Best Bikes for Commuting: How to Choose

Thinking about skipping the train as you roll back into work this fall (or maybe for every season)? Cities around the world are investing in and encouraging cycling as an alternative to cars. Retailers can’t keep bikes in stock, and manufacturers are struggling to deliver everything from cheap hybrids to bicycle tubes. 

There are many types of bicycle, but the humble commuter is now taking center stage. The varieties of commuter bikes share two constants: They’re overbuilt for reliability and tailored for the environment in which their owner operates. As a result, there’s no single “best” commuter bike, and what works for you will not necessarily work for others.

With many bike shops sold out, you can start your own commuter build from a bike you have lying around or by purchasing used. Sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace might offer some good deals on second-hand bikes, but nothing beats establishing a relationship with—and supporting—your local shop. Such an establishment will become a vital resource as you set off on this new adventure. We’ve put together a photo guide to commuter bikes and those who use them to help new riders find their way.

“I commute because I love to ride,” he says. “It takes half the time as the train and it’s more enjoyable. And now, in the Covid-19 era, cycle commuting is a socially distant form of travel.”

Since sustaining an injury last November, Fishkin has been commuting on a Specialized Turbo Vado e-bike. The electric motor hidden in the frame eases the physical effort required to ride, and sales of such models, long popular in Europe, are now growing rapidly in the U.S. as well.  “I don’t need to shower when I get to work,” Fishkin says. 

His bike is equipped with a variety of mounts for lights and cycling computers, bar end extensions for additional hand positions, along with a rack and panniers. 

Though Yung owns three bikes, one is specifically designed for commuting: the Brompton folding bicycle. The company has been making essentially the same design in west London since 1975. The bike, easily distinguished by its smaller-than-average wheels and longer-than-average seatpost, can be folded down to the size of a briefcase in a matter of seconds. 

Karen Yung’s Brompton is a custom two-speed version made for members of her cycling team, The 5th Floor. It’s got a special colorway, matching front and rear fenders and integrated lights, which are powered by a dynamo in the front wheel. That means there’s no risk of running out of power.

The bike is all about convenience, Yung says. “It’s relatively light and because it’s foldable I can bring it inside and not worry about locking it up.” 

Though the bike is comfortable for short commutes, it really shines in filling the gaps in long commutes. Ride it to the train station, fold it up, carry it on the train, hop off near your destination and ride the rest of the way. When you arrive, just bring it inside with you. 

“Enjoy the ride,” Yung says. “It isn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B. It’s about seeing the city in motion before you settle into work for the day—seeing, feeling, smelling, and taking it all in.”

“We have a birthday party in one park or another every other week,” he says. “Public transportation can only get you so close and if you drive, you spend more time looking for parking than it would take to ride a bike.”

Murray bought the bike used, with most of the wild customizations you see today already in place. The upgrade that made the greatest impact on his life is the Xtracycle Free Radical conversion kit, which extends the wheelbase and allows Nick to carry multiple children (and bikes of their own). 

“The panniers are really useful for carrying beach stuff or groceries. The running boards give my older kid a place to rest his feet, but I also use them to strap their bikes to so I can tow them to a park where they can ride them independently.” He says that one of the company’s hoops that wrap around the seat was an important safety feature to his wife. “After a long day out and about they’ll occasionally rest their heads on them and fall asleep, although that’s not sanctioned by Xtracycle.”

He built his latest bike, a black Aventon track frame, from scratch. His previous bike was white and ended up being stolen, so he figured a black frame wouldn’t stand out as much. A single-speed or fixed-gear bike like Budhai’s is about as simple as it gets. There are no gears, so there’s less maintenance. 

That simplicity comes at a cost: These bikes are best for those who live in extremely flat places. Even the grade going up and over a bridge can turn into a quad-busting exercise session for the uninitiated.

Budhai’s advice for new commuters applies to every kind or rider, no matter what kind of bike they ride: “Look through the back windows of parked cars to see if anyone is getting out so you don’t get doored.”

Her bike is a Marin Nicasio RC, a steel frame with classic upright geometry. Everything has been optimized for the rigors of commuting. The 47mm-wide tires are large enough to handle riding in the snow, full-coverage fenders keep Clifford clean and dry, and disc brakes provide full stopping power regardless of road conditions. The bike’s 8-speed internal hub provides enough range for climbing up and over the Manhattan Bridge while also requiring less maintenance than external gearing.  

“I outfitted mine with a Porteur Front Rack from Velo Orange,” says Clifford. “It can hold up to 50 pounds, looks super stylish, and all you need is a couple bungee cords to keep your packages or bags in place. You definitely want a basket or a rear rack when commuting. Backpacks are great, but you get to work and your back is sweaty and gross and it’s not ideal if you have a meeting to get to right away.”

The bike has been modernized, with a new wheelset, but maintains much of its original parts—and charm. Many cycling enthusiasts adore steel bikes. While they’re often slightly heavier than modern aluminum or carbon bikes, a good steel frame delivers an incredibly smooth yet lively ride.  

“At the end of the day, the bike needs to be able to make commuting easy and fun,” Mfinanga says. “If it looks sexy while doing all the above, more power to it.”

Parker uses an old, unbranded cyclocross frame to get around the city. Cyclocross, a variant of bike racing that combines elements of road racing with off-road obstacles, has a small but dedicated community of fans in the city. The bikes appear identical to traditional road bikes with drop bars, but are built to handle rougher terrain and can fit larger tires. This bit of added strength makes them ideal for the rigors of commuting—potholes and curbs are well within their capabilities.

Gravel bikes, which are made to withstand similar terrain, albeit out in nature, rather than on a cyclocross course, are also a great option in this category. Unlike cyclocross bikes, which are designed for short intense races, gravel machines are designed with extra mounting points for water bottles, racks and gear, making them a great frame on which to build your commuter. 

“I actually picked it up for an ex-partner years ago,” Parker says of her bike. “It’s too small for me but I put so much work into it that I took the bike back in the breakup.” That work includes unassuming but carefully-chosen parts, like a simple and reliable 1×11 drivetrain, larger 32mm tires for both comfort and durability, along with fenders and racks.

“I put all my gear on the front of the bike because it gives me better control as I’m moving through and around traffic,” Parker says. “I also always have a rain jacket on the bike in case the weather goes south.”