We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Trip Planning Tech & Gear The 9 Best Places to Buy Bikes These retailers make it easy to find the right rig By Nathan Borchelt Nathan Borchelt Nathan Borchelt has been working in the travel industry for more than 15 years as a writer, photographer, editor, and product manager. He covers everything from trail cameras to ski equipment. Travel's editorial guidelines Updated on September 5, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict What to Look For Frequently Asked Questions Why Trust TripSavvy As with most things in retail, the online bike-buying market has been growing consistently and received a serious jolt of engagement because of the pandemic. Shopping for a bike online makes loads of sense—it allows you to compare models by price, utility, brand, and a host of other filters; offers easy access to both pro and customer reviews; and helps you navigate the sometimes confusing world of bike types from the comfort of your home. Mind you, local bike shops are the lifeblood of the cycling industry—though more for helping riders maintain their rides with tune-ups and classes around bike maintenance. And they’re likely the ones that’ll assemble your new rig once it arrives. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Bicycle Warehouse at Bicyclewarehouse.com Jump to Review Best Value: Nashbar at Nashbar.com Jump to Review Best Shopping Experience: REI at REI Jump to Review Best for Kids: Amazon at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Electric Bikes: Trek Bicycles at Trekbikes.com Jump to Review Best for Mountain Bikes: Jenson USA at Jensonusa.com Jump to Review Best for Used Bikes: Bike Exchange at Bikeexchange.com Jump to Review Best for Custom Bikes: Moots at Amazon Jump to Review Best Deals: Target at Target Jump to Review Best Overall Bicycle Warehouse Credit: Bicycle Warehouse View on Bicyclewarehouse.com What We Like Wide variety of products Well-designed search functions Philanthropic partnership What We Don't Like Fee to return an item Free shipping excludes bikes When it comes to the biggest inventory, Bicycle Warehouse delivers. The site carries all types of bikes, including BMX, e-bikes, road, path and pavement, mountain, and kid’s bikes—each subdivided into even narrower bike genres to help every biker select. And the range of brands they cover is equally deep, with everything from high-end manufacturers to more budget-friendly options. Filtering and shopping follow a conventional retail user experience, with options to sort by brand, price range, size, gender, and model year; you can even filter by more niche specs like drive train, frame material, or the amount of shock travel. In other words, Bicycle Warehouse will appeal to the detail-obsessed and casual shopper. Product details and specs are clearly laid out and support user reviews and star ratings, though some products may lack that info. Along with carrying all other things bike-related, they are the Southern California chapter of a nonprofit program that helps establish self-sustaining bicycling businesses in the developing regions of Africa. Shipping: Free over $99 within continental US, excludes bikes and other oversize items | Return Policy: Bikes within 14 days, e-bikes within 10 days or 10 miles ridden. Processed in retail stores free of charge, in new condition with receipt. Best Value Nashbar Credit: Nashbar View on Nashbar.com What We Like Cost effective Accessories and additional products User friendly What We Don't Like Less upscale options Nashbar is a venerable online and brick-and-mortar retailer that has been around since 1974. They offer every type of bike—BMX, cyclocross, gravel, mountain, road, hybrids and commuters, kids', and single-speed/fixed gear—from most major mainstream brands. They also sell parts like frames and forks. The customer experience is refreshingly straightforward and makes it easy to filter brand, product status, color, gender, wheel diameter, and frame size, as well as more nuanced elements like e-bikes-only or selections based on the desired suspension. Rather than carrying high-end bikes like Santa Cruz or Surly, Nashbar leans more toward affordable setups that don’t sacrifice quality for low prices. Their VIP rewards points program will encourage repeat purchases, and they also carry other cycling merchandise, from clothing to parts to tires and tubes. Most bikes that are more than $99 ship for free (look for the “Super Saver Shipping” designation). Nashbar also has a robust content arm, producing stories about bike racing and tips and advice for aspiring cyclists. Shipping: Free over $99 within continental US, sometimes to Alaska and Hawaii as well | Return Policy: 30 days Best Shopping Experience REI Credit: REI View on REI What We Like Affordable, in-house products Tons of well-organized information One-stop adventure shop What We Don't Like Nothing yet Champion outdoor brand REI also sells bikes, and their wide retail footprint can let you match your online shopping with some in-person guidance and experience to help you narrow your selection based on fit and feel. In addition to a robust inventory of bikes across all major genres, the site also supports an extensive library of buying advice and riding tips, making it a go-to resource before (and after) you make a purchase. The brand's inventory is equally rich, but budget shoppers should look at Co-op Cycles, REI's line of proprietary bikes, which typically offer high-quality rides for lower prices than other major brands. Filtering and sorting are what you'd expect from a major online retailer, including sub-categories, brands, gender, wheel size, and best use, as well as more informed specs like brake type or gear configuration. Star ratings and user reviews are pretty well represented, and the "compare" feature lets you easily determine a few options to weigh their characteristics. Shipping varies based on bike, but most are available for free in-store pickup and often come with a maintenance/tune-up package. As a bonus, if you're a member of their co-op program, buying a bike will add some revenue to your account, which you can apply to all outdoor gear-related activities. Shipping: Free in-store or curbside pickup | Return Policy: 90 days for non-members, 1 year for REI Co-op members Best for Kids Amazon Credit: Amazon View on Amazon What We Like Massive range of products Well-established retailer Access to customer feedback What We Don't Like Some products have conflicting information While Amazon carries almost every bike available, the sheer inventory of bikes for toddlers, tykes, and pre-teens makes it easy for parents to home in on what they want. The online retailer has everything from strider bikes to those with training wheels to higher-performance bikes tailored for the more experienced young rider. Amazon also makes it a breeze to search by price, brand, wheel size, weight, number of gears, gender, age range, and so much more. And, of course, there are copious reliable user reviews and star ratings to help filter through the marketing language. Shipping: Free with Prime on eligible items | Return Policy: 30 days for most items Best for Electric Bikes Trek Bicycles Credit: Trek Bicycles View on Trekbikes.com What We Like Specialized Pre-owned bikes Generous guarantees What We Don't Like Exclusively retail in-house products Trek Bicycles was born out of a desire to make high-quality bikes priced lower than other competing brands. They offer several types of electric bikes, including commuter, road, and mountain rigs. In addition to free shipping, they also provide a two-year warranty on their batteries and sell replacement batteries for those who have already purchased a bike. Each bike comes with a headlight, taillight, speedometer, and fenders. They also give you a bunch of information with helpful tips on buying an e-bike and how to take care of your new investment. The only downside? The site doesn't sell other brands outside of Trek, but prices still vary depending on each bike's make and model. There's also a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects for the bike's frame, swing arm, wheels, and fork. Shipping: Free over $49 | Return Policy: 30 days Best for Mountain Bikes Jenson USA Credit: Jenson USA View on Jensonusa.com What We Like Good selection, including other styles Sleek and clear website Professional assistance What We Don't Like Nothing yet If you're looking for off-road adventures on a singletrack or downhill trail, look no further than Jenson USA for your next mountain bike. This retailer offers several bikes from high-quality brands, including Yeti, GT Bicycles, Orbea, and Norco. The site sorts bikes into four categories: trail, cross-country, gravity, and on sale. You can easily search within each category by sorting by brand, price, wheel size, or rear suspension type. In addition to selling bikes, Jenson USA will also help you find the perfect fit. Simply fill out a customer service form with a preferred time, and one of their specialists will call you to discuss your biking needs. The site offers in-depth information on each mountain bike, including frame material, tire size, front and rear suspension, shocks, and brake systems. Bicycles are shipped for free and can be returned within 90 days of your original purchase. Shipping: Free over $50 in the continental US | Return Policy: 90 days, unused Best for Used Bikes Bike Exchange Credit: Bike Exchange View on Bikeexchange.com What We Like Marketplace for buyers and sellers Useful sorting function Big name manufacturers What We Don't Like Pricey to ship to Alaska/Hawaii Bike Exchange is an excellent resource for finding lightly used and new bikes and a place to get rid of your old ride. And it’s not just other cyclists selling their bikes: brick-and-mortar retailers also use the site to help move unsold inventory, and the pricing is wonderfully competitive. You can find savings of up to $1,000 in some cases. All the major brands are represented, including Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, and Giant, and the bike categories are broken into four main sections: road bikes, mountain bikes, kids' bikes, and e-bikes. The site also sells components, clothing, wheels, and helmets. Filters help narrow down the expansive inventory, with specs like riding style, wheel size, models, sellers, condition, gender, color, and availability. Product-level details are fairly robust, and you can contact the seller directly if you have additional questions. Most ship free, though that depends on the seller. Bike Exchange also lets you sell your bike (or components, wheels, and more). Sellers should note that ad prices (their term for a post) break out into secondhand and new products and are based on the selling price, with a fee that ranges from free (for used products less than $500) to $20, along with a $10 upgrade option to flag the ad as “Featured” for additional exposure. All ad pricing runs for 60 days. Shipping: Eligible items free at discretion of the seller | Return Policy: Seller's policy Best for Custom Bikes Moots Credit: Moots View on Amazon View on Moots.com What We Like Built-to-last items Partially in-person process Vast network of retail partners What We Don't Like International orders may incur import duties For cyclists who reject the notion of an off-the-rack bike, Moots has you covered. The Steamboat Springs, Colorado-based company has made some of the highest-performing custom bikes since 1981. They hand-craft each bike using the highest-quality titanium available for the frame before building out the rest of the rig with equally high-end components. The website breaks bikes into three general groups: road, mountain, and gravel + cross, and then sub-divides each section into more nuanced categories like performance, endurance, urban/commute, and specialty. Rather than relying solely on an online purchase, the first step is to visit one of the many authorized Moots dealers throughout the country (and the world) to help select your optimal fit and narrow things down to the correct model (or to start designing your own specialty rig). Then, choose from a library of frames and build out all the other elements, from frame size and brake configuration to crank and group set, among many others, including a selection of finishes. The bike is then shipped to the local dealer and hand-assembled. Shipping: Calculated at checkout, free in-store pickup at Moots in Steamboat Springs | Return Policy: 30 days The 10 Best Padded Bike Shorts, Tested and Reviewed Best Deals Target Credit: Target View on Target What We Like Useful tips Tons of markdowns Low minimum for free shipping What We Don't Like Some bikes don't ship to certain states Though it may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of bike retailers, Target features a respectable selection of bikes and accessories at approachable price points. With brands such as Thule, Schwinn, and Huffy, your massive savings won't sacrifice quality rigs. The search page lets you peruse by age, wheel size, max weight capacity, and even in-store pickup or same-day delivery. We especially like adult and kids' bike buying guides with helpful information so you can feel confident you are choosing the right product. The best part of choosing Target is that already low prices can be combined with a plethora of deals, and becoming a Target Circle member will add even more bonuses, such as automatic deals at checkout. Shipping: Free over $35 and for Circle members | Return Policy: 90 days, 30 days extra for Circle Card holders Final Verdict When you're ready to purchase a bike, Bicycle Warehouse is a good place to start. It has an impressive inventory that is easy to search through and we appreciate that they have a philanthropic program. If maximizing value is a priority, we also recommend Nashbar. What to Look For When Shopping for a Bike Price Expect to spend at least $400 for a quality bike. You can find cheaper models at big-box retailers, but chances are those bikes won’t last. That entry point aligns nicely with urban-specific models with nominal gearing and a few other standard features. But the price tag can easily grow into four figures, especially if you’re looking to acquire a higher-end road or mountain bike. “Folks looking for a modern mountain bike should be prepared to spend $2,000 to $3,000,” says Chris Cartier, director of technical sales at Vermont-based Outdoor Gear Exchange. And the same goes for road bikes. That extra coin gets you higher-end components that’ll perform reliably for years, higher-tech frame materials like ultra-strong/ultra-light carbon fiber, and other features like disc brakes, telescoping seat posts, and quality suspension. E-bikes also come with a higher price tag simply because you’re buying the tech to power your rig as much as you’re buying a bike. Bike by Type Which bike is right for you should be dictated by your riding aspirations. If you’re looking for something commuter-focused, consider city/urban bikes made with frame materials that have a bit of flex to soften the bumps in the road, a more upright riding posture, and a few other features like a modest selection of gears. If Tour de France fever dreams inspire your riding, go with a road bike that comes with a clean, light silhouette, lots of gears, and narrow tires. “Road bikes are good for fitness riding, commuting, even rides, touring, and racing,” advises REI. “Most have drop-bar handlebars, which puts the rider in an aerodynamic position.” Singletrack riders should naturally consider a mountain bike, specifically those designed for cross-country riding on rolling trails or ones with burly full suspension if you want to bomb lift-service tracks. Gravel bikes cut the difference between a mountain and urban rigs, with more durable tire treads that can handle some off-roading without dampening performance on the pavement. But if you’re looking for a bike less as a form of exercise and instead want something to get you to points A, B, and C, consider an e-bike, which offers pedal-assist modes to increase energy output with each pedal stroke. Number of Gears This also depends on where you ride and what kind of riding you do. Single-speed bikes are a good option if you live in a relatively flat locale as the absence of gears removes potential points of failure and reduces cost. Road bikers and commuters in hillier cities and suburbs should consider a bike with at least seven gears, more if you plan on cycling in places like the Rocky Mountains. Mountain bikes typically have a smaller range of gears than road bikes, relying instead on other features like larger wheels to help you move. And some bikes even have internal gear shifting, removing the potential complexity of forcing you to shift by doing it automatically. There’s also a new trend of using belts in the drive train instead of your traditional bike chain, which affords smooth shifting and none of the messiness typical to a well-greased bike chain. Warranty Warranties vary by bike manufacturer and can range from one to 10 years, sometimes even longer. But be sure to read the fine print. Most simply refer to the fact that the bike was sold without manufacturing defects, while others will have a warranty for the frame to cover things like frame cracks, but not components like brakes or shifters, which a different company often makes. And, as with most products, bike warranties don’t cover routine use and abuse. Frequently Asked Questions What size bike is right for me? Bike seats sit on seat posts that can quickly be raised or lowered, so the important measurement for finding the right size bike is to measure your inseam, with your feet spread shoulder-width apart. This will help you understand where the top tube of the bike frame will be in relation to your crotch so that you can stand flat-footed when at a rest and not be seated. You want a few inches between your inseam and the bike frame. Bike brands offer sizing in measurement groups or small, medium, large, and extra-large configurations, with measurement, ranges documented for each one. You can also find the right size by considering your overall height, though inseam measurements may prove more useful. All bike manufacturers have size charts for each of their bikes. What accessories do I need? At a minimum, plan on buying a helmet—even the lower-cost helmet models still adhere to safety standards, so you don’t have the break the bank (higher-cost helmets offer lighter, more breathable protection). Other than that, accessories are just nice to have—cycling gloves can help reduce hand fatigue, biking-specific padded shorts offer comfort and sweat-wicking tech, and cycle-specific bags let you haul stuff without the bag swinging around with each pedal stroke. But if you plan on commuting or riding at night, bike lights are essential; ideally, one pointed to the back to help approaching traffic see you (typically blinking or solid red), and another on the front to help you stand out to oncoming traffic. Of course, the more you get into the sport—especially road or mountain biking—the more gear you’ll want to get. Cartier also advises that you “should have a basic understanding of the maintenance involved with your new bike.” Look for tips and tutorial classes at local bike shops and hardware stores. Should I try to test-ride the bike before buying it online? Test-riding a bike is always a good idea. It helps you see how the bike feels in terms of the riding posture and how well it responds to turns, how easy it is to shift, how manageable the overall ride feels, and how much the bike weighs. This is especially true if you’re interested in upgrading from a standard mountain bike to one of the industry’s larger tire models. But if you have ridden a specific bike—or even a specific bike brand—in the past, that should boost your confidence that buying a bike online without checking it out in person will still likely get you the bike that’s right for you. Why Trust TripSavvy Nathan Borchelt has been a cyclist for his entire life. He has pedaled the singletrack of South Africa, bombed down lift-service terrain in Utah, climbed several of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, and navigates the urban streets of Washington, DC, daily. He’s also been profiling and reviewing cycling gear for decades and has leveraged his expertise and experience in selecting these products for inclusion. 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