Bike Advisor · First bike
Which bike should I buy as my first?
New to cycling or returning after a long break? We'll match you to the right category, frame size and groupset floor in plain English, with no jargon and no signup.
How it works
You tell us how you ride
Whether you commute on tarmac, ride singletrack at weekends or need something for the school run, four quick questions cover it.
We match you to a bike
We pick the right category, estimate your frame size and flag a groupset floor, so you don't buy the wrong £1,200 bike.
You get a shortlist
Live UK listings in your size and budget, with real UK market-price data, resale velocity and 3-year ownership cost. No signup.
The short answer
Which bike should I buy as my first?
New to cycling or returning after a long break? We'll match you to the right category, frame size and groupset floor in plain English, with no jargon and no signup.
What frame size do you need?
Work it out exactlyRoad and gravel frames are measured in centimetres, mountain bikes in inches. Sizing varies between manufacturers, so treat this as the range to shortlist rather than a single answer.
XS
Under 157cm
Road 47-49cmMTB 13-14"
S
157-168cm
Road 50-53cmMTB 15-16"
M
168-178cm
Road 55-57cmMTB 17-18"
L
178-188cm
Road 58-60cmMTB 19-20"
XL
Over 188cm
Road 61cm+MTB 21"+
Other situations
Each of these starts the advisor with your situation already filled in, so there are fewer questions to answer.
- Which bike is best for commuting?Answer a few simple questions and we'll match you to the right commuter bike: urban hybrid, gravel or e-bike. Live UK listings, cycle-to-work savings and area-specific theft risk.
- Which e-bike should I buy?We match your commute, terrain and budget to the right electric bike: hybrid, gravel, mountain or cargo. Live UK listings and real data on battery range, motor reliability and 3-year ownership cost.
- Which mountain bike should I buy?Hardtail or full-suspension, trail or technical? We match your terrain, skill level and budget to the right MTB, with live UK listings, real UK market-price data and clear groupset advice.
- Best bike under £500We'll show you what £500 actually buys used, and flag where a stretch to £650 gets you a noticeably better bike. Live UK listings and real UK market-price data.
Common questions
What is the best first bike to buy?
For most first-time riders, an urban hybrid is the best pick: upright riding position, flat bars for easy control, space for mudguards and a rack, and a forgiving price band (£400 to £900 used). The advisor fine-tunes based on where you'll ride: a gravel bike for mixed commutes, a hardtail mountain bike if you'll ride trails.
How much should a first bike cost?
For a comfortable, reliable first bike, £400 to £800 used is the right range. Below £300 used, quality drops sharply: frames flex, gears skip and brakes are weak. The advisor shows live listings in your budget so you can see what it buys.
Should my first bike be new or used?
Used, almost always. Bikes lose 35% to 55% of their value in the first three years, so a 2 to 3 year old used bike gives you much more quality per pound. Cyclesite checks every supplied frame number against a stolen-bike registry and rider-filed theft reports, so the usual risk of buying used is removed.
What size bike do I need as a beginner?
Height is the starting point: under 157cm = XS, 157 to 168cm = S, 168 to 178cm = M, 178 to 188cm = L, 188cm+ = XL. The advisor picks the right size format (cm for road, gravel and hybrid, inches for mountain) based on the bike type it recommends.