The 8 Best Bikes Under $500

Best Overall: Diamondback Bicycles Trace St Dual Sport Bike

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If you’ve only got $500 to spend and you want to use your bike both on and off the trail, you’re going to want a reliable pick from an industry leader. Diamondback’s Trace St Dual Sport Bike is an easy-riding hybrid for commuting, hilly weekend bike trips, and casual riding around your neighborhood.

This bike’s got all of the bells and whistles of Diamondbike’s pricier bikes, like 21-gear shifting and linear pull brakes for stopping power. It’s also got hybrid additions like dual-sport tires with fast-rolling traction for trail or pavement, and flat bars to help you zip past cars when you’re commuting.

Diamondback customers loved this bike’s value for the money and said it was easy to assemble and comfortable to ride.

Best Budget: Vilano Aluminum Road Bike Medium

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Just because you can’t afford to drop major bucks on a bike doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality or comfort. Vilano’s Aluminum Commuter Bike is a lightweight, 21-speed pick that comes at a very reasonable price.

This commuter bike is perfect for staying fit on the way to work or zipping around on campus to get to class on time. It’s a great bike for beginners who may not want to spend a lot of money on a pricier bike, and its minimalist aluminum frame won’t weigh you down. For the price, the bike's tires perform well and it's secure for riders of most heights and sizes.

Best Cruiser: sixthreezero Around The Block Women's Single-Speed Bicycle

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Instead of trekking up and down mountains or zipping through races with intense focus, cruiser bikes are meant for taking in the scenery during a leisurely ride. They’ve usually got curvier frames that are easier to step into, wider handlebars, larger tires, and an upright seating position for comfortable trips. Sixthreezero’s Around The Block bike helps both men and women cruise in style.

This bike has 12 different frame and seat grip color combinations for women and four for men—perfect for showing off your unique style. The dual-spring saddle and foam grips protect you from bumpy rides, and the bike’s single speed and coaster-style brakes make it an easy, breezy pick for a casual rider.

Women who loved cruiser bikes appreciated the bike’s handling and durability for the price, and men enjoyed the simplicity of the coaster brakes on long, flat rides.

Best Mountain Bike: Roadmaster Granite Peak Men's Mountain Bike

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Mountain bikers who want to spend more time on the trail and less time comparing prices on gear will love this bestselling option that takes on rugged terrain with ease. For less than $100, Roadmaster’s Granite Peak selection makes mountain biking accessible for everyone.

This two-wheeled wonder has a steel frame that’s easy to mount and dismount. The knobby treads on the tires help you maintain traction no matter what kind of trail you’re on, and alloy rims provide added stability without added weight.

Walmart customers who picked up this outdoor-friendly bike loved its durability for the price, saying that it lasted for hundreds of miles with no noticeable wear or tear.

Best for Women: sixthreezero EVRYjourney Step-Through Hybrid Cruiser Bike

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Biking to work or play is a great way to maintain your fitness level without logging extra hours at the gym. If you’re a woman looking for a stylish, quality bike that can get you from point A to point B, sixthreezero’s EVERYjourney Hybrid Cruiser is calling your name.

This option has the bells and whistles of pricier rides without the sticker shock. Its versatile design can handle city streets and gentle trail rides, and the upright riding style reduces pressure on your shoulders and hands and helps you maintain proper extension to avoid cramping muscles and leg pain.

Overall, this bike wins for its trustworthy Shimano components (a higher-end brand that’s more reliable than other shifters), comfortable wide-set handlebars, and flexibility for a wider variety of uses.

Best Road Bike: Schwinn Volare 1400 Adult Hybrid Road Bike

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Bikers on a budget looking for a speedy road ride need to consider a bike’s weight, frame geometry, and handlebar placement before committing to a purchase. Schwinn’s Volare option is great for casual riding or commuting without overspending.

This bike’s lightweight aluminum frame pairs with a sturdy steel fork, so you’ll get the strength of steel in that vital component without the added weight of a complete steel bike. The drop-style handlebars and sport riding seat keep you perfectly positioned for quick turns, and you’ll have complete peace of mind with Schwinn’s lifetime warranty.

Other pluses include the smooth shifting of the bike’s Shimano gears, and the ergonomically correct angle of the seat and handlebars.

Best Folding Bike: EuroMini ZiZZO Campo 28lb Lightweight Aluminum Frame Shimano 7-Speed Folding Bike

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If you’re a busy professional who needs to hop on and off trains or buses during your bike ride to work, or if you love biking but don’t have a safe place to store your ride, a folding bike is right up your alley. Despite folding bikes’ growing popularity, it’s still hard to find a reliable option that isn’t prohibitively expensive. EuroMini’s ZiZZO folding bike is a best-selling pick that performs well and leaves some cash in your pocket.

This bike’s lightweight yet durable aluminum frame folds up in seconds and only weighs 28 pounds, so you can grab it and stow it without a second thought. Its desirable Shimano seven-speed shifter doesn’t skimp on quality, and its adjustable stem fits riders from under five feet tall to over six feet tall.