Question 1

Which bike should I buy?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

What size bike do I need for my height?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How much should I spend on a used bike?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What groupset should I look for on a used bike?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Is it worth buying used over new?

Accepted Answer

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 verifies every listing against UK stolen-bike databases, and the advisor shows how much you save versus typical new price for your match.

Question 6

Do I need an electric bike?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

How long does it take to use the Bike Advisor?

Accepted Answer

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.

Which bike should I buy?

How it works

You tell us how you ride

We match you to a bike

You get a shortlist

Which bike should I buy?

How it works

You tell us how you ride

We match you to a bike

You get a shortlist