During my early days in college, it was hard for me to get to my classes on time. I will never forget the pain of running after a taxi to get to the campus, especially during the morning rush. But the day I got my bike literally changed my life. I may not recall how the idea to get the bicycle came, but it was the best thing that happened during my college years. I had fun, saved some bucks, and enjoyed the health benefits of biking all simultaneously.
From my experience, the best bike for college students is one that is affordable, reliable, and easy to maintain. There are plenty of models out there, but picking the right one may be difficult, especially if you're not familiar with them. With this in mind, my team and I did thorough research on the highest-rated models out there.
But before you go through our list, there are important factors to consider. You'll also get help from our bicycle riding and maintenance tips. So, if you're still looking for a cheaper way to commute to school, search no more, we've got you covered!
Why You Should Trust Us
Gearbikesreview enjoys being one of the most favorite reviewers of bikes and related gear online for a good number of reasons; the major one being the authenticity of the information.
Next comes our reliability, and that is ensured by our objectivity in approaching the truth. Our professional racers, engineers and veteran bike mechanics dedicate months researching and testing our reviewing items. The versatility of our knowledge in the field helps us draw better conclusions and create well-crafted reviews and how-to blogs.
We don't have any connection with any bicycle manufacturer because we don't need to. We're accountable to the biker community of the world and our mission is to fortify them with the right pieces of information so they can make better buying decisions.
How We Picked These Products
Since we wanted to deliver a review that was devoid of bias, we went through several stages of research, feature analysis, comparison, and field-test before coming up with the final list. Initially, we conducted a 30-hour extensive online market research and singled out 35 highest rated bikes ideal for the college students.
Next, we performed test-rides on each of the selected models, and for that purpose, we engaged a group of community-based volunteers without whom it would've been difficult to complete our journey. During our testing sessions, we checked the durability and building material of the frames, gearing system, saddles, handlebar style, ergonomics, sitting position, braking, and overall performance. Based on these criteria we narrowed down our list by championing 10 killer models from the rest.
We also consulted with other industry experts, professional bike engineers and gear experts for having their insights and suggestions on our list. Their opinions and recommendations helped us rank our top models according to their distinctions before moving on to writing complete reviews on them.
Our 10 Best Bikes for College Students
So, what is a good bike for a college student? We've created all-inclusive reviews on each of our recommended models for you to have a better understanding of them before making a buying decision.
Bike for College Student - A Comprehensive Buying Guide
1. Bicycle Type
Since our needs are different, the manufacturers are also producing bikes depending on the things we want. So far, we have road bikes, adventure, bikes, comfort bikes, hybrid bikes, touring bikes, and lots more. Your concern as a student is buying a bike that matches your interests and activities in the school.
2. Purpose
If you prefer spending hours on the city roads, road bikes would be an ideal option since they're light and have better aerodynamics. However, they're expensive and a little challenging to maintain when compared with other bike types.
Hybrid bikes are also great for exercises but not as good as road bikes. They're more durable and more comfortable to ride. Another excellent alternative is the mountain bike because of their affordability and ability to perform in any weather condition or steep terrain. So, do your research about your riding lifestyle and then pick a model that suits it.
3. Frame Material
The primary material for bike frames is steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. The structure determines its durability, strength, and market value.
- Steel – They're perfect for commuting because of their ability to bear heavy loads. Steel frames are cheap, durable, but dense and prone to rust.
- Aluminum –these types are lighter and less likely to corrode than steel. You'll quickly find them on most road and mountain bikes because of their excellent load-bearing capacity as well as swiftness on bike paths.
- Carbon fiber –When it comes to speed, durability, and lightness, carbon frames take the lead. However, they are not as good as aluminum and steel in terms of load-carrying capacity.
4. Frame Style & Size
Bikes have different frame designs, but it's essential to get one with charming appeal and also deliver great comfort when riding. Most sellers have a fitness guide for you to check and know your ideal size. However, try to measure your torso and overall height to determine the right one to buy.
5. Luggage Holder
Almost all students would want to convey their textbooks in a bag to school daily. So, it's crucial to get a bike with racks and panniers to keep your load. Make sure that you don't load the bike beyond its weight limit.
6. Handlebar Type
Like frames, handlebars are available in different types. They determine your biking position, performance, and comfort. It's preferable to buy one with an adjustable handlebar since they allow you to customize the height as well as the distance to the seat. You may feel comfortable if the handles are a little higher than the stem, but you'll spend more energy pedaling.
Some of the most popular handlebar types include riser, drop, flat, and ache. Most new riders prefer flat bars because they allow you to enjoy an upright position and can access the brake levers easily than drop bars.
7. Saddle
You should always feel comfortable on the seat irrespective of how long you're riding. If buying from a local shop, it's essential to inspect the Saddle by sitting on it. Although this method may not help those who're buying from online stores, you can read the reviews from real-life users to have a sense of its comfortability. If you love everything about the bike except the Saddle, you can still go ahead with the purchase then, replace it with the one you prefer.
8. Gearing
Your campus terrain or biking styles will determine your ideal gearing system. Bikes with multiple gears are challenging to maintain but more natural to ride across difficult terrains.
9. Commuting
Since your main reasons for getting the bike is to transport yourself to school and back, you'll need some features that'll aid your movements. There is no way you wouldn't want to convey loads, so, the bike should have eyelets to allow you to install bag carrying frames. Also, if you're living in the rain prone areas, you'll need models with fenders which helps to keep your clothes from dirt.
10. Brakes
Most bike manufacturers prefer caliper brakes because of their excellent stopping power and ease of maintenance. You'll experience a little delay after gripping the brake levers, especially when riding a wet surface. Having this in mind, you'll want to explore the worlds of disc brakes. They are mostly featured in mountain bikes and they are compelling even on slippery roads. However, it's heavy, expensive, and difficult to remove for maintenance.
11. Wheels
Wheels are also available in different sizes depending on the bike type. Road bikes feature thin wheels which are lighter and more comfortable to ride. Their tires may puncture easily and are often difficult to fix.
On the other hand, mountain bikes feature sturdy tires, but the extra weight will reduce your speed. Most commuter bikes are equipped with hybrid wheels since they're durable, reliable, and stable than both road and mountain types.
12. Budget
Most new bikes are expensive for some students. But, you can save a lot if you're buying a used item provided it's still in good shape. Also, you need to be very precise about the owner to avoid the temptation of purchasing stolen property.
However, used items will deteriorate faster and are expensive to maintain. So, we've selected some of the budget-friendly options for sale so that you would never have to spend too much to get a valuable bike. You can also wait for Black Friday discounts for cheap deals.
Bike Riding Tips for College Students
Generally, riding a bike to and from school is an enjoyable experience, but you'll need some safety tips to keep yourself or the new bicycle from harm. They are:
- Wearing a Helmet – This will protect your head from injury or death if you fall while riding. Try to choose one with good quality and also fit your head size. As a rule of thumb, never mount the bike without putting on a helmet.
- Biking shoes –It helps to improve your performance by minimizing energy loss between your legs and the pedals.
- Pedal straps – fixing this on your bike will keep your feet secure and prevent it from slipping when pedalling.
- Reflectors – the headlight isn't enough to protect you from other road users when biking in the night. So, you'll need both front and rear lights. You should also wear reflective materials.
Care & Maintenance Tips
- Inspect the parts – Check all the components of the bike to ensure that they're in good condition before setting out. If the bolts and nuts are loose, tighten it. Also, replace any worn piece without delay.
- Lock –Your bike might get stolen if left unlocked in the campus or other public places. Buying a lock will protect your bike from theft. Most locks can notify you by sounding an alarm when someone touches it.
- Get a rain gear –If you're living in places with a torrential downpour, you'll want to stay clean and dry, so, you'll need waterproof wear that'll protect you from the rain.
- Ride with spare parts –You'll never know when your bike might breakdown, so you need to always stay on alert. With this in mind, never leave for a ride without repair tools and spare parts. Some of these items include pump, tube, Allen wrench, patch kit and much more.
Final Words
A lot of things might interest you when looking for the best bike for college students, yet, never leave out comfort, durability, budget, and style. When riding daily to school, you'll want a ride that still feels light even with loads. So, when considering weight, aluminum is often the option to choose. If the terrain is rough, you'll want bikes with many gears and responsive brakes.
While still keeping budget and performance in mind, the Schwinn Discover is always our most exceptional choice. It's from aluminum with a robust front suspension fork that absorbs the road shocks, keeping your hand muscles safe. So far, it's the perfect bike on the market for both male and female students.
If you're concerned about storage or how to package and transport your bike after graduation, the Schwinn Loop Folding model is the choice to make. You might want the 6KU for enjoying both freewheel and fixed gear riding. Note that, none of our products is perfect since you'll need to upgrade some parts to make it function to your taste.
However, all the models we've reviewed are great to give you a lasting memory in school. Everything depends on your preference and budget, so, take your time to read our reviews, then make a proper choice.
