Best Road Bikes Under $500 You Can Buy (Reviews In 2023)

Are you looking for the best road bikes under 500? There are so many of these bikes such that you will never be out of options.

So what is a road bike and why should you get one?

Like a car, a road bike is useful for traveling on paved roads for as fast and as far as you can go. This is also why they are referred to as racers in some resources.

Simply defined, we can say this bicycle is built for use on tarmacked roads.

Now that you know what road bikes are, we can now look at road bikes that you can buy at less than 500 dollars, which will serve you for a long time.

Here, we will do all the footwork for you. We shall help you select a good bike for the money.

With so many road bikes in the market, it can be a bit hard to choose the very best one for your budget and needs, especially on your first time to buy one.

 

Reviews for Best Road Bikes Under 500

Just because you need a road bike, it does not mean you should pick the first one you come across. Some due diligence is vital.

Here are racer bikes that cost less than 500 but they have great build quality, are durable and they are fun to ride.

1. Goplus 21-Speed Road Bike

If you are looking for a high performance, low weight road bike made of aluminum and with Shimano rear and front derailleurs, get this one.

There is no doubt that the GoPlus 21-speed road bike can meet your city riding needs. With a shipping weight of 32 pounds, it is not too heavy to carry up the stairs.

As a 21-speed bicycle, it will help you meet your road racing and work/school commute needs. This bicycle will go as far as your legs can pedal as long as you are traveling on tarmac.

The frame, the saddle and the handlebars are solid and durable. They can withstand different road conditions, but you should always keep this bike on paved roads.

For convenience, you can adjust the saddle and handlebars to suit your height. Speaking of height, this bike has a height of between 5 feet 5 inches and 6 feet. The weight rating for the bicycle is 440lbs, which is quite high.

Sold in 80% assembled state, it should be easy to complete the assemblage. It also comes with all the tools necessary for assembling it. The front wheels are quick-release by design. This makes it easy to maintain or assemble.

What we like

• High weight and height rating make it good for big people

• Really races fast on paved roads up to 20 mph

• Easy to assemble and comes with everything needed for the job

• Good handlebars and durable wheels

What we don’t like

• The saddle should have more padding

 

2. Windsor Wellington Aluminum 21-Speed Road Bike

The Windsor Wellington bike with 21-speed gear system is a bike that is truly after a rider’s heart. There are many good things to love about it. First, the frame is made of aluminum, which makes it quite light in weight.

With a collective shipping weight of 30 pounds only, you can see how easy it will be for you to carry this bicycle on your shoulders up the stairs.

This bike has high quality parts. For example, it comes with a Shimano Derailleur. Shimano is one of the biggest names out there when it comes to making derailleurs.

The work of this part is to move the chain from one sprocket to another when you change gears. That is why you cannot skimp on the quality because this is what the entire gear system of the bicycle depends on.

This ride comes with 28mm tires. Some people say that this is too large since most racers come with 25mm tires. However, a difference of 3mm is not going to make a lot of difference.

When you get the bike, it will be half-assembled. Therefore, it should not take you more than an hour to put everything together. Even if this is your first bike, the assemblage instructions are easy to follow.

What we like

• The shifters are in a convenient place on top of the handlebars

• Available in many different sizes to suit different users

• Replacing components is easy because they are readily available

• It gains speed fast on the road

What we don’t like

• The brakes could be better with more stopping power

 

3. Vilano Shadow Road Bike

From a casual glance, this bike looks too simplistic. However, you can rest assured that whatever your needs are, it will help you meet them perfectly.

The double-butted aluminum frame (Aero) has good build quality. This bike is designed to withstand the rigors of a serious road trip.

A high-speed racer bike should come with good stopping power. Luckily, the braking system that is fitted onto this bicycle is of high quality. It is an STI brake. It is also fitted with a level shifter.

When you have such stopping power under you, you feel confident and you can ride like a pro.

Other features that help with the performance of the bike include things such as the drop handlebars. They reduce air resistance a great deal. The overall weight of the bike is 34.5 pounds.

Of course, we have looked at others that weigh 30 pounds or even less, but more weight is better some times because it gives a bike more stability.

Assembling this bike should be easy and it should not take you more than half an hour if you have some experience.

However, even without experience, this bike should still not take more than an hour. You will just need a screwdriver and an Allen wrench of 4 or 5 mm.

What we like

• You will get free pedals

• Good for different types of activities

• The Shimano parts are easy to maintain and tune

What we don’t like

• The brakes could be better

 

4. Trinx TEMPO1.0 Speed Racing Bike

The first thing that you will notice about this bike is just how appealing it is to the eyes. However, looks alone cannot make a good bike. Therefore, we get to look at the awesome features that it has.

First, this bike is sold in a semi-assembled state, which is obvious because it is shipped in a box. However, assembling should not take you more than 30 minutes if you are adept with your hands.

The wheels are quick-release in design and the shifters and brake pads are easy to adjust.

This bike is designed for speed as well. That is why it has a 21-speed gear system. Shimano hand shifters as well as front and rear derailleurs by the same company compliment the gear system.

The bike also has enough stopping power from the high quality Winzip calipers. However, remember to adjust them as well as the pads and lose cables or take the bike to a professional tuner.

You can adjust the seat by up to 15 centimeters. While this is not a comfortable seat, it still seems much better than most other stock saddles in the market.

You will notice that the tires are super slim and this is by design. Combined with the drop handlebars, which resist air drag, very well, they make this a well-rounded racing bike.

The pedals are just regulars so make sure you wear good cycling shoes for excellent performance.

What we like

• Bike has a rear-mounted kickstand for parking

• Sleek and beautifully designed

• Minimal weight makes it very manageable at 27 pounds

What we don’t like

• The saddle of this bike is very uncomfortable

 

5. Detroit Bikes Sparrow: Best Single Speed Road Bike

You will marvel at the low weight of this bike since it only weighs 22 pounds. However, do not let that fool you because with a good rider, this bike moves like the wind.

Another thing that makes it a real winner is that it comes with a high quality aftermarket saddle. This is commendable since most other bikes just come with stock saddles that are so uncomfortable.

However, note that this is a single-speed bike.

You may have guessed that the frame material is aluminum, hence the minimal weight. However, aluminum is also durable because it is anti-corrosive and it can take the weight without bending. Even the fork and the steerer are made of aluminum.

This bike is available in many sizes. For example, you can order the XL size if you are 6 feet tall. For assemblage, you do not need any tools.

This road bike under $500 is sold with everything that you need to put it together. Refer to the user manual though if this is the first bike to assemble. All that you need to do is attach the wheels, pedals, inflate the tires, and ride!

What we like

• The aftermarket saddle- SDG Duster is high quality and is better than stock saddles

• It is so easy to assemble

• Minimal weight of 22 pounds makes the bike easy to carry when need be

• High quality parts

What we don’t like

• Can be a bit hard to attach fenders

• It is a single speed road bike

 

6. 6KU Aluminum Fixed Gear Single-Speed Urban Bike

Where most people would dismiss single speed bikes as so ordinary, the true cyclists know the value that such bicycles come with. You will not be disappointed with the 6KU aluminum single speed road bike.

Like any other bicycle, it has its good features and some downsides too. Almost everything about this bike oozes quality. The frame is made of double-butted aluminum alloy with high quality welding. The flip-flop hub can be used in fixed or freewheeling option.

This is a lightweight bike and so lifting it onto your shoulders and hitting the stairs with it should not be a problem at all. This bike lacks some of the common bells and whistles, but that is by design.

6KU says that customers requested for the simplest bike possible and therefore they made this one.

The handlebar is made in a bullhorn design. The brakes just need a little tuning but they work great. Assemblage should take you minimal time. The finish is matte black or other color.

Overall, this bike gives good value for money.

What we like

• The chains and bolts come lubricated

• The handlebars have a comfortable grip

• Assemblage is simple

• Brakes require zero to minimal tuning since they come calibrated

What we don’t like

• Wheel reflectors not easy to mount

 

7. Mercier Galaxy Road Bike

This is not only one of the best road bikes under 500 but it also is a comfortable bicycle for long distance, urban, city and other paved road cycling. The high quality Ergo Saddle and the Taper Blade Chromoly Fork enhance the comfort of the rider on paved roads.

The aluminum frame gives it the strong, durable build. The weight is also not bad since the bike weighs 30 pounds.

This is a 14-speed road bike and so most people buy it for casual riding as well as long distance riding. If you love taking road trips, use this bike. The drop handlebars can help increase air resistance and the brakes offer the required stopping power.

These are side caliper brakes. They are strong and they make you feel that you are fully in control of your bike.

For shifting, the bike has been fitted with Shimano shifters. These are mounted on a very convenient place on the stem. You can reach them easily without stretching.

Whether you are a beginner or you know your way around bikes, you will find it easy to use this one.

What we like

• The bike has strong aluminum wheels

• You will enjoy a comfortable, upright riding position

• Sleek, beautiful design

• Nicely padded saddle

What we don’t like

• The brakes and gears need a professional to tune them after installation

 

Wrapping Up

In our reviews for the best road bikes under 500, it can be hard to pick one for they all seem like equals.

However, you have seen 14-speed, 21-speed and even single-speed road bikes. You can buy any of the bicycles that we have reviewed here with confidence.

However, when you buy a multi-speed bike, ensure you take it to a professional to be tuned after assemblage.

 

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