Beginner’s guide to bikes

Bikes come in all shape, sizes and types - but they’ll generally fall into five categories.

Hybrid bike

Hybrid bikes vary from comfort hybrid to performance hybrid. Comfort hybrids have larger padded seats and upright handlebars to provide a comfortable riding position. These are great for casual riding around your neighbourhood, to the shops, or off to a friend’s. They also ride well on loose surfaces like gravel. Performance hybrid bikes are very similar to 'flat' handlebar road bikes. They are better for carrying bags on racks and handling some loose surfaces for commuting.

City/urban bike

Built for inner-city riding these bikes will have chain guards, fenders, mudguards and racks or baskets for carrying your things. The positioning of the seat and handlebars creates a very upright, comfortable riding position. Electric versions of these bikes are very popular in Wellington.

Road bike

Typically will be very light with skinny tires and 'drop' handlebars. Good for riding fast over long distances, but not so great at carrying heavy loads. You can also get a 'flat' handlebar road bike that has the features of a road bike without the 'drop' handlebars.

Folding bike

These are ideal for people who want to travel with their bikes or don't have a lot of storage space. Folding bikes are perfect for riding to the train station or the bus stop and then bringing your bike with you the rest of the way. They are easy to fold and unfold.

Mountain bike

These are designed for rough off-road trails and will have much thicker knobbly tires. So they’re usually a bit more work when riding on the road. Mountain bikes with front suspension only are called 'hardtails' and bikes with front and rear suspension are called full-suspension bikes. You can still commute on a mountain bike - especially if there are some trails between your home and work.