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One of the most common questions I get is “What bike should I get?” I wish there was a simple answer to this, but just like everything else in life, its super personal! I do have some recommendations and guidance to help you find a bike that you’ll love to ride.

Start by asking yourself these questions:

What kind of riding do you want to do?

This might seem obvious, but really think about it. While it’s totally possible to get one “do-it-all” bike (and I’ve got some recommendations below), if you’ve got intentions to go bike camping, carry your kids around town, or ride in a triathlon, you’ll likely be looking at different styles of bikes.

What is your budget?

This is probably the toughest thing to talk about, especially to folks who are just getting into cycling as adults. A new bike with quality components that is safe and going to last you is going to cost upwards of $500. You can likely find a used bike for less than that, but make sure you do your research on the condition of the bike.

If your budget is limited, a great place to look is your local Bike Co-Op or Used Bike Shop, who will often sell refurbished bicycles at a great price. Recycled Cycles, Bike Works, and The Bikery in Seattle are good places to check, as well as Community Cycling Center of Portland. Sorry I don’t know more spots in other areas, but a quick google search for “bike cooperative” should get to your local spot!

What kind of weather do you plan on riding in?

You might be saying – why does this matter? Well, technically it doesn’t, as bikes work in all sorts of weather (including snow.) But, if you’ll be riding year round, including rain, you’ll want to make sure your bike has the ability to mount fenders (also known as mud guards) or comes with them pre-installed.

How hilly is the area you live in?

If you live in a hilly place, you’re going to need lots of gears (i.e. speeds) to make sure you can comfortably climb up and down the varied terrain. I live in Seattle and find that my 2 x 10 speed (2 cogs in the front, 10 in the rear) is ok, but not great. I’d prefer to have a “granny gear” in the front so I can go up really steep hills more comfortably. If you live in a flatter place, less gears is likely fine.

Do It All Bikes

The bikes below are my Gold Standard, Do-It-All Recommendations. These will let you commute to work comfortably, add bags to go bike camping, and are fun for an everyday ride around town bike.

They’ve all got space for wider tires, mounts for fenders and racks to carry bags, and look pretty good too. I’ve also tried to choose bikes that come in a wide range of sizes.

Breezer Inversion - This is my new favorite bike and I’m in love! Steel, fast, and sleek! Super excited to get out and do some racing on it!

Surly Straggler – This is the bike I ride most of the time and I absolutely love it. Rugged, steel frame and fun to ride. You’ll probably notice that mine looks a little bit different – remember that you can always change components including handlebar, saddle, pedals, tires! Nearly everything on a bike can be changed for style, comfort or just because you want to!

I especially love this bike because it comes in a huge array of sizes from a 38cm (with a 650b wheel set) all the way up to a 62cm (with a 700c wheel set.)  This means it fits folks from 4’8 up to 6’4.

Kona Coco  - The Kona Coco is a bit different stylistically and reminds me a lot of the bikes I see in Europe. It’s a step-thru model, with internally routed cables, which gives it a really clean look. It also comes stock with fenders, a kick stand, disc brakes and flat bars, making it an ideal commuting bike for nearly any city. The price point is also really attractive at $759 – quite a bit of bike for not that much money.

Kona Dew – The Kona Dew is similar to the Coco, but with a bit more traditional “American” look to it. It doesn’t have fenders built in, but you can always add these. It’s also only $599, so a good deal for a commuting bike!

Electric & Family Bikes

I worked at G&O Family Cyclery for a little while and fell in love with a few electric bikes. I really love them for so many reasons, but especially how accessible they make biking to so many people.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Rad Power Bikes: You really don’t get more value for your money than with Rad. Super affordable, quality components and a local company! Winning all around!! Definitely check them out! Also, $100 through July 1st!

I recommend the Rad City for commuting (and light bike camping - see my review here), The Rad Wagon for hauling your kiddos around, and the Rad Mission for everything else!

Tern GSD – This bike is so cool. It’s the same size as a regular bike, but can carry up to 3 people (440 lb capacity), is electric, and stores vertically. Seriously could be a car replacement.

Larry vs. Harry Bullitt – The Bullitt is a bit of a wildcard, but I love this bike. It’s a bakfiets style, which means box bike – you might’ve seen a bike messenger riding one of these around town. All of your cargo is in front of you, which means your kids, dogs, groceries, etc. are in full view the whole time! It can be a little bit of a learning curve at first, but once you get the hang of it, this bike is so fun to ride.

Xtracycle Electric Edgerunner  - This is the minivan of electric bikes and every time I see a family on one, I get so jealous. Endless customizable configurations, powerful motor and just fun to ride. This bike is super fun, reliable and also a great option as a car replacement.

Adventure Bikes

Maybe you already have a commuting bike and are looking for a gravel or bikepacking rig? I have a few suggestions for these too.

Velo Orange Piolet –  I have this bike in my bedroom right now and honestly can’t wait to take it back out again. I rode it on the Coast to Corvallis route and it performed so beautifully. Clearance for wide tires, mounts for all my bikepacking bags and surprisingly, the small frame size was small enough for my short little legs!  

Specialized Diverge  - The WTF BX Gravel Team rides these, so I think they’re a good bike. Fair warning – I myself haven’t ridden one, but I’ve heard really good things about them!

Wildcards – Folding Bikes, Cycle Trucks and Other Bikes

Your Local Bikeshare! – Honestly, if you’re just getting into riding bikes and either don’t have the money yet, are waiting for the supply chain to deliver your bike, or are unsure what you want, go with your local bike share! I’m a huge fan of these bikes – you don’t have to do any maintenance on them, you don’t have to worry about them being stolen, and they’re usually pretty cheap! They’re also a really fun way to get around your city!

Raleigh Lorry – This bike looks a little funny, but it’s honestly a really fun, practical bike. It has a regular size wheel in the back and small wheel up front with a rack mounted above it. This allows you to carry a large cargo load above your front wheel, in a super steady position. It’s also highly adjustable, making it a great fit for both short and tall riders, and at $700, it’s another bargain bike!

Velo Orange Neutrino Mino-Velo – Again, another of a “huh?” bike, but it’s great for folks who travel a lot, live in small spaces, maybe take the train + bike to work, or just want a fun bike. This mini-velo rides like a normal bike, has braze-ons for all your touring or commuting gear and is a huge conversation starter.