Choosing the right bike involves thinking about your riding style and needs. Consider where you'll be cycling—whether beachside boardwalks, rugged mountain trails, or crowded urban areas—as this will help determine if a road bike, mountain bike, hybrid bike, or beach cruiser, for example, is your best fit. Think about your intended use, comfort level, and budget. When you have all this in mind, take the free, 30-second quiz above to help you narrow down your options, and find your perfect bike!

When buying a bike, there are several things to avoid. For starters, don’t impulse buy! Take your time, research, take our “Help Me Choose a Bike” quiz, and consider a test ride at a retrospec dealer before deciding. Also, make sure to check sizing. An ill-fitting bike can lead to discomfort and injury.

Bike sizing is important both for comfort and control. Sizing is based on your height, more specifically, your inseam (the distance between the bottom of your foot to the top of the inside of your leg). Once you use our quiz to find the right bike for you, see the “Sizing” tab at the bottom of that bike’s product page to learn how to measure your inseam and purchase the correct size bike.

If your inseam measurement and our sizing chart puts you between sizes, you’ll probably be fine with either size. A slightly smaller frame size may feel more nimble, and a larger size might feel more stable. But if you’re unsure, sizing down is usually the best option. You can almost always adjust for a slightly smaller bike frame with stem length and handlebar adjustments, but a larger frame might not be as easily accommodated.

No! Our bikes arrive to you about 85% built. You’ll usually just need to attach the front wheel, handlebars, pedals, seat, and any accessories. For more information, see our bike assembly and owner’s manuals. For peace of mind, you can always have your bike assembled by a local bike shop, but the vast majority of retrospec customers have no problems setting up their bike on their own!

Bike frame styles can be split into two broad categories: step-through and step-over. A step-over bike frame, often considered the traditional style, features a high top tube that you lift your leg over to mount. This bike frame design is common in road bikes and mountain bikes, often favored for its structural rigidity. On the other hand, a step-through bike frame has a significantly lower (or even absent) top tube. This design allows you to “step through” the frame to mount and dismount. Step-through bikes are popular for casual riding, city commuting, ebikes, and are often preferred by riders seeking greater accessibility, those wearing clothing like skirts or dresses, or anyone who makes frequent stops. Keep in mind that many bike racks, like the Lennox car bike rack or our Double Decker Gravity garage bike rack, will attach to your bike via its top tube. So if you own a step-through bike and want your bike to be compatible with these styles of racks, you’ll need a top tube adaptor. Don’t worry though, you can also simply use a tray rack, which holds your bike by the wheels instead of the frame.

The primary difference between single-speed bikes and multi-speed bikes is their gearing system. A single-speed bike has just one fixed gear, offering a simple, low-maintenance, and often lighter ride. Single-speed bikes are ideal for flat urban commuting or casual cycling where gear changes aren't needed. Multi-speed bikes (or geared bikes) feature a range of gears that you can shift through, allowing you to adjust your pedaling effort to efficiently tackle hills, accelerate on flats, and maintain a comfortable cadence across varied terrains, providing much greater versatility. Our quiz will consider your local terrain and help you decide if a single-speed or multi-speed bike is best for you!

For tackling hills, multi-speed bikes with a wide gear range—especially plenty of lower gears—are better. But it also depends on the type of hill! Lightweight road bikes are designed for efficient climbing on paved surfaces, and hybrid bikes can also perform well on hills due to their streamlined design and versatile gearing. Gravel and mountain bikes excel when climbing hills off-road, due to their tire traction and low gearing. But if you really want to climb hills easily, you should be looking at ebikes. Ebikes (electric bikes) come with pedal assist and thumb-operated throttles, significantly reducing (or eliminating) the effort required for any climb. With an ebike, the electric motor climbs the hill for you!

Tire choice depends on where you ride! road bike tires are narrow and high-pressure, with smooth tread for low rolling resistance and speed on pavement. In contrast, mountain bike and gravel bike tires are wider, with knobby treads designed for optimal grip and shock absorption on off-road trails. Hybrid and fitness bike tires often strike a balance, featuring a smoother center for efficiency on roads with some side tread for traction on varied surfaces. Beach cruiser tires, meanwhile, are wider and softer (lower pressure), offering cushion and comfort for casual riding.

One of the questions on our quiz will ask you whether your average ride will be under 30 minutes, closer to an hour, or longer. For long rides, bike types prioritizing comfort and efficiency are best. Road bikes are specifically designed for high speeds and long-distance comfort on pavement. For all-day rides around town (with lots of stops), commuter-focused city bikes are a great choice, with racks for storage, comfortable saddles, step-through frames, and relaxed riding positions. For longer rides on mixed surfaces, gravel bikes excel. If you want to ride long distances without breaking a sweat, electric bikes (ebikes) are worth a try.

The cost of a good bike can vary widely, and some brands will throw out ranges like $1,000 or $2,000. Here at retrospec, we don’t believe you should have to spend thousands to get a quality ride! For general fitness, commuting, or recreational use, you can find high-quality bikes in the $300 to $600 range. While higher-priced bikes may include lighter materials, more advanced features, or specialized performance, a budget around $400 or $500 can certainly get you a good bike, one that’s both dependable and comfortable!

For daily commuting, several bike types are effective. City bikes and road bikes are particularly great options. City bikes are purpose-built for the demands of daily travel, often featuring comfortable, upright riding positions, durability for city streets, and practical additions like racks or fenders, making them ideal bikes for commuting. If your route is longer or you prioritize speed and efficiency, a road bike can be an excellent commuting bicycle. Additionally, versatile hybrid bikes and effort-reducing electric bikes are also very popular and well-suited for making daily commutes more enjoyable and manageable.

For purely leisure riding, where comfort, style, and a relaxed pace are top priorities, beach cruisers are often considered the best choice. These leisure bikes feature an upright riding position, wide and comfortable saddles, and soft, wide tires that ensure a smooth and cushioned ride, especially on flat paths or boardwalks. With their simple operation, often single-speed gearing, and iconic, laid-back aesthetics, cruiser bikes offer an exceptionally comfortable and enjoyable experience, making them ideal bikes for casual outings.

Mountain bikes are specifically designed for riding on trails. These bikes feature robust frames, suspension, and knobby tires for superior grip and handling. Hardtail mountain bikes, which have a front but no rear suspension, are excellent for smoother trails and efficient climbing. For extremely rugged, technical terrain, you could also explore full-suspension mountain bikes, for enhanced comfort and control. For less aggressive or well-maintained dirt paths, gravel bikes can also serve as a versatile off-road bike. The best trail bike for you will depend on the types of trails you frequent and your personal riding style.

Fitness bikes are the best type of bike for exercise. Designed with versatile drivetrains and streamlined builds, fitness bikes are designed for exercise and recreation on paved roads and bike paths. Compared to road bikes, these bikes have an increased focus on versatility and comfort, with an upright riding position, wider, cushioned seaters, and sometimes step-through frames, all without completely sacrificing performance.

The first question on our quiz will ask you your gender, but this is to help us get an idea of our customer base, not to decide which bikes are best for you. Historically, women’s bikes would be slightly smaller in terms of component size and frame geometry, with features such as a lower top tube or narrower handlebars. But in reality, there are no firm differences between men's bikes and women's bikes, and most modern bikes are unisex. A properly fitting bike is based primarily on your height, specifically your inseam, and men and women come in all shapes and sizes!

One of the questions we’ll ask in our “Help Me Choose a Bike” quiz is whether you like to ride for performance, comfort, or style. Do you plan to use your bike for fitness? Do you hope to use it to commute to work every day? Or do you simply plan to use it for cruising? This will help us better understand your goals.

It depends on where you want to ride, but for a novice bicyclist, a beach cruiser is probably the easiest (and most comfortable) bike to ride. With plush seats, step-through frames, simple coaster brakes, swept-back handlebars, and a relaxed riding position, these bikes are designed for laid-back, casual riding.

Yes! You should always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Not only is it legally required in some jurisdictions—especially to ride on city streets—but it’s also just a smart safety practice that can prevent serious injury or death.