Quick picker
| You want to ride… | Start by looking at |
|---|---|
| Sealed roads, gravel and fire roads, long days out, maybe a gravel event | Gravel bike |
| Mostly sealed roads, fast and far | Road bike |
| Trails, single track, trail parks | Mountain bike (XC or trail) |
| Steep, rough descents | Enduro or downhill mountain bike |
| Any of the above, with motor help on the climbs | E-bike (e-gravel, e-MTB, e-road) |
| To work, the shops, or around town | Hybrid / city bike or e-urban |
| A bike that packs small | Folding bike |
| Your kids' first rides | Kids' bike (sized by wheel) |
1Gravel bikes
Drop handlebars like a road bike, with room for wider, grippier tyres. A gravel bike is happy on sealed roads, gravel and fire roads, and smoother trails, which makes it a great "one bike" for lots of riders.
What to look at on a listing (these are all filters on CrankMart):
- Tyre clearance: the widest tyre that fits. Wider tyres give more grip and comfort on rough roads.
- Front gears (1x / 2x): 1x means one chainring at the front, which keeps shifting simple. 2x gives more gear options.
- Wheel size (700c / 650b).
2E-bikes
An e-bike has a motor that helps when you pedal. It doesn't replace pedalling; it makes hills and long days easier. E-bikes come in most types: e-MTB, e-gravel, e-road and e-urban.
On CrankMart you can filter by motor brand and battery size (Wh). More Wh usually means more range.
E-bike rules (optional)
E-bike rules for roads and paths differ by country, and in Australia by state, and many trail parks set their own e-bike rules. Our used e-bike guide covers the basics and where to check: Used e-bikes: motor and battery checks.
3Road bikes
Built for sealed roads: light, quick and comfortable over long distances. Road bikes on CrankMart can be filtered by frame type:
- Endurance: a more upright, comfortable position for long rides.
- Aero: shaped for speed on flatter roads.
- Climbing: light, for hilly routes.
- All-round: a bit of everything.
Road bikes are often sized in cm. See our sizing guide: What size bike do I need?.
4Mountain bikes
Made for dirt, with flat bars, wide knobbly tyres and suspension. CrankMart groups mountain bikes by how much suspension travel they have (how far the suspension moves; more travel suits rougher trails):
| Style | Good for | CrankMart travel filter |
|---|---|---|
| XC (cross-country) | Fast riding, climbing, marathons and stage races | Under 100 mm and 100–120 mm |
| Trail | All-round trail riding, up and down | 120–140 mm and 140–160 mm |
| Enduro | Steeper, rougher descents you still pedal up | 150–160 mm, 160–180 mm, 180 mm+ |
| Downhill | Bike-park and gravity riding, usually with a lift or shuttle up | 180–200 mm, 200 mm+ |
Travel bands are CrankMart's own browse filters, used here to match each style to a filter. Makers may describe their bikes differently.
Hardtail or full suspension?
- Hardtail: suspension fork at the front, no rear shock. Fewer moving parts to look after, and a direct, lively feel. A popular first mountain bike.
- Full suspension: suspension front and back. More comfort and grip on rough trails.
- Rigid: no suspension at all, found on some fat bikes and older or simpler bikes.
5Hybrid, city and folding bikes
- Hybrid / city: flat bars, an upright position and tyres that handle sealed roads and paths. Great for commuting and easy rides.
- Fitness / urban: a sportier take on the hybrid.
- Folding: folds down to carry on public transport or keep in a small space.
6Kids' bikes and BMX
Kids' bikes are sized by wheel size, from 12" to 26" on CrankMart. Most BMX bikes have 20" wheels, with 16" and 18" minis for smaller riders and 24" cruisers for bigger ones. See our kids' guide: Kids bike sizes.
Next steps
- Pick your type.
- Find your size: What size bike do I need?.
- Browse used bikes and use the checklist: Buying a used bike: a quick checklist.
FAQ
Gravel bike or mountain bike?
Gravel bike or road bike?
Hardtail or full suspension for a beginner?
What does "travel" mean?
Found your type?
Browse bikes on CrankMart by type, size and budget.
Questions? support@crankmart.com