Finding the best bicycle for college students shouldn’t be hard. There are only a few features that’ll matter, seeing as college students generally don’t have a lot of requirements.
For sure, you need a bike that’s durable and suitable for city roads, which should be easy to find. Check our list of top picks below to get an idea.
Quick Comparison: Good Bikes for College
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1. Schwinn Wayfarer Bike Mens and Womens |
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2. Sixthreezero Around The Block Women’s Single-Speed Beach Cruiser Bicycle |
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3. Navitas Organics Women’s Single-Speed Cruiser Bike |
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4. Barracuda Women’s Liberty Trekking Bike |
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5. Micargi Bicycles Cougar GTS 26″ Beach Cruiser Bicycle |
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How to Choose the Best Bike for College Campus
In order to find out the best bike for a college campus, you must specify if you want a bike specially tailored for your needs or one that prioritizes your budget most.
If the road to college is full of roughness, opt for a mountain bike style with suspension.
If you want a bike you can ride on a trail and use it to cruise around the city – choose a hybrid bike. Its front suspension enables you to ride out bumps in unpaved trails, and comfortable seating permits you to spend hours paddling around the city streets.
Once you know what kind of bike you’d like, you can set about narrowing down your options.
If you have a short budget, you won’t have any problems landing yourself a good bike.
In this article, we will be discussing some of the better-performing bicycles for the money.
The Best Bicycle for College Students: Trendy, Safe and Reliable
Here, we’ll shed some light on the best bicycles for college students on the market.
We handpicked these five options for their convenience, affordability, and reliability. Scroll through the options to meet your match.
1. Schwinn Wayfarer Bike Mens and Womens
Description
The Schwinn Wayfarer bicycle features a timeless retro design that’ll let you ride in style. Not only that, but the Shimano speed shifter also accounts for smooth, stable rides. The bike is ideal for casual rides down the neighborhood and city streets.
The Schwinn is fairly easy to deal with, even for beginners. Its steel frame has a moderate standover height, making it easier for you to mount the bike. In addition to that, the linear-pull brakes and the rear brakes will stop the bike in an instant when you need them to. Not to mention that the speed drivetrain shifts as smoothly as butter.
There’s a rear cargo rack on the Schwinn that’ll come in handy during city rides. It fits grocery bags, backpacks, or any similar carriage. Additionally, the bike’s saddle is large and cushioned to offer maximum user comfort.
Features and Specifications
- User’s height: 5’4″ – 6’2″
- Shimano 7-speed shifter
- Chrome fenders on wheels
- Frame material: steel
- Frame size: 18 inches
Pros
- Rear cargo included for convenience
- Moderate standover height for ease of use
- Relatively easy set-up
Cons
- Heavyweight
Video: Schwinn Wayfarer Mens and Womens Bike
2. Sixthreezero Around The Block Women’s Single-Speed Beach Cruiser Bicycle
Description
If you want to grab attention while riding, the Sixthreezero is your go-to bike. It features a curvy stature that looks appealing to the eye. It’s also available in some aesthetically beautiful colors. A couple of colors come with brown grips and wheels if you’re looking to be unique.
Aside from the attractive looks, the Sixthreezero also possesses some useful features. The elegant design also allows the rider to keep an upright position with ease, which reduces the chance of back pain. On top of that, the dual-spring saddle is made of support foam that provides high comfort.
The Sixthreezero comes with a pair of linear-pull coaster brakes that provide reliable stopping power. That being said, the bike isn’t cut out for rough terrain. It’ll perform superbly on flat terrains and smooth grounds.
Features and Specifications
- User’s height: 5 ft – 6 ft
- Frame material: steel
- Frame size: 17 inches
- Single-speed
- Rear rack included
- Suspension: rigid
Pros
- Available in a wide array of colors
- Low standover height for ease of use
- Comfortable curved handlebars
Cons
- Difficult assembly
Video: SixThreeZero Unboxing, First Ride, and a Problem…
3. Navitas Organics Women’s Single-Speed Cruiser Bike
Description
If you’re an enthusiast for classics, you’ll love the Firmstrong Navitas Organics. Its design is inspired by the simpler times, and it’s available in a bunch of beautiful colors. It also features a curvy frame and handlebars, similar to the Sixthreezero.
The Navitas comes with a durable, rust-resistant steel frame. You can leave it out in the rain without worrying. Plus, it comes fully equipped with cushioned balloon tires that ensure you have a comfortable ride. The coaster brakes also make sure you’re safe enough while riding at high speed.
The dual-spring seat is oversized for extra comfort, and foam grips top off the handlebars to make it easier for you on long rides. The only downside to this bike is the single-speed system. It’ll limit you to flat terrains, but it’s more than enough for casual city rides.
Features and Specifications
- User height: 4′ – 5’2″
- Frame material: steel
- Frame size: 15 inches
- Wheel size: 24″
- Single-speed
Pros
- Durable, long-lasting frame
- Anti-corrosion aluminum wheels
- Comfortable seat and grips
Cons
- The front wheels are of low quality
Video: Navitas Organics Women’s Single-Speed Cruiser Bike
4. Barracuda Women’s Liberty Trekking Bike
Description
The Barracuda women’s bike is one of the most convenient options on the market. It’s relatively lightweight, so you can easily transport it without needing help. Additionally, it has a low standover height to make it easier for short riders to get on and off.
Furthermore, the Barracuda features a fully adjustable alloy system that accounts for durability. The V-brakes on the wheels also provides excellent stopping power if you’re ever in a situation that needs instant stopping. Besides, the top-notch aluminum frame will stay intact for as long as you have the bike.
The Barracuda comes bearing trigger-style Shimano shifters that are very easy to use. They offer 21 speeds, which is more than all bikes on our list can offer. That’s part of the reason why this bike is suitable for rough terrains, unlike similar options.
Features and Specifications
- Frame material: aluminum
- Frame size: 19 inches
- 21-speed Shimano shifters
- Alloy wheels
- Weight: 37 pounds
Pros
- It offers 21 speeds
- Suitable for rough terrain
- Easy to use for beginners
- Low standover height
Cons
- Difficult to set up without professional assistance
Video: Buying a Woman’s Hybrid Bike
5. Micargi Bicycles Cougar GTS 26″ Beach Cruiser Bicycle
Description
The Cougar is a limited edition bike from Micargi, but we sure hope they keep producing it. It’s ideal for you if you want to ride in style without paying a fortune. Despite its fairly affordable price, it features an attractive chrome frame that’s enough to convince you to buy it.
The cantilever frame design helps the rider stay in an upright position, which improves the overall riding pose.
On top of that, the cushioned dual-spring seat and the wide handlebars ensure you’ll have a comfortable ride without suffering fatigue. Not to mention that the bike has a lightweight build that allows for easy transportation.
The bike comes fully equipped with a front-end suspension fork with chrome plating to match the frame’s color.
Moreover, the wheels are adorned by stainless steel white rims that won’t rust, no matter how long you leave the bike out in the rain. They also add to the overall beautiful design of the bike.
Features and Specifications
- Frame material: Hi-tensile steel
- Frame size: 16 inches
- Wheel size: 26 inches
- Plated frame and fork
- One-piece chainrings
Pros
- Aesthetically beautiful design
- Durable hi-tensile steel frame
- Easy assembly
- Affordable price
Cons
- A tall standover height that may bother short riders
Video: Micargi Cruiser Assembly
What to Look for in a Bicycle
There’s an endless list of features that you can find on bikes. However, only a few ones will make a major difference. Here, we’ll tell you the five features that’ll affect your riding the most. That way, you can prioritize them when looking to buy a bike.
Gears
The gears are responsible for the bike’s efficiency. They’ll determine whether you’ll have a smooth ride or a bumpy one. There are three types of gears to choose from.
Compact
Compact gears usually have 50 teeth on the outer ring and 34 teeth on the inner one. They’re the most popular type because they provide consistency when riding up steep surfaces. Plus, they require less stress from the knees to pedal because they offer a high cadence.
Standard Double
Standard double gears have 53 teeth on the outer ring and 30 teeth on the inner one. They require more strength than compact gears; that’s why professional riders and experts should only choose them. Most bikes with standard double gears will be aimed at pro riders.
Triple
Triple gears have three chainrings, which means they offer small gears. They’ll have 30 teeth on the small ring, 30 teeth on the middle, and 50 teeth on the outer.
Some riders prefer them because they’re convenient for carrying heavy loads. Plus, the extra small gear will perform better than the other gears for climbing.
Saddle
Picking the right saddle depends on a couple of factors. Most importantly, your flexibility on the bike. Less flexible riders will need a rounded saddle because they tend to shift a lot. Meanwhile, flexible riders will do okay with a flat or a curved saddle.
Furthermore, you’ll want to ensure the saddle you’re choosing is horizontal. Saddles that point up or down will cause you discomfort.
Rear Cargo
A rear cargo will come in handy if you have a bag with you. Whether it’s a backpack, books, or grocery bags, college students will need this feature. So, make sure your bike has a sturdy rear cargo that’ll allow you to carry heavy loads.
Fenders
Fenders are a vital part of bikes that people usually neglect. If you don’t like to get wet while it’s raining, the same goes for your bike wheels. In fact, rainwater is more tolerable than the water kicked up by your wheels. This means your brakes, derailleurs, and gears will get all muddy and wet. They won’t stay intact for long without a pair of reliable fenders to protect them.
Brakes
Brakes are either coaster, rim, or disc. All beach cruisers will have a coaster brake because it stops the pedaling while letting the bike roll. It’ll also stop the bike by pedaling backward.
On the other hand, rim brakes stop the bike by the wheel’s friction with the rim. They’re the most common type of brakes among city and road bikes.
Meanwhile, disc brakes are less common because they add to the weight of the bike. They’re mostly cable-activated and require low force to stop the bike.
What Else You Need to Ride a Bicycle
Now that we’re done with the bike’s features let’s talk about a couple of things you need to ride a bicycle.
Helmet
Wearing a helmet seems like a nuisance, especially on hot days. However, the possibility of a brain injury is a lot worse. So, no matter how annoying it is, you’ll have to wear a helmet while cycling.
Cycling helmets are now available in a wide variety with a lot of innovative features. Some of them are impact-resistant to offer the utmost safety, and all of them have vents for summer days. Additionally, some helmets are adjustable so that you can find the perfect fit. This Schwinn helmet has it all.
Gloves
Gloves aren’t critical for cycling, but they do make a difference. You’ll get a better grip with gloves on, no matter what materials the handlebars are made of. On top of that, you’ll be able to control the handlebars with ease. Gloves also serve as a protection for your hands in falling incidents.
Bike Lock
Bike locks are vital if you don’t want to walk to your bike parking spot and find it empty. Choosing them also needs patience if you’re going to choose the right type for you.
Cable locks are convenient if you don’t lock your bike frequently. They’re lightweight and inexpensive. Also, they’re easy to use.
Unfortunately, this means they’re also easy to break, so they aren’t preferred if you’ll be leaving your bike for long.
U locks are highly effective and durable. They’ll offer more security, but they’re heavyweight. Some of them come with an extra cable lock. This will likely deter the thief away because picking two locks will seem like a challenging task to do in a short time.
Conclusion and Best Offer
As we told you, finding the best bicycle for college students is a simple task. As long as you know what to look for on the bike, you’ll do just fine. The important thing is that you determine your budget and consider all the essential features. The rest should be easy.
The Best Offer
The best offer on our list is the Schwinn Wayfarer. It has everything you may need as a college student. This includes the Shimano shifters, the durable frame, and the rear cargo. If you don’t mind the heavyweight, it’ll be an excellent option to consider.
Best Offer
The best offer on our list is the Schwinn Wayfarer. It has everything you may need as a college student. This includes the Shimano shifters, the durable frame, and the rear cargo. If you don’t mind the heavyweight, it’ll be an excellent option to consider.
The Alternative
If the Schwinn Wayfarer is out of your budget, the Micargi Cougar is your go-to bike. They had us at the chrome frame, but that’s not the only thing we love about it.
Micargi Bicycles Cougar GTS 26″ Beach Cruiser Bicycle
The cantilever frame design, the affordable price, and the reliable brakes all account for this bike’s great riding experience.
