Best bike brands: What are they? When searching for a new bike, whether fresh out of the store or secondhand from our online marketplace, narrowing down your choices can be difficult. If you are new to cycling, knowing what good bike brands are and which ones you should avoid can be challenging. Some bike brands have a particular specialism in one type of bike – and may not be quite so hot in another discipline.
We put together a list of the best bike brands to take the guesswork out of the process and help you make a better-informed decision about buying your next bike.
The top 5 best bike brands in the US
Schwinn: An American classic
Schwinn bicycles’ early history is a true example of the American dream. Founded by a German immigrant in Chicago, the company thrived during the bicycle boom in the 1900s and consolidated its position when the market slowed. With its Schwinn, the Great Depression of the 1920s and ‘30s, although the company did come close to bankruptcy like many others. Emerging into the post-war years, Schwinn rose to market supremacy, and the brand is still ubiquitous today – many American garages still have a Schwinn in them.
The company no longer makes its frames in the US, outsourcing production to the Far East like most other bicycle makers. Nevertheless, the Schwinn name still conjures nostalgic memories of a golden era of cycling in the USA. These days, Schwinn tends to specialize in hybrid, MTB, and cruiser bikes, but on buycycle you may also find some great vintage road models.
Mongoose: BMX roots - MTB legacy
Mongoose started in the world of BMX, having first developed a wheel for this bike size before producing some of the most iconic bikes of the BMX scene’s early years. A move into mountain biking soon followed, and Mongoose MTBs were ridden by some of the sport’s top stars, including the legendary John Tomac. Mongoose manufactures BMX, MTB, and gravel bikes
Trek: Dominating road and trail
This Oregonian brand has risen to the top of professional cycling, having won Tour de France titles and World Championships by the bucketload over its near-50-year history. Perhaps most infamously associated with the disgraced Lance Armstrong during the 1990s, Trek has moved on from the dark days of road cycling and today fields one of the most formidable men’s and women’s teams in the UCI World Tour. It is not all about the road, though… Trek Factory Racing is the umbrella name for the team of athletes competing in the UCI MTB World Series for Trek, and the roster includes 2021 cross-country world champion Evie Richards.
Trek’s best road bike models are the Domane (for endurance road riding), the Madone (an aerodynamic speed machine), and the Emonda (a lightweight climbing monster). The Trek Session is the brand’s top downhill model, while cross-country riders can choose between the Top Fuel and Supercaliber.
SE Bikes: Blending BMX culture and versatility
SE Bikes is a brand deeply rooted in BMX culture. It was founded by Scot Breithaupt, a pivotal figure in the sport's history. While BMX remains a significant part of its identity, SE Bikes has evolved to embrace a broader spectrum of cycling. Today, the brand focuses on youthful, versatile bikes that seamlessly blend elements of mountain biking, urban commuting, and BMX, catering to many riders.
One of their standout collaborations is with NFL legend Marshawn Lynch, resulting in the Beast Mode Ripper. This bike reflects Lynch's bold personality and SE Bikes' commitment to innovative design. Another notable model is the PK Ripper Super Elite, a BMX bike designed to meet competitive standards and help riders chase podium finishes in races.
SE Bikes continues to push the boundaries of bicycle design, combining functionality and style to create bikes that are as practical as cool. - Alice Huot @ buycycle
Specialized: Innovation across all cycling disciplines
Without ' Big S ', no discussion of the best US bike brands would be complete. Specialized grew out of the very early days of mountain biking, pioneered on the West Coast of the USA. Since then, the brand has grown to global dominance of the cycling market, with riders all over the planet choosing their road, MTB, and gravel bikes to pursue their passions.
In road cycling, Specialized sponsors the dominant women’s team, SD Worx, which has current world champion Lotte Kopecky and reigning Tour de France Femmes champ Demi Vollering on its roster. If that were not enough, Specialized also sponsors Soudal Quick-Step, home of Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel. These riders use the all-rounder Tarmac and the endurance-oriented Roubaix models in competition.
On the MTB side, Haley Batten and Chris Blevins are the rising stars, while old veteran Peter Sagan is also now plying his trade with the squad. - Alice Huot @ buycycle
In recent years, Specialized has also led the gravel bike conversation with its Crux for going fast, or the Diverge.
Which other bike brands should you keep a close eye on?
Canyon: Direct-to-Consumer - High-performance bikes
A relative newcomer to the top tier of international bike brands, Canyon disrupted the industry with its direct-to-consumer model. That meant no bike shops, dealers, or middlemen taking a cut – and lower prices for the customer. With just a small amount of home assembly required, many cyclists gravitated to this new bike-shopping method.
Now, Canyon’s way of doing business is common—but what is not so typical is the incredible performance of their bikes. Mathieu van der Poel, current men’s world champion and all-around multi-disciplinary phenom, leads the charge for Canyon's ambassadors. He has won more cyclocross titles than we can count, not to mention dabbling in mountain biking during the Olympic year.
Recently retired Annemiek van Vleuten was the world’s best women’s road racer right up to her final season, and she achieved most of her biggest wins on Canyon bikes.
The Ultimate is the brand’s balanced all-rounder road machine, while the Aeroad is perhaps the winningest aero road bike in the professional peloton. For cross-country MTB, Canyon has the World Cup-winning Lux platform, while their enduro riders choose the Strive.
It is also worth mentioning the Grail and Grizl —both amazing gravel bikes, with the former best suited to high-speed and the latter with more adventure capability.
Heybike: Revolutionizing urban E-bikes
E-bikes are Heybike’s specialism. The company grew from the founder’s dissatisfaction with his daily commute to work, which was stressful, and he frequently arrived late at the office. Reflective of their intended use, the name of the brand’s first model was the Cityscape, and the ethos of this bike became about “seamlessly integrating cycling into everyone's lives.” That is certainly a sentiment we can get on board with!
These days, the brand offers more than 40 models with various purposes and functionality. There are folding bikes for those with limited storage space or who travel with their bike on public transit, rugged off-road e-bikes for those with an adventurous spirit, and even combo deals for people buying two e-bikes at the same time!
Jetson bike: Fun, eco-friendly mobility for all ages
Jetson Bike is a company that offers a range of electric bikes, scooters, hoverboards, and other ride-on products designed for all ages. Known for their innovative designs and commitment to eco-friendly transportation, Jetson's products are built to be both fun and functional. Their lineup includes compact e-bikes for easy commuting, electric scooters for quick travel, and various options for kids. Jetson emphasizes quality, affordability, and customer satisfaction, making modern mobility accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Bianchi: Italian craftsmanship meets performance
A true icon of the cycling world, the Italian marque Bianchi has been producing beautiful bicycles for over a century. Bianchi might be best known for its iconic ‘celeste’ colorway, which features on virtually all of its models even to this day and is (apocryphally) said to have been inspired by the Queen of Italy’s eyes. However, far more than the romantic narrative behind the color, Bianchi prides itself on the creative, innovative, and performance-obsessed approach it brings to bikes of all types.
The E-SUV is the brand’s flagship, go-anywhere E-MTB. The Oltre is a revolutionary aero road bike with fascinating technical innovations on the frame and cockpit. The Specialissima.
Giant: Global leader in bike manufacturing
Giant is a true behemoth in the bike industry. It is owned and operated in China, but that does not mean they skimp on quality. Giant has been at the elite end of road racing for decades, with multiple Tour de France stages won on its
As a massive global business, Giant manufactures any bicycle you wish to ride, from performance MTB racing to off-road touring with the family to triathlon-specific speed machines. They also maintain a parallel women’s brand called Liv and a wheels and components brand called Cadex.
There are the best bike brands in the US - which one will be yours?
With many outstanding bike brands in the USA, finding the right fit for your cycling needs has never been easier. Whether you're drawn to the nostalgia and reliability of Schwinn, the innovative designs from Trek and Specialized, or the cutting-edge direct-to-consumer model of Canyon, there’s something for every type of rider. For e-bike enthusiasts, Heybike and Jetson provide accessible, eco-friendly options catering to urban and adventurous riders alike.
Best of all, you can find bikes from all these top brands on buycycle. Whether you're looking for a new ride or a secondhand gem, our marketplace offers a wide selection, making it easy to find your perfect bike at the best price.
Buying guide
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- How much does a bike cost?
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Brands guide
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- Cannondale vs Trek: battle of the biggest
- Cannondale vs. Specialized: discover which bike brand leads the pack
- Giant vs Speiclalized
- Canyon vs. Specialized
- What are the best road bike brands in the US?
- Best gravel bike brands: What are the best gravel bike brands to consider in 2024?
Where to buy a bike?
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