Cycling is an outstanding way to engage with your body and with nature. The best bicycle brands allow you to do both while offering you a way to reduce your carbon footprint.
The top bike brands frequently have strong ties to the cycling world, and many of them were founded by former racing legends.
The information overload caused by the wide variety of bike brands currently on the market can leave you feeling lost and unsure of where to begin. We’ve put up a list of the top bike brands so you can shop for your new bike with confidence, whether you want to purchase a road, mountain, or hybrid bike.
Table of contents
The Origin of Bicycle
German inventors of the 19th century invented the bicycle. Baron Karl von Drais introduced his laufmaschine, or “running machine,” in 1817. This is the first known bicycle example, though there were presumably earlier versions.
Similar to the balancing bikes you can buy for kids nowadays, Von Drais’ bicycle had two wheels but no pedals, so you had to go about running like Fred Flintstone.
It wasn’t until Frenchman Eugene Meyer displayed his invention in the 1880s that the infamous high-wheel bicycle was created. These bikes, also known as Ordinaries, were challenging to ride because of the enormous front wheel and small back wheel.
The modern bicycle did not start to take shape until the late 1880s. The first creation with two wheels of similar size, a rear chain drive, and even caster wheels was the Safety Bike or Safe Bike.
Since the Safety Bike was introduced, more individuals have started riding, including women. Bicycling used to be a sport that only young, athletic guys did.
John Kemp Starley created the first Safety Bike that was a commercial success. Although never patented, it was known as the Rover.
It’s important to note that some of the top bike companies of the present had modest beginnings. Bianchi, which was established in 1885, is one of them. Schwinn followed quickly in 1895.
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What Makes A Good Bike Brand?
Identifying what makes a bike brand a good brand might be difficult. In one instance, it really is a matter of taste and opinion. Despite the stellar reputations of both companies, a rider may have a negative encounter with a Trek bike or find a Bianchi bike unpleasant and may swear off that brand for life.
A reputable bike brand typically offers a variety of bike types at various price points. Even while some of its models only cost a few hundred dollars and have basic components, those bikes still offer a comfortable ride. The more expensive models of a high-quality brand will be the greatest bikes you can buy for the money.
A great bike brand frequently has a strong bond with riding or the cycling community. Some beloved brands, for instance, were developed by former professional cyclists who have a good understanding of what constitutes a high-quality bike.
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Top 15 Best Bike Brands
Globally, the number of bikes is increasing exponentially and they are roughly twice as many as the number of cars worldwide. Bikes have countless styles and models according to their utilization.
Here’s a list off the top 15 good bike brands:
Best Bike Brands For Adults
1. Giant bikes
Known For: Road, Mountain, Hybrid
It took them nine years to release its first model after being founded in Taiwan in 1972. Giant has a history of quickly identifying market trends and enhancing them. It is one of the biggest producers of premium bikes in the world.
While Giant was the first to apply computer-aided design for carbon frames, Kestrel may have had the first all-carbon design. Giant’s Maestro suspension was adopted in 2004, revolutionizing off-road capabilities.
2. Trek bikes
Known For: Road, Mountain
Established in 1973 with a concentration on producing mid-range to high-end bikes in America. The biggest bicycle manufacturer established in the US is Trek.
The only top models at the time came from abroad. Trek built a name for itself through quality, workmanship, and work ethic.
The first mountain bike they ever produced, the Trek 850, debuted in 1983, and it quickly became known that Trek was a brand to remember. By the late 1990s, all types of bikes were being produced for all riders, including kids, athletes, and everyone in between.
Electric hybrid bikes for endurance riders and trainers were introduced in 2001. Due to its popularity, reviews, and sales, the Trek FX1 is the greatest hybrid exercise bike.
3. Specialized bikes
Known For: Road Bikes
Mike Sinyard launched Specialized in 1974. The California-based business started off importing Italian components before starting to make its own. Specialized debuted its first two models in 1981.
Specialized, one of the most well-known bike brands in cycling, was acquired by Merida Bikes in 2001 (for a 40% stake), and it has since relaunched with new initiatives and even better designs.
4. Cannondale Bikes
Known For: Road, Mountain, Hybrid
In 1973, Cannondale began by creating and selling bicycle gear. They were the first business to release the Bugger, a trailer for bicycles.
They then made a canvas bag in a loft above a pickle plant as a follow-up. By 1983, Cannondale had begun to innovate with the addition of aluminum to the frames, but they did it with a longer frame tube that improved the bikes’ stiffness and efficiency.
They aggressively included carbon into their assembly in 2004, setting a new industry standard, and their bikes kept performing better than average.
A company that is driven by an engineering mindset is Cannondale. The Cannondale Topstone is this company’s most well-known bicycle.
5. Diamondback bikes
Known For: BMX, Mountain Bike, Road Bikes, Hybrid
It was originally a BMX brand and was established in 1977 as a California corporation. Diamondback bike brands, a significant bicycle manufacturer situated in Washington state, offers a variety of models for men, women, and kids to ride on roads and trails. In the USA, it is the most well-known and prosperous bicycle manufacturer.
The Knuckle Box suspension, which is used on Diamondback’s mountain bikes, is one of the company’s innovations. The business was acquired in 1999, and Raleigh Bicycle Company eventually amalgamated with it.
Best Bike Brands For Women
6. Aventon Level
With pedal assistance, this class-3 e-bike can propel you up to 28 mph, or you can use the throttle to travel at a top speed of 20 mph. For less experienced riders, those speeds may seem high, but the bike boasts powerful brakes and a stable ride. 672 watt hours of power are produced by the battery, which is neatly placed in the downtube. The pricing is difficult to beat for everything this wonderful e-bike city and commuter bike gives. The controls are simple to use, the dip in the top tuber of the frame makes getting on and off a breeze.
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7. Co-op Cycles ADV 2.3
The ADV 2.3 from Co-op is designed for gravel and dirt roads, but it also rides nicely on paved walkways and city streets. You receive a dropper seat post, 40mm tires, Shimano’s superb 1×11 GRX transmission, and a carbon fork to save weight and dampen road vibration. If your adventures take you into the next zip code, there are also plenty of mounts for racks, bags, and other adventure gear.
8. Rad Power Bikes RadCity
Due to its competitive pricing, dependable customer service, and more lately, the availability of its goods, Rad Power Bikes has grown to be one of the most well-known e-bike brands.
The RadCity, one of the brand’s newest products, is available in both this step-through form and a conventional frame. Both are great options for getting from point A to point B as delightfully as possible, cruising on bike routes, completing errands, and spinning around the city. This model includes hydraulic brakes, puncture-resistant tires, a rear rack with a 59.5-pound capacity—enough for carrying groceries or a child—as well as a hub-mounted 750-watt motor that saves money compared to mid-drive versions.
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9. Pinarello Paris
Although the name Pinarello may conjure up visions of extremely costly bikes made for the best bike racers in the world, the brand also produces an excellent middle bike for regular people like us. Paris never seems slow thanks to its smooth, damped ride that also has a little amount of flair. When you hit the final fast descent of an all-day ride, the handling is alert with solid stability, fun enough for a fast ride, and reassuringly predictable.
10. Electric Bike Co Model R
Electric Bike Co. gives you every option imaginable with the Model R. Add a GPS-enabled smart lock, fenders, or a basket. You can choose all the equipment you wish for a totally customized ride using their web tool (or none at all if you like a more simple setup). Additionally, you can choose from a variety of colors that Electric Bike Company will hand-paint. Their bikes are all put together in California, and many of the parts are made in the United States.
The cleanly integrated battery on the bike won’t obstruct the exquisite lines of your unique design, and the wide, robust tires will keep you moving on tough roads with fewer flats. Just be careful because adding components might make the bike heavier; if you overdo it, the e-bike might weigh 70 or 80 pounds.
Best Bike Brands For Kids
11. Btwin Bikes
Btwin kids bikes aren’t as well-made as our other favorites, but they are the most reasonably priced.
We’ve discovered that Btwin kids bikes are quite simple to ride while still being lightweight and quite robust, with frame designs and components that are a major step up from Walmart bikes. The Btwin kids bikes are comparable in size to some of our other favorites like woom and Priority, unlike other “cheap” kids bikes that are too huge and cumbersome for the users they are made for.
The Stop Easy brake lever is one of the truly cool features of Btwin bicycles. It’s easier to pull than comparable brake levers at this price point and is made to fit more naturally in little hands.
Two price ranges are offered for Btwin children’s bikes. You can save approximately $50 if you choose the 100 line, which is a little plainer and less colorful.
Btwin is the bike brand for Decathlon sports stores.
12. Guardian Ethos
The Ethos range from Guardian is a little more budget-friendly and also includes the distinctive SureStop braking mechanism from Guardian. What are the compromises? A steel frame increases the weight of the bike by a few pounds. Despite this, the Ethos series is still far lighter than any bike you can purchase from a big-box retailer!
13. Park Cycles
Park Cycles, the newest kid-focused bike brand on the market, strives to provide premium, child-friendly bike geometry at a more reasonable price range.
Park Cycles keeps costs low by using more affordable, yet kid-friendly, parts, which are of considerably higher quality than those on a Huffy or Royalbaby. Park Cycles is a great choice if you’re a family on a tight budget who is committed to starting your young rider off on the right foot.
Park Cycles are an excellent option for young trail riders or aspiring mountain cyclists because they have tires with knobby treads.
14. Polygon Premier Ultralight
Polygon Premier kids bikes offer kid-friendly geometry and high-quality components at a seriously cheap price range for cautious or aggressive riders, paved or dirt trails. Polygon can build bikes more affordably since they own their own manufacturing, and they pass those savings down to the buyer.
Overall, these bike brands are quite adaptable and are simple for practically any child to ride, regardless of their riding ability. We especially value that they have a cage and derailleur hanger to safeguard the bike’s most delicate part from injury.
Polygon Premier kids bikes offer kid-friendly geometry and high-quality components at a seriously cheap price range for cautious or aggressive riders, paved or dirt trails. Polygon can build bikes more affordably since they own their own manufacturing, and they pass those savings down to the buyer.
Overall, these bikes are quite adaptable and are simple for practically any child to ride, regardless of their riding ability. We especially value that they have a cage and derailleur hanger to safeguard the bike’s most delicate part from injury.
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15. Woom Bikes
The ideal first pedal bikes are the woom 2 (14″) and woom 3 (16″) bikes. They are the LIGHTEST kids bikes available on the American market, which has a MAJOR impact on how easily a child can control a bike.
The larger Woom bikes have an improved design that makes riding easy and natural while allowing kids to become more daring and aggressive as their skills advance.
How Do You Select The Best Bicycle Brand?
Here is our detailed process that will lead you from idly looking up the top bike brands.
Step 1. Select Your Bike Type
Knowing your intended usage of the bike is the first and most crucial step in making the best choice. Are you going camping with your expensive bike, need a city bike for commuting, or are you preparing for the Tour de France?
Step 2. Deciding On Bike Brands
Performance and your high-end bike type go hand in hand with the brand.
Just because you have heard of a prominent bike brand doesn’t mean you should choose it. You won’t want to spend your money on a Santa Cruz model made for downhill racing if you’re seeking for the best cruiser bike, for example, for everyday casual riding.
While the majority of top bike brands produce a wide range of models and varieties, your choice will ultimately depend on your budget, level of comfort, and performance requirements.
Step 3. Find The Best Fit
You need to locate the ideal fit once you know what kind of bike you want. You must be able to stand while supporting your weight on the top bar with your flat feet.
Make sure the bike will suit your inseam height, which is the distance between the ground and your crotch.
On the majority of models, you may change the lean and angle as well as the handlebar height and seat height.
For optimum maneuverability, while riding a mountain bike, for instance, you’ll want a more backward-angled seat and downward-angled handlebars.
FAQs On Bike Brands
Generally, to get the appropriate size bike for your height, use the bicycle manufacturer’s sizing chart.
High-performance bikes may start at approximately $1000, while a nice recreational bike for adults may cost between $300 and $600.
The size and fit are the primary distinctions between men’s and women’s bicycles. Women’s bike models typically feature shorter stack heights and shorter reach lengths since women are, on average, shorter than men and have proportionately shorter torsos and longer legs.
Conclusion
The list of best bike brands does not, however, end here as numerous bike manufacturers are creating and improving their models. However, if you weren’t able to find the ideal bike for you, you may always conduct your own study.
References
- twowheelingtots.com – Best Kids Bikes: 10 Best Brands and Where to Buy Them
- bicycling.com – The Best Bikes for Women
- bikesreviewed.com – The Best Bike Brands For 2022 – The Top 60 Bike Manufacturers
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