Best city bikes in 2026

The Ashwell shows what a low-cost city bike can be. It has a light alloy step-through frame, a five-speed Sturmey Archer hub gear, mudguards and a full chaincase, which covers the basics of keeping you clean and dry without any derailleur to adjust.

At about 14.6 kg it is noticeably lighter than the Dutch-built bikes on this page, which helps if you carry it up steps or into a shed. The 700c wheels and Kenda Smooth Roll tyres keep it rolling easily on town streets.

The trade-offs are where the money was saved. The brakes are rim V-brakes rather than rollers or hydraulic discs, so stopping power drops in heavy rain and you should replace pads in good time. The Halfords page does not list lights or a rack, so plan to buy both. It is also offered in just two frame sizes, which may not suit taller riders.

For short daily rides on mostly flat ground, it is an easy way into hub-gear cycling. If you ride long distances, carry heavy loads or live somewhere hilly, step up to one of the Gazelle bikes below, which add dynamo lighting, a rack and better brakes.

Gazelle is the Dutch name most shoppers know, and the Esprit is its straightforward non-electric town bike. It has an aluminium frame in a low step-through shape, a rigid steel fork and an upright seat with a curved handlebar, so you sit tall and see traffic.

What sets it apart from cheaper bikes is how much is already fitted. The Shimano Nexus hub gear (three or seven speeds), the KMC chain inside a full chain case, a hub dynamo that powers AXA front and rear lights, an aluminium rear carrier, a side stand and an AXA ring lock all come with the bike. You can ride away without a shopping list.

The brakes are roller brakes at the front and either roller or coaster at the rear. They are dependable and need little attention, but they do not match the power of hydraulic discs. At roughly 18 to 20 kg depending on size it is not light, though that is normal for this style.

We could not see mudguards in the specification list on Gazelle's page, so confirm with the shop. For daily commuting, school runs and shopping on flat or gently rolling routes, it is the best balance of kit, price and longevity on this page.

The Chamonix C7 is Gazelle's comfort-first non-electric city bike. It takes the same upright, practical approach as the Esprit but adds a 50 mm suspension fork, a suspension seatpost, a gel saddle and wide 42 mm Schwalbe Road Cruiser tyres, so cobbles, potholes and kerbs hurt less.

It is the best-braked bike on this list apart from the Batavus. Shimano MT200 hydraulic discs (180 mm front, 160 mm rear) stop well in the wet and need only light pressure. A Shimano Nexus 7 hub gear sits at the back, with a chain inside a chain case, and a skirt guard protects long coats and skirts.

A hub dynamo powers front and rear lights, and a MIK-profile rear rack and AXA lock are fitted, along with a kickstand. Gazelle offers it in low-step and high-step frames and five sizes from S to XXL, which makes it good for taller riders.

The cost is weight: at 19.3 kg it is the heaviest bike here, and the suspension is another part that can eventually need service. If you ride on rough surfaces or want a very forgiving ride, it is worth the extra over the Esprit. On smooth routes, the Esprit does the job for less.

Batavus is one of the big Dutch city-bike names, and the Senz Active Exclusive is its sporty, low-maintenance non-electric model. The headline is the Gates carbon belt drive: it runs without oil, does not rust, stays clean and typically outlasts a chain, which pairs well with a Shimano Nexus hub gear that is sealed from the weather.

Tektro hydraulic discs with 160 mm rotors give strong, easy braking, and Schwalbe Marathon Racer Reflex tyres are fast for their width while still having puncture protection and reflective sidewalls. Batavus ViZi lights are built into the bike and stay on automatically, so you never forget them.

The frame is aluminium with a rigid aluminium fork, in mid and high shapes and sizes from XS to XXL. A dealer listing shows a low-entry version and a MIK rear rack with a frame lock, but the Batavus page does not confirm those details, nor the gear count, weight or mudguards, so check these with your shop.

It was also named a bicycle of the year at a Dutch trade awards. The main hurdle is availability, as Batavus's page showed it unavailable when we checked. If you find one, it suits riders who want the least upkeep possible.

Pashley has built bikes in England for generations, and the Princess Sovereign is its classic open-frame town bike. The steel frame is lugged and brazed by hand, so it rides softly and can be repaired or repainted if it ever gets damaged, which is part of why these bikes last so long.

The specification is made for daily use in any weather. Hub brakes are enclosed against the rain, the fully enclosed chaincase keeps the chain clean and quiet, painted steel mudguards cover the wheels, and the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres are among the hardest to puncture. A front hub dynamo powers the LED headlamp, while the rear light is battery-powered. A rear carrier and front wicker basket are included, and the sprung Brooks leather saddle is comfortable once it is broken in.

You can choose a three-speed Sturmey Archer hub or an eight-speed Shimano Nexus Premium, and the wider range is worth the extra if your route has hills. Frames come in three sizes, with 26 in wheels on the smaller two.

The weakness is price, as it costs far more than the other bikes here, and Pashley does not list a weight on this page. If you want a beautiful bike to keep for a long time, it is a rewarding choice.

The Roadster Sovereign is the gents' version of Pashley's classic: a traditional frame with a double top tube, big 28 in wheels and a long wheelbase that tracks calmly. Like the Princess, it is hand-built from lugged and brazed steel, which gives a smooth ride and a frame that can be serviced for decades.

On the practical side, nearly everything is fitted. There are painted alloy mudguards with a rear reflector, a fully enclosed chaincase, a hub dynamo and LED headlamp, a rear battery light, a steel rear carrier with an integrated stand, a bell, and a frame-fitted wheel lock and pump. The Brooks B33 leather saddle has springs front and back. Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres keep punctures rare.

Gears are a choice of three-speed Sturmey Archer or eight-speed Shimano Nexus Premium, and braking is by all-weather hub brakes. That setup is reliable and needs little maintenance, but it is gentler than hydraulic discs when stopping on steep descents.

It comes in three sizes with high stand-over heights, suited to riders with longer inside legs. It costs far more than most of the bikes here and Pashley lists no weight, so it is for riders who value craftsmanship. If you want a step-through, choose the Princess.