With spring just around the corner, many of us are chomping at the bit to get outside and get some fresh air, and a fun way to do that is to go on a bike ride. After all, there are roads to cruise, hills to climb, and scenery to be viewed. But there are so many bike options to choose from, and deciding which will work best for you can be challenging. Not only are there a ton of brands, but the styles seem endless. To help you pick out the best bike for you, we’ve narrowed the options down to three categories. We’ve even included several electric bikes because they’ve become a game-changer when it comes to riding opportunities for people with less mobility. They’ve opened the world up for a lot of people and might just be the perfect choice for you. Here are the best bikes to buy this year, based on features and customer reviews.
How To Choose The Best Bike For You
There are many types of outdoor bikes, but to narrow down your options, we’ve split our list into three categories: Cruisers, mountain bikes, and road bikes.
Keep in mind that most of the bike options will not only require assembly, but they’ll need to be taken to a bike shop for tuning. Assembly can take time and specialized tools which might not be included, so for your safety and sanity, we recommend taking it to a local shop for a safety check/tuning by a qualified bike mechanic before riding and at regular intervals after that. Most of the listings will designate which assembly is required, so read carefully before purchasing to ensure there won’t be additional time or costs associated with the bike that you aren’t expecting.
Cruisers
Cruiser bikes, also referred to as beach cruisers, are known for being a stable, easy-to-ride bike that’s more comfortable than a typical bike. It’s perfect for cruising at slow to moderate speeds, and accessories often include a basket or a beverage holder.
Mountain Bikes
A mountain bike is typically designed for more rugged terrain and durability. It has a light, sturdy frame, broad deep-treaded tires, and multiple gears, originally designed for riding on mountainous terrain.
Road Bikes
Road bikes are built for speed and are typically used for distance riding or commuting. They’re designed to be more sleek and aerodynamic than other bike styles and are for use on paved roads instead of rough terrain or racing tracks.
The Best Outdoor Bikes To Buy
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Charge Comfort Electric Bike, $1799
Not only is the e-bike great for leisurely riding, but it also makes for a perfect low-impact exercise. If you love to get out and go on a bike ride, but you’ve found you don’t have the strength or endurance you used to have, this is the perfect option to keep you going without warning you down.
The Comfort is an everyday electric bike, from the makers of Cannondale and Schwinn bikes, that makes it easy to get around. It lives up to its name by keeping your posture upright and relaxed for the ride ahead. It features a low-step frame that’s easy to hop on, their best-ever comfy seat, bump-proof shocks, and an easy-to-use thumb throttle. Pedal when you want, coast when you don’t.
Huffy Nel Lusso Classic Cruiser Bike, $228
Enjoy your next outdoor adventure aboard this stylish Huffy 26-Inch Nel Lasso Women’s Cruiser Bike with Perfect Fit Frame. This model is specifically designed and engineered to fit your natural bike-riding position. Italian for “in luxury,” Nel Lasso offers features that keep you going, whether you’re riding to class, work, or spending time with family and friends. This blue cruiser bike includes a basket, a rear rack, a smartphone holder, and a beverage cup holder.
Schwinn Cruiser, $309.55
Relax and take it easy on the Perla beach cruiser by Schwinn. The Perla’s steel cruiser frame is perfect for tooling around the neighborhood, park, or beach. The 7-speed twist shifters with Schwinn rear derailleur let you adapt to your terrain with smooth shifting, while the alloy linear-pull brakes provide secure stopping power.
Electra Townie Go! 7D Hubdrive Step-Thru E-Bike, $1599.99
The Electra Townie Go! 7D Step-Thru E-Bike combines the style of an Electra Townie with the convenience of an e-bike. The Townie Go! step-through features a Hydrive rear hub motor with three levels of power support for a more relaxing ride. The Hydrive LED display makes it easy to monitor your level of power support and the remaining charge on the battery.
Mantis Tri-Rad Folding 24″ 6-Speed Tricycle, $549.99
The Mantis Tri-Rad Folding Adult Tricycle offers a worry-free and comfortable ride. The Mantis Tri-Rad features a low-cut frame and parking brake for easy mounting and dismounting. The large spring seat is super comfortable for short or long rides. Plus, the folding frame design makes storing and transporting the bike easier.
Huffy Rock Creek Women’s 18-Speed Mountain Bike, $128
The Huffy Rock Creek 26-inch Mountain Bike combines a hardtail frame, great style, and the right specs to have a blast over bumps on paved trails or rides around the neighborhood. A smooth 18-speed index shifting system with a Shimano rear indexed derailleur consistently shifts between gears for quick adjustments venturing uphill or accelerating on level ground.
Mongoose Status Mountain Bike, $239.99
Featuring a solid aluminum full suspension frame with a powerful suspension fork and rear shock to smooth out bumps, the Status 2.2 is ready for your next adventure. A 21-speed Shimano rear derailleur with SRAM twist shifters guarantees quick shifting and the right gearing for any trail you encounter. Light and strong alloy rims add durability and support knobby 2.125″ wide mountain tires that roll over anything in your path. Don’t let life hold you back – get out and ride with the Status 2.2. Finally, a mountain bike that elevates your ride and won’t break the bank along the way.
Women’s Trek 820 WSD Cross Country Mountain Bike, $489.99
The Trek 820 Women’s Mountain Bike offers the versatility needed for those looking to get started with mountain biking. It features mountain bike tires and a suspension fork to reduce bumps while still feeling comfortable on paved trails too. With 21-speeds, it gives you just what you need to tackle changing terrain. Plus, the steel step-through frame and WSD (women-specific design) make the Trek 820 women’s bike easy to get on and off, as well as provide maximum comfort for extended rides. Consider this a top option for those looking to get started with mountain biking but still need versatility.
Trek Powerfly 4 Electric Mountain Bike, $3849.99
The Trek Powerfly 4 Electric Mountain Bike is up for any type of riding—commuting, recreational, or the trail. It features the powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor that easily adjusts to changing terrain, while the motor armor helps protect the battery from rocks and other trail debris. The Trek Powerfly 4 eMTB has a frame constructed from Alpha Platinum aluminum to provide strength while remaining lightweight. If you’re looking for an electric bike, the Trek Powerfly 4 Electric Mountain Bike is one to check out.
Eurobike HYXC550 21-Speed Shifting Road Bike, $279+
The Eurobike is a high-quality steel frame road bike with a dual disc brake and a 21-speed shifting system. It has aluminum multi spokes and three different spoke wheel styles available to choose from.
Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed, $329
This entry-level road bike is built on a lightweight 6061 aluminum frame, and it features thumb shifters for convenience. It has mount points on the frame for a water bottle cage, and it makes an excellent commuter. The Vilano R2 road bike is perfect for folks looking to get into cycling for health, exercise, and commuting.
Trek Domane AL 3 Disc Road Bike, $1379.99
The Domane AL 3 Disc is a smooth, stable, and super fun road bike. It’s a blast on everything from longer loops to group rides and even light gravel trails. The lightweight and comfortable frame features a road-smoothing carbon fork, quality parts, and a wide range of gears.
Heybike Cityscape Electric Bike, $849.99
Enjoy a feature-complete, approachable step-thru, comfort-oriented, hybrid electric bicycle with a long-range removable battery. With all the benefits of the Cityscape, It’s perfect for improving the commuting experience. You can’t deny that it’s an awesome way to get around.
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