Getting a bike for your college commute makes sense for a lot of reasons, including that it saves you the need to spend extra money on gas and parking. However, there are several college bikes out there, and if you don’t pick the best bike for college students from the start, you might not enjoy your experience as much.
From the type of bike seat to the bike frame and the level of security locks available, there are various things to consider when buying a bike for college.
To help, we from simplifying college compiled a list of the best budget bikes for uphill riding on campus and cruising the city streets.
Best Bikes for College Students
1. Schwinn Wayfarer Adult Hybrid Bike
The Schwinn Wayfarer hybrid bike features swept-back handlebars, a rear rack, and a weight of only 42 pounds. This bike offers you the right level of protection, stability, and comfort to go about your daily commute with ease.
The durable steel frame of this bike gives it a classy look and ensures that it’s functional and long-lasting as well.
This hybrid bike comes with a 7-speed twist drivetrain that allows riders a considerable degree of gear variation so you can use this as a cruiser bike to glide around your college campus grounds.
However, since it’s not built like dedicated gravel bikes, you may want to avoid especially hilly and gravelly terrain.
The Schwinn Wayfarer also comes with a perfectly positioned fender that protects you from splashes during wet weather.
This is further complemented by efficient front and rear brakes that catch nicely, keeping you safer on wet ground.
This bike comes with thin tires, which means riders are able to make sharp turns more easily and ride faster, further assuring you a smooth ride.
What makes the Schwinn Wayfarer hybrid bike arguably the best bike for college students is that it comes with a lifetime warranty so you’re covered even long after graduation!
What We Like
- It comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Its swept-back handlebars are adjustable.
- It comes with a protective steel chain cover.
- It boasts highly efficient alloy brakes.
- It comes with a rear rack and well-designed fenders.
What We Don’t Like
- The bike seat may not be very comfortable for some riders.
- The bike has to be assembled upon arrival.
2. IDS Home unYOUsual Folding Bike
IDS takes bike compatibility to new and impressive levels and the unYOUsual folding bike is clear evidence of this. As one of the most affordable bikes out there, this product checks all the right boxes for college students who want something simple, stylish, and efficient.
Whether you want to hit your college or town for biking or exercising, the Shimano Tiagra 6-speed shifter has got you covered. It has a comfortable seat and you can ride in the upright position for as long as you want without worry.
This bike also comes with well-positioned mudguards and rear wheel reflectors that increase your level of protection and safety while on the road.
Arguably the biggest benefit of this bike for us is that you can pack it and put it away when not in use. It shows that these comfort bikes are designed to cater to your convenience whether on or off the road.
What We Like
- It has a stylish and compact design.
- It’s available at a reasonable price.
- It’s highly portable and easy to fold.
- Its full fenders offer good protection in wet weather.
- It’s easy to assemble.
What We Don’t Like
- The bell on the bike doesn’t always work.
3. Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike
Considering that Schwinn Bicycle Company has been around since as far back as 1895, it should come as no surprise that another of their products is featured on this list.
There’s a lot to love about these particular comfort bikes. One of the first things you notice about it is its aesthetics. It gets a solid 10/10 from us in this department with its thin and graceful frame.
These aluminum bikes fall in a fairly reasonable price range, and it’s impressive the amount of quality that they hold. Unlike many lower-quality, cheaper bikes, these wheels will serve you long and well.
You’ll also love this bike if you’re not a big fan of assembling stuff – it comes already partially assembled, so the work you’ll have to do to get it ready to go is fairly minimal.
The compact design and 21-speed gear build of this bike also mean that you won’t feel much of any uphill riding you have to do as well. The suspension-type technology it employs is also top-of-the-line so you can take on any terrain with confidence.
As long as you don’t push it like a dedicated mountain bike or road bike, you’ll get very good results from this bike.
The front and rear bikes work perfectly and shifting gears is seamless, too. As a commuter bike, the Schwinn Discover is truly unparalleled.
What We Like
- It has a very beautiful design.
- It has a durable build and can withstand heavy use.
- It supports an upright riding position perfectly.
- It comes with good-quality bike racks.
- The bike is designed to not strain your leg muscles.
What We Don’t Like
- The saddle could be more comfortable.
4. 6KU Aluminum Bike
Yet another great bike for college students is the 6KU Aluminum Fixed Gear Bike. A king among aluminum bikes, this bicycle in action is a delight to behold.
What makes the performance of the bike even more astonishing is that its lightweight aluminum frame only weighs 21 pounds when fully assembled!
It is available in various sizes, all of which fall within a budget-friendly price range so you won’t have to settle for a bike size that doesn’t suit you perfectly.
Two possible dealbreakers worth noting about this otherwise amazing bike are that it doesn’t come with fenders and lacks a rear rack.
However, we believe this 6KU bike makes up for all that with an above-average suspension fork and an ability to withstand virtually any harsh ride unscathed.
What We Like
- It has a sturdy yet lightweight aluminum frame.
- It boasts a beautiful finish.
- It comes with durable Kenda tires.
- It features easily removable brakes.
- It’s a great budget bike.
What We Don’t Like
- It’s not adapted for extensive uphill riding.
- It doesn’t come with a rear rack or fenders.
5. AVASTA Single-Speed Fixed Gear Bike
You only have to try the AVASTA Single-Speed once for it to become your all-time favorite bike!
With a steel frame that supports your body perfectly, a single-speed design that enhances simplicity, and flat handlebars that promotes superior ease of use, this is a perfect bike for college students.
It comes with a flip-flop hub you can ride with a freewheel or fixed, so it’s easy to see why this bike is a steal at the price.
The bike arrives 85% assembled, so you can have it ready to hit the road in under 20 minutes!
It also offers a wide range of product options to choose from so you can further ensure your riding comfort.
What We Like
- It has a durable steel frame.
- It has very comfortable handlebar grips.
- It comes 85% assembled.
- It can take a harsh ride comfortably.
- It’s perfectly balanced.
What We Don’t Like
- The finish scratches easily.
How to Pick the Best Bike for College Students
Even if you’re getting the most affordable college bike, the fact remains that this will still be a significant financial investment. Therefore, you have to make sure that you cover your bases before putting money down on any product.
When it comes to picking the best bike for college students, the most important things to consider include:
Carrying Capacity
Your college commuting bike will also likely have to double as a mini cargo bike at one point or the other. This means that it should ideally have a rack or some other device that will allow you to easily carry items on it.
It bears mentioning that there are several accessories you can fit on your bike to give it these capabilities. However, it’s always good to know that you won’t be spending extra to purchase such resources.
Ease of Use and Comfortability
Another key parameter that merits looking into closely is the ease of use of the bike. More often than not, college students will need to ride their bikes across considerable distances, and how comfortable a bike is will strongly influence the quality of the riding experience.
For this reason, you need to pay close attention to elements like the bike seat and the geometry of the bike. For most college students, the upright riding position is the way to go. This is because it’s generally more comfortable.
As such, you should opt for bikes that allow you to ride in the upright position without stress.
Speed
Speed should be a significant factor when picking which bike you’ll be commuting on. And, since the structure of the bike wheels have a direct bearing on how fast the bike frame can move, you’d be better served by purchasing a bike with thinner wheels.
These types of bikes are usually less stressful on your leg muscles to paddle. In addition, they can build up speed quite quickly and don’t require as much effort to manipulate when you have to make a sharp turn.
You could still consider getting bikes with thicker wheels (like mountain bikes). However, you should only do this if you’re planning to use it as a dual-purpose bike.
Reliability and Durability
Even if you’re only planning to use the bike for the interim, it’s still vital that it be able to serve you optimally. Consequently, you must ensure two things.
The first is that the bike frame is made of a durable material like steel or aluminum. These materials will make it easier for your bike to bear the strain of use. The second is that it must be easy to maintain.
If you can’t carry out proper maintenance practices on your bike often, it’ll fall apart sooner rather than later.
FAQs
Are bikes a good mode of transport to college?
Yes, bikes are a good mode of transport to college. Not only is transportation by this means cheaper but it’s also considerably more reliable. This is because these devices rarely develop faults and are usually easy to fix when they do.
What’s the best bike size for me?
The best bike size for you depends on your height. The average male and female height in the U.S. is 5 foot 9 inches and 5 foot 4 inches, respectively. As such, males can consider getting a 19 to 20-inch bike while females could get a 17 to 18-inch bike.
Must I store my bike in bike parking spaces?
Whether or not you must store your bike in bike parking spaces depends on the regulations of your college dorm. You should find out what the rules are in this regard before parking your bike anywhere. You may be able to store your bike in a corner of your room or under the bed as well.
Bottom Line
Now that you know the best bike for college students, all that’s left is for you to pick the one that suits you best! Different bike types will appeal to different people and we’ve only covered a few products here.
So, if you’re considering getting a bike that’s not on our list and you want to get our take, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment below.
Happy riding!
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