Choosing the right bike

Originally designed for off-road cycling, the wide range of gears, suspension and good manoeuvrability has made these equally popular with urban riders. However, the knobbly tyres make pedalling harder, so it's advisable to fit city tyres ("slicks") if you rarely go off road. The riding position may not be as comfortable as a hybrid for everyday journeys and items such as mudguards and carrier racks will usually need to be fitted separately.

These have lighter, smoother tyres and a slightly modified MTB frame, with a more upright riding position especially adapted for urban cycling. They are often sold with mudguards and other utility fittings as standard. Hybrids can cope with a wide range of terrain and are a good option for everyday trips. They are of less use for sports or specialist cycling.

Drop handlebars, light wheels and thin slick tyres make these the most efficient and fastest bikes for the road. However, they are more prone to punctures and do not cope well with poor surfacing. You may also find the riding position less comfortable than a hybrid for everyday journeys.

These are specifically aimed at those who want to combine cycling with other modes of transport. They are ideal for bus or train commuters who want to cycle to and from the station. However, their small wheels and limited range of gears make them only really suitable for relatively short urban journeys (although true enthusiasts have been known to make long distance treks!).

Once you have chosen the right bike for you, it's important you get the one with the correct frame size for your build and height, and then have it adjusted to suit you. Generally, the height of the frame should suit the length of your legs (so it's comfortable without having to raise the seat too far) and the length between the seat post and handlebars should fit your upper body size.