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Best Road Bike Under $500 Reviews

Buying your first road bike is an exciting time no matter who you are.

Not only are you doing something good for the environment by ditching your car, but you can also get the vital exercise you need to stay fit and healthy, even if it will be a little gassing at first.

But, if you’ve never purchased or even browsed quality road bikes before, you won’t know where to begin.

This is understandable, and why we review our top picks for the best road bike under $500.

Novice road bikers can make mistakes choosing the right bike, whether in terms of quality, comfort, or a combination of the two.

Choosing the wrong cheap road bike can come with a range of problems. Often, they are not sturdy enough, which is a danger if you’re riding for an hour or more each day.

Likewise, your brakes may not be as reliable, which is certainly a hazard when riding along busy roads during your morning and evening commute. If you want assured safety, you need the best road bike packed with stability, control, and a high-quality design that ensures longevity, and performance.

Still, you might be hesitant to spend too much on your first road bike, which is understandable. For movies, finding the perfectly priced road bike can be the difference between never using an engine again, and running back to your car with your tail firmly between your legs.

Thankfully, you can find quality road bike brands for under $500, you just need to know where to look and what to look for.

It doesn’t matter the kind of cycling gear, whether you’re talking about commuter bikes, beginner bikes, or in this case road bikes, we want the tool that preforms it’s job well, be durable to last the test of time, and hopefully not break the bank while we’re at it!

The road bikes we’ve selected are not just affordable, they also come with the quality you need to feel confident when hitting the road through all sorts of weather.

You might need to skip on the latest technology, but all that matters right now is igniting the passion for road biking, and here are the best road bikes you can find to get you started.

Check out our favorite Road Bike Under $500

Top Road Bikes Under $500 Comparison Chart

Best Road Bikes Under $500

1. Hiland Clifford Hybrid Road Bike

Offering both Medium and Large sizes, the Hiland Clifford Hybrid Road Bike is suitable for men and women who want to revolutionize their morning commute or just have an excuse to get out and exercise more.

Its matte aluminum frame is exceptionally lightweight, which makes it easy to transport and comfortable to ride. The mechanical disc-brake style is also useful and keeps you from building up too much speed when rush hour strikes.

The design provides road bike-like speed while also offering the versatility you expect from a hybrid model. Because of this, you’re guaranteed fantastic value for money, as you can use it on rougher terrain just as easily as smooth roads.

However, we still wouldn’t recommend using it on anything too treacherous if you want to avoid damage and maintain the high quality and performance.

It boasts an astounding 24 gears that ensure stable and simple speed adjustment, keeping you from wobbling while moving and also preventing unnecessary slowing down that could impact the traffic around you. The high-performance tires are also reliable and provide an excellent riding experience that will make you want to get out as often as possible.

This bike is ideal for anyone who needs the best of both worlds without spending too much. You can enjoy the speed of a road bike while still managing to move easily on less-stable surfaces without any problems.

2. Eurobike EURXC550 Road Bike Hiland Clifford Hybrid Road Bike

The Eurobike EURXC550 Road Bike is a fantastic place to start if you’re looking for a quality road bike without breaking the bank.

Its durable steel frame delivers the confidence you need while on the road, and the frame is also sleek enough to keep the weight down, enhancing control, especially on downward slopes.

It uses a comprehensive 21-speed shifting system that makes it suitable for a range of inclines both up and down.

With this, you needn’t worry about losing momentum when scaling a surprisingly steep hill and you can also keep your speed at a safe limit after cresting the top of the last hill before you get home.

There are different size options to help you find the perfect one for you, which vastly improve your experience, and the various wheel options offer useful customization options.

It arrives almost entirely assembled, and all you need to do is attach the front wheels, pedals, seat, and handlebars, as well as pump up the tires. Once this is done, though, you’re ready to hit the road and take it for a short but sweet spin around the neighborhood so you can start early tomorrow.

If you’re looking for a straightforward and reliable entry into the world of road biking, this is an exceptional starter bike that will help you get to grips with it. If you feel like it’s definitely you, there’s always the option to upgrade in a few years.

Offering both Medium and Large sizes, the Hiland Clifford Hybrid Road Bike is suitable for men and women who want to revolutionize their morning commute or just have an excuse to get out and exercise more.

Its matte aluminum frame is exceptionally lightweight, which makes it easy to transport and comfortable to ride. The mechanical disc-brake style is also useful and keeps you from building up too much speed when rush hour strikes.

The design provides road bike-like speed while also offering the versatility you expect from a hybrid model. Because of this, you’re guaranteed fantastic value for money, as you can use it on rougher terrain just as easily as smooth roads.

However, we still wouldn’t recommend using it on anything too treacherous if you want to avoid damage and maintain the high quality and performance.

It boasts an astounding 24 gears that ensure stable and simple speed adjustment, keeping you from wobbling while moving and also preventing unnecessary slowing down that could impact the traffic around you. The high-performance tires are also reliable and provide an excellent riding experience that will make you want to get out as often as possible.

This bike is ideal for anyone who needs the best of both worlds without spending too much. You can enjoy the speed of a road bike while still managing to move easily on less-stable surfaces without any problems.

3. Schwinn Wayfarer Hybrid Road Bike

The Schwinn Wayfarer Hybrid Road Bike is a bike that conjures up nostalgic images while still boasting all the quality components and designs you need from a modern road bike.

Whether you’re looking for a men’s or women’s road bike, this is an excellent choice that performs well and offers something unique to make your morning and evening commute more comfortable and much less stressful.

Immediately, you will have spotted the handy rack at the back which isn’t just something that adds a retro feel. It’s also something you can use to carry your backpack or even your groceries if you need to make a quick stop at the store on the way home.

This retro design continues with the fork and ensures a stylish ride that is as stable as it is attractive.

The Schwinn seven-speed twist gear shifter provides seamless adjustment while you’re on the move without needing to slow down for anybody. It also allows you to readjust on the fly if you misjudge a hill’s steepness, or even need to stop suddenly around a blind corner.

The alloy front and rear linear-pull brakes will also help with this, allowing you to stop whenever and wherever you need.

The built-in fenders are another excellent addition that too many bikes neglect. They will protect you from puddle and mud splashes, so you can stride into work every morning looking fresh, professional, and ready for the day ahead.

4. Trinx Tempo 1.0 Road Bike

The Trinx Tempo 1.0 Road Bike is available in Black and Green or Blue and White that add a race-track feel to the overall look and boosts visibility, while the two size options, either 53cm or 56cm, make it suitable for men and women and guarantee a safe and comfortable ride.

At just 11 kg (25 lbs), it rides exceptionally close to the lightweight quality you will find with much more expensive bikes. This enhances its speed potential and also makes it easy to ride wherever you go. Because of this, it won’t matter if you’re riding to the supermarket, over to a friend’s house, or enjoying the quiet country roads, you can ride along with grace, style, and confidence that your bike will get you wherever you need to be.

The 21-speed gears make it ideal for tackling a range of inclines, which is crucial if you live somewhere that has more hills than flat ground. You can adjust the speed with ease, even when using the lowered handles that are specific to road bikes.

This position will also increase your speed, boosting aerodynamics, which is great if you’re in a race, but perhaps not so great when you’re riding to work in the rain.

The colorful tires make you stand out, which could be beneficial after the sun sets, but you should also invest in reflective equipment before you set out on the road to ensure total safety.

The brakes are reliable, and the steering is one of the most responsive you’ll come across. For a simple but efficient road bike that will get you from A to B and back again, there are few better options around.

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5. Royce Union RMY Hybrid Road Bike

The Royce Union RMY Hybrid Road Bike is available and a women’s and men’s road bike so anyone can find the perfect addition to their daily commute no matter who they are. There are multiple frame sizes, and you can also take your pick of several colors to mix or match with your everyday attire if that’s the type of person you are.

The bike arrives 90% assembled and also comes with all the tools you need to put it together, which shouldn’t take too long.

The premium padded seat ensures all-day comfort, which is ideal if you need to travel miles for work and back every day, minimizing the risk of fatigue and even back problems that could become exasperated over the years.

You’ll also find exceptional comfort in the handle and pedals which will reduce pressure on your hands and feet. These pedals are also some of the most responsive you will ever see, especially for a road bike that costs less than $500.

With these responsive qualities, you can rest assured that you will be able to navigate bustling city streets just as easily as you would a quiet neighborhood on a Sunday afternoon.

Although heavier than some other road bikes, it still comes with excellent stopping power that gives you confidence, which is thanks to alloy wheel rims to make each stop as smooth as the last.

Top Road Bikes Under $500 Features To Consider

Frame

The road bike frame for any model under $500 will consist of either aluminum or steel. Aluminum road bike frames are more lightweight compared to steel, which makes up for the heavier wheels. However, steel is more durable, which is something you might need to counteract the cheaper price.

It’s difficult to say which is necessarily better for novice road bikers, as each comes with useful benefits, so this will come down to what you prefer.

Brakes

The brakes and drivetrain for entry-level bikes are far from perfect, but you can still find some adequate styles with sub-$500 road bikes. Shimano brakes are one of the best choices around, as they provide smooth adjustment and a broad range.

Typically, cheap road bikes will use Claris components which are durable, minimizing the risk of your gears seizing, especially if you’re biking in cold weather.

As for the drivetrain, you can expect anything between seven and eight gears. As you shouldn’t need to tackle too many steep hills (depending on where you live), this should be a suitable range with few complications.

Weight

Low-priced road bikes will always weigh more than the higher-end options because of the material, as mentioned above, but they should still be easy enough to carry and store when not in use.

Road bikes that cost less than $500 will be at least 22lbs (10 kg), which is not the same as more expensive models, but still something you can deal with.

Wheels

One thing you will notice about road bikes is that the wheels are not the same as mountain bikes, and this is a key factor in the road bike vs mountain bike debate.

To achieve the best results, remember you need specialized road bike tires and wheels, especially if you want to upgrade. The wheels that come with your road bike may be suitable at first, but investing in better wheels can improve your experience and performance.

Comfort

As you will spend a long time on your road bike, you must consider the comfort factor. A bike seat that’s too uncomfortable will hinder your focus, which could lead to an accident if you are not careful.

You also won’t be able to take as many breaks as you would when riding a mountain bike, which is why comfort is also paramount. If you don’t want to shell out to replace the seat, a padded cover can do the trick.

Size

Picking the wrong size road bike can affect your balance and handling, making it difficult to stop suddenly in heavy traffic. There are different sized bikes for men and women, so make sure you check your height alongside the size of the frame before purchasing to save you any hassle.