There are a lot of benefits to riding a bicycle, whether it be for work, pleasure or a combination of both. Not only is it a way to burn some calories and stay healthy, but it can also save people in the long run by not having to pay for other forms of transportation. With so many people searching for commuter bikes online without breaking the bank, the first thing that needs to be cleared up is this: technically, there is no such thing as a commuter bike. Instead, any type of bike can be used as a commuter bicycle. It comes down to what style a rider is most comfortable with, and also if they plan on using it for other activities as well.
Finding The Right Bike
The two quickest ways to distinguish between types of commuter bikes is to look at the wheels and the handlebars. Most people are going to be able to tell which type of bike they prefer simply by taking a look at these two things right away. Of course, fit is also important. Many buying their first adult commuter bicycle might not realize that there are not “one size fit all” options. Any bike shop will be able to take measurements and allow a shopper to check out the choices. Of course, that information can be used later on if shopping online.
Comfort is huge when on the road, especially for more novice riders. Sharing the road with motorized vehicles can be scary, so the last thing a person wants is to not be completely comfortable on the bike they own. That’s why it is not recommended to jump straight into a classic road bike. Not only are they usually a bit more expensive, but skinny wheels are intimidating.
Bike safety is nothing to overlook. A helmet is a must for any commuter on the road. Even in the most bike friendly cities, all it takes is one reckless or careless driver to really do some damage. For commuting, also make sure your possessions are protected. Traveling on bike with a laptop or something else of value means making sure that everything is pr
Mountain Bicycle Options
As a true communter bicycle, a mountain bike is not what I would personally recommend. They are too bulky and they aren’t going to perform as well as other options when you are on pavement. However, some people might not be buying a bicycle only to commute. The mountain bike does offer some advantages to consumers looking to have one ride to handle everything.
For starters, only in an ideal world is a true commute going to be without obstacles. Anyone who rides a bike knows about debris on the road, lanes closing at the last second, short stints on the sidewalk with no other alternative, etc. That might not sound as beautiful as attacking picturesque mountains like they do in advertisements for mountain bikes, but that come in use in more urban settings as well. Here are two great options for those looking for mountain bikes to use as commuter bicycles under $500.
Schwinn Bonafied 29” Wheel Mountain Bike
Quality parts and a sturdy frame are huge for any person looking for a commuter bike. Mountain bikes are going to be a bit more solid in general, but this option from Schwinn is extremely durable.
What sets this bike apart from many others in this price range are the components. The 29” wheels are big, without being too big, and they come equipped with high profile alloy rims built to handle anything thrown their way. Alloy rims of this quality are hard to find under $500, but they are great for quality mountain bikes because they add durability without adding weight. The aluminum frame on the commuter bike option is also great for those using this on pavement. A mountain bike is a great option, only if it does not weigh a ton.
Another thing that really stands out with this bike compared to the other are the 24-speed Shimano EZ-Fire trigger shifters. There are also rear Shimano derailleurs. If there are a lot of hilly ares on a commute, these gears just work, able to handle just about any type of terrain. There are quality front and rear mechanical disk breaks as well that work in any weather condition. Think of this as a bike version of a SUV or Jeep.
Merax Finiss 26″ Aluminum 21 Speed Mg Alloy Wheel Mountain Bike
Maybe a 29” bike is too much for you. That’s where a slightly smaller, but still extremely durable mountain bike like this one might come in. Available in three different colors and coming in way under budget, the Merax Finiss 26″ Aluminum 21 Speed Mg Alloy Wheel Mountain Bike is a great option to consider.
This mountain bike also has Shimano derailleurs and shifters, as well as an excellent disc break system. Even though they weigh roughly the same, this bike feels a little bit lighter. A bigger tire is usually beneficial for longer rides, but a 26” wheel is still going to be pretty solid.
The suspension fork on this commuter bike option is something that feels great. It handles bumps in the road and allows for complete control, almost feeling like it is made out of carbon instead of aluminum. In this price range, there won’t be a bike that runs as smoothly.
Hybrid, True Commuter Bicycle Options
This is the sweet spot for me, a bicycle that really can fit into any person’s life. Hybrid bicycles in many ways were designed specifically for a commuter in mind.
A major plus for a lot of people is that they can still ride in an upright position (like on a mountain bike) while using faster wheels similar to that of a road bike. The tires are not going to be super skinny, so that also gives a lot of people extra comfort.
If there is a negative, it’s just that everything is very good on a hybrid commuter bike, but not great. Want more speed? A road bike will have it. Want more durability? Maybe a mountain bike is a better choice. If you aren’t sure what exactly you want though, a hybrid bicycle is the way to go. Looking for the right hybrid commuter bicycle under $500? These options are great starting points.
Retrospec Bicycles Kinney 14-Speed Vintage Hybrid Bicycle
Looking for a retro look with quality parts and a great overall ride? This option is perfect. It’s a hybrid bike with a little bit of old school, uniqueness added to it. Not only does it stand out from the crowd, but it has quality parts that will keep it running smoothly for years.
There are some cutting edge, futuristic looking bicycles on the market, but this option brings things back to yesteryear. With that said, the wheels are anything but a throwback. In fact, the tires are probably the best part of this bike out of the box. It does a great job tackling the elements, especially water. Some road bikes are hard to use in the rain, but this hybrid bike can handle any type of weather (within reason).
Since it is inspired by an old school look, it comes with the practical, yet often overlooked, fenders on both wheels. This comes in handy if the weather isn’t ideal and the bike is being used as a commuter. Water, mud and more won’t splash up nearly as much. This bike has full coverage, and they are chromed out to add the ultimate retro feel.
sixthreezero EVRYjourney Women’s Step-Through Hybrid Cruiser Bicycle (24-Inch and 26-Inch)
Sorry men, but this hybrid cruiser and commuter bicycle is too great to ignore when talking about options that can get someone from point A to point B. Women who own this bicycle love this, and even though I personally have not had the chance to use it, it’s pretty easy to see why.
With a step through frame setup, this is the easiest bike in this article to get on and off of. It might look like a beginner bike from afar, but the components make this a legitimate bike for every day use.
This is such a versatile bike, especially when you consider the 7-speed Shimano external hub. Allowing riders to take things slow or put in some long miles, this is truly the only bike a lot of women will need.
All their bikes come with a rear rack already installed, which is a must for people who commute and are constantly carrying things. There is also an option to go with the 24” or 26”, which is an added bonus for people who might feel like they are too big on the smaller bike.
Single Speed, Fixed Gear, Fixie Bicycle Options
Go to a college campus, and fixed gear, or “fixie” as people like to say, bikes are everywhere. The appeal? A minimalist look, reduced weight and ease of use. Fixed gear bicycles, as the name implies, only have a single gear. That means going up a lot of hills will be difficult, but not everyone lives in areas that have hills that need attacked.
Not all fixed gear bicycles have bullhorn handlebars, but they are pretty prevalent. Comfort wise, they are pretty easy to use as an in between. Since there are no shifters needed, a rider doesn’t have to position their hands like they normally would.
Since fixed gear bikes are pretty minimalist, they tend to be very affordable as well. Since there are no gears, that is one less thing that can possibly break down, meaning less maintenance overall. Fixed gear bikes are great buys on the second hand market as well, but for those looking to buy new, it’s hard to ignore these two choices for commuter bike options.
Critical Cycles Classic Fixed-Gear Single-Speed Track Bike
If you had a mental picture of a fixed gear bike, chances are it looks exactly like this. The company has minimalist branding, the steel frame is one color and the bullhorn handlebars. It might look basic, but the quality is solid.
The biggest thing for this entire bicycle is simplicity. The pedals are nice, big and just work. Since it is so stripped down, the bike never feels heavy when being carried up and down stairs or stored. Once on the bike, it’s easy to pick up speed and also knife through windy days because it is built in many ways like a road bike.
The bullhorn style handlebars are not for everyone, so it’s best to try them out first in a store if possible. They are comfortable to some, but different in a bad way for others.
Out of all the options, those looking for the closest thing to a “ready to ride” bike out of the box should go with this option. It only takes minutes to be ready to go. It’s a great starter bike without having to drop a ton of money.
Pure Fix Original Fixed Gear Single Speed Fixie Bike
Think of this, in many ways, as the step up model from the one listed above. The bike has better parts, the steel frame is a little higher quality and they are more color choices. Pure Cycles has grown, specifically
Riders who wish can use the flip-flop rear wheel hub which allows a person to change from a single speed to a fixed gear bike quickly and easily. The handlebars are a bit more conventional
A lifetime frame warranty, as well as a one year component warranty, means a lot for people who still might be hesitant about purchasing online. The frame warranty in particular really shows how the company stands behind the product.
Entry Level Road Bicycle Options
These options should be considered if you are riding pretty much exclusively on smooth roads and speed is important. A road bike can reach high speeds, and cutting through windy weather is also much easier. These are usually not recommended for those people who are not completely comfortable on a bicycle though, since they have a lot of gears, skinny tires and a design that is for efficiency, not comfort.
If you are looking for a commuter bike and the trips are frequently over 10 miles roundtrip, a road bike might be the best way to go. It’s the quickest way to get from point A to point B. Just be prepared to go way, way over budget if you are looking for a top of the line road bike.
One thing to keep in mind if commuting is the main reason for getting a road bike: make sure the right type of pedals come with the bicycle or can be purchased/installed. A lot of people riding road bikes want to clip in and use special shoes when cycling. Not many commuters are going to want to do that, so do research beforehand on that.
Schwinn Phocus 1600 Men’s Road Bike 700c Wheels
Just about everyone has heard of Schwinn before, as they were THE name in bicycles at one point. Times have changed a bit, but the company is still around and making bikes that really fit into that budget price range.
At this price point, it can sometimes be difficult to find a bicycle with excellent parts. This not only has an aluminum frame that has received solid reviews for not breaking down, but more important, it has a high-end feeling carbon fiber road fork. This will make the ride feel so much smoother than a standard bike. To compare it to some of the top road bikes in the world, most manufacturers try to put as much carbon fiber on the bike as possible.
The bicycle weighs in at around 24 pounds, which isn’t super light, but the bicycle doesn’t feel heavy. It still can be picked up and moved up and down stairs by one person pretty easily. When riding, it doesn’t seem to make much of an impact at all.
Since the road bike comes in at under $500, those with a bit more financial flexibility could upgrade a few parts to really make it their own. The tires don’t seem to be anything too special, and the tubes don’t seem to be the most durable.
Overall, it’s hard to find many negatives with this option as a road bike and commuter bike. This is a great option for those who want to get somewhere fast, and maybe even experiment with some longer rides on the weekend.
EUROBIKE Road Bike XC550 21 Speed 700C Bicycle
This road bike might look expensive, but with even the priciest option being just over $300, it’s one of the best starter options available today. EUROBIKE might not have the historic name of Schwinn, but it’s modern looking design and quality parts make it an option that’s definitely worth consideration.
The 21 Speed Shimano Shifting system works extremely well, and it makes the bike feel very high end in that regard. This just feels like a safe bike, when you couple the shifting system with the dual disc brake setup.
Compared to the Schwinn option, this bike is heavier, and the lack of a carbon fork makes the ride just a bit bumpier. The tires, the shifting system and the brake system make up for it in a lot of ways. Also, it’s hard to argue with the price, which can hover around $200 for some color/size options. The best thing about getting a bicycle for this price is that, in most cases, this can be sold locally without taking much of a loss even after being used. That means that when it is time to upgrade to a better bike, selling it should not be that difficult.
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