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October 29, 2024
The Beauty of Upright Bikes: Sit Up and Enjoy the Ride with these Perfect Commuters
The rider-friendly features of upright bicycles tend to encourage a different style of riding than the recreation-oriented North American norm.
As cycling continues to gain traction in North America, upright bicycles—often referred to as Dutch or city bikes—are carving out their own niche in the cycling landscape. This rise in popularity aligns with the growing slow-cycling movement, which emphasizes comfort and accessibility over speed and performance. With their inviting designs and ergonomic features, upright bikes are redefining the commuter experience.
Top 5 Upright Bicycles to Consider
- Brooklyn Franklin 8 Speed – $599.99 USD
A perfect blend of style and functionality, the Brooklyn Franklin comes with a lightweight aluminum frame and a versatile eight-speed transmission. - Marin Larkspur 1 – $1,099.99
With its sporty yet relaxed geometry, the Marin Larkspur is great for urban adventures, featuring a durable design that handles both city streets and scenic paths. - Linus Roadster Classic – $499
Embracing a timeless look, this bike is not only stylish but also practical, ideal for short commutes and leisurely rides. - Priority Classic Plus – $599
This bike is designed for minimal maintenance, featuring a rust-free belt drive and a robust build that makes it perfect for everyday use. - Brilliant Bicycle Carmen – $550
Known for its chic aesthetics, the Carmen combines functionality with flair, making it a standout choice for urban cyclists.
Olga Canlas on the Sillgey Belle. Photo by Trevor Block.
A Personal Journey into Upright Cycling
Fifteen years ago, I took a leap of faith and purchased a secondhand sky-blue 1979 Trek road bike. At that time, my cycling experience had been limited to rusty, half-broken bicycles. Pedaling home from the bike shop, I found myself hunched over the low handlebars, and my discomfort quickly became evident.
“My hands hurt,” I complained to a friend who was a former bike mechanic. “The seat hurts. And my neck hurts.”
He suggested I adjust my hand positions, but the reality was that the aggressive posture required by the sleek design was causing more pain than pleasure. I began to wonder: could I modify this bike to sit up more comfortably?
After weeks of trial and error—scouring used-parts bins and adjusting my bike’s components—I transformed the Trek into a quirky, upright cruiser. To my surprise, I discovered a newfound love for cycling. I wanted to ride every day.
The upright riding position has deep roots in cycling history. Dating back to the earliest bicycles, such as velocipedes and penny-farthings, the ability to sit upright has remained a hallmark of many bike designs around the world. Whether it’s the Flying Pigeon in China, Denmark’s utility bikes, or the classic roadsters of India, upright bikes are the standard for practical cycling. With features like racks, internal gear hubs, and chainguards, these bikes are built for convenience, allowing riders to carry cargo and protect their clothes while navigating city streets.
Why Choose Upright Bikes?
Upright bikes are characterized by swept-back handlebars, but their design often includes several other ergonomic features. These may include long, upright stems that attach the handlebars to the frame, wide, shock-absorbing tires, and a relaxed frame geometry that promotes a more comfortable riding position. The result is a bike that is not just a mode of transportation but a source of enjoyment.
This different style of cycling encourages a shift away from the sport-oriented norm prevalent in North America. In many countries, cycling is seen as a viable transportation option rather than just a recreational activity. Riders wear everyday clothes, making the transition to cycling seamless and approachable. The thoughtful design of upright bikes often negates the need for specialized cycling apparel.
Ergonomically, riding in an upright position offers significant benefits. According to Jutta Schneider, a physical therapist and dedicated cyclist, an upright posture reduces strain on the hands, wrists, and shoulders. “It’s a very natural position to be in,” she explains. “Low handlebars and a forward posture can be hard on the neck, especially with added rotation.” Upright riding can relieve pressure on the lumbar spine and lessen the risk of chronic overuse injuries, particularly for those who spend long hours in front of screens.
Expanding the Market for Upright Bikes
Despite the dominance of sport-oriented road and mountain bikes in North American shops, the growing interest in upright bicycles is prompting manufacturers to expand their offerings. Cruisers and city bikes are becoming more prevalent, along with a wider array of aftermarket parts for those looking to convert or upgrade their existing bikes.
The trade-off for a more comfortable ride is increased wind resistance, which may slow down riders slightly. However, in urban settings where traffic and safety are primary concerns, many cyclists find that the benefits of an upright position far outweigh the downsides. As Tony Dattilo, a college instructor who commutes on his 1980s Sekai, quips, “I find myself passing a lot of people hunched over on racing bikes. And when I’m having a beer with my cycling friends and they’re complaining about their backs, I just smile.”
A Movement Towards Everyday Cycling
As cities strive to promote sustainable transportation options in response to environmental challenges, the upright bicycle emerges as an ideal solution. By prioritizing comfort and practicality, this style of cycling encourages more people to consider biking as a viable alternative for daily travel.
Mark Sanders, a bicycle designer, argues that the cycling industry’s focus has been too narrow, catering primarily to recreational enthusiasts rather than the broader population. “If we compare the cycle industry to the automotive industry,” he states, “it’s like promoting only sports cars while ignoring family vehicles.” By championing upright bicycles as attractive and accessible options, we can encourage more people to embrace cycling as a regular part of their lives.
Conclusion
Upright bikes are not just a trend; they represent a fundamental shift in how we think about cycling. By embracing comfort and practicality, they offer a viable alternative to the fast-paced, performance-driven cycling culture that dominates North America. So, whether you’re commuting to work or simply enjoying a leisurely ride, sitting up and enjoying the ride on an upright bike might just be the best choice for your journey.
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Anne Mathews has been converting abandoned road bikes into uprights since the late 1990s. She lives in Seattle, where she edits books, writes songs and plays music with Orkestar Zirkonium and The Lonely Coast.
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Upright cycling is so underrated here in America. I have a 1959 Raleigh Sports 3-speed that I bought on Craigslist and meticulously restored over two years. It is absolutely the most comfortable and stable bike I’ve ever ridden. I’ve owned a few other bikes in the 12 years I’ve owned it but I always go back to the Raleigh.
Thank you for the input on upright cycling I couldn agree more as I lay on the couch with Advil waiting for its effect. I parked the bike this last month because of some great deep snow shoeing. Tomorrow the 29r plus with 8″‘rise bars is hitting the road again, putting a small amount of body weight on the handle bars while stretching or riding up a hill seems to be very helpful for back issues.
Well I sure stumbled onto a gem of a sight and pertinent to my application. Ive been on the $4K mountain bikes, in the mountains, fast down the service road in Breck was my gig. But now Im going camping in diff spots but a bike would be useful. Im trying to implement the beach cruiser bars (or the like) into the fold of a full suspension, disc braked ride. I dont need the Hi “G” force sustainability as Im just crusing roads and trails. Have any of you done such a conversion and please help me as I’d like to have solutions before I invest in a bike/conversion. Interesting sight, informative and food for thought
Are cruiser bikes harder to maneuver around turns etc
Hi. My wife has a Dutch style bike just been delivered but having rode is not enjoying the closeness of the handle bars in relation to her thighs. The hand grips are not wide enough. Do you know of any S shape extension I can put into the ends of the bars so her hands are further apart. Or is it worth getting a mountain bike blank handle
bar and swap the brake levers and twist grip gear change over. Thanks
Thanks for sharing this important information, it will help my back in a significant way. I now have a reason to invest in a nice comfort bike.
Hi, Great article, I have a Pashley Brittainia bike and you simply sail along! Such a great
upright bike.
I recently rented an upright bicycle while on holidays and fell in love with riding again. I came home to test ride my own bike to see why there was so much less enjoyment. Pressure on my hands and wrists, sore neck, poor view all combined take the joy out of riding. I will be converting my bike or buying new so that I can sit up and enjoy the view and the breeze.
Great stuff! It’s really awesome review for the regular biker and fitness lovers. Your article helps me a lot. Many many thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks.
Reed Cooper
Thank you for explaining the “ergonomic relief” in the hands, wrists, and shoulders when riders get vertical. Also good job stating that any age person can benefit from comfort bikes.
Fine article, practical, helpful & useful. Being an old guy, I’ve found that converting my RB1 road bike & my MB2 mountain bike (both used/cheap acquisitions) to upright riding positions allowed me to comute to the gym, run errands in comfort and encouraged more riding. Wanting to ride farther & more frequently, I decided to purchase a Rivendell Cheviot mixte frame and build it to suit my needs and whims. It was a fun and educational experience and I have rewarded myself with a great all-round, do-it-all, comfortable-for-a- 71-year-old geezer, favorite form of transport. Older gents or ones who find mounting conventional framed bikes difficult may find a mixte frame helpful in extending their riding years.
I have an indian roadster from Hero, India’s largest bike manufacturer. Had it shipped thru a store in Toronto. The thing is rock solid, super upright and of all my bikes absolutely a pleasure to ride. As a health professional, i just encourage people to get on bikes in the most comfortable way they can in whatever capacity. Thanks for the article, we need more in N America like these and perhaps more people would ride.
That is the kind of bike I learnt to ride. Its heavy, stable and cruises well.
Headed to Seattle from Rockford, iL next month on my upright and pulling a trailer. Not looking to make speed or distance. Just a nice ride across the US. I don’t think I would be half as comfortable if i was riding a ‘normal’ bike. 🙂
How was your ride? What kind of bike did you ride? How upright was it? I hope you had a great time!
As a woman who is very “top heavy” I find that I can’t cope with anything but upright handlebars. It puts too much pressure on my wrists and arms and I am very unbalanced on racer style handlebars.
Any suggestions for a lightweight bike with upright handle bars- or is a custom my only choice?
Look into several models by Electra bikes, with upright handlebars but 700C (big) wheels. Other advantage for women is the Electra bikes are very easy on the knees. I had total knee replacement surgery and I am riding my Electra with no pain or strain. Hope this helps!
For my 3 speed Huffy Sea Pines and me,upright in the saddle-not uptight.Here’s to Spring,warmer days and that first ride!
I like hybrid bikes that have a more relaxed upright position, which takes a bit of weight off hands and sit bones and makes you a little more aerodynamic without sacrificing visibility. [Like, Giant Momentum “I Need Street” 7 spd and Breezer Downtown, EX 8 spd]. Derailleur bikes function well year round.
I have switched to recumbents to relieve the stress on my wrists and because ‘bents are different. They’re not for everybody but they certainly are the most comfortable and upright bikes on the market. And, yes, I can keep pace with other riders.
Heavy, though. Can’t understand why they’re so much heavier than hybrids.
AMEN!!!
I don’t understand how upright handlebars can be considered more comfortable than drop or straight bars. The wrists are forced into a strained angle of rotation, exacerbated by the high position of the bars. The hoods position on drop bars is the most wrist neutral position. Drop or bullhorn bars with a tall head set and short stem would provide much better ergonomics as well as handling.
I’m not entirely certain where you’re getting that you can’t achieve a neutral wrist position with an upright bike. For the most part, the handlebar isn’t set *higher*, it’s just a different handlebar with the grip location oriented further back toward the seat as opposed to further out over the front wheel. The only thing that really changes is the angle of your back. Matter of fact, the handlebars on both my uprights are Origin8 Space Bars, and they’re set at about the same height I’d set a drop or flat bar. These set me a little further back than a flat bar (straightening my neck and back), and don’t force me to turn my wrists and elbows in as much as the hoods on a drop bar. This is an extremely comfortable position for an old arthritic like me.
In all fairness, I have seen people with handlebars that are way too high, but I’ve seen this with every type of handlebar– including drops and bullhorns. I wonder if you might not be thinking of those horrid things they put on the beach cruisers? THOSE have some dreadful ergonomics to them, and yes, they do really torque on your wrists.
I’m arthritic too, and heartily agree.
I have one of those “horrid beach cruisers,” a lowly single-speed (gasp!) Schwinn (OMG!). The stock handlebars were a little too low to be entirely comfortable, so I swapped them for aftermarket ‘bars with about 4-inches of additional rise (not up around my ears). With the grips dropped a few degrees, the ergonomics are now pretty near perfect for my wrists and back. I could have achieved the same end via a longer stem or extension, but my bike’s oddball 21.1mm stem quill left me with few options that appealed to me. My humble rig may preclude membership in the “In Crowd,” but I’m comfortable and therefore ride regularly, and isn’t that what it’s all about?
A number or reason. One you aren’t pressing on your genetals. You don’t have to lift you head back to see. Your back isn’t stretched. Your diaphram isn’t compressed.
I can see some of your points, but the less-pressure-on-your-“genetals” seems bass-ackwards. Drop bars, properly fitted, spread your weight evenly across your main contact points, pedals, hands, and saddle. Completely upright, 100% of your weight is directly over your saddle. That shouldn’t be a problem for people with the right saddle, but the same holds true for drop-bar riders too.
For many years I rode ‘race’ styled bicycles. Then my back gave me agony. In recent times I have been on fold-ups, electrics, and the current project, a reid griffon single speed. This now has an extension stem and a longer quill stem (fits in top). I am indulging some sort of thoughts of ‘style’ with straight bars up rather high. The next stage is to be a 300/350w front drive electric kit, as I get tired on hills, but like the quietness of the single speed
I converted my Novara Gotham to an even more upright and love it. Great for around town riding or commuting.
Hi, for town….a old Dutch Granny bike is great..:-)
Hi, I have a Pashley Brittainia bike and you simply sail along! Such a great
upright bike.
I got into upright bikes five years ago, all my bikes have been converted now, it’s great to just go out just in the clothes one is wearing, for me it’s been a whole new lifestyle.
Hi Andrew, Can u give me any tips on how to convert my Ridley Road bike to a sit up? I love bike riding and bought a road bike to keep up with friends on long rides but it is playing havoc on my neck ( had my neck fused after an accident a few years ago) Want to keep riding my road bike if possible but certainly need higher handlebars and/or stem. Any idea where I can order these parts?
Appreciate any ideas!
Thanks,
Jill
I have 5 bikes and now I also have a back issue that has forced me into an upright style. Luckily one of my bikes was a surly lht and it is in the shop right now adding on some albatross bars new brake grips, cork handlebars. The works. I already had a. Ice brooks seat on it. It is a big change for me, but mentally I am ready. No more trying to push to 70 miles for the day or worrying of my s
Avg speed was slower or faster. I may keep the garmin on the bike because it does keep good time :). I am looking forward to a slower speed and seeing what I am riding by.
What about flat-bar road bikes? They seem like a good compromise. I’ve travelled more than 15,000 miles on mine & it’s great.
Flat bar road bikes are definitely a good option. Really it’s just best to go with what you’re comfortable with, because the more comfortable you are on your bike, the more you’ll ride it! While uprights definitely aren’t the best choice for touring or longer trips, we love them for city commuting because they encourage a more casual style of riding that positions the bicycle as a viable choice for your everyday transportation needs.
Hi Anne. My wife and I are in our early 60s and I am OK with the lean over style of riding but my wife says she wants to be able to sit upright like we did when we rode bikes when we were visiting Germany 6-7 years ago. You mentioned in one of your articles that you convert old road bikes into sitting upright bikes. Have you written an article on how to convert road bikes into upright riders for the do it yourself converters? I am hoping you can give me some tips as I attempt to convert a road bike into an upright rider for my wife without spending a fortune. Is this something you can give me a little direction/advice on? Kind of desperate in Spokane,
Jim Anderson
Hi Jim. Great question. Making the switch from drop bars to a swept-back handlebar isn’t an overly expensive conversion, but you may need to replace more than just the bars. Depending on the style of brake levers and shifters currently on the bike, you may need to replace those as well. I’d recommend dropping by MonkeyBoy Bicycles in Spokane, they offer a great range of upright bikes and should be able to give you an idea of what parts would be needed in the conversion and costs.
Might require a new stem or a riser of sorts to raise the handlebars higher. I did this with my Torker mixte, I swapped out the straight mountain bike handlebars for cruiser handlebars. I’m still leaned over but if I wanted a less “sporty” feel, I would need a riser that would angle the handlebars up. Go to a bike shop and talk to a mechanic. Should cost less than $100, but you may choose to get a new bike all together.
I’ve been riding a recumbent tadpole (2 wheels in front, 1 in rear) trike for years – the sitting position is actually like reclining in an arm-chair. Now that’s really comfort.
Last fall I decided to go real old school for knocking around the neighborhood, and bought a Nashbar Argyle single speed coaster brake upright for under $200 – just plain fun!
Of course it is horses for courses . I have 3 bikes for various activities and love them all . However it is the upright with the Brooks seat that is the most comfortable and enjoyable . Being a heavy bike , riding in a flat city where 3 gears are fine it can go at a very respectable speed.
My partner and I switched from mountain bikes to Elektra Townie 21D (21 speeds) with pedal-forward technology (the pedals are a couple of inches forward) last year. We absolutely love them! They are sturdy, comfortable, we find we can ride farther than before because of the comfort factor, and can enjoy the scenery much more. The only problem is they are so comfortable that we have a hard time riding our mountain bikes, or any other non-comfort style bikes now; we feel cramped, versus the wide open feel of the Townies.
Therefore, when it became time for our mountain biking trip to Arizona this year and we could only bring one bike, we risked using our Townies. The scenic trails are non-technical with minimal rocks and some sand. Although we had to go a bit slower, especially around sandy corners, than on our mountain bikes, the Townies handled splendidly. If we rode in dirt more often we could use mountain bike tires instead, but the amount of time we spend on dirt doesn’t warrant it, and those tires would be more clunky on the paved bike trails where we usually ride.
My blog contains lots of Townie tales including the Arizona trip: https://encyclepedia.wordpress.com and the book that I wrote showcases rides that are perfect for comfort bikes, “enCYCLEpedia Southern California – The Best Easy Scenic Bike Rides” (2014).
I bought a dutch Gazelle “omafiets” for a photography shoot several years ago (https://www.flickr.com/photos/63386893@N08/5760974578/) that I use all the time, especially in the winter months when it keeps my everyday clothes from getting ruined by street crud & mud. Built to last decades, UNLIKE the throwaway, fragile, fly weight plastic bikes sold in north America to people who hardly ride more than once a month!
I like my upright position as well- I ride in the city and being able to see is really important to me. We own a cargo bike- the Bike Friday Haul-a-day, and it has an OSATA frame that telescopes, as well as adjustable stems for the handlebars and seat, which means I can adapt it easily for longer, windier, less urban rides if I like (hello lakefront!) I’m happy to see manufacturers making it easy to change out components because we currently own quite a few bikes!
The feature that both road bikes and mountain bike share is that they sacrifice utility to performance, and that translates into competition. So it’s “compete bikes” vs. “complete bikes.”
For four years I have had a Giant Cypress with internal hub, front basket, rear paniers under a “trunk” I have rigged up. Can carry lots of stuff. For bad weather and some style, I have added bamboo fenders.
…And I discovered benefits to each. Several years ago, I set up an old hardtail with some Stingray-style apehangers, and HAD A BALL all summer on it! It just had too much front-end flex to stay with it. My present bike, a full-suss Kona MTB, has the bar level with the saddle, and I lean forward A LITTLE. The unknown advantage to this is, it stretches out my poor sore back.
Ride what you like — but NEVER be afraid to experiment!
Everyone in the their not fast enough camp obviously didn’t watch this years tour because Quintana’ s back was at like 60 to 90 degrees as he rode uphill faster than umm well I guess faster than anyone else on the planet, btw if your worried about wind resistance you could always bend ur arms and bend over or do people in the there not fast enough camp not have elbows? That’s write I said all that with two punctuation marks.
I’m emphatically not a racer, but do some endurance riding in addition to commuting and errands on my bike. I only need one, with a diamond frame, 300 mm steering tube and drops. I’m only slightly bent forward most of the time, but can lower my wind resistance substantially in the hooks. Drops are very nice whether on not you race, because there are so many different ways to grip the bars. Moving the hands around is invaluable on a long ride. The long steerer lets me sit with my back about 60 degrees from horizontal, which is low enough to put a little torque on the pedals but upright enough to see well and not stress the neck. It took a lot of tinkering to get the bike the best it could be, but it’s been worth the effort.
Shame you did not mention http://www.anddutch.com. Thy are the exclusive retailer for Hollands first and oldest bicycle brand; Burgers (meaning citizens in Dutch) They have over 43 models in various colours/gearing and size options. Perhaps worth a mention or look?
. . . .they can be problematic in a very hilly environment.
I have no idea how long I’ve had this bike but it’s a blast to ride. Townie 21 is what it’s called if that givres you any idea. I’ve got bad shoulders and no interest in sitting on a flag pole.It’s big, sturdy and stable. No need to change clothes to ride it, at least not until I’m done.I likee the way the pedals are slight forward of the seat, makes it more comfortable and with 21 speeds to pick from I can go as fast as I want. It’s good looking too
.It must be ancient since I didn’t pay anything like $700 for it brand new.
I tried road bikes, I’m just not suited for it. The upright position is just where i want to be. Eastvanistan, to each their own, go up BBy mtn if you want that kind of torture on a road bike, but that aint me baby. More power to ya. I believe that in the most of Vancouver, save for the stupid bike route that they call “Ontario”, an upright bike is perfect. I don’t believe that a road bike is necessary on most streets in Vancouver. Why go so fast? Slow down and live longer.
The article is big on praise for the upright bike but short on objectivity. The fact of the matter is that the range of geometries available reflects the range of uses people have for their bikes, and there are plenty of reasons for preferring less upright posture to more (sadly, none of which are mentioned here).
I commute 16.5km every morning and again every afternoon but I just dont have the time to spend 75 minutes on an upright twice a day. Instead, my commute is also my workout and it takes 40 min on my road bike. I used to commute up to SFU on Burnaby mountain and this is simply not possible on an upright bike. I enjoy cycling because I can move quickly and efficiently wherever I want to go. This simply no possible on an upright bike.
Look around: the people who want to move quickly are on road bikes, the people who are covering long distances are on touring bikes, the people riding trails are on mountain bikes, and the people rolling down the block to the coffee shop in their street clothes are on uprights. Don’t try to tell me that this is the bike that’s going to do everything with style and grace because its not.
The snag is the whole bicycle industry is run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts… Ie people for whom speed is king. Whilst it’s good to have choice, in the bike world every other bike shop is like a Formula 1 or indy car outlet – if the bike industry better reflected the population as a whole like it does in Holland, there would no longer be a label ‘cyclist’ … Just people, who use the most fun and effective form of local transport. All ages, all folk. …. Ironically, as in Holland, bike shops would sell more bikes too!
I sometimes get the impression that like many hobbies, enthusiasts don’t want their special expertise watered down to become normal 🙂
I love upright riding. A couple years ago, I converted my stock Surly Long Haul Trucker to an upright by removing the drop bars in favor of Nitto NorthRoads swept-back bars and new brake levers. I love this bike like no other I’ve owned. I’m planning on selling my, now rarely ridden, road bike this summer. Thanks for the great, timely article.
Love riding uprights! So much more comfortable than the classic road bike. Just heard about this new project from a company called MiiR. They have a his and hers upright with a 5 speed internal hub, and they do a buy one give one program so every bike purchased helps give a bike to someone in need. Check them out at miir.com. Some really cool stuff going on in the bike world!