Road Bike VS City Bike: Which One is Better for Daily Commuting?

Road bike vs City bike for daily commuting

Nowadays, cycling has become a lifestyle. Whether it is to reduce carbon emission, embody slow living, or improve your health. Some people also turn their bikes for their daily transportation.

Perhaps you are a newbie who is starting to live a healthier life and looking for a bike for daily commuting. If you are interested in road bikes or city bikes but are still hesitant to decide, don't worry! We have got you covered. Here are some comparisons between these two types of bikes! 

Road bike VS City Bike

1. Riding style of road bike vs city bike 

Road bike riding style

If you want to get to another place faster, choose a road bike. A road bike is designed for chasing speed. The frame of a road bike supports aerodynamic factors. The handlebars are lower than the saddle, so the cyclist has to lean forward (aggressive position). This position reduces wind resistance and allows for greater speed efficiency. To achieve the full performance of a road bike, you have to ride it in an aggressive position. If you like the thrill of chasing speed, then a road bike is for you! 

Meanwhile, if you aim for cycling leisurely, a city bike is the best choice. You will ride a city bike in an upright position. City bike’s handlebars are usually higher and closer to the saddle level. You will be able to sit upright and take your time to look at the scenery throughout your cycling journey. 

2. Distance and road choice 

Cyclist enjoys long distance city bike

While you can easily ride both on the streets, there are significant differences between riding a road bike and a city bike.

Road bikes will take you faster and cover more distance. Since you can ride faster and reach your destination in less time, you can try to cover more distance with a road bike. Due to the geometry of the bike, which requires you to lean forward to ride the bike. Sometimes, a newbie cyclist would feel pain for the first time riding a road bike. But, do not worry, you will get used to it. Since road bikes are a smart choice for speed, it's better to choose them when you're mostly on routes with smooth surfaces. When there's a combination of road bikes and smooth roads, you'll get to your destination in no time. 

A city bike, on the other hand, lets you ride at a leisurely pace. The geometry of a city bike makes you sit more upright. The padded saddle of a city bike also adds to the comfort while cycling. Although city bikes can also be used for long-distance cycling, you may feel tired and take longer to arrive at your destination. That’s why a city bike is commonly used to travel a short to medium distance. When you're riding on roads with a bit of gravel, it's better to choose a city bike. City bikes are more reliable at handling gravel roads than road bikes. 

 3. Carrying stuff using bike 

Carrier and pannier on city bike

Both road bikes and city bikes can be used to carry stuff, the difference here is the needs of the cyclist. 

A city bike is meant to be an everyday vehicle. It is usually equipped with facilities for carrying stuff such as baskets, racks, and many mounts. That’s why a city bike is perfect for running errands that require carrying things. 

On the other hand, road bikes have fewer mounts than city bikes. You can certainly turn a road bike into one suitable for carrying stuff, but the number of mounting will be less than on a road bike. You also need to balance the weight on the front and rear sides so that the road bike remains balanced. 

This can be a consideration for you. How much stuff do you carry on a daily basis? 

4. Bike storage 

Foldable bike for better commuting

Maybe the problem of not having enough space to park your bike is making you hesitant to get a bike. Well, if you want, you can store your bike in your apartment. Here are the comparisons of road bikes and city bikes. 

In general, road bikes and city bikes are almost the same length. The significant difference may be in the width of the bike. road bikes tend to be slim and light. Road bikes use drop handlebars that support the aerodynamics factor, making the bike slimmer. That’s why road bikes can be easily lifted up through the stairs to get into your apartment easily. 

City bikes, on the other hand, are usually a little wider due to the type of handlebar and accessories such as bike baskets. City bikes are usually heavier than road bikes, so it takes more effort if you want to store them in your apartment. However, you can find more space-saving city bikes such as folding bikes and mini velo bikes.

So which one is better? 

It's up to you. road bikes and city bikes are both good choices for commuting. Both road bikes and city bikes are great options. You can choose based on your needs. Take a look at the brief summary here: 

Road bike: Lightweight, slim, best for speed

City bike: Comfortable, able to carry more stuff, leisure riding, sturdy

Find your dream bike in Rodalink Singapore

So, do you prefer road bikes or city bikes? Either way, both bikes are great for commuting. Just know your needs and you will get the benefit of cycling! You can find your dream bike in Rodalink Singapore. Rodalink Singapore is an online bike shop in Singapore that offers a wide range of bikes. Rodalink has a great lineup of road and city bikes. You can choose from a wide range of road bikes and city bikes from top brands like Polygon and Marin. Rodalink also offers bike apparel, bike accessories, and many more. Come to Rodalink and get your dream bike now! 

  1. Polygon Strattos S8 Disc Road Bike
    Polygon Strattos S8 Disc Road Bike
    $2,599.00
    $217.00
    4.9 | 1k+ Sold
  2. Polygon Helios A9X Dura Ace C60 Wheelset Road Bike 2025
    Polygon Helios A9X Dura Ace C60 Wheelset Road Bike 2025
    Special Price $7,649.10
    -10%
    $8,499.00
    $638.00
    33 Sold
  3. Polygon Helios A7X Road Bike 2025
    Polygon Helios A7X Road Bike 2025
    Special Price $3,869.10
    -11%
    $4,299.00
    $323.00
    4.5 | 190 Sold

EXPLORE MORE COOL ROAD BIKE

FIND MORE CITY BIKE

Copyright © 2024 Rodalink Singapore, Inc. All rights reserved.
login