Buying the right bike with the cycle to work scheme

Which bike is right for me?

Buying the correct bike for you can be a little daunting, so it’s good to know the facts. Think about the length of your commute, the type of roads or bridal paths you may be using and the weather your likely to face. It might also be worth considering what you may like to use your bike for when not commuting? From weekend rides along quiet tow paths or road racing through the countryside.

This short guide introduces you to some of the different bikes you may want to buy with your money from the bike to work scheme, we discuss the pros and cons of each, helping you make the correct decision.

Road bikes

Road bikes are ultra light machines built for speed. Usually made from aluminium or carbon fibre road bikes tend to be a bit more expensive than a mountain or hybrid bike. They feature drop handle bars for an aerodynamic riding position and a range of high gears for optimum speed.

Using a road bike for your daily commute can shorten the time it takes to get from A to B, but be aware that a road bike is exactly that, suitable only for the road. You will have a hard time using a road bike on even a modest tow path, let alone a bridal way.

Mountain bikes

Mountain bikes are ironically some of the most common you will see on the road. They feature wide and deep treaded tyres, oversized tubing and often suspension forks. Mountain bikes have a wide array of gear ratios to allow the rider to ease over more difficult terrain.

A mountain bike may not be the best choice of transport for a city based commute. The wider tyres give an often slower ride. You could fit “slicks” on your mountain bike, tyres with a shallower tread more suitable for riding on the road.

Hybrid bikes

Hybrid bikes offer the rider the best of both worlds. They are strong enough to be taken off road on tow paths and bridleways but also offer speed and comfort for city and town riding. Hybrid bikes generally have wider tyres than a road bike and feature flat handle bars.

A hybrid bike can be an excellent choice for those riders looking for stability and versatility.

Folding bikes

Folding bikes are a great choice for short commutes, those that need to take their bike on the train or for those with limited storage space. A folding bike usually collapses to a carry-able size and should be light enough to lift without straining.

Folding bikes have very small wheels but very high gear ratios, this means they can be ridden at the same speed and effort as a larger bike.