Bike Buying Guide
The definitive guide to buying a bike
Six questions. One bike you won't regret.
Since 2011 we've fitted thousands of riders. This is everything we've learned, condensed into the six questions we ask every customer.
From the maker of Bicycling's Best City Hybrid of 2026.
The six questions we ask every rider
How you'll use it
Define the job the bike needs to do. Daily commute, grocery runs, or weekend rides: don't buy more bike than the job requires.
Terrain and conditions
Flat or hilly, dry or all-weather. Focus on gearing range, not gear count. Rim brakes stop fine in light rain, whatever the internet says.
Frame style
Diamond or step-through, and the riding posture that keeps you comfortable. There's no wrong answer, only a wrong fit for your life.
Size and fit
Height and true inseam, not pant size. Sizing is not uniform across brands, so check each model's chart. When in doubt, reach out.
Accessories
Racks, fenders, baskets, locks. Confirm the frame has the braze-ons to mount what your use case needs. Ours all do.
Local shop support
Professional assembly and a mechanic in your corner. It's the difference between a bike that lasts a season and one that lasts a decade.
What it means when brands say their bikes come 95% assembled
In practice, about 70%. When a bike ships to your door in a box, the front wheel, pedals, saddle, and handlebars still need installing, plus wheel truing, brake adjustment, and gear tuning. Get it wrong and it's not a wobbly nightstand, it's a safety problem. It's why every bike we sell arrives 100% professionally assembled through a local shop.
Diamond or step-through?
Diamond
- Clean lines, efficient power transfer
- Simple to lift, carry, and rack on a car
- The classic pick for longer, faster rides
Step-through
- Easy mounting, no wardrobe restrictions
- Better for child seats and rear cargo
- Europe's favorite commuter style for a reason
Which size fits you?
Straight from our live size charts. Heights are the starting point, not the final word, so check the chart on each model's page, and when in doubt, reach out.
| Model | Sizes and rider heights |
|---|---|
| Bedford 8 | S: 5'6" to 5'9" | M: 5'10" to 6'0" | L: 6'1" to 6'3" |
| Brighton 7 | One size fits most: riders 5'0" to 6'2" |
| Driggs 8i Disc | M: 5'6" to 5'10" | L: 5'11" to 6'4" |
| Franklin 3 and Franklin 8 | S/M: 4'11" to 5'5" | Large: 5'6" to 6'3" (same frame, same sizing) |
| Lorimer | 14"/S: 4'10" to 5'0" | 16"/M: 5'1" to 5'4" | 18"/L: 5'5" to 5'7" (the go-to for petite riders) |
| Roebling | 15"/XS: 4'11" to 5'2" | 17"/S: 5'3" to 5'6" | 19"/M: 5'7" to 5'10" | 21"/L: 5'11" to 6'1" | 23"/XL: 6'2" to 6'4" |
| Willow 8i Disc | S/M: 5'0" to 5'5" | Large: 5'6" to 6'3" |
| Wythe Single Speed/Fixie | S: 5'4" to 5'7" | M: 5'8" to 5'11" | L: 6'0" to 6'3" |
All in, our bikes fit riders from 4'10" to 6'4". Heights current as of August 2026.
Buy and Ride
We won't ever ask you to assemble your bicycle
Your bike ships to one of 450+ partner shops nationwide, gets professionally assembled by a mechanic, and passes a final QC check before you ride it home. You also gain a local resource for tune-ups and questions, which is worth more than any spec.
1,400+
five-star reviews from riders
Best City Hybrid
the Roebling, in Bicycling's 12 Best Hybrid Bikes of 2026
450+
partner shops assembling and supporting our bikes
Want the whole thing?
The full 26-page guide goes deeper on all six questions and includes a 50-term glossary that translates bike jargon into plain English. It's free, and there's no catch.
Download the full guide (PDF) Browse the bikes
Questions about fit or models? Email ryan@brooklynbicycleco.com or call 800-631-0630. A real human reads both. When in doubt, reach out.
