Best Bike for Rail Trails (Top 5 Picks + How to Buy One)


Trail bikes are the jack-of-all-trades bikes of the MTB world, designed for rough trails as well as day-to-day rides. They’re built tough from the strongest and most functional materials and can handle mountain trails and paved trails with equal ease.

The best trail bikes are the Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike and the Schwinn GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid Bike. The Schwinn Discover Hybrid comes with a 21-speed SRAM grip shifter. The Schwinn GTX comes with a swept-back handlebar but is a costlier option. 

In this article, I will explore the top trail bikes with full suspension to absorb bumps and provide a smooth ride on uneven terrain.

Best Bicycles for Rail Trails

Compare Top Trail Riding Bikes

ProductOverall ScoreBottom LinePrice
Schwinn Discover Adult Hybrid Bike - Best Bike for Rail Trails
Schwinn Discover
Hybrid Bike
86Top Pick
Comes with a 21-speed
SRAM grip shifter
Check Out On
Amazon
sixthreezero Around The Block - Best Bike for Rail Trails
Sixthreezero Around
The Block
83Budget Buy
Has a comfortable
dual-spring saddle
Check Out On
Amazon
Schwinn GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid - Best Bike for Rail Trails
Schwinn GTX Comfort
Adult Hybrid
80High End
Features schwinn
suspension fork
Check Out On
Amazon
Schwinn Cruiser Bike - Best Bike for Rail Trails
Schwinn Cruiser Bike
81Comes with
powerful V-brake
Check Out On
Amazon
Schwinn Suburban Adult Comfort Bike - Best Bike for Rail Trails
Schwinn Suburban
Hybrid Bike
81Has an ergonomic
grips and seat
Check Out On
Amazon

Detailed Analysis of the Best Bike for Rail Trails

If you’re still reading, then get ready to find the best bike for city and trail riding for your needs.

The following bicycles were put to the test by our team and the following are based on our experience with them.

1. Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike

Schwinn Discover Adult Hybrid Bike - Best Bike for Rail Trails Review
Top Pick

Overall Score: 86

The Schwinn Discover is arguably the best bike for trail riding as it offers a variety of features that make it so much easier for anyone to tackle rail trails.

It’s made from the best Schwinn components, including their own suspension fork and alloy crank as well as a modifiable stem.

When paired with the back sweep handlebar, these make for the most comfortable ride of your life.

This bicycle is perfect for the daily commute as well and it’s suitable for both men and women, as you can see from the title.

It even comes with an attachment for a kid carrier so you can bring one of your kids with you on your ride.

Advantages

  • Features fenders to keep dirt and mud off your legs.
  • Constructed from a durable yet lightweight aluminum frame.
  • It’s comfortable, thanks to the padded seat and swept-back upright handlebars.
  • Features linear-pull brakes from Promax which are made from alloy.
  • Comes with a 21-speed SRAM grip shifter and rear derailleur combo.
  • Features an alloy crank and suspension fork combo from Schwinn.

Disadvantages

  • Doesn’t have assembly instructions.

2. Sixthreezero Around The Block Men’s Cruiser Bike

Sixthreezero Around The Block - Best Bike for Rail Trails Review
Budget Buy

Overall Score: 83

The EVRYjourney Bicycle is one of the best bikes for rails to trails because it’s a jack of all trades. As the name implies, it’s for “every journey”.

This women’s bike sports a beautiful and elegant frame with a high gloss chrome finish and a glistening A-frame.

It’s one of the most comfortable bikes that you’ll ever ride, thanks to the design of the seat and the bike itself.

This helps to prevent cramping on those long-distance rides and the feet rest smoothly against the pedal as you’re sitting on the bike seat.

What makes this bike particularly suitable for women is the fact that it’s nice and lightweight. This means that it’s easy to store and yet it can easily handle rough terrain for long distances.

Advantages

  • It’s made with whitewall semi-slick tires that measure 24 L x 2 W in inches.
  • It sports a stylish and rounded frame.
  • Comes with a comfortable dual-spring saddle.
  • The 3-speed model is perfect for tackling flat terrain.
  • Helps you to maintain optimal posture thanks to its upright riding style.
  • Ideal for commutes, leisurely riding, and cruising.
  • Features a 16-inch swooping step-through frame made from aluminum.

Disadvantages

  • The derailleurs are cheaply made.

3. Schwinn GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid Bike

Schwinn GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid - Best Bike for Rail Trails Review
High End

Overall Score: 80

The Schwinn GTX is the best bike for street and trail hence it’s referred to as a hybrid bicycle.

It offers the best of both worlds, giving you the ability to use it both for physical fitness activities and leisurely rides around the neighborhood.

It comes with a lot of useful features too, such as extra speeds that make it easier to climb uphill, and it allows for a more upright riding position.

This sporty daily commuter is designed for both men and women and its features make it a cross between a road and mountain bicycles.

It allows you to shift between 21 different speeds and adjust it according to the terrain or your mood.

Advantages

  • Comes with a swept-back handlebar to help you maintain good posture.
  • Features suspension seat post with padded comfort style.
  • Made from lightweight alloy rims with front quick release feature.
  • Offers 21 speed rear derailleur and shifters.
  • Made from an aluminum hybrid frame from Schwinn.
  • Comes with a Schwinn suspension fork.

Disadvantages

  • It doesn’t come with instructions on how to assemble it.

4. Schwinn Cruiser Bike

Schwinn Cruiser Bike - Best Bike for Rail Trails Review

Overall Score: 81

Next up in our search for the best bike for rail trails we’ve got the relaxed yet sturdy Schwinn Wayfarer.

It’s perfect for anyone that lives next to a nice trail and wants to be able to explore it every day without running or walking.

This is basically an exercise bike for outdoor enthusiasts and as such it has all the elements of style, comfort, and adaptability.

It’s designed to handle all types of different commuters with their various riding styles, and you’ll find that it works just as well for paved trails as it does for street riding.

You’ll find that it’s very easy to shift this bicycle between different gears and it’s super easy to use overall due to the fact that it comes pre-assembled.

We would also recommend it for beginners because of how affordable it is, but that’s not to say that it’s not suitable for experienced cyclists too, because the ones we spoke to said that they loved it.

Advantages

  • Comes with adult-sized 700c wheels.
  • Features fenders to protect the rider from mud, water and dust splashes.
  • Comes with powerful V-brake which are characterized by front and back linear-pull brakes made from alloy.
  • Comes with Schwinn rear derailleur and 7-speed twist shifter for effortless gear changing.
  • Features a retro city frame made from steel courtesy of Schwinn.
  • Comfortable and stylish.

Disadvantages

  • It’s a bit difficult to ride.

5. Schwinn Suburban Hybrid Bike

Schwinn Suburban Adult Comfort Bike - Best Bike for Rail Trails Review

Overall Score: 81

In the end, we have what many have called the best bike for paved trails.

As the name implies, the Schwinn Suburban sports comfort hybrid bike is made for leisurely riding around the neighborhood, especially if you live in the suburbs.

It’s comfortable yet functional, offering a bevy of useful features that make for a truly smooth ride. The best part about this bike is just how well-made and elegant it is.

It has all the makings of a daily in our opinion.

Advantages

  • Features durable yet lightweight alloy rims and oversized tires.
  • Comes with ergonomic grips and a comfortable seat made by Schwinn.
  • Has linear-pull brakes on the front and back.
  • Features 7-speed twist shifters for easy gear changing.
  • The 26-inch wheels make it suitable for riders of different heights, from 64 to 74 inches tall.
  • You’re able to maintain an upright riding position thanks to the sweptback handlebars and sturdy steel comfort frame.

Disadvantages

  • It can be difficult to assemble if you don’t have the requisite experience.

How to Pick the Best Bike for Rail Trails

If you’re serious about finding and buying the best bike for rail trails, then make sure to keep in mind the following:

Frame

When it comes to finding the best bicycle for trail riding, you want to make sure that it’s made from the most durable and stylish materials around.

Alloy is the most popular because it’s cheap, whereas carbon is more expensive but more durable and long-lasting.

Both materials are great for making bikes, don’t get us wrong. But, your budget will play a huge role in the one that you choose.

Components

When it comes to components, it all comes down to the type of bike that you’ve chosen. An enduro bike will require durable components and the same goes for an XC bike.

You can always customize things like brakes, tires, and wheels to make your bike more durable. But if you’re planning to cruise around the beach then you’ll most likely prioritize lightweight components.

Feel free to check out my article on the best cantilever brakes with a straightforward design and lightweight construction that offer optimal levels of clearance, especially for full mudguards and tires.

Design

There’s no denying that the design of mountain bikes has changed over time. They used to be higher than they are and they’re certainly longer than they’ve ever been.

This is all thanks to better capabilities that are made possible by better wheel and suspension technology as well as innovative fork offsets.

For bike options that combine robust construction and reliable performance without stretching your budget, check out my article on the best mountain bikes for under $1500.

Travel

Travel has become something of a moving target in the biking world, with endure bikes tapping out at 150mm while your average XC bike can handle 100mm of travel and more.

Trail bikes in particular have a travel range of about 120mm to 160mm while their forks are usually longer than their rear shocks by up to 10mm of length.

Wheel Size

Wheel size is another matter of contention in biking circles.

The great thing about trail bikes is that they allow you to take both wheels sizes however if you’re specific about the type of ride that you want to enjoy then you’ll want to pick a side.

You can check out my article on the best road bike wheelsets that are stiff but lightweight and enable better steering accuracy and the ability to maintain the right speed.

Go for a Tubeless Tire for Better Puncture Resistance and Lower Tire Pressure for More Grip…

So, what’s the verdict? What’s the best bike for rail trails? Well, it’s the Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike, of course!

This bike is well-made from aluminum, it features a handy alloy crank and suspension fork, both from Schwinn and it comes with the ability to shift between 21 different speeds.

Shailen Vandeyar

A proud Indian origin Kiwi who loves to plant trees and play with my pet bunny when not out cycling through the best routes, reviewing the latest gear, and sharing tips on everything biking.

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