Actual vintage bikes may be hard to find, but vintage-style bicycles are everywhere! They take the best bits from older designs and combine them with modern materials and design innovations. You’ll see Bobbin options here for kids starting out and adults who want a classic ride.

Best Vintage Bicycles for Kids

Riding to school, around the park, or learning the basics has never looked better. These vintage bikes for kids are easy to ride, with various designs and sizes to choose from:

Gingersnap

(Gingersnap 20” Wheel)

What gives the Gingersnap bike its vintage-style feel is the step-through frame. It’s a feature often seen on early bikes, which still offers a comfortable, upright ride to this day.

Cream tyres and colour-matched mudguards and chainguard complement its classic look. The brown saddle and grips fit with the styling, along with the front wicker basket. You can choose from three fun colours:

• Blossom pink, a classic pale pink finish

• Yellow, the colour of sunshine and buttercups

• Duck egg blue, a delicate and tasteful pale blue

There are four different sizes, including:

• Gingersnap 12” Balance Bike

• Gingersnap 12” Wheel

• Gingersnap 16” Wheel

• Gingersnap 20” Wheel

All comes with a shiny silver dong bell to top it off!

Moonbug

(Moonbug 16” Wheel)

The Moonbug takes its shape from older children’s bikes. The straight top tube, cream tyres and matching parts echo that old-school design. Add the brown grips plus a sprung saddle, and you get a coherent look. It’s also fitted with stabilisers, a bike bell, and a small wicker basket up front.

If you compare it with the Gingernap, their differences mostly lie in the frame and the colours:

• Pea green like the “Flying Scotsman” train!

• Blueberry, a preppy navy blue

• Red, a bright “Fire Engine” red

Moonbug vintage-style bicycles come in three size options:

• Moonbug 12” Balance Bike (stabilisers not included)

• Moonbug 12” Wheel (with pedals and stabilisers)

• Moonbug 16” Wheel (with pedals and stabilisers)

One of these might be the perfect bike, especially if they’re into bold colours more than pastels.

Brownie Junior

(Brownie Junior 20” Wheel)

The Brownie Junior has the same basic frame shape as the Gingersnap. This model, however, uses a lighter alloy material with shorter top tube length. The easy-reach brakes, along with a more upright bar sweep, give your little rider a better control.

As with the other models, there are full‑length mudguards and a protective chaincase. There are the classic cream tyres and a matching soft-touch grip and vegan saddle in brown, of course. Spoke-mounted reflector lights are also added, which you won’t see on the other models.

Brownie Junior comes in Olive and Caremal gloss paint finishes, as well as in these sizes:

• Brownie Junior 16” Wheel

• Brownie Junior 20” Wheel

Best Vintage Bicycles for Adults

Now, something for the adults to ride and pedal back to the basics. These vintage-style bikes are good for work runs, weekend rides, or just getting about:

Kingfisher Commuter Bike

(Kingfisher Commuter Bike)

The Kingfisher sticks to a simple diamond frame made from lightweight, Chromoly steel. It’s a commuter bike that’s at home in the city or on country lanes. It shares the stylish, unisex features of the Hummingbird (and most of our bikes), but with:

• 700c alloy wheels but with slimmer tyres

• Moustache-design handlebars with just enough longer reach and lower position

• Deeper paint finishes, like Moody Blue and Black, contrast with the silver components

This model is also a bit more rigid and easier to handle when carrying or lifting it.

Brownie 7 Dutch Bike

 

 

(Brownie 7 Dutch Bike)

This is the grown-up version of the Brownie Junior. A do-it-all leisure bike that keeps that classic Dutch silhouette:

• Step-through alloy frame

• Pastel or deep gloss paint

• Coordinating chaincase and mudguards

The Brownie 7 Dutch Bike weighs about 13kg and comes in two sizes: 40cm or 52cm with 700c cream tyres. Shimano Tourney 7-speed gears cover flat roads and small hills. The shifter is straightforward, and the Tektro brakes give you steady control. That’s classic Bobbin, isn’t it?

Take your pick between these adult bike colours:

• Blueberry

• Moody Blue

• Classic Black

• Green (a pastel mint colour inspired by 1950s gelaterias)

It’s a nice bike to pedal for a laid-back ride, with a bit of character and no compromise on comfort.

What Are the Best Vintage Bicycles?

When looking for options, focus on how everything comes together. You’ll often see features that were common back in the day and are still relevant today. These include step-through frames, upright handlebars, and full mudguards.

A lot of these bikes now use lighter materials like alloy, and they come with modern gears and brakes. That way, you’re not dealing with the old weight or fiddly parts, but you still get that classic feel.

Vintage Bike Accessories to Match

After picking your vintage bike, kit it out with accessories that match the style. You can never go wrong with wicker bike baskets, especially if that model doesn’t come with one. Or why not swap this with bike bags or panniers for a modern touch while still being handy.

Bike bells aren’t just for aesthetics but also for safety. We offer multiple colours for our Ding Dong Bell range that suit all the bike colours we have. Don’t forget head protection! Both kids’ helmets and adult helmets are available with fun designs, so be sure to check them out.

Round-up

It’s worth pointing out that vintage-style bikes only look the part but are built for how people ride today. You get a design that nods to the past, without the outdated parts or tricky upkeep. Underneath it all, it’s a practical and stylish ride that’s easy to use and keep rolling.

Learn more by reading this guide next: What Is A Vintage Bike?

FAQ

Are vintage-style bikes good for beginners?

Yes, they are. Most have step-through frames that support an upright riding position. That’s why they’re great for casual riders, weekend cyclists, and even those getting back on a bike after a break.

Are vintage-style bikes heavy?

Old bikes were often made from heavier steel. Today’s vintage-style bikes usually use lightweight alloy or Chromoly steel. However they might need to 

Do vintage-style bikes need special maintenance?

No, they don’t. Vintage-style bikes use modern parts, so upkeep is like any other everyday bike.