Bike Advisor
Which bike should I buy?
Shortlist the right bike by category, frame size and groupset, matched to live UK listings with real depreciation, resale velocity and 3-year ownership cost data.
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 you buy?
The right bike is decided by where you ride, not by budget or brand. Commuting on tarmac points to an urban hybrid; mixed surfaces to a gravel bike; fitness and distance on road to a road bike; trails to a hardtail mountain bike. An electric bike is worth the extra cost if your commute is long, hilly, or involves carrying children or cargo. Size comes from your height, and the groupset tells you how the bike was specced when new. All three are set out below.
Match your riding to a bike type
Each row names the trade-off as well as the recommendation, because the compromise is usually what decides it.
- Commuting on tarmacUrban hybridFlat bars, an upright position, and the mudguard and rack mounts that make a wet UK commute bearable.
- Commuting on mixed surfacesGravel bikeHandles canal paths and broken tarmac on the same tyres, and still quick enough on the road.
- Fitness and distance on roadRoad bikeLightest and fastest over distance. Few have rack or mudguard mounts, so it is a poor single bike for commuting.
- Off-road trailsHardtail mountain bikeFront suspension only. Simpler, cheaper to run and enough for most UK trail centres.
- Long or hilly commute, or carrying cargoElectric bikeFlattens hills and headwind, but costs two to three times the equivalent non-electric and weighs 5-10kg more.
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"+
What to spend, and what to hold out for
Most bikes lose 35-55% of their value in the first three years, which is why a two to three year old used bike is usually the best value. The groupset floor is the spec worth waiting for at each budget.
£400-£900
A reliable used hybrid or entry-level road bike. Enough for a daily commute.
Floor: Shimano Altus or Acera
£900-£1,200
Better wheels and brakes. The point at which a used bike stops feeling entry-level.
Floor: Shimano Tiagra
£1,200+
Serious road or gravel riding. Also where quality hardtail MTBs start, from around £800.
Floor: Shimano 105 or Ultegra
£1,800+
Full-suspension mountain bikes. Below this, buy a better hardtail instead.
Floor: SRAM GX or Shimano XT
Start from your situation
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 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.
- 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
Which bike should I buy?
The right bike depends on how you ride, how tall you are and your budget. Commuters on tarmac usually want a hybrid or road bike; mixed-surface commuters a gravel bike; off-road riders a hardtail mountain bike. Use the free Cyclesite Bike Advisor to get a category match, frame size and groupset floor in under 90 seconds.
What size bike do I need for my height?
Height drives frame size: under 157cm = XS, 157-168cm = S, 168-178cm = M, 178-188cm = L, 188cm+ = XL. Mountain bikes use inch-based sizing (e.g. 17-18" for medium), road and gravel bikes use cm (e.g. 55-57cm for medium). The advisor picks the right format for your chosen bike type.
How much should I spend on a used bike?
For a daily commuter, £400-£900 used buys a reliable hybrid or entry road bike. Serious road or gravel riding starts around £1,200 used for Shimano 105 or equivalent. Quality hardtail MTBs from £800; full-suspension from £1,800. E-bikes cost 2-3× the equivalent non-electric. The advisor shows the median price on Cyclesite for your match as you move the budget slider.
What groupset should I look for on a used bike?
Road: Shimano Tiagra is the floor. Avoid Claris and Sora for anything over £900. Shimano 105 or Ultegra is the sweet spot used. Mountain: Shimano Deore or SLX is the floor for hardtails; SRAM GX or Shimano XT for full-suspension. The advisor flags the groupset floor for your match so you do not buy the wrong £1,200 bike.
Is it worth buying used over new?
Typically yes. Most bikes lose 35-55% of their value in the first three years, so a 2-3 year old used bike from a reputable seller is often the best value. Cyclesite checks every supplied frame number against a stolen-bike registry and rider-filed theft reports, and the advisor shows how much you save versus typical new price for your match.
Do I need an electric bike?
E-bikes make sense if you commute 5+ miles with hills or headwind, carry kids or cargo, or are returning from a long break in cycling. They cost 2-3× the equivalent non-electric and weigh 5-10kg more. The advisor only suggests electric where a meaningful variant exists for your scenario.
How long does it take to use the Bike Advisor?
Around 90 seconds. Four core questions plus one or two follow-ups, no signup and no email required. Results include a shareable URL so you can save or send the recommendation.