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What bike should I buy? Best Bike 2020 Cycle SOS Buyer’s Guide

Best Bike for 2020: A Bike Buyer’s Guide | Cycle SOS

Best Bike for 2020: A Buyer’s Guide for which type of bicycle is right for you

From road bikes to mountain bikes and hybrids – use our handy Cycle SOS buyer’s guide to help you decide which bicycle you should buy in 2020.

 

As a nation, our attitude toward cycling widely varies with only 3% of UK residents claiming to cycle every day in 2018. As the new decade becomes ever closer, many of us are likely making new years resolutions to become more active, find more time for hobbies, or take some time to explore the great outdoors. Cycling can offer all of the above, and more.

 

At Cycle SOS, we understand how confusing the ever-growing bicycle market can be. So, whether you’re looking for a bike for your daily commute to work, a bike to cover long distances or a bike to explore the countryside on, our buyer’s guide lists the pro’s and con’s of 10 different bicycle types to help you make an informed decision.

 

Which type of bike should I buy in 2020?

Road Bikes

Road Bikes are perfect for gaining speed and riding fast on surfaced roads with minimum effort. They have a lightweight frame, skinny tyres and dropped handlebars and gear system. If you’re looking for an aerodynamic riding design, to allow you to achieve maximum speed when riding, then a road bike may be the right choice for you.

 

However, the focus on speed and a demanding riding position may cause discomfort for more casual riders. Although many cyclists choose a road bike to commute on as well as for long-distance weekend rides, the thin tyres and lightweight wheels may be more susceptible to damage than others, especially on roads with plenty of potholes or tall pavement kerbs.

 

There’s also different types of road bike to choose from, including sportive and endurance bikes for long distances, road race bikes for more experienced cyclists, aero road bikes for increased aerodynamics and time trial bikes for racing against the clock!

Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bikes are best suited to rough, off-road terrain and are built to withstand more impact than a road bike. They have a robust frame, thick tyres with a strong grip, powerful disc-brakes and wide range of gears for downhill rides and steep terrain. Many mountain bikes now also boast both front and back suspension for the ultimate control over challenging ground.

 

There are a few different options when buying a mountain bike, including the full suspension, which has become increasingly popular and more affordable, as well as hardtail mountain bikes which arguably take more skill to ride.

 

Ideal for casual or leisurely rides due to the rider’s upright position, as well as intense mountain ranges or rough, countryside terrain, mountain bikes can often prove the right choice for many cyclists. Although their bulky, often expensive frames, are perhaps best avoided if you only plan to cycle on the road or you require a more lightweight, commuter-friendly bike in 2020.

Hybrid Bikes

Hybrid bikes are considered a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike and are becoming increasingly popular with cyclists due to offering the best of both worlds. Identified by their upright riding position combined with a lighter than a mountain bike frame and fast-rolling wheels, the hybrid bike offers the rider increased visibility than a road bike would but still allows for the opportunity to cover distance when riding on the roads.

 

As well as a comfy riding position, albeit at the expense of aerodynamics, the hybrid bike often has disc brakes for consistent handling in wet weather and connection points for luggage mounts making it the ultimate city, commuter bike for many cyclists.

City Bikes

A city bike is a dutch-style bike best for commuting short-distances on flat terrain. They have a relaxed, upright riding position perfect for spotting upcoming hazards, as well as flat pedals and a chainguard, perfect for avoiding any oil marks on your work clothes.

 

A practical and robust bike, the city bike is ideal for everyday use, but those who need speed may require a lighter, more aerodynamic bike for their journey.

Touring Bikes

Touring bikes offer the ability to handle a wide range of terrains, making them suited to both city commutes and long-distance or cross-country adventures. They have fast-rolling wheels similar to both road and hybrid bikes, as well as their thicker tyres allowing for more challenging ground, and ability to carry heavy loads.

 

As versatile all-rounders, touring bikes offer a more comfortable riding position than typical road bikes, although this comes at a slight cost to speed. For many, touring bikes are perfect for both weekend rides to a local park, short commutes to work and even international cycle tours.

Gravel Bikes

Similar to touring bikes, gravel bikes are also more in demand with cyclists looking for the efficiency of a road bike with the robustness of a mountain bike. They are also known as adventure bikes, all-road bikes or bike-packing bikes and have sleek road frames and off-road tyres (35mm wide or more) suitable to tackle gravel paths, muddy terrain and uneven road surfaces.

 

Choose from a range of frame materials to suit you from extremely lightweight aluminium frames to carbon, titanium and steel. Their versatile build also allows for adding mud-guards and pannier racks for carrying luggage, making them perfect for long-distance adventures.

 

Fixed Gear Bikes

Often referred to as a Fixie, Fixed Gear bikes aren’t exactly beginner-friendly, as no freewheel means they require constant pedalling once on the go but are the bike of choice for many city dwellers.

 

Fixed gear bikes require concentration but can achieve super-quick speeds. Due to their simple design, they also need little maintenance, making them very popular with cycle couriers who require regular, intense use. However, as mentioned, they are perhaps best avoided for the more casual rider or if you live in a challenging, hilly area!

Folding Bikes

For those hopping on and off public transport, a folding bike may be the right type of bicycle due to their compact size and easy storage. Identified by their folding ability and small wheels, a folding bike can be used for short journeys to the office and stored almost anywhere.

 

However, despite being capable bikes, a folding bike is not as suited to unstable grounds as other bikes such as a hybrid, and due to the weight and design, they aren’t likely to achieve the speeds of a road bike.

 

Electric Bikes

Electric bikes are no longer a thing of the future as more and more cyclists are choosing to buy an e-bike. Assisted by a powerful motor, e-bikes essentially help the rider to tackle distances or uphill terrain.  They are great for commuters who don’t wish to exert themselves on the way to work and cyclists who are less confident in their physical abilities, although there is still some pedalling involved to activate the motor.

 

The current UK speed limit (excluding N.Ireland) for electric bikes is 15.5mph, and you may find that they are significantly heavier and more expensive than a regular bicycle. There are now also Electric Mountain Bikes available to buy for a less demanding ride – just remember to charge it!

Children’s Bikes

Cycling is a wonderful passion for sharing with your children, and many of us have fond memories of our first or favourite bike. If you’re looking to buy a bike for your child, you must consider their age and ability.

 

We believe that balance bikes give children the best introduction to cycling, teaching them the basic principles of controlling the bike with their own bodyweight before introducing a bike with pedals. Secondly, when they move onto a bike with pedals, making sure that the size is right is important to inspire confidence. Children should be able to reach the brakes, handlebars and pedals comfortably. Read more here about buying your child’s first pedal bike.

 

 

So, when considering which type of bicycle will be the best bike for you and your needs in 2020, there’s quite a lot to consider. At Cycle SOS, we advise that you do your research before buying a bicycle, ensure the frame is the right size for you and that above all, it is safe to ride.

 

 

 

 

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.