Best commuter bikes 2024 for practical cycling on a daily basis

Investing in a commuter bike is one of the best things you can do for your health and your pocket. The health benefits of cycling to work are well documented, and saving yourself from the expense and tedium of commuting by car is a joyful, liberating experience. Come rain or shine, I find that my commute by bike bookends my working day perfectly. It gets me going in the morning and it washes my stress away in the evenings. 

There are several considerations to make when choosing your commuter bike. In essence, the best commuter bike for you is the bike that excites you, is comfortable and, most of all, is practical. There may also be some surprising benefits to cycling to work you don’t know about.  

Commutes come in all shapes and sizes, you could be on a door-to-door, smooth, tarmac cycle path or combining cycling with public transport. Some even use their commute for training, in which case you will likely want to browse our Best Road Bikes guide. Regardless of terrain, transport combinations and distance, this guide will help you make the best choices for your commute.

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Best commuter bikes by style

Best Hybrid Bikes For Commuting

Good For: Urban and Suburban riding with the occasional detour along a canal path, byway or unpaved track.  

Traditionally, a hybrid bike has combined the durability and controls of a mountain bike with the speed and gearing of a road bike. These qualities make them great for commuting –  they’re user-friendly, comfortable to ride and boast a turn of speed that most people find helpful in the mornings.

Hybrid bikes span a broad array of styles. There are bikes aimed at riding fast, which are closely related to road bikes and feature narrow road tyres and big gear ratios. Additionally, some hybrid bikes prioritise comfort and utility, so they come fitted with suspension forks, large-volume gravel tyres, racks and mudguards/fenders as standard.  

Pretty much all hybrid bikes are a practical option, which is why they make such great commuter bikes. They’ll almost always accept pannier racks as well as mudguards or fenders, and will often have plenty of space to mount accessories such as lights, bottle cages, a bell or a phone holder.

The Specialized Sirrus hybrid is made of the brand's A1 Alloy butted aluminium and is the perfect commuting companion for anyone just looking to get the job done. The bike rolls on 700c wheels but with room for 42mm wide tyres, allowing it to tackle rough roads and dirt paths in some comfort, as well as being happy on the paved road. There are rack and fender/ mudguard mounts on the dropped seat stays and the fork, as well as bosses for two bottles cages inside the main triangle, making this one of the best commuting bikes for riders looking to calibrate their own mule for work. 

On test, we found that the Shimano set up was superb at gear shifting, and although the more recent models are now rapid fire 2x8-speed, there will still be a wide range of gears to choose from, making even hilly commutes easier to tackle. Details such as the front chainguard to prevent greasy dropped chains are a nice practical touch on a commuter bike too.

Now the Sirrus range has been around for a while, it's been able to grow quite large, with Sirrus 1.0 up to 4.0 now on offer, with the actual Sirrus 2.0 coming in four versions, a Sirrus X 2.0 provides a more off-road happy setup, and step through versions of both the X and standard models. There's even a range of colours to choose from too. 

The line-up was extended again in 2024 with a brand new frame design for the latest versions of the Sirrus 6.0 and the Sirrus X 5.0, which we reviewed recently.

The Ribble Hybrid AL e offers a stylish option for the commute that includes a hidden motor and internal battery for extra assistance. Like all Ribble's bikes, you can choose between spec options with the Fully Loaded option reviewed including a rack, lights and mudguards, so you're all set up.

The motor and battery weigh just 3.5 kilograms, so the Hybrid AL e is lightweight and portable for an electric bike, but you still get a range of around 60 miles and assistance is customisable via the Mahle ebikemotion app to prioritise range or assistance to suit your riding style and commute.

The rest of the spec is well thought out with a single chainring SRAM NX drivetrain with a wide range 11-42 tooth cassette, quality Mavic wheels, hydraulic disc brakes and a comfortable saddle for commuting.

Best Folding bikes for commuting

Good For: Combining cycling with public transport or a car if your commute is too long to cycle the full distance

Folding bikes almost always feature small wheels, and have a folding mechanism somewhere on the frame so that they pack down small. Additional features, like folding stems, pedals or removable luggage-carrying options are often available but aren't always included, so keep an eye out for these as they can help to reduce the size further. 

The most popular folding bikes will feature small 16 or 20-inch wheels, Larger wheeled folding bikes are available but are few and far between as their folded size and weight tend to limit their use.

Folding bikes are ideal for combining public transport and cycling to cut down commute travel times, but they aren’t limited to this. They can be a great alternative to touring bikes, especially if you are taking part of the journey by plane, train or car. One of the most popular uses outside of commuting is with motorhome and caravan owners, as they can stashed under a seat or in footwells.

We've loved any of the bikes produced by the folding market leader, and it's easy to see why with almost all our reviews giving the Brompton bike range full marks. Brompton allows you to spec your own folding bike with the ideal handlebar type, gear set up and accessory selection. This is why it's a little tricky to review just one model. 

The bikes excel in their field thanks to their incredibly lightweight nature and speed of folding and compact footprint. 

There are several versions to choose from, which now include an electric version and the P-Line featuring Titanium rear end and super light build kit. The C-Line is available in guises the 6 speed 'Explore' and the 2 speed 'Urban' Builds. Both options offer all three handlebar types and wide range of colour options. 

For those that want to experience the brilliance of a Brompton but maybe still have a limit on a cycle to work voucher. Brompton keep it simple with the A-line, which in its single build option features the mid height bar, a single colour option and their reliable 3 speed hub.   

We are yet to do a full review on the Eovolt but I was very excited to see how the Eovolt Afternoon 16 stalked up against the Brompton Electric. So, I took the opportunity to pop into my local dealer to do a quick test ride. What caught my eye about the Afternoon 16 is that Eovolt has made two conscious decisions that immediately set it apart from Brompton.

The first is disc brakes, which offer superior braking for all-weather riding and when cycling in heavy traffic. Additionally, the added torque from an e-bike motor, makes disc brakes are essential on any e-bike. The second is Eovolt’s choice to spec a rear hub motor drive system. Without getting too deep into the pros and cons of hub-driven electric bikes, in my opinion, placing the hub in the rear eliminates undesirable handling qualities generated when the power goes to the front wheel. More importantly, it can be safer when the roads are damp or in an emergency. It's why market leaders like the Mahle X35 and FSA use a similar system. 

The folded size of the Afternoon 16 also impressed, being only marginally bigger than its competitor at just 0.15m3, compared to 0.09m3 for a Brompton. To give some context, both are small but so should easily be stowed in a car boot or train luggage bay. One issue that immediately arose during my short time with the Eovolt was getting the bike to stand independently when folded. This was a struggle. The round plastic protection at the end of the seatpost just isn't designed to support the bike. I only see it becoming an issue if you need to set it down while waiting on a platform for your train if there’s nowhere else to lean it.

Best Vintage, Dutch & Classic Style Bikes for Commuting

Good for: Short flat urban and suburban commutes when style matters.

Vintage, Dutch & classic style bikes are very similar to hybrid bikes, particularly when it comes to the specification. They are practical, versatile and fantastic for getting around town. These bikes are now synonymous with their ‘Sit up and beg’ relaxed position which is part of the appeal for many. This comfortable riding style makes these bikes great for riding around flatter towns and cities at a leisurely pace.  

Steel is still a very popular material for the frames of Dutch and classic-style bikes but in recent years we have seen a push to make them lighter. With total bike weights regularly in the 15kg plus range, aluminium has been introduced to reduce weight dramatically, making them more versatile. Having said that, these bikes have been popular in Northern Europe for decades and you rarely hear a complaint.

Seeing near daily use for 2 years my wife's Pendleton Somerby has been flawless even after a few spills, one of which did result in a helmet replacement. The bike it replaced had proven very unreliable, not to mention a good 5kgs heavier. The Somerby really shows what can be done when a little thought is put into affordable bicycles and not a laser focus on cost. Details like the metal chain guard, mudguards and welded rack, have resulted in a quiet ride that has required no fettling to stop mudguards rubbing tyres or chains rattling on the guard. 

At 14.5kg, the Pendleton isn't light by commuter bike standards however, for this style it is on the lightweight end. A Pashley Penny, a bike twice the price of the Somerby is in the 17kg range. That is in part due to Halford's choice to keep it simple with the 7-speed drivetrain from industry experts Shimano. The simplicity and weight saving of this set-up over a Sturmey 3 Speed hub is noticeable.       

As the one that has to work on this bike, when it goes wrong, and the little spanner time I have given it. I would highly recommend the Somerby to anyone looking for an affordable, reliable and well-built bike. It is fantastic for short distances, and it has enough style to look good outside your local coffee roaster. 

It's been 10 years since Trek acquired Electra Bikes but only recently we have seen them influence its range of classic beach cruiser-styled bikes. Avoiding the easy route, of just bolting a battery to an existing model, Trek has been smart with the Loft Go! 7D EQ. A complete redesign of the bike from the ground up, sees Trek housing a small 250wh battery within the aluminium frame, upholding the traditional skinny steel tube styling. You would be hard-pressed to know that this was an e-bike at all. The Loft Go! Is a bike with a lot of style and thankfully one with a lot of substance too. The moderately powered 40nm Hyena rear hub motor, and small 250wh battery, keep weight down while providing enough oomph and range for most applications. 

It is hard to see why the Loft Go! isn't equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, this is a bit of a shoot-and-miss from Elektra, given the excellent value of the rest of the bike. I believe Elektra should forgo the low-powered lights for better brakes, given that you would likely need more powerful lights to ride at night anyway. 

The simple LED display, which depicts battery life and support level, is a cheap, no-frills on-bike feature. However,  it is supplemented by the Elektra + Central App, for those who like to be connected, share rides or keep on top of their range anxiety.

Best Singlespeed and fixed gear bikes for Commuting

Good For: Fast, Flat and low-maintenance miles, regularly used by many for winter commuting.

There is a lot to be said for simplicity in your choice of commuter bike. A single-speed or single-gear bike is the best way to achieve this. To keep a geared bike running smoothly  requires frequent maintenance and replacement consumable parts. By removing the capacity to change gears, you eliminate one of the biggest causes of wear on your drivetrain. 

Executed well, a single-speed drivetrain can be super smooth, less prone to wear and deliver a more direct power transfer. That is why it’s still used exclusively on Track bikes. For legal reasons, single-speed bikes must be sold with a freewheel but many now feature a ‘Flip flop’ hub if you wish to ride fixed.    

Gearing is a big consideration for a singlespeed bike, so try a few different ratios to find what works best for you and the parcours of your commute.

Decathlon's Elops City Bike 500 was previously branded under its B'Twin label. However, the bike remains the same - which if you're after a straightforward single speed bike for your daily commute is a good thing.

For under $/£300, you get a durable steel frame and forks that uses dual-pivot caliper brakes to bring it to a halt. The gearing is 44x18, which means a single 44t chainring paired with a 18t cog - and it's fitted to a flip-flop hub, which gives you the choice of riding either with a freewheel or a fixed gear. 

Best suited to short, flat commutes the Elops single speed features relatively narrow 520mm alloy bars, which should allow you to navigate gaps in the traffic while still remaining stable. Given it's price point and it's steel frame, it's not the lightest bike you'll come across .

Best Drop Bar Bikes for Commuting

Good For: Longer, hillier or off-road commutes, and for combining training with commuting.

You might think a good budget Gravel or budget Road bike would do the job, and there is absolutely no reason why these cannot be ridden for commuting. However, some are much better at the job than others, and many bikes are just too nice to be putting in hard everyday miles. 

So, what makes some bikes better than others? It boils down to practicality. Drop bar designed with commuting in mind will regularly feature fittings for or include as standard racks, mudguards and even lights. They will generally feature more affordable componentry that requires less maintenance and finishing details like frame protection or reflective decals. The curb appeal of commuter bikes might have toned down, making it less appealing to thieves, so it is still there to ride home on.

You don’t need a carbon fibre race bike unless you plan to combine your commute with some training, then there is a whole host of great endurance road and gravel bikes that will do the job.

The Nuroad FE is an ‘equipped’ version of Cube's popular Nuroad Gravel bike, sharing the same geometry, aluminium frame and carbon fork. What does ‘equipped’ mean? This is when brands ‘equip’ certain models in their range with additional accessories such as mudguards/fenders, racks and lights. That is where the Nuroad FE differs slightly. With these additional accessories and its dynamo light set-up, which I'll get to in a minute, this bike stands out from the pack, it’s an ideal commuter bike. 

Tyre-hugging mudguards/fenders are welcome on any commuter bike and those on the Nuroad FE are neatly integrated with the low riding rack, which doubles up as the support. This helps to keep the mudguard and any cargo stable. Keeping weight low also reduces the centre of gravity, which maintains the bike's sporty handling. 

In recent years we have seen a big resurgence in the use of dynamo lights, especially among athletes competing in long-distance, ultra-endurance races like the Trans Continental Race or Tour Divide Route. Modern dynamo hubs are incredibly efficient at generating voltage compared to their predecessors and limit resistance to a minimum. This makes them perfect for commuters as they are always available on your bike and they never need charging.    

It would be nice to see Cube speccing the more puncture-resistant Schwalbe G-One Allround, with its DD double defence casing, but it's a small cost to upgrade as and when needed. Considering the dynamo setup, rack and mudguards/fenders come in at just  £100 RRP over the standard Nuroad, the FE version represents good value

Canyon rarely shies away from making the bikes it truly believes people need and the Grizl:On CF Daily is a shining example of this. Like the Cube Nuroad FE, the Canyon is a very ‘well-equipped’ version of its highly-rated Grizl gravel bike and, as the name suggests, is optimised for ‘daily’ use. The Grizl:On turns it up to 11 with the addition of the superb Bosch Sx lightweight motor system. 

The Sx System is designed to offer light assistance most of the time yet pack the same big punch as ‘full fat’ systems like Bosch’s CX motor, which should suit commuters down to a tee. I rarely ride hard, most of the time I am cruising and just want a bit of an extra kick on the climbs or away from the lights, assuming I am running on time of course. 

Canyon's high levels of integration make a lot of sense for the busy commuter, you really can just jump on the bike and ride. Equipped as standard with lights that are more than adequate for dark lanes, mudguards that clear large tyres and a rack that will handle 15kg of cargo, the Grizl:On CF Daily is a versatile bike. One neat feature that caught my eye was the integrated Fidlock frame bag mounts for Canyon’s own LOAD frame bag. This would be a great place to keep tools, a pump or keys/door passes easily accessible.    

The Grizl’s gravel background lends superbly to a mixed-terrain commute, and that Bosch motor will mean you can attack some very technical terrain along the way. However, having spent two years with a little-used suspension fork fitted to my own e-gravel bike, it is hard to see it being a big need for everyone. For those who won’t be venturing too far from the road, it’s a little excessive.

Best cargo bikes for commuting

Good For: Ideal car replacements for those who have to balance family life alongside commuting

Cargo bikes are pitched as a car replacement, which they absolutely can be if you have the space for one. They’re a great solution for balancing family life with commuting. Being able to carry people and bulky stuff is tricky on a normal bicycle, but a modern cargo bike has you covered. There is an infinite combination of cargo bike variations, but most fall within three basic types. 

Longtails are what the name suggests, where the rear of the bike is extended much further than usual, to provide additional cargo capacity. These are great if your circumstances require multiple configurations throughout the day - perhaps carrying kids in the morning and shopping in the evening. 

Front-load or ‘Box bikes’ put all the cargo space way out in front of the rider, a little like a canal boat. These are much better suited to heavier cargo loads, such as multiple children or those bulk-buy trips to Costco. Unlike Longtails, which ride much like a normal bike, ‘Box bikes’ can be trickier to handle.   

Finally, compact cargo bikes offer greater cargo capacity than normal bicycles but are much easier to store than longtails or front-loaders. They regularly have some folding elements like handlebars and pedals which can help them slide behind a sofa or store in a hallway. They quite often feature mixed-wheel sizes and low slung racks to get the weight low and Balance.

If you're looking for a bike that can truly replace a car then the Tern GSD S10 is the closest I have found. It's so versatile. With most cargo bikes I have tested you have to choose between carrying kids or shopping, but the Tern has room for both.

The superior Bosch Cargo system is perfect for the hilly topography of my local roads, especially when we are loaded up. The GSD I have been testing is equipped with a 400wh battery but if you can stretch to the LX model it’s increased to 500wh. This would be welcome upgrade, as my eight mile commuting loop consumes about a third of the battery. This is not a big issue, it just means I have to charge it everyday, rather than every other.  

If I'm picky, the Bosch Purion display is a little low rent bearing in mind the cost of the bike. Particularly as it doesn't even feature a clock, which means I have to mount a phone holder, or remember to wear my smartwatch. It is a very minor detail in the grand scheme of things, on a bike that has truly changed our habits as a family. 

Finding a genuine car replacement has never been so easy, there's really a lot to love about the Stride 2. Its potential to ditch the car and get the whole family out and about (well an adult and up to two or three little ones) is pretty unique, even in the cargo bike market. 

If you are not hauling people, the large out-front loading tub is great for chucking anything and everything in. Not specific to the Raleigh, but worth noting, is that most buckets designed for cargo bikes limit your front wheel visibility, which can take a while to get used to. You do need to be confident in your riding ability. You need to be a pretty tall rider too., At 5’6" (170cm), I found it hard to touch the floor when sitting on the saddle, even with it positioned all the way down.

The Stride 2’s party trick is the Enviolo NuVinci gear shift, which is an infinitely adjustable system and a real revelation on a cargo bike. Being able to shift gear whilst stationary, and being able to keep the focus on handling a fully loaded as you come to a stop was something I'll miss on other bikes. Additionally, step-less shifting means shifting under load on a hill is also smooth and quiet.

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As Alexander Graham Bell famously said, “Preparation is the key to success” and a successful commute is always the one where you make it work safely. At a bare minimum you should consider a good commuter helmet and bike lights. Protection against the elements is also something you will need to be prepared for. A good waterproof jacket and pair of trousers will keep you warm and dry, but mudguards or fenders do a great job of keeping the elements at bay too. 

Finally, think about the facilities available for cyclists once you arrive at your workplace. Where are you going to store your bike? You will likely need a bike lock, even if are lucky to have secure storage. You may want to carry a change of clothes, need to carry a laptop or if you are like me pack a sizeable lunch. A good cycling backpack or pannier bags makes all that a lot easier. 

FAQs About Commuting By Bike

What bike is best for cycling to work? 

The topography of your journey will no doubt determine the bike you need to tackle your commute. For easy, flat or comfortable cycling you could try a hybrid bike. For fast, longer-distance commutes a road bike might be better suited, or if you want to mix things up why not a gravel bike? 

Take a look at our easy-to-use guide, what to look for in a commuter bike. 

Is cycling a good way to commute?

I am a cyclist so I might be biased, but getting on my bike and cycling to work is one of the best things I have ever done. Not just for the physical health benefits of cycling, for me it was the mental health benefits that can be regularly overlooked. Let's not forget the monetary savings over commuting by car or public transport is a dopamine hit in itself. The most satisfying part of my day, come rain or shine is my commute by bike.

Is a 30-minute bike commute too long?

Our coaching expert James Spragg recommends  “a commute under 30 minutes at a low intensity as the perfect addition to any training program”. For many, the duration of your commute will depend on the time you have available to cover the required distance. A half-hour commute featuring big hills requires a different effort from a 5km commute along a flat cycle path. If the distance is too far, a worthwhile consideration might be a folding bike and combining a cycle with a shorter car journey or public transport. Surprisingly in many cases, a cycle commute is quicker than one by car as it may feature a more direct route or lower traffic levels.

Are cyclists the happiest commuters?

The short answer is YES! A study by the University of Auckland has shown that cyclists are the happiest commuters. I attest to this, I am always happier on my bike than when I am forced to use the car. Just don't ask me in the middle of winter.   

Are road bikes good for commuting? 

Road bikes make for great commuter bikes. There is a tradition of using budget road bikes fitted with mudguards to get from A to B faster. However, road bikes can limit you to paved surfaces and this is where we have seen a recent rise in the popularity of budget gravel bikes. Their ability to run a much wider variety of tyre treads and widths, including road tyres if you wish, whilst maintaining efficiency makes them ideal for commuting.

Can mountain bikes be used for commuting?

Any bike, including mountain bikes, can be used for commuting. The terrain you choose to travel across will determine the choice of bike. The monotony of cycling on the road eventually got to me, so I found mixing up my commute with some easy trails a great way to add variety. For many, a gravel bike might be the best of both worlds. They offer the ability to get off-road and mix up your route whilst maintaining an efficient commute time.