What is the best Boston bicycle for you? What bikes are best for commuting? What bikes are best for sightseeing in Boston? What are the best Boston bike paths? Who is the best Boston bike manufacturer?

Upright Bike/City Bike/Commuter Bike

Are city bikes good for commuting?

City bikes are great for ease and comfort while biking through flatter areas like the Charles River bike paths in Boston and Cambridge.

Commuter bikes feature flat handlebars mostly found on city bicycles to keep you upright for a more enjoyable ride.

A bike with seven speeds is more than enough and will give you some gearing options when you hit the hills.

For road safety, some bikes come with an integrated lighting system. Additional nice to haves are front and or rear racks, of course a bell or air horn. Reflective tape on the frame or wheels is a plus too. Most city bikes have:

• Fenders
• Chain guard
• Skirt guard on rear wheel

Hybrid Bike

Are hybrid bikes good for commuting?

A Hybrid bike in Boston provides a combination of speed and comfort. Nimble enough to jump a curb when the cars get too close on Beacon street and fast enough to tear down Beacon Hill through the Boston Commons.

Great bike choice for commuting to work and for also getting your fitness on biking in the Arnold Arboretum doing laps during the weekends.

For those gravel-grinders out there the hybrid cycle gives you some off road options too if you hit the beach in Southie to get a glimpse of the Boston downtown skyline views.

As any Bostonian can tell you road conditions vary highly from cobblestone to potholes. Hybrids can tolerate a wide range of riding conditions and applications within a city ride or quick jaunt to the Sevens Ale House for a game of darts.

Road Bike

Are road bikes good for commuting?

Road bikes are fast, light, and easy to pedal on smooth pavement.  Personally, not my first choice for a city bike as thin tires add up to bent rims when you crater on a pothole.

Road-aware riding with your favorite tires for traction and control are a must in the Boston area when on a road bike. Save the nice bike for a Boston bike race

Step-through (Cruiser) bikes

Are cruiser bikes good for commuting?

A Dutch-style upright bike is a basic, sturdy, and less complicated than other bicycles on the road. Sometimes called “Dutch Bikes” as they resemble bikes used in Amsterdam and other European cities that are bike friendly.

A low crossbar on these step-through bikes give you an easier getting on and off the bike experience. Standing up is with this bicycle is also easier with a step-through frame.

The step-through makes it easier for stopping at intersections and traffic lights with city traffic.

Perfect for cruising the Freedom trail in Boston’s North End and nearby seaport area.

We like step-through bikes for getting to work as wearing skirts or dresses to work can be a hassle on other style bikes.

Mixte

Mixte is also a style of step-through frame Mixte (pronounced [mikst]) is a French originated word meaning “mixed” or “unisex”.

This vintage style city bike is making a comeback. Some mixte have a single top tube that splits into twin stays between the seat tube and rear dropouts; other styles have a curved twin stays, resulting in greater clearance.

People buy mixte frame so they have no issues from standing above the top tube. Mixte bikes make for a good option for shorter men and women.

Folding Bikes

Are folding bikes good for commuting?

Folding Bikes are super easy for you to put away in the coat closet at work. For transporting via various modes of travel you can fold it up to bring on the train or bus easily with you for part of your commute.

Commuters who need to take their bike on a bus or train for part of their commute, or who don’t have a safe place to park their bike at work. A folding bike makes cycling in the city easy.

Perfect for the ferry ride to Provincetown for a day trip to hit the dunes biking at Race Point

Recumbent

Recumbent bikes are questionably appropriate in the city in my mind. The rider sits low, there is a loss of balance control, and you already have a distracted driver in Boston.

I have seen them with flags as high as 6 feet in bright colors, however not sure that is adequate protection of visibility one would hope for.

That said, there a lots of folks in the Greater Boston area that do ride recumbent’s

Tandem bike

There are plenty of trails in and around Boston to accommodate a tandem
stoker (the rider in the back) and pilot (the rider up front).

There are several Boston bike rental shops that carry tandem bicycles.

Used Bikes

Who doesn’t love a beater bike. Something that has been used but not abused. Dings and dents already in place (distressed for you fancy folks).

Here is the twist, new tires, brake pads, and maybe even a new seat will get you where you want to be in comfort and for a price point that a little rain won’t bother you as rust has already grown in the right spots.

Essential Boston Bike Accessories

Helmet:

If you don’t wear a helmet, then you have Darwinism in action. Protect that 3 lbs. of grey jello resting in your skull! Helmets save lives! Sure, low weight, ventilation, and aerodynamics are good to have however, integrated reflective surfaces and integrated lighting systems help your helmet glow for increased visibility on the road.

How often should I replace my cycling helmet?

If you wear your helmet regularly then you should consider replacing it every 2 to 3 years depending on wear and tear.

Bike Racks:

bike luggage cargo rack. Back racks can carry a range of 20 and up to 80 pounds for the more industrial versions.

Front racks are found mostly on touring cycles to carry a lot of gear.

What is the rack on the back of a bike for?

Great for holding gear on your bicycle when you need both hands for the handlebars and your knapsack is already full. Some folks will even attach a milk crate to their rack.

Bike fenders:

Nothing like showing up to work with a line up your back from the road spray of slush or rain.

Fenders help keep you clean and stay dry on the bike in any precipitate Boston weather.

Should I put fenders on my bike?

We recommend putting fenders on your bike that cover as much of the wheel as possible. Fenders help keep water and snow from kicking up which keeps you and the rest of your gear from getting soaked.

Fenders also keep your bike chain, gear derailers and brakes from getting sprayed with sand, dirt, and other road residues.

Bicycle lights:

Bikes lights front and back are an important part of
seeing and being seen. Headlights for bike commuters are a must to
signal your presence and location to cars.

Are flashing bike lights safer?

Denmark did a study among 4,000 cyclists, which found “that those who used front and rear daytime running lights had 19% fewer crashes that caused injury than those in a control group.”

In another study they found “that from a distance of 200 meters…a flashing tail light is significantly more conspicuous than an always-on tail light, which in turn is significantly more conspicuous than” no tail lights.

• Ridding with full-time lights is safer than no lights at all
• Flashing tail or rear lights are safer than steady (always-on) rear bike light
• Steady lights worn on your ankle or heel makes you more visible

Saddle bags:

Panniers are for carrying all types of gear on your bike commute, urban ride, and long-distance touring.

What should I carry in my saddle bag?

Bicycle seat bags are great for stowing away your:

• Spare inner tube
• Glueless patches
• Tire lever
• CO2 inflator
• Tool kit (hex wrenches or multi-tool)
• Cable ties
• Latex gloves (for putting your chain back on and not having an after grease-mess)
• Money
• Phone

Disc brakes:

Disc brakes offer more control than rim or v-brakes before they lock up. You get better braking range, so you’re less likely to skid from locking up.

Are disc brakes better on a bike than caliper or center pull?

You will see improvements with a disc brake system on your bike for:

• Better braking power 
• Consistent braking 
• Reliability in wet weather 
• Reduced wear on wheels

best city bike

What kind of bike is best for commuting?

Hybrid and flat-bar bikes are the best all-round commuting bike

How dangerous is bike commuting?

1. Bike riding is also about 500 times more fatal than riding in a bus.
2. Bike commuters inhale about three times as much air pollution as drivers
3. London is safer for cyclists than most U.S. cities
4. People in the UK are actually more likely to die walking than cycling

How many bikers die each year?
How many cyclists get killed a year?
Which is more dangerous motorcycle or bicycle?
Are fat tire bikes better?
Are fat bikes hard to ride?
Are fat bikes good on the road?
What is the best fat tire bike for the money?
Are road bikes good for commuting?
Which bike is good for long ride?
Which is the safest bike in India?
Which is most comfortable bike in India?
Which bike gives the highest mileage?
Are road bikes hard to ride?
Are road bikes bad for your back?
Can you put thicker tires on a road bike?
Are fat tire bikes easier to ride?
What is the best bike for touring?
What is the best bike for long distance riding?
Which is most comfortable bike in India?
Which is the safest bike in India?
Is Himalayan good for long ride?
How many gears should a touring bike have?
What are best bike brands?
Is 7 speeds enough on a bike?
How many gears is best for a road bike?