Question 1

What is the best first bike to buy?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

How much should a first bike cost?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Should my first bike be new or used?

Accepted Answer

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 verifies every listing against UK stolen-bike databases, so the usual risk of buying used is removed.

Question 4

What size bike do I need as a beginner?

Accepted Answer

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.

Which bike should I buy as my first?

How it works

You tell us how you ride

We match you to a bike

You get a shortlist

Which bike should I buy as my first?

How it works

You tell us how you ride

We match you to a bike

You get a shortlist