There are a bewildering number of bike types and styles available. This guide aims to help you understand what's available and ultimately help you find your perfect bike.
In a hurry? Try our quick and jargon-free
Here are the categories we use for our bikes:
Commuter Bikes Practical, reliable bikes to get you to work and back Includes comfort, fitness, folding and urban mountain bikes
Road Bikes Road bikes for racing, for road enthusiasts, or just for getting fit Includes cyclocross, time trial and triathlon bikes
Mountain Bikes Off-road bikes for racing, for serious enthusiasts, or for beginners Includes cross-country, free-ride, all mountain and enduro bikes
Practical, reliable bikes to get you to work and back
Styles of Commuter Bikes:
Comfort: An upright riding position, comfortable saddle (often combined with a suspension seatpost) and relatively fat road tyres, make these bikes very comfortable, but not fast. Show me these bikes.
Fitness: Lightweight and well equipped with high quality components, these bikes are fast but durable enough for everyday commuting and getting fit. Show me these bikes.
Folding: Ideal for carrying on trains or packing into cars, most folding bikes still offer a good ride. Weight and ease of folding are crucial. Show me these bikes.
Urban Mountain Bike: With rugged mountain bike frames and fatter tyres than other road bikes, these are durable and strong, especially suited to heavier or more aggressive road riders. Show me these bikes.
Road bikes for racing, for road enthusiasts, or just for getting fit
Styles of Road Bikes:
Competition carbon: The ultimate road racing machines. Lightweight carbon fibre, with aerodynamic positioning and top-of-the range components. Show me these bikes.
Competition aluminium: The lightest and fastest aluminium road racing bikes, with top-of-the range components. Show me these bikes.
Cyclocross: Road bikes specifically designed for cyclocross racing (cross-country races). Show me these bikes.
Fitness: Perfect for a regular training program, these fast and light road bikes typically have flat handlebars and durability for comfortable and hassle free training. Show me these bikes.
Sport: Light and fast road machines that won't break the bank. More comfortable than competition bikes, they're perfect for daily use or local club runs. Show me these bikes.
Time trial and triathlon: Aerodynamic, light and fast, these are no-compromise speed machines for the track or the race course. Show me these bikes.
Touring: Designed for long distances and reliability, these are strong, comfortable bikes capable of carrying loaded panniers and bags. Get out and see the world up close! Show me these bikes.
Off-road bikes for racing, for serious enthusiasts, or for beginners
Styles of Mountain Bikes:
Full suspension - All mountain: For excitement, control and efficiency. Designed for riding big downhills, but also climbing back up without sapping your strength, these bikes are capable of taking you just about anywhere. Show me these bikes.
Full suspension - Freeride: For big drops, hairy descents and bomb-holes. These downhill specialists have loads of suspension travel, big brakes and few gears. Show me these bikes.
Full suspension - Enduro: Designed for long days in the saddle, these bikes are nimble and light cross-country machines with just a bit more suspension and comfort. Show me these bikes.
Full suspension - XC competition: Designed for racing, these are the lightest and most agile full suspension cross-country bikes. Show me these bikes.
Full suspension - XC: Light and nimble for burning up the trails, with full suspension to give that extra control and comfort. Show me these bikes.
Full suspension - Basic: Entry-level bikes for those on a tight budget who want a teaser. Not really suitable for serious off-road use. Show me these bikes.
Hard tail - Competition: The ultimate, light weight cross-country racing machines. Built purely for speed and agility on the trails. Show me these bikes.
Hard tail - Freeride: With long travel suspension on the front only, few gears and a sloping top tube, these bikes are made for urban fun: skateparks, backyard jumps or showing your mates some gnarly tricks. Show me these bikes.
Hard tail - Sport: Top quality trail bikes that don't break the bank. Show me these bikes.
Hard tail - Basic: Entry-level bikes with no rear suspension. If you're new to mountain biking, or on a tight budget, these are the bikes for you! Show me these bikes.
Bikes for just getting out there, or bumbling around town
Styles of Recreational Bikes:
City and Path: An upright riding position, fat road tyres and a big, soft saddle make these bikes comfortable and easy to ride. Perfect for family rides around town. Show me these bikes.
Go anywhere: An upright riding position, with a big, soft saddle, suspension forks and knobbly, fat tyres ensure a comfortable and easy ride through town or on light dirt trails. Show me these bikes.
