If you’re new to cycling or you’ve decided to get back in the saddle, picking the right bike is essential. To help make your decision easier, we’ve rounded up the best bikes for new or returning cyclists.
What type of cycling will you be doing?
Before taking the leap and buying a new bike, you’ll want to consider what type of cycling you’ll be doing.
Consider the following:
- Commuting – cycling is a great alternative to short car journeys, helping you save money and add some exercise to your daily routine.
- Mountain biking/trail riding – perfect for riders who love to venture off the beaten track.
- Road riding – ideal for covering long distances at speed on smooth, open roads.
What type of bike do you need?
Depending on the style of riding you’re doing, you’ll want to get the right bike for the job.
Hybrid Bike
A hybrid bike combines both speed and durability, making it perfect for commuting, casual rides, and light off-road trails. Versatile, comfortable, and easy to ride, hybrids are ideal for riders of all levels and offer a taste of both road and trail riding.
Mountain Bike
Mountain bikes feature more suspension than a hybrid bike, so they’re better suited to off-road, muddy trails.
They’re typically fitted with tyres that have wider and deeper tread for better grip on uneven and varied terrain.
E-Bike
An electric bike, also known as an e-bike, is a pedal-assisted bike to help take the strain out of manual cycling.
There are various types of e‑bikes available, from off‑road models like the Carrera Vengeance E to commuter‑friendly options such as the Carrera Subway range.
An e-bike is also a great way to enjoy cycling without the aches and pains that can follow from more intense manual pedalling, so they make for great low-impact exercise too.
What’s the difference between a road bike and a mountain bike?
Below, we’ve outlined some of the key differences between road and mountain bikes.
Road Bikes
- Designed for speed and efficiency on smooth surfaces.
- Lightweight frame, narrow tyres, and drop handlebars to reduce wind resistance.
- Best for commuting, racing, or fast spins along your favourite road routes.
- Great for building up to some longer distance road rides and sportives.
Mountain Bikes
- Built for off-road adventures in hills and forests with plenty of uphill and downhill riding.
- Wide, grippy tyres, and upright riding position.
- Ideal for trails, mud, gravel, and rugged terrain.
- Shock-absorbing suspension to reduce impact on your body.
To summarise, you should choose a road bike for fast, smooth rides on roads and cycle paths and choose a mountain bike if you plan to tackle off-road trails and rough terrain.
If you’re looking to explore road and off-road routes, a hybrid bike is best.
Gravel bike vs mountain bike: what’s the difference?
While mountain bikes and gravel bikes do share some key features, and they can even be used in similar environments, but it’s worth noting that they do have their different uses.
Gravel Bikes / Adventure Bikes
- Versatile bikes with drop bars, designed for mixed terrain.
- Fast and efficient on hard-packed surfaces like roads and gravel paths.
- More relaxed geometry for comfort on longer rides, more of a relaxed positioning than a road bike.
- Can handle light trails, but not as rugged as mountain bikes.
- Wider, higher volume tyres for better grip and comfort on rougher surfaces.
Mountain Bikes
- Built for off-road riding and loose terrain.
- Wide, grippy tyres, suspension systems, and upright riding position.
- Great for rough trails, forest tracks, bridleways and towpaths.
To summarise, you should choose a gravel bike for speed, comfort, and versatility on roads, gravel, and light trails and pick a mountain bike for tackling rough, off-road terrain and trails.
Commuting and leisure bikes
If you’re looking to get more out of your daily commute, or simply want to cruise around your local parks or villages at the weekend, then we recommend the following bikes:
Carrera Parva
For those looking to cycle to work or embark on leisurely weekend rides, we highly recommend the Carrera Parva.
Key Features
- Upright riding position creates a natural, confidence‑boosting posture thanks to the flat handlebars.
- Dependable V‑brakes provide reliable stopping power across a variety of terrains.
- 5″ double‑walled rims offer added durability for everyday riding.
- Carrera Memory Foam Saddle delivers enhanced comfort, especially on longer journeys.
- Puncture Protection tyres include an extra resistant layer to help reduce flats on rough or bumpy terrain.
- Lightweight alloy frame keeps the bike strong yet easy to handle.
Carrera Crossfire 2
The Carrera Crossfire 2 comes in a variety of frame sizes, with a low-step frame option designed for riders who need to mount and dismount their bike with total ease.
Key Features
- Large 700c double-walled wheel rims for extra durability and better rolling.
- Carrera Memory Foam Saddle for ultimate comfort on your ride.
- Puncture protection tyres designed with an extra puncture-resistant layer.
- Shimano 24-speed gears make it perfect for commuting as well as leisure riding or exploring hilly trails.
Mountain Bikes
If you’re looking to venture across off-road trails, there are plenty of options available to help you start off slow and build confidence.
Carrera Vengeance
The Carrera Vengeance is an excellent mountain bike for riders eager to hit the trails. Its lightweight yet durable aluminium frame is easy to handle, making it perfect for riders learning to navigate off-road terrain.
Key Features
- Adjustable front suspension helps you set up your ride for varying terrain, giving you the right balance of impact absorption and comfort.
- 16‑speed Shimano gearing provides a wide range of ratios, making hills and descents easier to tackle.
- Mechanical disc brakes deliver dependable stopping power in all weather conditions.
- Wide, grippy tyres offer excellent stability and traction.
Carrera Hellcat
The Carrera Hellcat is another fantastic option for riders venturing into mountain biking.
Key Features
- Lightweight frame offers easy handling and a stable feel.
- 100mm front suspension absorbs bumps and smooths out uneven terrain for a more comfortable, controlled ride.
- 16‑speed Shimano gearing offers a wide range of ratios to tackle climbs, descents and everything in between with ease.
- Hydraulic disc brakes deliver powerful, consistent stopping performance in all weather conditions.
- 29‑inch tyres are larger and more efficient than standard Vengeance tyres, providing excellent traction and off‑road stability.
Electric Bikes
An e-bike is a low-impact entrance into the cycling world, offering pedal-assisted technology that provides a helpful boost when you need it most. This makes tackling hills or longer rides less strenuous.
Commuting – Carrera Subway E
Designed for everyday life, the Carrera Subway E helps you travel further with more comfort and confidence.
- Kenda 27.5×1.95″ HYB tyres for comfort and grip across mixed terrain.
- Built-in puncture protection and reflective sidewalls to help improve visibility on low-light rides, perfect for riding home from work.
- Rigid steel fork adds strength and stability on flat roads, keeping your ride smooth and efficient as you pedal.
- Delivers electrically assisted speeds up to 15.5mph.
Hybrid – Carrera Crossfire E
The Carrera Crossfire E is perfect for riders who want the versatility of riding on and off-road.
Key Features
- Carrera memory foam saddle for ultimate comfort over bumps and long rides.
- Pedal-assisted speeds of up to 15.5mph.
- Fully integrated in-tube Bafang battery for a sleek look.
- Tektro hydraulic disc brakes for reliable stopping power.
- Quick-release aluminium seat post for easy saddle height adjustments.
Mountain Bike – Carrera Vengeance E
The Carrera Vengeance E 3.0 takes everything you love about the Carrera Vengeance mechanical mountain bike, but with a battery to help you ride with more ease and comfort.
Key Features
- 8-Speed Shimano gears for easy hill climbing.
- Fully integrated in-tube battery for pedal assistance up to 15.5mph.
- Bafang LCD display lets you switch between four riding modes: Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo, so you can adjust your level depending on the terrain or how hard you want to push.
- Reliable mechanical disc brakes for ultimate stopping power.
- Walk-assist mode to help you move the bike around when you’re not riding without any strain.
Key Takeaways
The right bike is the one that fits how and where you want to ride, whether that’s riding to work, getting out for exercise and fresh air or exploring the local trails.
Here at Halfords, we can help you find the perfect bike to build up some confidence in the saddle and experience just how enjoyable cycling can be.
Shop our range of road, mountain, hybrid and electric bikes over at Halfords.com, or visit your local store.
