The Best Bikes Under $500
By: Matt Donovan,
3rd generation Owner and General Manager of Dedham Bike
Last updated: 1/29/24
Shopping For Bikes On A $500, Even A $600 Budget Can Be Hard!
Are you in the market for a new bicycle but don't have a huge amount of money to spend?
Have you been told that you can't buy a bike shop quality bike for less than five hundred bucks?
Well we're about to show you that you can have your cake and eat it too!
And no, we're not going to send you to a mass merchant or Amazon!
We care too much about your well being to do such a thing. So....
We've broken things down into mountain bikes, road bikes and hybrid bikes for you.
The Best Mountain Bikes Under $500
These bikes are our suggested options for entry level trail or "mountain bikes". They are designed for light off road use and just getting around on. Entry level mountain bikes also make great bikes for short commutes, especially when the weather gets wetter!
**Please be aware, market changes prices have risen in recent months due to circumstances beyond our control and may reflected in our offerings below. Thank you.
Our Pick: The Jamis Divide
Featuring a lightweight 6061 aluminum frame, 80mm travel suspension fork, Tektro disc brakes, and Shimano drivetrain, Divide hits all the marks at a very reasonable price point.- 6061 aluminum frame
- XC80, coil spring fork, external preload adjustor
- Alex TD26 double-wall disc-specific rims, 32H, alloy 6-bolt disc hubs
- Shimano, 7-Speed drivetrain
- Sealed cartridge bottom bracket
- Tektro M280 mechanical disc brakes, Shimano levers
- Jamis XC alloy handlebar & stem
- Jamis ATB Sport saddle
Want to see what a little extra money could get you?
While you can absolutely start riding off-road without investing in an expensive mountain bike, if you do decide you want to spend more time riding harder trails, you may appreciate some of the features found on bikes in a slightly higher price point:
- Disk brakes: Almost all purpose-built mountain bikes come with disc brakes, and they typically offer the best braking control, while rim brakes can lose power in wet/muddy conditions.
- Longer travel suspension fork: Having 80mm or less of front suspension is perfect for dirt roads and mellow trails, but by investing a little more you can grab a bike with more suspension that'll be more comfortable and capable on harder terrain.
- 1x drivetrain: Most modern mountain bikes have moved to a system with only 1 front chainring and 10-12 gears in the back, simplifying the shifting process, cutting down on parts and weight, and generally being better for trail riding.
- Dropper seatpost: A common feature on more expensive mountain bikes, dropper posts allow you to lower and raise your seat in a flash, getting it out of the way on rough, bouncy terrain.
The Best Hybrid Bikes Under $500
Hybrids are great for getting around town, commuting or just smelling the roses. A hybrid is a "do everything" bike, they can be ridden on pavement, gravel and very tame single track trails and are easily accessorized.
Our Pick: Pure Cycles Coaster
The Pure Cycles Coaster Bikes are biking made simple. One speed, no cables, no levers, no nonsense—just you, the bike, and the road. Featuring a hands-free coaster brake for easy stops, swept-back bars for a comfy, upright ride, and a steel frame to soften the road, this bike is perfect for quick errands, slow rolls, and all of those late-night party rides.
As easy as riding a bike.
- Coaster brake – just push back on the pedals to stop.
- Sealed bottom bracket for smooth spins
- 25mm rims
Want to see what a little extra money could get you?
Sometimes the simplest bike is all you need to get around. But if you put a lot of miles on your bike, or you live in an area with more challenging conditions, you might consider if some of the following upgrades are worth it to you:
- Gears: Singlespeeds are perfect for flat terrain, but they can be challenging in an area with hills. If you live in a hilly area, you may consider a bike that has gears that will make pedaling up and down hills easier.
- Suspension: Lots of hybrids come with a front suspension fork that absorb the bumps in the road and make riding off the pavement more enjoyable.
- Disk brakes: Rim brakes are classic and easy to adjust, but if you ride in wet weather a lot you might consider a bike with disc brakes that won't be as affected by the conditions.
- Accessory mounts: Having lots of mounts means you can attach water bottles and racks to your bike to make it more utilitarian.
The Best Cruiser Bikes Under $500
Cruiser bikes are some of the most beginner-friendly bikes out there. They are comfortable, simple, and affordable. They're perfect for new riders or those who just want a bike that'll get them around without any fuss.
Our Pick: The Sun Cycles 7S Step Thru
The Sun 7S Step Thru cruiser is a fun and affordable cruiser bike that's super comfortable and stylish.
The 7 speed shifter make it nearly fail-proof, just keep those tires pumped up and you're good!
The step-thru frame makes it easy to get on and off, and the upright handlebars and wide, cushioned seat make it a blast to ride.
Want to see what a little extra money could get you?
While cruiser bikes are often classic and mechanically simple, there are models that go a step further and feature a few nice upgrades that might be worth considering.
- Gears: If you love the aesthetic and comfortable ride of cruiser bikes but you live in an area with hills, you might enjoy having a few gears to help you get up and over them more easily.
- Hand brakes: The most basic cruisers typically have coaster brakes, where you need to back pedal to slow down. Hand brakes off better control and you might consider choosing a cruiser with feature.
- Lighter frame and components: Sometimes cruiser bikes can be quite heavy, and investing more can get you a model that's lighter.
The Best Road Bikes Under $500
We've picked out our favorite sub $500 road bikes and added one slightly more pricey option because it rocks. Entry level road bikes are great for commuting, working out or the occasional long ride.
Want to see what a little extra money could get you?
Fuji Feather
The Fuji Feather is a single speed road bike designed to be simple and needing less maintenance.
Due to it's one gear and lack of shifters etc. the Feather is a great bike for commuters and college students alike.
Made from lightweight steel tubing the bike is super durable and comfy to ride and is great for city or campus use.
The Feather can be set up as a "fixie" or run as a freewheeling single speed depending on your needs.
Let's Wrap Things Up Shall We
So now that we've given you some of our favorite and best bikes under $500 let's get a few things straight.
- The bikes we have listed here are all bike shop quality bikes, not low quality products made for cheap mass consumption.
- These bikes are all made with the highest quality parts that their price ranges will allow.The aluminum and steel used in the production of these bicycles are of the highest quality for their price.
- When shopping for bikes under $500 you have to be very careful to not get sucked into the bogus marketing schemes of the big online retailers and Amazon sellers.
- They are not bike shops or bike shop employees for the most part, they are just trying to make a buck off of your lack of knowledge in this area. For instance, did you know that dual suspension mountain bike for $300 weighs over 40 pounds!
- Aluminum is not just aluminum and steel is not just steel, there are varying grades and weights so do not get snookered into thinking that crazy looking full suspension bike or aerodynamic looking road bike is by any means lightweight just because the seller says it is.
- We are a 3rd generation bike shop, family owned and operated since 1932.
- Dedham Bike is run by cyclists and bike enthusiasts who are proud to offer you the best brands and equipment as well as our hard earned knowledge.
- We've done our homework so that you don't have to.