Searching For The Best Bike Brands to Shop For
Biking is more than a sport, it’s greater than just a mode of transportation, and it encompasses a scope larger than recreation. It’s an extension of our bodies. It’s a way for us to communicate truths about ourselves.
It’s also the most stylish way to get from point A to point B without contributing to global warming.
Biking is then a big deal, so you shouldn’t skimp out on a degenerate tricycle from your local Walmart. Our list of the best bicycle brands should invigorate you to purchase the bicycle that best suits your needs, lifestyle, and personal preferences whether you’re a man, woman, octopus, or something in-between.
Which Bike Do You Need?
We touched on how the best bicycle will do more than get you where you need to go. What else it can do for you is up for you to decide. However, before purchasing a bike you should know how it will be of use to you.
You may be looking for a mountain bike, or for a narrow yet speedy bicycle to navigate congested city streets. You might be looking for a tandem bicycle for you and your loved one.
The point is that the most important decision to make before you buy a bicycle is knowing why you’re buying one in the first place.
How to Choose the Best Bike Brand
After figuring out why you’re buying a bike in the first place, you may think you’re ready to choose from some of the top bike brands. While your optimism is to be applauded, we recommend you pause for another quick second to consider these factors:
- How much a bike costs
- What separates each brand
- How different bike styles may suit you
- What materials are certain bikes made from
- The size of a bike’s frame
- The gears and technology of certain bicycles
- The quality of a bike’s gears
- What kind of tires does a bicycle have
- What a bike’s resale value is
That may sound like a full buffet of considerations. It is. But putting in all that thought before you make your selection will ensure that whatever bicycle you choose will be the best bicycle for you.
Price
The best bike brands aren’t always the cheapest. If that were the case everyone would be riding the bicycles they bought at garage sales.
You don’t have to go bankrupt to buy a great bicycle, but knowing your budget will help you select the best bike brand for your unique circumstances.
Brand
Certain bike brands like Raleigh and Shinola can sell products based on the prestige attached to their brand name. They built their reputation off of sturdy products, reliable customer service, and ingenuity.
Granted, not everything is in a brand name. It’s worthwhile to investigate the household names among some of the best bike brands, but we’ve also included some companies that may surprise you.
Style
Are you an adrenaline addict who would rather gnaw off your foot than spend a second taking a breather, or are you a refined gentleman sporting a monocle in the market for a penny-farthing.
Your style will determine which bike is the best bicycle for you. Thankfully, we’ve assembled a wide variety of styles in our list of the best bike brands so that you won’t have to sacrifice your preferred style for a set of wheels.
Materials
The most crucial factor in deciding which bike material is best suited for your needs is your intentions with the vehicle. For example, you probably won’t need a Chromoly frame if you’re not looking for a BMX bike.
Every material is best suited for a particular purpose. Do some research into which materials are designed for which tasks so that you know you’re putting your money towards the best bicycle.
Frame Size
Frame size is about more than fitting your gait and height. Some bike styles have a smaller frame but longer handlebar stems, which make them ideal for rough paths but not for flat surfaces.
The best bike frame is the one that’s designed for the paths you’ll be traveling most often, whether that’s gravel, concrete, mud, or a halfpipe.
Gears
Some people freak out as if they’ve just seen a ghost if you start talking to them about bike gears. In all honesty, most people don’t need that many gears. Sure, certain tasks require more flexibility in regards to tension and control, but sometimes the best bicycles are the ones with the simplest layouts.
We’re not telling you to avoid bicycles with complex gears. All we’re saying is that more gears usually equal more options, but you may not need all those options in the first place.
Brakes
These are the one aspect of bicycles that are non-negotiable. It’s imperative that your bike has a reliable set of brakes regardless of your intentions with your two-wheeled apparatus. A bike with bad brakes has no place being considered among the best bike brands today.
Tires/Wheels
Bicycle junkies love to pick apart their bikes and toy with wheel sizes and tire types. You might be one of those junkies, in which case you should be trying to find the bicycle that best lets you play around with those.
Otherwise, function dictates necessity, so pay attention to the details about a bike’s wheels.
For example, we might say that a particular product is made by one of the best mountain bike brands, but that’s not going to do much for you if the only time you ride your bike is to avoid paying for a cab after a night at the bar.
Resale Value
Here’s an often ignored aspect that can turn a mediocre bicycle into one of the best bikes around: its resale value.
Online marketplaces are cluttered with people either buying or selling used bicycles. This demand can drive prices up.
Additionally, any serious mountain biker worth their weight in salt will leap at the opportunity to acquire an esteemed product for an affordable price.
Our point is that the best bicycles may be considered such because of how much money they can earn you on the resale market.
11 Best Bike Brands
Introductions aside and precursor arguments handled, let’s get ready for the main event. Feast your eyes on the best bike brands around. Try to contain yourself, ladies and gentlemen.
#1: 3T Bikes
This Italian cycling company is one of the best bicycle producers in the world. They’ve persisted for over 60 years due to their adaptive business model.
3T Bikes produces a plethora of bicycles for all terrain types. They’re well-known as one of the most prestigious race bike companies on the planet, and you can tell people prize their items based on their high prices.
Not only do 3T produce bespoke racing bicycles, but they also manufacture some of the best electric and gravel bicycles available. Customers frequently cite 3T bicycles as being easy to handle.
Here are three of our favorite 3T products:
- 3T EXPLORO RACE GRX 1X: $4,456
- 3T STRADA TEAM EKAR 1X13: $6,366
- 3T EXPLORO RACEMAX BOOST FLATBAR: $7,622
#2: All-City Cycles
All-City Cycles is a bicycle company that wants to restore beauty to the cycling world. They are focused on delivering intentionally designed products that place aesthetics over everything.
Thankfully, All-City Cycles recognize that you can’t build a brand off of looks alone. That’s why they invest just as much consideration into their selection of city, road, and all-terrain bicycles. They’ve even got a few race cycles.
The best bicycles that the brand offers all hit that sweet spot in-between untouchable gorgeousness and effective ergonomics. Scan through some of their best products below:
- All-City Cycles COSMIC STALLION FORCE 1: $3,999
- All-City Cycles ZIG ZAG 105: $3,199
- All-City Cycles SUPER PROFESSIONAL APEX 1: $1,950
#3: Ancheer
For those looking into some of the best electric bikes available, look no further than Ancheer. This brand deals exclusively in e-bikes. They often sell them for more affordable prices compared to other e-bike companies without sacrificing power.
What also makes Ancheer one of the best bike brands is their unmatched array of available items. Seriously, we felt like we tumbled into a maze when we leafed through the company’s website.
It was a journey we enjoyed getting lost on because it showed how dedicated Ancheer is to providing their clients with the bikes they’ve been searching for.
These are some of the Ancheer bicycles that caught out eyes:
- ANCHEER 26 Inch Wheel Electric Mountain Bike 250W with Removable 36V 8A Battery: $660
- ANCHEER 26 Inch Wheel Folding Electric Mountain Bike: $750
- ANCHEER Mini-Size 12 Inch Wheel 350W Folding Electric Bike Waterproof Scooter, APP Speed Setting: $470
#4: Bianchi
You can often assume a company’s quality by their longevity. In that case, Bianchi is easily one of the best bike brands of 2021, and probably of all time, as they’re the oldest bicycle manufacturing company that’s still active today.
They’ve been producing bicycles and innovating upon their designs since 1865. The Italian company has helped athletes like Fausto Coppi win the Tour de France. As such, they’re best known for their racing bikes.
Bianchi deepens their reservoir by serving the humble commuter too. You don’t have to dream of being a world-class cyclist to reap the benefits of a Bianchi bicycle.
Glance through some of the brand’s highlights here:
- Bianchi VIA NIRONE 7: contact the brand to enquire about pricing
- Bianch ARCADEX
#5: Cannondale
Cannondale evolved out of the collective ambitions of a few Connecticut bicycle enthusiasts in the 1970s into one of the most innovative bicycle brands today.
That’s partially due to the company’s history and partially because all their manufacturing is now based in Taiwan. For those unaware, Taiwan is one of the best biking countries on the planet both in terms of trails and raw enthusiasm.
Cannondale’s position as one of the best bike brands can be seen by their early implementation of aluminum and carbon fiber. Their openness to experiment has earned them skepticism, but it seems that many of those skeptics turned into the company’s largest fans.
These are some of the brand’s featured bicycles:
- Cannondale CAAD Optimo 1: $1,600
- Cannondale Quick Neo SL 1: $2,950
#6: Electra Bikes
This bicycle manufacturer is actually a subdivision of the well-renowned Trek Bicycle Company. Their identity as a subsidiary allows Electra Bikes to hone in more casual products like electric bikes and cruisers.
Some of their products are the best women’s hybrid bikes because of their generous customization options. Customers can outfit their bicycles with baskets, carrying cases, and rear trunks, transforming their standard road bikes into versatile vehicles.
Their designs prioritize comfort. The best Electra bikes are built to allow riders to sit upright and pedal with flat feet. Yes, that means you can finally look cool while biking uphill.
Catch a wave of relaxation with the offerings of what we consider one of the best bike brands today.
- Electra Bikes Cruiser Lux 3i Step-Thru: $620
- Electra Bikes Townie Go! 7D Step-Thru: $1,750
#7: Shinola
Who would’ve thought a jewelry company would also produce some of the best men’s bikes of 2021? Shinola bicycles are cool and carefree. They’re affordable if what you’re chasing after is a vehicle that’ll deliver you to your destination in style.
Their fashion focus probably comes from their history as a watch and bag manufacturer. Thus, Shinola bicycles aren’t the type of bikes you’re going to bed taking through the mountains. You’ll want to boast your Shinola bicycle because of its timeless and tasteful design.
Peep some of the bipedal eye-candy Shinola offers:
- Shinola The Detroit Arrow: $1,000
- Shinola The Bixby: $1,950
#8: Raleigh
Here’s another one of the best bike brands whose prestigious lineage speaks for itself. Raleigh is one of the planet’s most popular bicycle companies. They’ve earned their pedigree over the past 125 years since they began making affordable bicycles back in Nottingham, England.
Raleigh has earned many loyal customers through their dedication to making accessible and modestly-priced bicycles. Their commitment to producing bicycles anyone can enjoy designate them as an invaluable brand. And we do mean everyone – their product line-up is flooded by some of the best bikes for toddlers, small children, and prepubescent teens.
Don’t believe us? Check out these bad boys and see for yourself:
- Raleigh CADENT 1 ST: $575
- Raleigh ROUTE 2: $650
#9: Schwinn
No matter what product you buy you’ll be Schwinning with a Schwinn bicycle. The company has a huge assortment of bikes; road bikes, dirt bikes, hybrid models, cruisers, mountain bikes, and even electric bikes. Variety is the spice of life and the designator of a quality bike brand.
Their variety isn’t the only thing worth celebrating. Schwinn boasts a long history of technological innovations (they were one of the first bike companies to use mudguards and the cycle lock), meeting customer needs by expanding their operating bases and partnering with celebrities like Bing Crosby and the Netflix series Stranger Things.
Observe Schwinn’s massive product line and innovative lineage by looking through some of their best bikes:
- Schwinn Orange Krate 20: $600
- Schwinn Huron 7 26: $430
Related: View our full Schwinn Bikes Review
#10: Specialized
While grazing through the Specialized website you may notice that there’s a discrepancy between some of their bicycles’ prices. Some are particularly affordable while others are dauntingly expensive. What gives?
That price variation is a sign that Specialized is one of the best bike brands because it accounts for how much research goes into every Specialized product. Additionally, the company favors quality over quantity, so many of their products aren’t mass-produced. This allows Specialized to maintain as much control over their manufacturing processes as possible.
With that being said, they can be considered as one of the best mountain bike brands. Look at these products to see how they could fit into your life:
- Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Expert: $6,100
- Specialized Riprock 24: $700
#11: Santa Cruz Bicycles
Though they’ve only been in the game for less than 30 years, Santa Cruz Bicycles are widely regarded as one of the best mountain bike brands. Their penchant for extreme sports comes from founder Rob Roskopp’s history as a skateboarder.
Santa Cruz Bicycles take that adrenaline rush and package it into each of their mountain bikes. They push their products to be stronger, tougher, and faster than their predecessors so that customers can scale any summit.
Furthermore, their catalog is rather small, which reflects how intensely the Santa Cruz-based company focuses on making every item as close to perfect as possible.
There were the bikes that made us wish we were deep in the mountains:
- Santa Cruz Bicycles V10: $6,915
- Santa Cruz Bicycles Nomad: $5,225
Which Bike Brands Are The Highest Rated Overall?
You can rest assured that every entry on this list of the best bike brands has earned high customer ratings whether it be for their affordability, their durability, or their craftsmanship.
That being said, legacy brands like Bianchi and Schwinn seem to do particularly well in customer polls because they’ve had so much time to cultivate such a dedicated fanbase.
Which Bike Brands are Best for the Road?
If you’re looking for a relaxed road bike, then we’d nominate Shinola or Electra Bikes as the best of the bunch. They’re two of the best bike brands that offer a distinctively casual take on the road bike.
However, if you intend to push the pace with road races or athletic inner-city cycling then you should look into All-City Cycles.
Which Bike Brands Are Best For Off-Roading?
We’ve got a soft spot for Santa Cruz Bicycles. Their small yet focused production team and history with extreme sports solidify them as one of the best mountain bike brands.
Additionally, they offer bikes that can handle dirt and trails too. They’re not just a one-trick pony.
Which Brands Make the Best Hybrid Bikes?
We have to mention Specialized as our favorite hybrid bike producer, which is a little ironic since their name should hint that they only make specifically-tailored vehicles.
Regardless, they’re one of the best bike brands for hybrid models because they’re always eager to integrate new technology. That keeps them a few steps ahead of the pack.
Which Brands Make the Best Bikes For All Seasons?
Raleigh is probably the best bike brand for an all-season model. Their prices are affordable, their models are durable, they’re readily available, and they’re built as multi-functional devices for the common man.
Looking for other top brands? Check out these curated lists below:
Best Waist Trainer Brands for Women
