Buying bicycles in Munich

This post is for expats new to Munich and bicycling, who perhaps hail from regions where using bicycles for daily use is not the norm. It is also an invitation to experienced bicyclists to advice/comment. Definitely check out the further reading section with interesting links.

The purpose of the post is to aid in getting you started quickly to bicycling in the lovely city of Munich and its surroundings.

Types of bicycles

• Trek Rad (City Rad)
• Mountain Rad
• Ren Rad
• Cross Rad
• Cruiser Rad
• Klapp Rad
• S-Bahn Rad (not really a category but explained below)

Wheels variety

• 26"
• 28"
• 29"
• All the above with metal studs in the tires (expensive stuff for snow/icy roads)

Process for buying a bicycle

1. Determine the activity intended for the bicycle
• For use within the city, touring on city bicycle routes ? - Trek/City Rad or a Cruiser Rad with the most comfortable seats!
• For mountain biking, riding along the Isar, on gravel, stones, roots ? - Mountain Rad
• For commuting to a S-Bahn station ? Cheap bike, inexpensive spares, no gears, something you spend time on very less, something that you do not care if it is stolen when parked at the station
• For racing ? - Ren Rad
• For an efficient commute within city ? - Cross Rad ( light and it can go fast + good as a city bike also)
• For commuting even in snow, icy road conditions ? - Mountain Rad , (maybe a 26" tires with metal studs for better road grip)
• For a single bicycle that can accommodate a combination of the above activities ? - needs more thought and discussion
• For carrying a bicycle in the S-Bahn/U-Bahn without having to pay for a bicycle ticket ? - Klapp Rad
2. Determine the bicycle frame height that suits your height
• Search for 'bicycle frame selector' or visit the site here - a variation of + or - 1 should be not bad.
3. Determine if you want to buy the bicycle used or new
•  Used bikes are available at
• http://kleinanzeigen.ebay.de/anzeigen/
• http://toytowngermany.com/ - forums
• Radlflohmarkt - Used bike sale
• New bikes are available at 
• Zweirad Stadler
• Radl Bauer
• Velo @ Ostbahnhof (relatively expensive bicycles)

The biggest advantage when looking for a new bicycle (especially in the places above) is that you can try the bike around in the trial tracks in these stores and really experiment, compare and contrast, zone in on the perfect frame height for the perfect bike that fits all your needs.

For further reading

1. Elena & Lola's adventures in Munich - A blog article on biking in Munich
• Great article with lots of statistics, data, more store suggestions 
2. How to choose bicycles - REI
3. An exhaustive list of types of bicycles - Wikipedia