Best Bikes for College Students to Ride Around the Campus

Bicycles offer a fast and efficient solution to get around in urban environments, whether commuting to and from college, running errands, or visiting friends in the evening. 

If you’re attending college, you likely live on or within cycling distance of the campus. Using a bike instead of walking or driving can save time finding parking and waiting in frustrating city traffic. In addition, you save money on gas, upkeep, and parking fees, as well as keep fit and healthy. 

The best bikes for college students should be affordable, durable, comfortable, and versatile. This article includes a short guide on choosing the best bike for a college student and our pick of ten bicycles with different characteristics to suit a range of students. 

What to Look for in Best Bikes for College Students

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What Gearing and Brakes Do You Need?

The best bikes for college students will have enough gearing for handling the range of gradients you would find in an urban environment. However, it’s preferable to have a low-maintenance setup like a 1x drivetrain that keeps things simple for inexperienced riders. 

The best gearing would be a wide-cassette, single-chainring drivetrain, like the Public C9’s 9-speed or the Marin Larkspur 1’s 10-speed. Alternatively, a single-speed/fixie bike would be great in an area without hills. 

The best bikes for college students are typically cheaper, so you won’t always find disc brakes. However, choosing one with disc brakes (mechanical or hydraulic) is ideal, when possible.

This is because disc brakes provide the best stopping power in all conditions and are easier and cheaper to maintain, all of which are important factors for students.  

What Accessories Should You Look For?

Cheaper bikes rarely come fully equipped with accessories, as shown in the list below. However, it’s essential that the bike you choose has mounts for a rack, fenders, and bottle cages at a minimum, so you can add those components if you need them. Some other valuable accessories to look out for include bright bike lights and a kickstand.

Higher-priced bikes may already have accessories. For example, the Brompton C Line Explore has pre-installed fenders and a front mount for easy-install accessories.

What Frame Materials Are Best?

The frame materials you’ll find on cheap bikes for college students are aluminum and steel. Each material has pros and cons, but aluminum is generally favorable for this type of bike.

Aluminum is lighter, more responsive, and pretty durable, making it a faster and more efficient ride. On the other hand, steel is more durable, easier to repair, and more comfortable to ride, but it is significantly heavier than aluminum. 

Take Bike Safety Seriously

As soon as you buy a bike, make sure to also invest in a bike lock to keep your bike safe from thieves. Read our guide to the best bike locks to choose a reliable model and learn how to lock your bike the best way.

In addition to keeping your bike safe, you should keep yourself safe as well. Practicing good bike safety habits when you’re riding is essential.

As a young rider, it’s common to misread traffic situations, resulting in unpredictable riding patterns for other road users. 

When cycling in urban environments, ride defensively, give plenty of space to other road users, be predictable, use signaling, and always utilize lighting and reflective clothing in periods of low light. 

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1. Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1

The Co-op Cycles CTY 1.1 is among the best hybrid bikes for college students who like a streamlined option without sacrificing the ability to add extra accessories. 

This aluminum-framed hybrid has mounts for a rack and fenders and Tektro M300 mechanical disc brakes for all-weather stopping. 

The drivetrain blends Shimano Acera and Tourney derailleurs with an 8-speed cassette, Altus trigger shifters, and a triple chainset. You won’t lack gears when riding the CTY 1.1, but the extra components add more to its maintenance needs. 

The wheelset comprises a set of off-brand Huefeng 700c rims wrapped in Kenda 40mm tires. An excellent addition is the K-Shield puncture protection which significantly reduces the chance of a flat. 

Overall, this is a solid choice with reliable components, an enjoyable ride quality, and one year of free adjustments from REI. 

Buy from REI

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2. Marin Larkspur 1

The Marin Larkspur 1 is the best bike for college students who want a do-it-all companion, perfect for light gravel off-roading and commuting. 

The Larkspur shows off some of Marin’s mountain bike expertise. It has a MicroSHIFT Advent X 10-speed MTB drivetrain with a hill-crushing 11-51t cassette, 2.35″ Vee Tire Co GPVee mixed-terrain tires, and powerful Tektro hydraulic disc brakes (the only hydraulic discs on this list). 

The Series 2 Chromoly steel frame offers a plush, shock-absorbent ride quality with unbeatable durability. In addition, the step-through design makes it easier to mount and dismount. So if you want to turn the Larkspur into a commuter, you can quickly attach a rack and fenders.

Marin’s Larkspur 1 is easily among the most versatile and durable models you’ll find in the sub-$1,000 range, choose it if this is what you’re looking for from your bike for college. 

Buy from Jenson USA

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3. Tommaso Imola

The Tommaso Imola is an entry-level road bike and the best bike for college students who need to cover long distances quickly. 

Tommaso uses a lightweight and responsive aluminum frame and shock-absorbent steel fork with relaxed endurance geometry, providing a more comfortable ride than a traditional road bike.

The groupset is a full Shimano Claris setup, including a 3×8-speed drivetrain and a set of Claris caliper brakes. This setup is reliable and cheap to replace. However, the brakes lack power in wet conditions, and the triple chainset adds additional maintenance requirements.

Finally, own-brand 700c rims and Kenda 25mm tires make up the wheelset and will quickly get you from A to B. 

Add the Tommaso Imola road bike to your shortlist if you want a fast and affordable option for longer commutes and fun weekend rides. 

Buy from Tommaso

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4. Ride1UP Roadster v2

The Ride1UP Roadster v2 is a low-cost electric bike with a stealthy design that disguises the motor and battery.

This bike comes with a punchy 350W motor with 40Nm of torque and a small 252Wh battery that returns up to 30 miles of range, plenty for a couple of days of urban riding. 

Ride1UP chose typical fixie geometry, 28mm Kenda Kwest tires on 700c rims, and a lightweight Toptrans belt drive drivetrain. This geometry, wheelset, and light build (33lbs) make for a fast and agile experience navigating the city streets. 

Although you have five levels of pedal assistance to choose from, if your battery does run out, the Roadster v2 still rides like a regular bike, thanks to the low weight. 

All things considered, if you want a simple and affordable electric bike for city riding, you won’t find much better than the Ride1UP Roadster v2. 

Buy from Ride1UP

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5. State Bicycle Co. x Wu-Tang Clan (Core-Line)

The State Bicycle Co. Core-Line Wu-Tang Clan model is a unique bike with a head-turning design and the best budget bike for college students.

The single-speed drivetrain on the Core-Line is ideal for riders who want a low-maintenance bike to zip around a city without many hills.

With a steel frame, this bike is comfortable to ride and durable. In addition, 700c aluminum wheels and 25mm Kenda tires hold speed well and allow you to quickly get around the city or campus.

Upon purchase, you can customize the Core-Line with components such as drop bars, a range of pedals, lights, and bottle cages. State Bicycle Co. also included a flip-flop hub that allows you to switch between fixed-gear or single-speed riding quickly.

Consider the Wu-Tang Clan Core-Line if you want a cheap yet durable and stylish bike for getting around campus.

Buy from State Bicycle Co.

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6. Brompton C-Line Explore

Brompton is a leading manufacturer of folding bikes and one of the only large brands that still makes its frames by hand.

The Brompton C Line Explore is one of the brand’s more affordable options and one of the best folding bikes for college students who value durability, convenience, and style. 

The C Line Explore has a 6-speed drivetrain that consists of a 3-speed internally geared hub and two external cogs. This setup has a 300% gearing range which is plenty for tackling the hills in and around the city. 

For a full steel frameset, the C Line Explore is relatively light (27lbs). In addition, it comes with durable puncture-resistant 1.35″ Schwalbe Marathon Racer tires on 16″ wheels, fenders with rubberized flaps, and an accessory mount on the front. 

The folding mechanism on Brompton bikes is second to none. It folds down in seconds and stays sturdy when folded so that you can transport or store it without worry. 

Add the Brompton C Line Explore to your shortlist if you’ve got a bigger budget and want unbeatable convenience from a reliable and time-tested manufacturer. 

Buy from REI

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7. Public Bikes C9 Aluminum

The Public C9 Aluminum is another stylish city cruiser and one of the best bikes for female college students. 

Public Bikes chose a low-step frame design for the C9 and paired this with upright geometry, swept-back handlebars, a steel fork, and comfortable touchpoints. All of these characteristics combine for a smooth and enjoyable ride. 

The lightweight aluminum frame is compatible with a range of accessories, including a rack, front baskets, a kickstand, and fenders, should you want to make your commute to college more convenient. 

A Shimano Altus 9-speed drivetrain provides plenty of gearing and is easier to maintain than one with a front derailleur. In addition, it keeps the weight down to just under 25lbs. 

The one issue with this bike is the weak rim brakes which don’t perform well in the rain. However, this is still an excellent deal at just $600 and is a solid choice for a college student who wants comfort and versatility on a budget. 

Buy from Public Bikes

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8. Wing Bikes Freedom S2

The Wing Freedom S2 is one of the best electric bikes for college students because it’s affordable, sleek, and highly functional.

One of the standout characteristics of Wing Bikes is their extra security features. These include remote locking features, similar to a car’s, and an ear-bending tamper alarm that sounds if somebody interferes with your bike. 

The Freedom S2 is a compact and agile city bike that makes it easy to zip around the city or college campus. The 350W Bafang motor provides plenty of power to save your legs when you’re tired and pairs with one of three batteries at checkout that return either 35, 45, or 60 miles max range. 

The drivetrain comprises a Shimano Tourney 7-speed cassette and RapidFire shifters for dependable shifting. In addition, Kenda 1.75″ puncture-resistant tires provide plenty of traction in wet weather and almost eliminate the chance of a flat, but the mechanical disc brakes lack power. 

Overall, this is a solid choice for college students who want a stylish e-bike with all the bells and whistles to turn heads on campus. 

Buy from Wing Bikes

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9. Electra Townie 7D Step-Through

The Electra Townie 7D Step-Thru is the best bike for a college student who wants pure comfort. 

Electra bikes are well-known for their relaxed, smooth ride feel and the patented Flat Foot design. This design allows riders to sit on the saddle and put both feet flat on the ground while retaining a natural pedaling position. 

The other features contributing to this bike’s cruiser personality are the upright, relaxed ride position, swept-back mustache handlebars, suspension saddle, and 2″ shock-absorbent Bontrager tires. 

The Electra Townie 7D’s groupset includes a simple 7-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain with plenty of gearing for urban riding and linear-pull caliper brakes. Unfortunately, this bike is quite heavy, which makes it best for flat-terrain rides. 

Choose the Electra Townie 7D if you want a cheap comfort bike for cruising around campus and taking on relaxed weekend rides. 

Buy from REI

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10. Schwinn Suburban Deluxe

The Schwinn Suburban Deluxe is a comfort-focused hybrid with a reasonable price tag and well-rounded versatility. 

A low-step frame, balloon tires, upright geometry, supportive touchpoints, and seatpost and fork suspension give this bike a smooth and relaxed ride quality.

The drivetrain is a 3×7-speed Shimano setup and provides plenty of gearing but requires extra maintenance compared to a 1x chainset. For stopping, you have linear-pull v-brakes. These are expected at this price range and offer decent stopping power in dry conditions. 

With a Schwinn bike, you can trust the durability of the aluminum frame. In addition, it has mounts for a rack and fenders.

All things considered, this is a decent hybrid bike for college students but doesn’t offer the same value as some of the others on this list. 

Buy on Amazon