If you are in the market for a new bike to use for either leisure or getting to work, then we are here to help by reviewing the best beginner road bikes. If you want to skip straight to buying, we think that the best beginner road bike under $500 is the HILAND 700 CC Road Bike.
How We Choose The Bikes
If you are new to bikes and want to know what sorts of things we looked at when deciding which bikes to review, we have you covered.
First off, we started by analyzing the frame and what it is made out of. The design and material of a bike’s frame have the largest impact on the riding quality of the bike.
Secondly, we looked at the braking system of the bike. Given road bikes are often used in urban areas, having responsive brakes is an absolute must.
Finally, we looked at less important quality of life features, things like how easy it was to assemble a particular bike or how comfortable the seat is. We go into more detail on these factors in our buying guide later on.
A Spotlight On Some of The Best Beginner Road Bike Under $500 in 2025:
 | Schwinn GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid Bike | ||
 | Schwinn Kedzie Single-Speed Fixie Road Bike | ||
 | HILAND 700 CC Road Bike | ||
 | ZiZZO Campo 20 inch Folding Bike | ||
 | VASTA Single-Speed Fixed Gear Urban Commuter Bike |
Schwinn GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid Bike
The first road bike that we want to take a look at on our best road bikes for under 500 article is the Schwinn GTX Comfort Adult Hybrid Bike.
Schwinn is a pretty recognizable name when it comes to road bikes and they make some pretty great options for those of you who are looking for a reliable, budget-friendly option. This particular offering from them is an overall great bike that deserves to be on this list.
One of the best aspects of this bike is how it manages to strike a great balance between being both very strongly build and also being quite light.
This is not a fragile bike by any means, but because the frame is made primarily from aluminum it remains extremely light and maneuverable. It comes with reliable front and rear pull brakes and comfortable seating. This is a very good option looking for a road bike that can be used in dense cities and suburbs alike.
One glaring issue with the Schwinn (although not glaring enough to prevent us from recommending it) is how tricky it can be to put together this bike.
If you are at all familiar with assembling bikes, then this one isn’t going to be an issue for you to put together. However, if this is your first bike or if you aren’t particularly handy, it can be tricky because the bike comes with no tools for you to use and the instruction manual is very barebones.
Pros:
- Great for cities and suburbs.
- Responsive braking system.
- Comfortable seating.
- Durable but still light aluminum alloy frame.
Cons:
- Can be difficult to put together.
Schwinn Kedzie Single-Speed Fixie Road Bike
The next option that we want to review on our best beginner road bike under 500 list is the Schwinn Kedzie Single-Speed Fixie Road Bike. This is a solid option that you can get assembled quite easily (thanks to very clear instructions and some included tools).
This is a surprisingly sturdy and speedy bike. It is equipped with the solid Schwinn steel frame which gives the road bike some much needed heft and durability.
At the same time, the bike has 700CC wheels and 32H rims, which allow it to cruise effortlessly along all types of roads, but especially asphalt. It handles well and it has a great braking system, which gives you extra protection when riding through bustling city areas.
There are two minor issues with the Schwinn Kedzie. Firstly, the seat isn’t the most comfortable and we imagine that it will be one of the first things that you want to upgrade. Secondly, the bike does require some minor adjustments to things like the brackets and the wheels to work properly.
Seat needs an upgrade.
Pros:
- Has a sturdy steel frame.
- Great wheel and rim setup.
- Perfect for crowded city riding.
- Easy to put together.
Cons:
- Requires some adjustments out of the box.
HILAND 700 CC Road Bike
The next road bike that we want to take a look at is the HILAND 700 CC Road Bike. This is yet another great road bike that is perfect for both beginners and those looking to get a very usable road bike at a very reasonable price.
For starters, like a lot of the other options on this list, the HILAND is equipped with a solid aluminum frame. As we have said before, aluminum is a great material for this type of bike because it is both durable and light, while still being cost effective.
The HILAND shines in plenty of other areas as well. For example, it has a great brake system based around dusk caliper brakes. It also has a very well-made drivetrain with around 14 gear options (this helps to provide maneuverability when doing hills and going on rougher terrain).
There are two problems with the HILAND 700 CC Road Bike that we want to discuss. First off, the more minor issue is the fact that the handlebars are a bit uncomfortable; this is a more minor issue because replacing handlebars is a pretty easy fix.
The second and more annoying issue is the placement of the bike’s shifters. Unfortunately, the bike’s shifters just aren’t quite as well-placed as we would like, and they can be a bit awkward to use (fixing shifters isn’t quite as easy as fixing handlebars).
Pros:
- 14 gear drivetrain.
- High-quality aluminum frame.
- Dual caliper brake system.
- Cost-effective and easy to use.
Cons:
- Handlebars aren’t the best.
- Shifters could be in a better location.
ZiZZO Campo 20 inch Folding Bike
Moving on with our best beginner road bike under $500 review list, we want to take a look at the ZiZZO Campo 20 inch Folding Bike.
As the name indicates, this is a folding bike and it is the of its kind that we are reviewing. A folding bike is a great option for beginners because they tend to be extremely light and easy to control.
At the same time, they are also convenient for traveling inside larger cities because you can easily fold it up and stuff it in a taxi or take it on a train.
In terms of actual performance, we don’t have any complaints when it comes to this bike. It steers and handles exceedingly well. It has a very comfortable seat and a reliable braking system. It is a great option for casual riding or running errands in a busy urban core.
Now, one downside to the ZiZZO that we have to mention has to do with something that we would also consider to be a positive, which is the folding frame.
If you are at all familiar with folding road bikes, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the frame on this bike just doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as those that don’t fold.
Don’t get us wrong, this bike isn’t going to collapse or anything like that, but if you like the feeling of a sturdier frame (as opposed to a lighter one), then you may want to get another road bike instead.
Pros:
- Great for very urban areas.
- Good for casual riding.
- Comfortable seat.
- Responsive brakes.
- Foldable frame makes storage easy.
Cons:
- Frame isn’t quite as sturdy as non-folding bikes.
VASTA Single-Speed Fixed Gear Urban Commuter Bike
The last beginner road bike under 500 that we are going to be reviewing is the AVASTA Single-Speed Fixed Gear Urban Commuter Bike. If you are looking for a reliable bike to use for commuting without breaking the bank, then this one is going to be right up your alley.
The AVASTA Single-Speed Fixed Gear Urban Commuter Bike is an extremely affordable road bike, even by the standards of our list. Despite the low price, it is still remarkably high-quality. It has a very solid steel frame, it controls well, and riding it feels great; any commuter should love this bike.
As an added bonus, if the idea of difficult assembly makes you groan then you can take comfort knowing that the AVASTA is extremely easy to assemble; it even comes with all of the necessary tools to put the bike together.
The only issue with the AVASTA that we want to mention in this review has to do with the pedal quality on this bike. The pedals are not quite the best, which you would expect given the price of the bike.
They are serviceable but will likely get worn out quickly and aren’t that comfortable, so we recommend getting them replaced sooner rather than later.
Pros:
- Comes with all of the tools needed for assembly.
- A very affordable commuting bike.
- Provides a comfortable and simple ride.
- Fairly reliable steel frame.
Cons:
- The pedals may need to be replaced.
Beginner Road Bikes Under 500 Buying Guide
In this next section of our article, we are going to be discussing in greater detail some of the aspects of buying a beginner road bike that we mentioned way back at the beginning of our article.
What Is A Road Bike?
One of the first things that we want to discuss is what exactly we mean when we talk about road bikes.
Most people just use the term “bike” or “bicycle” and don’t really think about the different kinds that are out there. There are mountain bikes, dirt bikes, off-road bikes, tournament bikes, and finally, road bikes. Road bikes are bikes that are meant to be used primarily or entirely on paved surfaces.
Frame Material
One of the first things that you want to look at is what the frame of your bike is made of. Given that this is a review list specifically aimed at budget bikes that are under $500 there isn’t going to be a ton of variety in this regard as most budget-friendly road bikes and beginner road bikes are made of aluminum.
There is a good reason for this as aluminum is not only a fairly sturdy material, but it is incredibly light and aerodynamic, so it is easier for new or inexperienced riders to handle when compared with a more solid bike made of stainless steel or another heavier material (like carbon fibre).
Brake System
As you might be able to guess, the type of brake that your bike is equipped with is extremely important.
When you are riding through city streets and on suburban roads, you need a reliable and quick way to stop. Most under $500 bikes will likely be equipped with rim brakes, and while this is perfectly fine, if you can find a bike with disc brakes, heavily consider that as disc brakes are a good deal better.
Brakes come in especially handy for road bikers that are primarily using their bike in inner cities (as the traffic is intense and stopping on a dime is crucial).
Quality of Life Features
Finally, when shopping for a road bike, you want to look at the various quality of life features that help to set one bike apart from another. We often discussed these quality of life features in our various reviews.
To give you a few ideas of what we mean, try looking at how difficult (or not) a particular road bike is to assemble; consider if it comes with good instructions and the relevant tools. Also, try looking at things like pedals, seats, and handlebars.
High-quality versions of these things aren’t essential for a bike to be used, but they do make the riding experience a lot more enjoyable. If you are using your road bike to commute often, then you want to place a high emphasis on having a comfortable riding experience.
Conclusion
We hope that this article allowed you to find the best beginner road bike under 500 that is right for you.
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