climbs, it's belt drive too so no risk of getting oil on your clothes or hands.

Read our guide to 8 of the best folding e-bikes

In reviewing we found it to feel nippy under acceleration thanks to the 252Wh motor, which should also see a range exceeding 35 miles if you are careful. The built-in display screen keeps you up to date with battery life and other data.

It's not the lightest e-folder out there, but thanks to the motor assistance that's not really a major issue.