This is how most people first use a bicycle. If you need a dependable everyday bike more than a machine for long-distance rides, or if you regularly carry bags and daily essentials, start here.

If you want to cruise around town lightly, keep the price reasonable, and build a durable bike with real style, start here. This category includes both quick, agile bikes and relaxed cruisers.

Need to carry children, move bulky loads safely, or handle daily life without relying on a car? Cargo bikes are worth a look. If you are already shopping for a second or third bike, be warned: this category can be addictive.

For many people, this is the first image that comes to mind when they hear “sport bike.” If you want to ride fast and light on paved roads, cover longer distances, and enjoy cycling as a sport, start here. Even within road bikes, frame material and design create very different personalities.

“Gravel” means unpaved road, but we do not limit this category to bikes made only for dirt. It may be the deepest category of all. If you want to go a little farther than your daily rides, continue beyond the pavement, or explore mountain roads, start here.

Touring bikes are generally better suited than gravel bikes to loaded travel with racks and panniers. They work for pure touring, but their many mounting points also make them versatile everyday commuters.