An urban bike is, by definition, a bike designed for riding in the city, in town centres, their outskirts and even suburban areas. Unlike bikes reserved for sporting activities (road bike, MTB, gravel), the urban bike prioritises comfort, practicality and utility well above performance.
AN URBAN BIKE — WHAT FOR?
The urban bike is difficult to define in any way other than broadly, since urban bikes come in many forms: bicycles of different types that the city cyclist will choose according to their profile, their needs, the nature of their journeys (frequency, distance, difficulty), etc.
Given the variety of urban bikes, we propose here to categorise them by presenting the characteristics of each type and their differences, to help you more easily find the model best suited to your travel habits in the city.
WHAT SELECTION CRITERIA
In the city, there are many ways to cycle. Among urban cyclists, you naturally find students, commuters who embrace "bike to work" culture, weekend riders, couriers and all sorts of professionals. A bike can be used for basic everyday trips: going to the market, running quick errands, picking up a child from school, or simply getting to any given appointment.
Thinking about buying a new bike means asking how you intend to use it. To choose the bike best suited to your urban travel habits, it is therefore worth exploring a few lines of thought and considering the key selection criteria:
The type of journeys (frequency, distance, terrain, difficulty)
The nature of the routes you regularly take largely determines your choice of bike.
If you frequently cycle over fairly long distances, opt for a dynamic or even sporty bike. Conversely, short and occasional trips in the city centre can be handled by bikes with a strong urban character, such as a Dutch bike or, in a different style, a fixie. If your route is too long or too demanding, or if you want to arrive at work without needing a shower, an electric bike is the solution.
The drivetrain of your bike is an important element to consider, and should be chosen according to the difficulty of the terrain. Manufacturers equip their urban bikes with traditional derailleurs or with internally geared hubs, which are well suited to the flat to slightly hilly routes typically encountered in cities. They require little maintenance compared to derailleur systems, which remain preferable for tackling steep climbs.
The folding bike is an urban bike well suited to intermodality — the mode of urban travel that alternates cycling sections with public transport journeys. It folds up to be carried more easily on a bus, a tram or a metro, just like a piece of luggage.
If your route takes you along asphalt roads and some off-road tracks, versatile hybrid bikes, such as VTC bikes or touring bikes, which are at home on all terrains, are well suited.
Finally, bear in mind that a versatile bike of this type can serve you beyond your daily city commute, for family rides, countryside outings, during holidays or at weekends. Depending on your habits and your budget, opt for an all-purpose bike rather than one with too exclusive an urban identity (fixie, Dutch bike…).
Comfort (size, posture, geometry)
The right bike is ultimately the one you feel comfortable on! With the exception of certain folding bikes and cargo bikes, most urban models are available in several sizes. In the case of cargo bikes and folding bikes, models are most often adjustable at the saddle and stem level.
Depending on the type of urban bike, the rider's posture can vary. This is an important differentiating criterion. For example, the position on a Dutch bike is very upright, with the rider sitting straight-backed. In contrast, a VTC, a fitness bike or a fixie offers a sportier position, with the torso leaning further over the handlebars.
Among other comfort criteria, it is worth noting that many classic city bikes are offered in three geometries — Wave (swan neck), Trapeze, Diamond (horizontal top tube) — to suit all cyclists, men and women. A Wave frame is easier to mount than a Diamond frame, with Trapeze geometry representing an intermediate solution.
Safety
In the city, cyclists ride very close to cars and motorbikes, which is why it is essential to equip your bike with safety accessories to make your presence clearly visible to others.
Lights, reflectors, bell, danger deflector… Your urban bike must allow you to ride with maximum safety!
Useful accessories
Prioritising practicality and utility above all, the urban bike is generally equipped with basic accessories such as a rear rack, mudguards and a kickstand. Their usefulness is obvious: they allow you to easily carry panniers or a child seat, and to protect yourself from splashes if you happen to ride in the rain.
If load capacity is an essential criterion for you, if you are planning to transport your children and do major shopping by bike, the cargo bike is specially suited! Fitted with a cargo box offering a greater or lesser load capacity, it can replace the car in many situations.
Style
An obviously subjective criterion, the style of your urban bike can matter, especially if you choose a fixie!
WHICH URBAN BIKE FOR MY USE?
VTC bikes (all-road bikes)
All-terrain bikes are do-it-all models designed to ride on tarmac as well as on rolling trails and off-road paths. Borrowing components from mountain bikes, they are most often equipped with disc brakes, a telescopic fork and a traditional derailleur drivetrain, which allows you to tackle any climb with ease.
Touring bikes
The touring bike, or trekking bike, can serve urban cyclists who enjoy long-distance cycling tours for their everyday city commutes. It is a very sturdy bicycle that comes with all the practical everyday accessories (mudguards, kickstand, rear rack…). Equipped with durable and reliable components, they have a high load capacity and a drivetrain designed to tackle steep climbs with ease.
Dutch bikes
The Dutch bike is the urban bike par excellence, found nowhere outside cities! It is characterised by its swan-neck frame, which is very easy to mount. Super comfortable for fairly short journeys on relatively flat routes, the Dutch bike is perfect for those who want to ride serenely, sitting upright with their head held high to better anticipate the hazards of traffic. The drivetrain components (internally geared hubs) are enclosed to prevent dirt build-up and minimise maintenance needs.
City bikes
The city bike is a model that prioritises comfort, practicality and utility, designed to best accompany the cyclist on their everyday journeys. Extremely well equipped with accessories (mudguards, rear rack, quality lighting, kickstand…), it makes daily life easier for its user! Sturdy and durable, it is built from steel or aluminium and offered in various forms (Wave or swan-neck geometry, intermediate trapeze or classic diamond), to be accessible to everyone. Vintage bike, beach cruiser, sporty, classic… the city bike can take many shapes!
Fixie/singlespeed bikes
Fixies and singlespeed bikes are stripped-back, minimalist bikes that often appeal to younger cyclists who cultivate a certain fun and laid-back style. They have only one gear and are offered with a fixed sprocket (fixie) and/or a freewheel (singlespeed). Ideal for getting around quickly in the city, over fairly short distances and on flat routes!
Folding bikes
The folding bike is that ultra-practical, agile and adaptable bicycle, built for intermodality! This mode of transport, which alternates journeys by public transport with sections by bike, is favoured by cyclists living on the outskirts who need to reach the city centre. Thanks to their folding frame, these bikes are easily carried on a bus or a train, just like a piece of luggage.
Cargo bikes
The cargo bike, whether a biporteur (2 wheels), a triporteur (3 wheels) or a longtail, is a bicycle with a very high load capacity. Equipped with a more or less voluminous cargo box or an extended rear rack, the cargo bike can be used to transport several young children, groceries and/or bulky parcels… Ideal for families and professionals who work by bike, it can replace a car in many situations!
Electric bikes
Set apart in our presentation as it belongs to a cross-cutting category, the electric bike is available in most of the bicycle types discussed here. There are thus electric folding bikes, electric city bikes, electric VTC bikes, electric cargo bikes… suited to all urban cyclists, particularly those who have fairly long distances to cover each day. Mid-drive motor, front or rear wheel motor, battery range… The choice and selection criteria are numerous!
