Which bike to choose for a first two-wheeled trip?

Today, we provide you with all the information you need to choose the right bike for your first cycling trip. Not the one from the Tour de France, okay? The one that will make you want to pedal... and do it again.

Let’s take a look!

1. The city bike: the chic stroller

Perfect for exploring the alleys of the capital or strolling along the banks of the Seine, the city bike is the king of urban pavement. Upright position, cushy seat, front basket optional... it’s the bike for a leisurely ride to the market or the bakery known for its best croissants.

With it, there’s no need to swap your pretty skirt or stylish pants for lycra gear.

In short, it’s the dream travel companion for a weekend in the city or a gentle getaway on a greenway - not for crossing the Alps.

If this bike were a celebrity: Amélie Poulain. A bit retro, chic, with a taste for simple pleasures, and always in the right tempo.

2. The city e-bike: comfort on steroids

Same look as the city bike, but with superpowers. The urban electric bike allows you to conquer the hills of Montmartre without breaking a sweat - too easy. After all, why struggle when you can hack the effort?

If you want to explore every corner of Paris or Bordeaux without straining your calves, this is the ride for you.

If this bike were a celebrity: Tony Stark. Stylish, clever, a bit too high-tech for some, but incredibly effective.

3. The hybrid bike: the versatile explorer

It’s all in the name: Hybrid Bike. With a hybrid bike, you can mix city bike paths and country trails without a second thought.

Comfortable, adaptable, with gears that allow you to climb or speed up depending on your mood, it’s the ideal bike for family outings or for beginners.

It’s made for curious minds, not in a hurry, but always ready to pedal a little further.

If this bike were a celebrity: Dora the Explorer. Curious, motivated, ready for anything, even with a poorly drawn map.

4. The gravel bike: the all-terrain adventurer (or almost)

Behind its trendy Anglo-Saxon name, the gravel bike is the ultimate adventure bike. Halfway between a road bike and a mountain bike, it goes almost anywhere: asphalt, gravel, dirt paths, cobblestones...

Lighter and more dynamic than the hybrid bike, the gravel bike is designed for a more playful and sporty cycling experience. It’s a fast bike, built to carve its path off the beaten track without sacrificing speed. It’s also the ideal two-wheeler for bikepacking.

If this bike were a celebrity: Indiana Jones. Fearless, resourceful, always ready to get a little dirt on the wheels.

5. The trekking bike: the wanderer

Also known as a touring bike, it’s the ultimate choice for going far, for a long time, and well-loaded. Comfortable, sturdy, designed to carry panniers, racks, water bottles, tents, cooking pots, and homemade jam (just kidding. Or maybe not…).

This bike has one mantra: go the distance. It’s designed for touring, on smooth bike paths as well as rocky country roads. Stability and comfort are the key words.

In short, it’s the perfect plan if you’re planning a week-long cycling trip or more.

And if you don’t have the endurance of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, no problem: the electric trekking bike is made for you!

If this bike were a celebrity: Arya Stark. Enduring and robust, driven by her quest for freedom.

6. The road bike: the tireless one

Do you love to blaze your own trail? When your legs are spinning and the kilometers fly by like a Marvel credits scene? The road bike is for you.

Ultra-light, aerodynamic, it’s built for speed. Not for bumpy paths, and definitely not for carrying a tent and cooking gear. It’s the perfect bike for cyclists who want to climb passes or travel light, preferably on pristine asphalt.

If this bike were a celebrity: Tadej Pogačar. Fast, sharp, ready to eat up the kilometers.

7. The cargo bike: the family caravan

This one is for playing the holiday taxi... without the horn.

Stable and practical, the cargo bike allows you to carry your whole tribe: two kids in front, three bags in the back, a scooter sticking out — and off you go. Of course, you have to embrace its size: it’s big, it’s heavy, and you’ll be looked at like a UFO on the roads.

But what freedom!

Fortunately, a little genius invented electric assistance, which allows you to move forward on a cargo bike without burning out your thighs after 200 meters.

If this bike were a celebrity: Korben Dallas. Confident, skillful, with a taste for improbable situations... and super green.

In summary: which bike for which traveler?

Type of bike	Ideal for...	Limitations
City bike	Urban rides	Not for long distances or dirt paths
Urban e-bike	Urban rides over long distances	Range and weight
Hybrid bike	Beginners and/or curious, various types of paths	Not made for performance
Gravel bike	Adventurous spirit, all types of terrain	Less comfortable
Trekking bike	Touring over long distances	Less fast (unless electric)
Road bike	Smooth roads	Not made for bumpy paths
Cargo bike	Family, heavy loads	Weight, maneuverability

Final advice before pedaling...

The perfect bike doesn’t exist (except maybe in the dreams of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot). But the right bike for your trip does. Choose it based on your itinerary, your level, what you want to carry... and especially your desire to enjoy the ride.

At DolceVia, we offer bike rentals suited to all styles. Yes, even Indiana Jones's style.