7 Best Commuter Bikes under $500

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5/5

Schwinn Phocus 1600 Commuter Bike

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5/5

Retrospec Kinney Commuter Bicycle

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5/5

Pure Fix Original Fixie Commuter Bike

Have you always been under the impression that you will have to spend close to a thousand dollars or more to get a decent bike? There’s good news for you! You can buy a bike under $500. On this page, we will list the best commuter bike under $500. Read on to see which bike will be perfect for you.

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View the Best Commuter Bikes Under $500

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1. Schwinn Phocus 1600 Commuter Bike

We don’t need to write a long introduction to the Schwinn brand. The company is famous for its high-quality bikes made from premium materials. The Schwinn Phocus 1600 Commuter Bike is great for people who are looking for a lightweight bike that can provide them with incredible biking experience. The bike comes with a sturdy aluminum road frame that gives the bike increased durability.

Other features such as high-profile alloy wheels, an alloy crank for the gear range, and dual-pivot caliper road brakes make the bike a top choice of many cyclists. The highlight of the bike is its carbon fiber road fork. If you are looking for an affordable option, this bike is a good choice.

Why We Like It
Our Verdict

With so many amazing features, the price at which the bike is available is definitely a steal. If you’re searching for a reliable and high-quality product, you don’t have to look any further. This product is well suited for all your needs.

Editor Rating

5/5
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2. Retrospec Kinney Commuter Bicycle

The Retrospec Kinney Commuter Bicycle comes with a classic diamond-style frame that is made from high-tensile strength steel. This gives the bike increased reliability. Its alloy drop bars Pus Shimano Atlus 14-speed fingertip STI shifting is a great feature that makes the bike perfect for weekend adventures as well as daily commuting. The double-wall alloy rims and forged alloy crankset provide you a great and comfortable biking experience.

The bike has a set of unique tires that repel water that falls on it. This is great if you are into off-road rides or have to ride your bike in the area that sees a lot of rainfall. The Celeste color scheme of the bike gives it a vintage look that is eye-catching and visually appealing. The sealed aluminum pedals and the cartridge bracket at the bottom make sure that dirt doesn’t enter the bike. All in all, the bike is a great choice for both off-road adventurers and daily commuters. It’s a bit expensive, but its features justify its price tag.

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Why We Like It

Our Verdict

The bike is laced with so many great features to make your riding experience great and wonderful. It is a bit pricey, but it tops the list when it comes to performance.

Editor Rating​

5/5
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3. Pure Fix Original Fixie Commuter Bike

Stylish and light-weight, the Pure Fix Original Fixie Commuter Bike is great for leisure rides and daily community. Its flexible flip-flop rear hub is perfect for quickly changing the fixed gear. This way you will have the flexibility to ride fixed or freewheel. From water bottle cages, handlebars, foot straps, saddles, and more, this bike offers great features that enhance your riding experience.           

The high-quality bikes come with a one-year warranty on components and a life-time warranty of frames. However, to activate the warranty, the company will only accept professional assembly. The bike is extremely lightweight and gives the best performance.

Why We Like It
Our Verdict

The bike is packed with impressive features. It performs exceptionally well and is great for daily commuting. It is available at an affordable price so don’t think twice before finalizing your purchase!

Editor Rating

5/5

4. Tommaso Siena – Shimano Commuter Bike

The Tommaso Siena – Shimano Commuter bike is yet another strong and sturdy bike that comes with so many great features. It has an aluminum compact frame that is perfect for maximum durability. It has 700x40c tires that provide the bike with great stability on rougher terrain. The bike has Avid BB5 disc brakes that give impressive stopping power. Its brakes also make it perfect for all kinds of weather conditions.

The compact frame geometry and compact handlebars of the bike provide increased comfort and power to the rider. So whether it is a short ride or a long-distance one, you can comfortably cover your journey without ending up with unbearable neck and back pain. The bike is easy to assemble, but it’s best that you get it assembled by a professional as it helps you activate the warranty on the bike.

Why We Like It
Our Verdict

There are only a few bikes that don’t need any kind of introduction and this bike is one of them. When it comes to features and performance, the bike has no match. It is decently priced, which makes it one of the top choices of bicyclists.

Editor Rating

4.5/5

5. Vilano FORZA 3.0 Aluminum Carbon Bike

If you are interested in fast riding, this Vilano FORZA 3.0 Aluminum Carbon Bike is just for you. The bike is equipped with high-quality brakes, carbon fiber racing fork, integrated brake level shifters, 700x23c racing tires, and 24 Shimano gears – all of which make sure you hit high speeds. The bike is highly comfortable and an ideal option for a daily commute.

The bike comes with plenty of high-end features that make it one of the best bikes under $500. The frame of the bike will you sit in an upright position, which is a more relaxed position. Whether you’re taking out the bike for fitness purposes or riding it for daily commutes, the Vilano bike is the right choice for you. The bike doesn’t come fully assembled, but it does have a very easy assembly process. There are so many videos that are available online that can help you how to put the bike together. In case you find the assembly process difficult, take your bike to a local shop and get it assembled professionally.

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Why We Like It
Our Verdict

The bike has so many features that give you the best performance. It also has an elegant design. Available at a relatively cheaper price, the bike is great for both daily commuting and exercise.

Editor Rating

4.5/5

6. XDS Cross Hybrid Commuter Bike

For off-road adventures or casual rides, this bike is perfect for all purposes. It has a really strong build that gives it a long useful life. The bike comes with linear-pull brakes that provide extraordinarily great stopping power. Its HL suspension fork and Shimano branded crank provide the bike with enough strength to handle all kinds of terrains.

The bike has a really great design. It comes in various sizes so that it can fit people of different heights. The frame is lightweight yet sturdy. It is perfect for multiple-hour rides.

Why We Like It
Our Verdict

This bike has a really impressive design and high-quality features. It is great for off-road adventures and daily commuting. Your search for a good bike will definitely be over with this amazing bike.

Editor Rating

4.5/5

7. Schwinn Siro Commuter Bike

When it comes to quality, Schwinn bikes are unparalleled. They come with amazingly strong components that make the overall riding experience greatest. This Schwinn Siro Commuter Bike is also a high-quality bike that is laced with wonderful features. From its elegant design to its strong frame, the bike tops the list! It comes with a padded saddle seat that gives increased comfort to the rider, making the bike a great choice for long rides.

Its 700c tires perform great on rough and tricky terrains. It gives a maximum speed of around 15 mph. The assembly process of the bike is very straightforward. You can cover 300-400 miles of casual riding right after the assembly. Price-wise, the bike is fairly reasonable and affordable.  This bike ticks all the boxes that you need on an urban commuter bike.

Why We Like It
Our Verdict

Schwinn bikes have a name for themselves. The brand has been in business for decades and has been successful in making its name. The widely popular brand produces premium-quality bikes that are the first choice of many bicyclists. Equipped with great features, this bike is also one of them. You can purchase this bike with full confidence. Your investment will definitely be worth it.

Editor Rating

4.5/5

Buying Guide & FAQs

man standing with a commuter bike

Why comfort is important when you’re choosing a bike?

When you are riding long distances in the same position, you often end up with sharp back and neck pain. This pain takes a long time to completely go away and make it difficult for you to carry out daily important tasks. Many of us don’t have the privilege to go on bed rest for a week or so. This is why it is important that you choose a bike that comes with comfortable seats, adjustable handlebar, and frame geometry that allows the rider to sit in an upright position.

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What should be my budget for a commuter bike?

On this page, you will find a lot of options that are available under $500. You certainly don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a bike. Don’t splurge thinking that an expensive bike will come with great features. You can find impressive features in a decently priced commuter bike as well. When you are looking for a bike, fix a budget and try to search for a bike within that range. You will be surprised to see that there are a large number of companies who sell bikes at affordable prices. And the best thing about such bikes is that they are packed with great features.

Why should you take a bike on a test run?

There are so many features that are relative. For example, comfort is relative. Some people may not find an extremely comfortable bike meeting their requirements. A test run allows people to see for themselves what it’s like to ride on a particular bike.

Why should you cycle to work?

Our environment is bearing the brunt of our hedonistic lifestyle. The effects of climate change are living proof of how badly our environment is suffering. We have to actively take steps to reduce our carbon footprint. In that regard, it is best to choose cycling over commuting to work via car. This way you will be able to contribute less toward the pollution. Lesser air pollution will create a healthier environment, which is essential for a healthy lifestyle.

Is cycling good for losing weight?

Yes, cycling is a great option for weight loss as it burns a lot of calories. Many people opt for cycling to remain fit. However, for noticeable results, you must combine cycling with other high-intensity exercises.

The Final Word

Now that you have had a look at the list of the best bikes under $500, it is confirmed that you don’t have to break your bank to afford a good bike. In this section, we will list the top 3 of the best commuter bikes under $500. Have a look at it and see if you can find your perfect fit in the list below.

  • The top pick: Schwinn Phocus 1600 Road Bike doesn’t need any introduction in the cycling world. It has great features that provide a great riding experience to riders.
  • The premium pick: Elegantly designed and packed with extraordinary features, Retrospec Bicycles Kinney Bicycle, may be pricey, but its features justify the price tag it comes with. This durable bicycle has long-term usage. Once you start using the bike, you will see for yourself that your investment is worth it.
  • The value pick: The Pure Fix Original Fixie Bike is a powerful bike that provides great performance. It is great for daily commuting. It comes with a warranty, which allows you to buy it with full confidence. It is extremely lightweight, allowing you to handle it effortlessly.