Cycle Through the City With the Best Commuter Bikes, According to Our Tests (2024)

City, urban, commuter, cargo, utility, folding, or e-fill-in-the-blank—call it what you will. Your commuter bike has a job to do, and only you know what that job entails. So whether you need to haul a ton of crap, make a quick run for some essentials, load up the kids and get out of the house, or get off your ass and grab some fresh air, you need the right bike, and we have it right here.

Wear your protection before hitting the road. Check out our picks for the best bike lights, helmets, and light sets to strap on your next ride.

• Best Budget Hybrid: Cannondale Bad Boy 3
• Best Value: Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1
• Best Budget: Schwinn Collegiate Adult Hybrid Bike
• Best Budget Foldable: Zizzo Liberte
• Best Commuter E-Bike: Aventon Level.2 Commuter E-Bike

Commute Type

Just as there is no one type of commute or commuter, there is no singular type of commuter bike. It used to be that a typical city bike had upright geometry, flat pedals, minimal gearing, skinny tires, and a relatively comfortable seat. But thanks to new technology and a greater demand to live a two-wheeled lifestyle, the category of commuter bikes is sprawling.

The right commuter bike for you depends on the size of your city, the types of roads (or lack thereof), the length of your commute, how much cargo you plan to haul, your budget, whether or not your commute is multimodal, what your idea of “maintenance” means, how quickly you need to get from A to B, and your fitness level.

But, to simplify your choice: Consider a road bike or fixed-gear bike if you’re riding on flat pavement and well-maintained roads. Opt for a hybrid or gravel bike if you frequently encounter debris, branches, potholes, and rocks.

Frame Material

For this list, we focused on two frame materials: aluminum and steel. Aluminum is lightweight, sturdy, and stiff, while steel is heavy, flexible, and can take a beating.

Carbon and titanium frames are more expensive and lightweight, but for most commuters, we think it’s better to opt for aluminum and steel—not all commutes have to feel like race day, and expensive frames are more sought after by thieves.

Budget

While a $6,000 custom commuter bike might make you starry-eyed, plenty of sub-$1,000 possibilities may fit your needs. And while a $500 city bike is easier on the wallet, it might not offer the best features for longer commutes or those with mixed terrain.

Our experienced testers spent many hours and miles using each of these bikes for their intended purpose. We’ve commuted to and from work on them, used them to run errands, put their passenger-hauling capability to work, ridden them during rush hour traffic, loaded them up with groceries and beer, tested how easily folding bikes fold (and ride), and run the e-bikes’ batteries down to officially see how long they last on one charge.

We evaluate bikes on performance, price, comfort, handling, value, reliability, fun, and aesthetic appeal to come up with this list of bikes that will best serve the needs of anyone looking to get from point A to point B quickly, efficiently, comfortably, and in style.

Bicycling has been a leading voice in the bike industry for decades, delivering insightful, trustworthy reviews and in-depth knowledge to cycling enthusiasts of all levels. We have a long history of guiding readers through the ever-evolving cycling landscape, and our writers and editors are not only experts but also passionate riders.

For the latest update to this story, we worked with Bicycling test editor Dan Chabanov to vet each bike and recommend a few based on his riding experience. Chabanov brings a wealth of knowledge to our review process, having spent a decade professionally racing (earning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018) and reviewing everything from mule-worthy e-cargo bikes to premium aggressive racers. We’re confident that our picks stand on a foundation of real-world trial, professional evaluation, and a passionate commitment to cycling. Trust us to steer you right.

We love Specialized as much as the next bike mechanic; the company has solid components and highly accessible parts that make it easy to work with and tune. The Sirrus X 4.0, a slightly high-priced hybrid bike, is one of the brand’s best bikes for commuting over potholes and gravel—if you can swing the price. It boasts the company’s proprietary Future Shock, a coil shock positioned above the head tube that provides 20mm of suspension to eat bumps and bobbling gravel, reducing rider fatigue. We deem this an upgrade due to its better-than-most components, but if the Sirrus X 4.0 is too steep for you, check out one of the brand’s other 20+ Sirrus models. You can’t go wrong with one.

Bicycling columnist, former bike mechanic, and assistant commerce editor Adam Schram, digs the Sirrus X for its ease of use and accessibility. “I built and maintained a lot of Sirruses when I was a shop mechanic—I’m talking hundreds—and it was always a relief to see one show up on my next work ticket,” he says. “Among the bikes I most commonly had in my stand, the Sirrus was always pleasantly straightforward. Most spec levels don’t offer much to impress, but the Sirrus X and its wider tires are especially reliable if you like to commute on mixed surfaces and in dubious weather. The newest iteration of the Future Shock suspension system under the stem also works much better than it did when it first came out, and it’s a heck of a lot easier to work on, too.”

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The Bad Boy is Cannondale’s fast-riding city and urban commuter. Sporting the brand’s signature Lefty fork, the Bad Boy 3 stands out from the crowd, featuring a fully blacked-out look designed to blend in. It’s an exciting mix, but works perfectly for the Bad Boy. Other features include a Shimano Altus 2x8-speed drivetrain with a wide gear range, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, and 650b wheels that blend durability and speed.

With a sealed, 12-speed Pinion Gearbox (inspired by an automotive transmission system), Gates Carbon Drive belt, full-coverage aluminum fenders, and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, the Priority 600 is an all-season, all-weather—not to mention low-maintenance—commuter. Head- and taillights are powered by the Dynamo hub, which also has USB-charging capabilities, and 360-degree reflective decals on the aluminum frame help the rider see and be seen. WTB Horizon 650b Road Plus tires can easily transition from smooth pavement to gravel bike paths.
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This long-tail hauler isn’t equipped with a motor like many cargo bikes are, which is how it can be offered at such an affordable price (e-cargo models can run anywhere from double the price of the Envoy up to six grand or more). You’ll have to put your work in on climbs, though, especially if you’re carrying cargo. But rest assured, the 8-speed Sunrace cassette with an easy-spinning 34-tooth cog combined with a 42/32/22 chainring up front will still get you where you need to go—just not as quickly. If you plan to use this bike for its intended purpose—hauling stuff—make sure your typical routes aren’t littered with steep climbs.

You also get fenders and a set of roomy, removable panniers (with a convenient carrying handle) with your purchase, and Mongoose outfits the Envoy with components from its in-house brand Xposure, another way it keeps cost down.
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Co-op Cycles is REI’s house brand of bikes, offering some of the best value on the market. For $600, you get a lightweight aluminum frame and fork, Shimano 24-speed drivetrain, a nice Comfort Plus saddle with memory foam, and fast-rolling 700x40c tires. The CTY 1.1 is offered in two colors, five sizes for the standard frame style, and three sizes in a step-through variant. This is your ticket if you want a fantastic deal and a well-featured bike.

In honor of its 125th year, Schwinn joined forces with Detroit Bikes’ expert frame craftsmen to produce a limited run of a cruiser inspired by the iconic 1965 Schwinn Collegiate Deluxe.

Fashioned with a Michigan-crafted chromoly frame, this special edition is available in step-through or straight top tube styles, featuring the classic Campus Green color scheme. It boasts a plush seat, gleaming fenders, a handy kickstand, and a commemorative book detailing Schwinn’s storied past to mark the milestone. Its 8-speed, grip-shift gearing system provides versatility for leisurely rides and hill climbs. The cruiser’s wide 38mm tires guarantee a smooth experience on bike paths or the boardwalk, ensuring that this dignified emerald bicycle makes you look as effortlessly stylish as you feel.

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Brooklyn touts the Lorimer as a “versatile commuter bike that’s just as ideal for running errands as it is for working up a sweat on city streets.” It has a Shimano Acera 3x8 drivetrain (a user-friendly, entry-level mountain bike group often found on hybrids and commuter bikes), puncture-resistant 700x32mm tires, and a springy, double-butted chromoly steel frame and steel fork.

Comfort features include a wide, squishy saddle that fits more rear-end real estate; easy-to-use, integrated Shimano EZ Fire Plus shifters and brake levers; and Brooklyn Bicycle Co.-branded parts like a flat bar, flat alloy pedals and comfy ergo grips. You won’t find fenders, racks, or a kickstand on this bike—then again, you won’t find these features on most bikes at this price—but all the eyelets exist should you choose to add stuff later. It’s a cool, reliable commuter that won’t shy away from unforeseen challenges and that’s happiest on pavement, hard-packed gravel paths, and park loops.
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With one of the lowest step-through frames in the business, the Roll 2.0 Low-Entry is ideal for anyone who’s ever been apprehensive about swinging a leg over a top tube or being able to touch their feet to the ground at the last second. Beefy 650b x 2.3-inch tires roll smoothly on the road but come to your rescue when the pavement gets sketchy or a gravel detour piques your curiosity.

Its upright geometry puts you in a position that takes the strain off your neck and back and lets you take in the sights around you, but isn’t ideal for steep climbs up winding mountains. Nor is the Shimano 7-speed drivetrain, but that’s not what this bike is for. It’s also not for going fast. But for what it is—a budget cruiser bike with mounts to add a rear rack, and a head tube tall enough to hang a pretty deep basket off the BMX-style handlebar—the Roll 2.0 Low-Entry can double as a daily cruiser and around-town grocery-getter.
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From across the street you might easily mistake the Loft 7D for a 1970’s vintage Schwinn or Raleigh, but when you get up close you will see it is a thoroughly modern around town bike. Electra combined retro styling and modern parts into one heck of a package. The springer saddle is comfortable, the mustache bars put your hands in the proper position, and the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain shifts smoothly. On top of that, the Loft 7D comes with fenders and a chainguard.

Can we say a lot about the Liberté? For that price, yes. At less than $500, you can grab this 20-incher foldable bike stocked with a decent Shimano 11-32T 8-speed cassette, solid wheel bearings, a sturdy adjustable seat post, and a nice, compact package. It’s agile and packs down easily in under 30 seconds, making it excellent for commuters who take public transit and live in tight spaces. Best of all, it’s only 23 pounds, shockingly lightweight given its price compared to other foldables in this category. (This is half the price of the Dahon Mariner D8 and two-thirds of the weight.) This bike is frequently on sale at BJ’s and Amazon, too. If you need a small bike for your space and commute, consider the Liberté, or, the even cheaper Campo for a further price cut.

The Ace is Priority’s fixie with a touch of class. It’s designed for commuters who like a little pep in their daily ride but aren’t fans of bike maintenance. Recreational-focused riders will do fine with the easier gear ratio and budget-friendly parts of the Ace of Clubs. Performance-minded riders will appreciate the Ace of Spades for its carbon fork and seatpost, and higher gear ratio.

Both models feature a flip-flop hub with a cassette body and fixed thread that lets you easily swap between fixed and freewheel cogs with a standard bottom bracket tool. And all adult Priority models use a quieter, cleaner, less-mess Gates belt drive instead of a traditional chain and cassette. A 680mm-wide, flat handlebar and 28mm WTB ThickSlick tires round out this clean-looking, stylish city fixie.

The Level.2 has excellent performance and smart specs, plus it comes out of the box nearly 100% ready for commuting use. Responsive and fluid, it’s a smooth ride for commuters and e-bike newcomers alike, with a premium e-bike package via a sleek and compact display, solid 8-speed Shimano Acera derailleur and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, and an excellent torque sensor. We think it’s the best e-bike Aventon currently offers, and that’s doubly so due to its awesome price.

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The powerful and straightforward, RadCity 5 Plus is a city bike with commuter potential. Strapped with a 750w geared hub motor, this e-bike moves along at a comfortable 20 mph with a throttle to help you get up to speed or the top of punchy hills. Its range is pretty far at up to 50 miles per charge, and including fenders, a rack, and integrated lights is a nice bonus. Plus, the 27.5 x 2-inch-wide proprietary tires, along with a front-suspension fork, provide comfort on pavement and bumpy bike paths. This excellent e-bike combines utility with the sleekness needed for the city.

The Vado 4.0 is one of the best commuter bikes on the market. Exceptionally well-designed, the Vado 4.0 has an SRAM NX, 11-speed drivetrain, powerful SRAM Level brakes, and an SR Suntour Mobie A32 suspension fork for a smooth feel. Power settings are adjustable via an easy-to-manage phone app, plus all of the needed accessories for commuting—rack, fenders, and lights—come standard. While the Vado is pricier than some other bikes in the class, it has a refined feel, a strong global dealer network in case of motor issues, and is a thrilling e-bike to ride.

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