Men's city bike - which one to choose?

Find the perfect men's city bike for you

In this case, men are worse off than women. The selection of men's city bikes isn't as extensive as that of women's bikes. Almost every large, popular manufacturer offers at least one women's city bike, but their classic-frame counterparts are usually lacking. Although this is slowly changing, you still have to search hard to find something decent. And everyone deserves a touch of urban style. That's why we've decided to write a short guide that will tell you what to look for when buying and which men's city bike will be best suited for your needs. We invite you to read on!

Define your needs

Do you know what you want? Contrary to appearances, it's not as obvious as it may seem. And setting your expectations for a city bike is crucial to your choice and your satisfaction with subsequent use.

How much do you want to ride?

This translates into how much it's worth investing in a men's city bike (or any other bike for that matter). There's no point spending 5,000 PLN on a bike you'll only use once a month. On the other hand, for daily rides of a dozen or so kilometers, it's better to add a little extra to avoid rapid wear and tear and repairs. A lot also depends on the distances covered. For a 2-3 kilometer round trip to work, a classic city bike is perfect, providing a straighter stance. But if you ride it 30 kilometers a day, you'll quickly start to curse it. And contrary to appearances, city conditions can be quite varied.

Where and what will your men's city bike be used for?

Do you plan to use it outside the city as well? If you're going to be riding on dirt roads, it's worth looking for models with wider tires. Men's city bikes often don't have gears or only have three-speed hubs. If you're going to be tackling a lot of climbs, it's worth equipping yourself with more gears. In a flat city like Warsaw, on the other hand, this will only be an unnecessary complication, cost, and weight. We advise those considering installing a child seat against "upright" models. Riding uphill, it's easy to lift the front wheel off the ground. It's also worth checking if the child seat will fit the frame. Remember that a typical city bike won't be suitable for longer rides (even occasional ones) – it will quickly chafe your thighs and cause back discomfort. Urban distances are generally not long. In such cases, a versatile cross bike, suitable for both daily commutes and road trips, will be a better option.

All-inclusive, or perhaps an urban minimalist approach?

There are essentially two schools of thought when it comes to designing a men's city bike. The Dutch school calls for full fenders, a chain guard, a kickstand, and integrated lighting. Such a bike offers maximum comfort (with any outfit, even a suit) and very easy operation. It also boasts a completely upright silhouette and, most often, subdued colors. Elegant and dignified. Urban chic with a touch of class. Such a city bike is perfect for short distances and will certainly appeal to those who prioritize comfort over speed. However, woe to those who intend to carry it up stairs – such machines often weigh over twenty kilograms! The second approach is to create a lightweight bike , stripped of everything unnecessary for riding. Add to that a frame with a sporty pedigree, road tires, and no derailleurs (or perhaps a three-speed hub). This approach guides our business, for example. This men's city bike is very light (around 10 kg), yet snappy and agile. You can easily throw it over your shoulder or hang it from a rack. Above all, however, it allows for dynamic city riding, agile maneuvering in tight spaces, and tons of fun. Urban style with a youthful vibrancy. Furthermore, it's simple and inexpensive to service (and buy—after all, it has very few components).

Quality first - a men's city bike must be durable

Regardless of your preference, pay attention to the components the bike is made of. Multi-chamber, capped rims are the foundation (but avoid the heavy, very high models common on budget single-speed bikes). Manufacturers also often skimp on the crankset. It absolutely must be a model with replaceable chainrings. Pay attention to the hub seals and... the frame paint. After all, in urban environments, bikes are often leaned on racks and can easily get dented. If the bike has mudguards and fenders, make sure they're solidly constructed. If the mounts break, it can be very difficult to get a replacement! Check out our frame size calculator!