Finding the correct bike is very easy as long as you buy a bike that will suit the majority of your riding. You would be surprised how many people buy a bike that is not suited to the terrain they ride on. If you are riding 85% on the road then you should buy a road going bike and not a mountain bike! If you follow the links below by clicking on the text or pictures then you will get detailed information on the type of riding each of these types of bikes suit best and recommendations which will help you get the best bike for your own needs

Mountain bikes have strong frames, powerful brakes, multiple gears and wide tyres - perfect for riding off the beaten track. Suspension is now becoming more popular for two reasons - it increases comfort and can allow you to progress faster over the given terrain which you are riding on. Mountain bikes at the lower end of the price range, sometimes called All Terrain Bikes or Urban Mountain Bikes, are not as capable as true mountain bikes when it comes to off road riding. They are often designed for recreational cycling, much the same as a Hybrid.

You’ll have seen these types of bikes in the Tour de France. Racing bikes (also known as road bikes) are designed to go as fast as possible on tarmac. Everything is pared down as much as possible to save weight and to improve aerodynamics. Racing bikes have quite a lot of gears, but they are very close together so the rider can choose a gear which perfectly matches the conditions. The riding position is also aerodynamic to help lessen wind resistance, and the drop handlebars give a choice of riding positions depending on conditions. Road tyres are very thin and run at very high pressures.

Hybrid Bikes: The hybrid is a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. They are also referred to as "Trekking" bikes or "Town and Trail" bikes and are ideally suited to most leisure riders and commuters. Better models come factory fitted with mudguards, pannier racks, and can offer suspension seat posts and adjustable rise stems. This in turn adds to the comfort and functionality of the bicycle. The hybrid is the best all round bicycle as it suits the majority of riding that you may wish to do. It is perfect for tarmac riding, and yet it is more than capable of being taken onto towpaths and forestry tracks.

Comfort MTB: A comfort mountain bike is a bike that is actually designed for on and light off road riding. Despite the use of "MTB" in the name the bike is not a "proper" mountain bike. The name comes from the fact it has 26" wheels which are the same size as a MTB. These bikes are usually very adjustable and can be set up to be one of the most comfortable bikes on the market. They don't usually come with mudguards or carrying racks and are designed for leisure riding. They offer an upright position with lots of comfort features such as Suspension Forks, Suspension seat posts, comfort handle bar grips, Big comfy saddles and adjustable handlebar position.

A folder is designed to be easier to store and transport than a normal full size bike. People who would benefit the most are commuters, people who need to carry their bike in the back of their car and people who don't have the space to keep a full size bike within their home.

BMX: BMX originated back in the late 70's but peaked in popularity in the early 80's as the human powered form of Moto-Cross. Instead of a motorbike, riders would tear around a circuit of bumps and jumps on a small wheeled bike with a single gear. BMX (Bicycle Moto Cross) gradually developed and manufacturers began to make bikes which suited the circuits. They were fitted with 20" wheels, had a relatively small frame and high bars. This style of bike became very popular with the younger rider, particularly teenagers who adopted this new "style" of bike as their own. As with many types of bikes the BMX evolved into more than just a race circuit bike.

The electric bike has arrived. It’s for those of us who want a convenient, fast and environmentally friendly way to get around. Why get in the car for a 10-minute ride when it’s much better for you and the environment to hop on your electric bike?
Electric bikes use a small electric motor driven by a rechargeable battery pack to help you along. They are good for getting up hills, carrying lots of luggage, or making sure you don’t arrive at work all hot and sweaty! The motors are not designed to replace your pedalling just to assist it. Most electric bikes will give you a range of about 25 miles but the less you use the electric power the further this will be.