Which company bike is right for me? The big bike comparison

All about bikes Tips Info for employees Ebike & Co Bike leasing

January 24, 2024

2 min

A comprehensive overview of bicycle types, areas of use, and key decision-making criteria for choosing the right company bike. Presented in an understandable and practical way—for an informed decision on the path to modern, sustainable mobility.

The most important information at a glance

From city bikes to cargo bikes: different types of bikes meet different needs—from urban mobility to transport solutions for families or businesses.
E-bikes extend your range: ideal for longer commutes, hills, or when you want to arrive comfortably and without too much effort.
The choice depends on your commute: distance, terrain, and infrastructure are the most important factors when deciding on the right company bike.
Test rides are crucial: only once you're in the saddle will you know which riding experience suits you and which company bike will win you over in the long term.
Company bike leasing is worthwhile: you benefit from tax advantages, lower mobility costs, and more flexibility in everyday life.

The commute to work is changing. Instead of sitting in traffic jams or waiting for delayed trains, more and more people are switching to company bikes—and discovering a new form of mobility: faster, more flexible, and significantly more sustainable. At the same time, the selection of company bikes is greater than ever before. From comfortable city bikes and powerful e-mountain bikes to versatile gravel bikes and practical cargo bikes, there is a model to suit almost every lifestyle.

But it is precisely this diversity that raises a crucial question: which company bike is really right for me? The right choice depends not only on personal taste, but above all on the commute to work, comfort requirements, and how the bike will be used in everyday life. This guide helps you keep track of everything and find the company bike that perfectly suits your lifestyle – today and in the long term.

Overview of different types of bicycles

Depending on your commute and your requirements in terms of comfort, speed, or transport, different types of bikes are suitable as company bikes. This overview helps you quickly classify the most important categories.

City bike

Ideal for short to medium commutes in urban areas. An upright seating position, simple operation, and practical features make it a reliable companion for everyday use.

Trekking bike

The perfect mix of comfort and sportiness. Trekking bikes are particularly suitable for longer commutes and changing surfaces, as they are sturdy yet efficient to ride.

Gravel bike

A true all-rounder for anyone who wants to stay flexible. Gravel bikes roll quickly on asphalt, but also handle gravel and forest trails with ease – ideal for commuting and leisure alike. Click here for our comprehensive guide to the different types of gravel bikes.

Road bike

Designed for speed and efficiency on paved roads. If you enjoy cycling and want to use your commute as a workout, a road bike is a particularly dynamic option.

Mountain bike

Robust, suitable for off-road use, and safe on uneven terrain. Mountain bikes are perfect if your commute takes you along dirt roads or forest trails, or if you enjoy riding off-road in your free time. Click here for our comprehensive guide to the different types of mountain bikes.

Folding bike

The best choice for multimodal commuting. Thanks to its folding mechanism, it is easy to take with you on buses and trains and can be stored in a space-saving manner—a major advantage in densely populated cities.

Cargo bike

If you regularly transport groceries, work materials, or children, a cargo bike offers maximum everyday practicality. Thanks to its transport capabilities, it often replaces the car and, like no other type of bicycle, stands for sustainable mobility. Click here for our comprehensive guide to the different types of cargo bikes.

Man and woman sitting on grass, child running behind them, two e-bikes parked behind them

The e-bike: tailwind thanks to electric drive

All of the above types of bikes are also available as e-bikes. These are usually pedelecs, which have a motor that assists you when pedaling at speeds of up to 25 km/h, providing a natural but significantly less strenuous riding experience. This makes longer commutes, headwinds, and hills much easier and often even faster. If you want even more speed, you can opt for an S-pedelec, which offers assistance up to 45 km/h – however, different legal requirements apply here, such as compulsory insurance and helmet laws. Modern batteries also enable long ranges, so that even daily commutes are easily feasible without recharging. This makes the e-bike a convenient alternative to the car for many people and an important component of sustainable mobility. Exciting: Today, more than half of all bicycles sold are e-bikes.

7 steps to finding the right company bike: these questions are key

Are you wondering which company bike is right for you? Then this structured decision-making guide will help. Answer the following seven questions honestly—and get closer to your ideal bike type step by step.

How long is your daily commute?

For distances of less than five kilometers, you usually don't need a high-tech setup—a city bike or light trekking bike is often sufficient. For distances of eight to ten kilometers or more, efficiency becomes more important. This is where trekking bikes, gravel bikes, or e-bikes can show their advantages. For many people, an e-bike also becomes a comfortable solution for longer distances.

What does the ground look like?

Pure asphalt in the city? Then a city bike, road bike, or e-bike is ideal. Changing surfaces with gravel or forest trails? Then you should consider a gravel bike or mountain bike. Our tip: The company bike should always be suited to the actual route—not to your ideal scenario.

Would you like to arrive relaxed or athletic?

If you want to get to the office without breaking a sweat, an e-bike (pedelec up to 25 km/h) is often the best choice. If you want to use your commute as a workout, a road bike, gravel bike, or sporty trekking bike are good options. Here, it's a matter of personal preference between comfort and performance.

Do you need to transport something regularly?

Laptop and small bag? No problem for almost any type of bike. Weekly shopping, children, or work materials? Then you should consider a cargo bike or at least a bike with a sturdy luggage rack system. A company bike must be suitable for everyday use—it can't just look good.

Do you take the bus or the train?

If your commute is multimodal, i.e., combines several modes of transport, a folding bike may be the best solution. It can be folded up, easily stored, and taken with you wherever you go. This is a real advantage, especially in large cities.

How important is speed?

If you want to cover distance efficiently, a road bike or sporty gravel bike is ideal. If safety, visibility, and comfort are more important than speed, a city or trekking bike is a better choice. Speed is not a must—but for some, it is a clear deciding factor.

What does leisure mobility look like?

The company bike is usually also the everyday and weekend bike. Do you enjoy touring? Then a trekking or gravel bike is very versatile. Are you looking for adventure off-road? Then a mountain bike is a better choice. Do you mainly want to get around town flexibly? Then a city bike remains the solid choice.

Find your dream bike! In the Bikefinder.

Focus on environmental friendliness and sustainability

Regardless of the company bike option chosen, the decision to opt for sustainable mobility not only contributes to personal health, but also to environmental friendliness. Reducing CO2 emissions and promoting an environmentally conscious lifestyle are key aspects that are supported by choosing a company bike as a means of transportation. Companies that offer their employees the opportunity to use a company bike are not only embracing modern mobility concepts, but also making an important contribution to overcoming environmental challenges.

Conclusion

Everyday life decides – not trends

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question “Which company bike is right for me?” It depends on the distance you travel, your comfort requirements, your transport needs, and your personal riding style. One thing is certain: if you analyze your needs clearly, you will quickly find the right type of bike. And best of all, with Lease a Bike, you can choose any company bike you want, regardless of brand or model. This ensures that the bike really suits your personal everyday life and not the other way around.

Calculate your savings using the leasing calculator.

FAQ on bike leasing

: With company bike leasing, the employee simply pays for the bike of their choice through their monthly gross salary. This means that a portion of the salary is not paid out in cash but is used directly to cover the lease payment and comprehensive coverage.
The major advantage: Because this amount is deducted directly from the gross salary, taxable income is reduced. The employee therefore pays less in taxes and social security contributions. The actual monthly net amount deposited into the bank account is ultimately lower than the conversion rate specified in the lease agreement. This results in savings compared to a cash purchase.

A simplified sample calculation
(Based on a gross list price of the bicycle of €3,999.00, the “All-inclusive” comprehensive protection package (to be paid by the employee), tax bracket 1, no children, subject to church tax)
This non-binding sample calculation illustrates how salary conversion can affect your income step by step.
Important: Employees can determine their personal benefit in seconds using our leasing calculator. If the company offers its own Lease a Bike landing page for company bike leasing, it is mandatory to use the calculator provided there.
For comparison with an employer subsidy:
Original net salary (without bike): €2,026.87
New net salary (with bike and employer subsidy): €1,949.76
Actual monthly cost of the bike: €77.11 (not the conversion rate of €149.03)
Costs over a 36-month term: €2,775.96 (including our top “All-inclusive” comprehensive protection package)
Direct purchase: €3,999.00 (excluding any wear and tear, maintenance, and insurance costs)
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For comparison, without an employer subsidy:
The original net salary (without the bike): €2,026.87
The new net salary (with bike, without employer contribution): €1,941.54
The actual monthly cost for the bike: €85.33 (not the conversion rate of €149.03)
Costs over a 36-month term: €3,071.88 (including our top “All-inclusive” comprehensive protection package)
Direct purchase: €3,999.00 (excluding any wear and tear, maintenance, and insurance services)
: With salary conversion, you as an employee do not receive part of your contractually agreed salary in cash, but as a non-cash benefit for the period in which the company bike is provided.

This means that an amendment is made to the employment contract in which your future salary is reduced by a fixed amount (conversion rate) by mutual agreement for the duration of the transfer of use. This then results in a tax and contribution advantage for you as an employee. You can easily calculate your savings in our calculator.

You can also find out whether bike leasing is worthwhile in our article “Buying or leasing a bike: which is cheaper?”.
: Company wheel leasing via salary conversion reduces your monthly gross income and therefore also the social security contributions for your pension. This is often seen as a disadvantage of employee leasing. However, the resulting losses are minimal. With a bike price of 3,000 euros, for example, the future pension entitlement is reduced by around 2 euros per month if the bike is leased with salary conversion over 36 months. Extrapolated, this would be a total of 468 euros less pension for the entire pension entitlement period. This amount is less than the average savings from a company bike. There is also the positive health aspect: according to current studies, regular cyclists are not only fitter and healthier, they also live longer.

If you receive your company bike as a salary supplement, the employer bears the entire cost on top of your salary. As there is no salary conversion in this case, social security contributions are not reduced. The pension is therefore also not affected.
: If your continued salary payments are discontinued, our payment default protection comes into effect. This happens, for example, if you are ill for longer than 42 days and receive sick pay or go on parental leave. Lease a Bike will cover the leasing installments for a maximum period of 12 months if the leasing contract has already been running for 6 months. In any case, we will always work together to find the best solution for all parties, unless one of the following options is possible or applies.

These can be:

Change of user. Your employer offers the company bicycle to another employee for the remaining term of the contract. The company takes all necessary internal measures for this (e.g. supplementary agreements to the employment contract, handover of the company bike).
Premature termination of the existing leasing contract by mutual agreement for important economic reasons with possible takeover of the used company bike by you as an employee. You also have the option of financing the purchase price via our FINANCE A BIKE product.
If you change companies, it is possible to transfer the existing leasing contract to a new company. After a credit check, the contract will be continued by the new company with all rights and obligations and the company bike will continue to be provided to you for the remaining term.
Return. If all of the above points do not apply in your case, the bike must be returned to your employer. We will then discuss the details of the individual process with your employer.
: If your continued salary payments are discontinued, our payment default protection comes into effect. This happens, for example, if you are ill for longer than 42 days and receive sick pay or go on parental leave. Lease a Bike will cover the leasing installments for a maximum period of 12 months if the leasing contract has already been running for 6 months. In any case, we will always work together to find the best solution for all parties, unless one of the following options is possible or applies.
These can be:
Change of user. Your employer offers the company bicycle to another employee for the remaining term of the contract. The company takes all necessary internal measures for this (e.g. supplementary agreements to the employment contract, handover of the company bike).
Premature termination of the existing leasing contract by mutual agreement for important economic reasons with possible takeover of the used company bike by you as an employee. You also have the option of financing the purchase price via our FINANCE A BIKE product.
If you change companies, it is possible to transfer the existing leasing contract to a new company. After a credit check, the contract will be continued by the new company with all rights and obligations and the company bike will continue to be provided to you for the remaining term.
Return. If all of the above points do not apply in your case, the bike must be returned to your employer. We will then discuss the details of the individual process with your employer.
: The user selects one option each for theft & damage protection (incl. free Europe-wide mobility guarantee), inspection and wear and tear and thus configures the all-round protection package according to their individual requirements. Accordingly, each all-round protection package includes theft and damage protection as well as a budget for inspection and wear and tear.

Read the article “Bike leasing and repairs” to find out who pays for repairs, what services are covered, and how to respond correctly.
: Please report the theft to the police immediately. The file number is required for the report. Have both original keys ready and provide the frame number when reporting the theft (you can find this in the Lease a Bike portal). After you have reported the theft to the police, you can report it quickly and easily directly in the Lease a Bike portal.
To do this, please log in to the portal as usual.
Under “Contracts,” select the relevant contract and click on “Report damage/theft.”
You will be redirected to the secure Allianz partner portal to upload all the details of the incident and the police report.
You did not lease a lock? Then we need proof of how the company bike was secured (e.g., receipt for the lock).
Important: Please wait for the final approval by email from Lease a Bike. Only then can you go to your specialist dealer (as part of the all-inclusive protection) to choose a new bike of the same type and quality. We will take care of invoicing and payment for the new bike.
Note on replacement of the item in the event of theft within the existing contract with a bicycle of the same type and quality. The new bicycle must only correspond to the purchase value of the stolen bicycle, including accessories.
However, the company bike will only be replaced if the all-inclusive option for theft and damage protection has been selected. If the user only has the premium version, the current value insurance applies and the leasing contract is terminated in the event of theft and the bike is not replaced.