The 8 Best Bikes Under $500 of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Unisex:

Schwinn GTX Comfort Hybrid Bike at Amazon

The hybrid offers the speed of a road bike, the capability of a mountain bike, and the comfort of a cruiser.

Best Hybrid Bike:

Decathlon Riverside 100 Hybrid Bike at Walmart

An affordable take on a classic hybrid, it has a sturdy steel frame, 6-speed drivetrain, and impact-absorbing suspension fork.

Best Road Bike:

Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike at Amazon

The road bike is crafted from lightweight aluminum, so it promises a nimble ride.

Best Commuter Bike:

Hiland Road Bike at Amazon

Weighing a mere 18 pounds, this sleek bike promises a quick, efficient ride for your day-to-day activities.

Best Electric Bike:

SWAGTRON Swagcycle Folding E-Bike at Amazon

It can fold down to a fraction of its size, making it particularly easy to store and transport.

Best Folding Bike:

Schwinn Loop Adult Folding Bike at Amazon

This comes equipped with a 7-speed drivetrain—which is pretty tough to find in a folding bike.

Best Cruiser:

sixthreezero Around The Block Women's Single-Speed Bicycle at Amazon

Designed to keep you upright as you pedal, you can rest assured knowing your rides will feel both laidback and comfortable.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust Verywell Fit?

Cycling is a great form of commuting or exercise, and if you plan to do it often, it's worth investing in a good bike. The right bike will make your rides more comfortable and efficient, and although performance bikes can be expensive, there are plenty of high-quality options under the $500 price point.

While budget-friendly can sometimes equate to low-quality, we researched the top options that meet the mark for durability, style, versatility, and more.

Here are the best bikes under $500 on the market.

Pros

Unisex design
Hybrid
Multiple colors
Easy to assemble

Cons

Height range is limited
Not great for advanced riders

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly bike you can take anywhere, Schwinn’s GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid Bike is a solid pick. The hybrid offers the speed of a road bike, the capability of a mountain bike and the comfort of a cruiser—giving you the versatility you need to explore different styles of riding and types of terrain.

The bike’s aluminum frame should feel durable, but lightweight. And it comes equipped with a suspension fork that promises to keep your rides smooth and comfortable. The bike’s 21-speed drivetrain will help you nimbly navigate different trails and paths while its grippy tires promise plenty of traction both on and off the road.

Style: Hybrid | Height Capacity: 5 feet, 4 inches to 6 feet, 2 inches | Weight: 33 pounds (estimate)

Pros

Can take on multiple terrains
Sturdy and durable
Beginner-friendly

Cons

Height range is limited
Better for beginners only

Versatile, comfortable, and efficient, Decathlon’s Riverside Hybrid Bike will make a well-rounded addition to your cycling routine. The bike boasts a sturdy steel frame, and since it comes equipped with an impact-absorbing suspension fork, you can rest assured knowing it will handle obstacles with ease.

The bike’s hybrid tires are designed to flexibly handle both slick city streets and off-road trails and its 6-speed drivetrain will help you nimbly adjust to different terrain. If you’re looking for an affordable take on a classic hybrid, you’ve found it.

Style: Hybrid | Height Capacity: 5 feet, 5 inches to 6 feet, 1 inch | Weight: 31.1 pounds

Pros

Lightweight
Beginner-friendly
Available in three sizes

Cons

No height range listed
Not as versatile as some bikes

Crafted from lightweight aluminum, Vilano’s R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike can quickly pick up speed while offering a nimble ride. It features a 21-speed drivetrain that will help you flexibly navigate a range of conditions, and while the speedy characteristics may sound intimidating, the bike is designed with beginners in mind.

Take the bike on your daily commute or on a quick ride around your neighborhood. While it may not be the best pick for an off-road adventure, it should handily meet your more day-to-day cycling needs.

Style: Road | Height Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 27 pounds

Pros

Unisex
Lightweight, nimble ride
Solid height range

Cons

Not as versatile as some bikes
Requires some assembly

Looking for a road bike that can get you to and from work every day? Hiland’s Road Bike is here for you and your commute. The sleek road bike boasts a lightweight aluminum frame, and since it weighs a mere 18 pounds, it provides a quick and efficient ride.

The bike’s 21-speed drivetrain will give you all the options you need to flexibly tackle hills and other obstacles, and its caliper brakes will help you come to smooth, reliable stops any time you need to.

Style: Road bike | Height Capacity: 5 feet, 3 inches to 6 feet, 4 inches | Weight: 18 pounds

Pros

Budget-friendly for an electric bike
Foldable
Hybrid

Cons

No height range listed
Battery doesn’t last very long

It can be tough to find a budget-friendly electric bike, but, Swagtron’s Swagcycle Folding E-Bike is fairly affordable considering what you get. While it has a shorter battery life—it can only sustain 15.5 miles on full throttle—it isn't as bulky as other options.

The battery life may be a downside, but the bike does offer compact foldability. Folding down to a fraction of its full size, it's easy to store and transport. Combined with affordability, the bike is a great option if you're new to the electric bike scene.

Style: Electric | Height Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 37 pounds

Pros

Foldable
7-speed drivetrain
Lightweight, yet sturdy
Solid height range

Cons

Step-through design for laidback riding
Not very versatile

Schwinn’s Loop Adult Folding Bike is one of the most formidable folding bikes around. The step-through bike boasts a lightweight aluminum frame, which you can fold up for easy storage and transport. And despite the bike’s flexible design, it still promises a sturdy ride.

The bike comes equipped with a 7-speed drivetrain which is pretty tough to find in a folding bike. It also features plush street tires that keep your rides smooth and comfortable every time you head out on the bike.

Style: Folding bike | Height Capacity: 4 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet, 2 inches | Weight: 33 pounds

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

Pros

Great for leisure rides
Incredibly lightweight
Beginner-friendly
Solid height range

Cons

Not very versatile
Better for beginners

If you’re a casual cyclist who craves a comfortable ride, you can't beat sixthreezero’s Around the Block Single-Speed Bicycle. The bike is designed to keep you upright as you pedal, so you can rest assured knowing your rides will feel both laidback and comfortable. The bike’s plush waffle-tread tires also feel great on both city streets and bike paths.

Since the bike is a single-speed, you won’t have to worry about fiddling with tons of gears and settings as you ride. Instead, you can just kick back, relax, and explore your neighborhood—while leisurely pedaling, of course.

Style: Cruiser | Height Capacity: 5 feet to 6 feet | Weight: 34 pounds

For both men and women, Schwinn's GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid Bike (view at Amazon) is a good option thanks to its comfortable ride and versatility. It's crafted with sturdy aluminum that keeps it lightweight yet durable. Plus, the front and rear alloy brakes offer incredible stopping power when you need to come to a halt in a hurry.

What to Look for in a Bike Under $500

Style

Different bikes are designed with different styles of cycling in mind. Mountain bikes are great for off-road adventures, road bikes are great for speedy rides on slick pavement, hybrid bikes are great for versatility, and cruisers are great for leisurely rides around the block. Consider what kinds of cycling you plan to do, and snag a bike that suits those preferences.

If you're new to cycling or you want to cover multiple types of terrain, a hybrid bike is probably the best option.

Height Capacity

Figuring out whether a bike will fit you right can be tough to do when you’re shopping online. But a bike’s height capacity can make it a little easier. When perusing a bike’s product description, look for metrics like “height capacity” or “recommended height range.” This can help you figure out whether the bike you’re eyeing is the right size for you.

Weight

Some bikes are heavier than others. As a rule, lightweight bikes tend to offer a quicker ride, while heavier bikes will offer a slower, sturdier, and more controlled one. That said, a bike’s weight can also affect its portability. So consider both of those elements when deciding whether a bike’s weight seems like a fit for you.

Why Trust Verywell Fit?

As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them.

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