Buying Guide 2024: 5 Best Bicycles to Buy in Singapore

You must have noticed that bicycles have gotten a lot of fame recently and for the right reasons. It is a great workout and an ideal way of transportation. Buying a bike seems easy, but there are several things to consider before purchasing. You will find massive online information on different types of bicycles, which can be overwhelming. And you can get confused about which bike to buy and which will suit your needs. This guide will help you save time (and spend money at the right place). It also contains a list of the 5 best bicycles to buy in Singapore [2024 review].

Selecting a bicycle online:
It is the easiest way to buy a bicycle. You can sit comfortably at home, and with one click, you will have thousands of great bikes to buy with amazing discounts. Read this article to decide which one to choose.

Steps to consider before buying a bicycle

Set the budget:
One of the main components while buying a bicycle is budget planning. Decide your range, whether you want to purchase a bike under S$5000, S$10,000, S$20,000, or more. The higher the budget, the more will be options of premium quality bicycles. However, decide the budget as per your salary.

Pick the right bicycle type:
You will find numerous types of bicycles to choose from in the market. The most common ones are as follows:

Road bikes: if you are a speed addict, this bike is for you. Road bikes have narrow tires and drop bars; you can roll fast on smooth roads. Their high average speed makes them perfect for covering long distances. Road bikes are ideal for recreational riding, fitness, and racing.
E-bikes: electric motors function as pedals in electric bikes. They make it effortless to maintain a high average speed, climb hills, cover longer distances, and pedal against headwinds. Electric bikes are ideal for riders dealing with injuries, senior people, and commuters.
Mountain bikes: made for riding off-road, but you can ride mountain bikes almost anywhere. Knobby, wide tires enhance the grip on loose surfaces, which makes them ideal for trails and dirt roads. The subtypes of mountain bikes include cross-country, downhill, full-suspension, hardtail, enduro, and trail.
Commuter bikes: getting from point A to B will be easier with commuter bikes. They have disc brakes, upright geometry, wide-range gearing, and wide tires. Commuter bikes also feature accessories, such as rear racks, fenders, lights, and kickstands.
Hybrid bikes: a combination of mountain and road bikes, hybrid bikes are used for off-road and road ridings. They have flat bars, semi-wide wheels, wide gearing, upright geometry, and other accessories. Hybrid bikes are all around leisure riding, fitness, and commuting.

Anatomy of the bicycle:

1. Frame material, size, and design: depends on your budget and buying purpose. You can pick from different materials, such as steel, aluminum, titanium, and carbon.

Steel frames are heavy and highly durable. And these bicycles are affordable and cheap.
The Aluminum frames are lightweight and cost-effective. These are long-lasting and best for shorter rides.
The titanium frames are suitable for mountain bikes. They are also durable and lightweight but are extremely expensive.
The carbon frames are better for absorbing vibration and shocks and are expensive. They are highly prone to damage from falls and collisions and are used in road bikes.

You should also consider the frame design alongside the material- it will decide your riding posture. You can choose either step-over or step-through frames. You will find step-over frames in mountain, road, and racing bikes. The step-through is found in comfort city bicycles and ladies’ bicycles.

2. Gear type: when you go to a shop to buy a bicycle, you will come across two types of bikes: with gears and without gears.

With gears, you get multiple speeds.
Whereas without gears, you get only one speed.

There are a few categories of gears to pick from, these are:

Hub gears (range from 3 to 14 gears)
Derailleurs (range from 27 to 30 gears)

3. Wheel size and rim type: wheel size charts are available that can be helpful when making choices. Before making the purchase, check the wheel’s diameter and width. The larger diameter gives a stable and smooth ride. And the smaller one is helpful in making acceleration, deceleration, and turns easier. Moreover, higher wheel width helps in attaining a stable ride. But if you want to cycle faster, go for the less width. The rims of the bicycle should be made from alloy material and dual-wall.

4. Brake type: it gets tricky and technical when deciding on brake type. Bicycles have two types of brakes: disc brakes and V brakes. Disc brakes are effective in wet conditions but require high maintenance costs. So, as compared to V brakes, it is more expensive. V brakes are a traditional braking system that is cost-effective but does not work best with wet rims.

5. Fork type: is one of the crucial parts of the bicycle’s anatomy which you can not ignore. Along with the tires, the fork absorbs the shock. There are two types: suspension and rigid forks.

Rigid forks are suitable for hybrid, road, and commuting bikes. It is because they are lightweight and increase speed.
Suspension forks absorb the maximum shocks, so they are great for mountain bikes and deliver a comfortable ride. They are expensive, heavy, and suitable for rough terrain.

Take a test ride:

It will be the last step. While buying a bicycle from an offline store, take a ride test. The benefit of doing that is you get comfortable with the bike, and you get to understand the performance as well.

1. ALPS 5 Speed Trifold bicycle

Image: Shopee Singapore

Best for
Adjustable handlebars
Brand
ALPS
Model
5-speed trifold
Price
S$899
Shop now
Shopee

ALPS 5 Speed Trifold bicycle is sturdy and easy to fold– making it one of the best foldable bikes to buy. You can even store it in a closet or car’s back. It weighs only 13kgs and is light, effortless to carry, and compact. The ALPS 5-speed trifold is well-built and has a sleek design (has sleek and smooth lines).

Moreover, the aluminum frame of this bike is solid and sturdy. The bike came with a nice set of tires which are super sturdy. They are made from durable rubber, which lasts for years. ALPS 5-speed trifold bicycle also has excellent brakes, with V brakes for 3-speed and disk brakes for 5-speed, which is incredible. The bike has adjustable handlebars as well. You can adjust these handlebars as per your height.

HIGHLIGHT FEATURES:

Easy to fold and carry
Fast delivery
Adjustable handlebars
Disc brakes and V brakes for 5-speed and 3-speed
Durable tires made with rubber
Aluminum frame

2. Giant Mountain Bike Talon 1

Image: Shopee Singapore

Best for
A Smooth and safe ride
Brand
Giant
Model
Talon 1 27.5
Price
S$949- S$1,050
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Shopee

The Giant brand is one of the best Singapore bicycle brands that ensure to provide its customers with the best quality. It uses heavy-duty material in its bicycles that make traveling safe. The appearance and solid features of the Giant bikes make them stand out. If you are into mountain bikes and looking for heavy-duty bicycles, you will not find anything better than Giant Mountain Bike Talon 1.

It perfectly suits the needs of all travelers. The chain shifter or Shimano Deore speed shifter of Giant Talon 1 gives a compatible speed for its weight and size. Compared to simple bikes or other mountain bikes, Giant Talon 1 has a long and sturdy quality handlebar (connecting the trail of 31.8). It guarantees a safe ride for its travelers with its brake levers Tektro TKD143. Although Giant Talon 1 is a bit expensive, the quality and durability of the bike justify the price.

HIGHLIGHT FEATURES:

Bicycle Type: Mountain Bikes
Handlebar: Giant Connect Trail, 31.8
Wheel size: 27.5 inches
Stem: Giant Sport, 7-degree
Hubs: Giant Sport Tracker, 32h
Seatpost: Giant Sport, 30.9
Cassette: Shimano Deore, 10-speed, 11×42
Saddle: Giant Sport Custom
Available in two colors: black and hematite
Shifter: Shimano Deore M4100
ProWheel Charm for a smooth ride
Frame: ALUXX-Grade Aluminum
Made from quality materials and has heavy-duty metals
Limited lifetime warranty (bicycles not intended for downhill purposes)
Limited 3-year warranty (bikes intended for downhill purposes)
Limited 1-year warranty on Giant branded components

3. Hito X4 Folding Bike

Image: Shopee Singapore

Best for
Premium quality suspension seats
Brand
Hito
Model
X4
Price
S$320- S$499
Shop now
Shopee

Hito X4 Folding Bike is lightweight, compact, and easy to carry. 6061-grade aluminum alloy is used in the making of the frame. This material is ideal for folding bikes as it is lighter than carbon fiber yet stronger than steel. For locking the wheel and bike’s frame, Hito X4 has a large magnetic buckle installed. The lock keeps you safe when you fold your Hito X4.

The built-in shock absorber keeps your balance and prevents damage to the frame. You do not have to worry about bumpy surfaces as this built-in shock absorber will absorb the shock. Moreover, one of the best things about the Hito X4 is that premium quality material is used in suspension seat making- making it stand out from other folding bikes. The seat will last longer and will not get uncomfortable.

So, Hito X4 is worth the extra price as it will deliver the rider a comfortable traveling experience. It also comes with a lock (you can lock your bike in public transport station) and a bell. Hito X4 is an incredible value for money as it is easy to carry around and made with prime quality material.

HIGHLIGHT FEATURES:

Six months warranty
Weight: 12 kg
Bike type: folding bike
Fast delivery
6061 aluminum frames with magnetic holder
Built-in shock absorber

4. Begasso 24-Speed Mountain Bike

Image: Made-in-China

Best for
Long distance traveling
Brand
Begasso
Model
24-speed foldable mountain bike
Price
S$109- S$599
Shop now
Shopee

One of the best Singaporean bicycle brands, Begasso, uses the finest quality material in its bikes. It ensures the customers a comfortable long ride. Begasso 24 Speed Foldable Mountain Bike is made not only with good quality material but also scores high in performance. It offers an outstanding and modernized appearance.

Moreover, Begasso 24-Speed Foldable Mountain Bike has a speed of 24-speed and a disc brake. So, it provides a smoother ride than the bicycles that have 21-speed. Its frame is made of carbon steel and has a thick fork. The only con of this bicycle is that its accessories are hard to find.

HIGHLIGHT FEATURES:

Bike Size: 1.7m x 0.9m
Bicycle Type: Folding Mountain bike
Bike Weight: 16kg
Wheel size: 20 inches
Rear Derailleur: Shimano TY300
Manufacturer warranty of 2 years
Brake Type: Disc Brake
Adjustable seat height
Speed: 24 Speeds
Frame made with thick and quality material
Gears Shifters: 500
Available in red, yellow, and black colors
Front Derailleur: Shimano TZ500

5. Pikes Gen 4 Trifold Bicycle

Image: Shopee Singapore

Best for
City commuters and long-distance cyclists
Brand
Pikes
Model
Gen 4 Trifold Bicycle
Price
S$949- S$1349
Shop now
Shopee

Are you a lover of foldable bicycles? Pikes Gen 4 Trifold Bicycle will be the right choice for you. It is one of the best foldable bicycles you will find in the market, as it is lightweight, compact, and stylish. Moreover, if you have not ridden a bike before and are an absolute beginner, do not worry! This bicycle is effortlessly easy to use. And you do not need to get technical, as it is easy to set up and fold again.

The Pikes Gen 4 Trifold Bicycle is versatile in a way. It has excellent maneuverability and handling, which makes it ideal for city commuters. And Pike Gen 4 Trifold Bicycle is also a great option for long-distance cyclists as you would not have to carry the bike around. It weighs about 6 kg and folds up to about a 40% size reduction.

The compact design of the Pikes Gen 4 Trifold bicycle makes it great for carrying on buses, trains, and even planes. About the frame, this bike has a lightweight aluminum frame. The frame is made from two separate tubes (welded together), making it strong, rigid, and durable. The rear triangle and Chromoly Steel fork are also long-lasting.

The bike comes with V-Brake brakes, Strumey Archer 3 x 2 Speed front and rear derailleurs, and Shimano Thumbshifter 3 x 2 Speed shifters. Pikes Gen 4 Trifold bicycle has a 16″ 349 wheelset. It provides ample support for long rides, as it has a comfortable seat and a large-capacity folding basket. And to provide extra security, the rear rack comes with a lock and is detachable. The Pikes Gen 4 Trifold bicycle’s warranty covers all the components (from the fork to the frame).

HIGHLIGHT FEATURES: