Hybrid bikes

You won’t need the same bike if you live in a city or in the mountains. If you live in a town or city and mainly use your bike to commute between home and work, then a hybrid bike – electric or not – is ideal. These bikes offer comfort and stability, making them perfect for cycle paths, paved roads and well-maintained tracks.
However, they’re not suited to very uneven or technical trails. Expect to pay between €250 and €500 for a traditional hybrid bike, and between €750 and €1,250 for an electric version.

Road / Gravel bikes

If you’re looking to escape, explore new landscapes and enjoy the freedom of the open road, then a road bike or gravel bike could be your perfect travel companion.
Both types of bike are built for long rides. The key difference? Road bikes, as the name suggests, are designed exclusively for tarmac. Gravel bikes are sturdier and can handle a mix of asphalt, gravel, and dirt paths.
Be cautious though – gravel bikes aren’t built for very rocky or rugged trails, where they might be pushed beyond their limits.

Where gravel bikes fall short is in their performance: they’re more durable, but also heavier, less aerodynamic and therefore slightly less efficient.

It’s also worth knowing that not all road bikes are the same. If you live on the flat or enjoy riding fast and on level terrain, go for an “aero” bike – designed to reduce air resistance and maximise speed.
On the other hand, if you live in a mountainous or hilly region and you’re drawn to iconic climbs, a lightweight “climbing” bike would be a better choice – helping reduce the weight you have to pedal uphill.

If you’re just starting out, buying second-hand can be a good idea. For a new model, budget between €1,500 and €10,000 for a road bike, and between €1,000 and €8,000 for a gravel bike.

  Road bike

                 Gravel bike

Mountain bikes (MTBs)

For lovers of wide open spaces, mountain experts, or anyone keen to explore nature’s beauty, mountain biking is for you!
Whether solo, with family or friends, e-MTBs offer the chance to roam and discover stunning landscapes with ease.

For the more adventurous, traditional MTBs – or “muscle-powered” bikes – may be just right, especially if you’re after a lightweight, responsive ride that can follow you on all your adventures.

MTBs come in two main types:

• Hardtail, with front suspension only – ideal for absorbing obstacles on moderate terrain.
• Full-suspension, with both front and rear shocks – offering greater comfort and capable of handling more technical, bumpy routes.
  Full-suspension bikes tend to be heavier and more expensive.

For adrenaline junkies, there are DH and enduro bikes. These are designed to tackle high-speed descents with a variety of technical challenges (jumps, bumps, roots, rocks, off-camber sections, etc.).
The sport has grown in popularity, especially thanks to ski resorts that have developed their summer bike parks.

While downhill and enduro bikes might look similar, there are key differences.

Enduro bikes are designed for versatility – capable of climbing efficiently while performing well on technical descents. They strike a balance between high-speed stability and responsive handling in technical sections.

Downhill bikes, on the other hand, are built purely for fast, technical descents. With longer travel suspension (usually 200–220 mm), they absorb big hits and jumps with ease. However, their uphill performance is sacrificed in favour of downhill prowess.