The road bike is probably the most popular type of bike for both men and women. But, you’re here looking for the best women’s road bike under 500, right? So, let’s get into it.
The road bike is undoubtedly one of the most versatile types of bikes out there, as it’s suitable for a number of different uses. You can use it to go to work, bike to school, or as a form of exercise.
Most importantly, it’s just a great way to explore nature when you feel like hitting a few trails. It’s also super comfortable and easy to use for casual riding.
Best Cheap Women’s Road Bikes for Beginners
In this post, we’re going to take you on a journey to find the best women’s road bike under 500 for your needs.
We guarantee that by the time you finish reading this, you’ll know exactly which bicycle suits you more.
1. sixthreezero Hybrid-Bicycles Explore Your Range
Sixthreezero is one of the most famous road bike manufacturers in the world and for good reason. They’re famous for making well-designed and constructed bikes that are easy to get on and off from.
The women’s 7-speed model is no different, as evidenced by its step-thru design and the uniquely structured frame that lends itself to the female physique.
The sixthreezero bicycle comes in three different colors, namely Teal Blue, Cream, and Navy. You can wear anything, and this bike will perfectly compliment it. That’s what makes it ideal to use on a daily basis as a road bike. You’ll be quite impressed by how rigid it is, and it’s all thanks to the aluminum frame.
But, what makes this the best women’s road bike under 500 for a lot of people is the fact that you can customize the handlebar height to enjoy a more comfortable ride, while the bike’s upright riding position guarantees pressure relief on the back, arm, and shoulders.
2. Giordano Aversa Aluminum Road Bike
Giordano’s Aversa takes the cake for having the most affordable aluminum frame that we’ve seen in a while.
It’s perfect for beginner cyclists that are looking for something to use on their daily commute.
The bicycle is made with a lightweight aluminum frame and comes with a Shimano 2×7 speed drivetrain. This is complemented by rim brakes, alloy wheels, and a stem shifter.
Because of all these great features, the Aversa is considered the best road bike for novice cyclists.
3. Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike
If you’re really tight on money, there’s nothing better than the Vilano R2 to cater to your needs. Although you’re paying less, you’ll soon find that this doesn’t necessarily translate to lower quality.
The R2 is constructed from a lightweight aluminum frame. The bike’s shifting system offers Shimano Tourney derailleurs on the back and front which translates to smooth and reliable shifting.
Another feature worth mentioning is the triple chainring which is designed to help you benefit from the 7-speed rear cog set. What does all this mean? Basically, that this is the perfect bike for beginner cyclists and daily commuters as well.
The only “downside” worth mentioning is that this bicycle requires a bit of assembly since it’s a straight-from-factory model.
4. Schwinn Phocus Drop Bar Road Bicycle
The Schwinn Phocus is a high-quality bicycle model that’s made to offer the best in performance and durability. You’d be hard-pressed to find a similar quality bike at this price range.
But, what makes this the best cheap women’s road bike is the fact that it’s made with a carbon fiber front fork. It’s stiff and rough enough to handle the rigors of the road. It also features a Shimano Claris derailleur which combined with the SR Suntour crankset is designed to increase the bikes gear range.
Then, you’ve got lightweight alloy rims that are combined with unique spokes, and a quick-release saddle whose height you can adjust according to your needs and preferences.
We must commend Schwinn for their use of alloy caliper brakes that offer excellent stopping power. It’s smooth pedaling all the way with this one.
5. Eurobike Road Bike EURXC550
The Eurobike XC550 is a high-quality bike that lives up to the hype around it, despite being half the price of a similar-quality model!
You know you’re working with the right stuff the moment you see the wheels, seat, and handlebars.
Some of its notable features include a unique speed system that allows you to tackle different types of terrain with relative ease, and this includes hills. This is in addition to a shifting system that allows you to operate the bicycle from double disc brakes.
All told, the Eurobike is the best beginner road bike for women under 500. It has a lot of nice, easy-to-use features that once you get used to, you simply can’t live without. It’s super affordable and easy to ride.
6. Vilano Shadow 3.0 Road Bike
The Vilano Shadow 3 is the latest offering from this very well-known brand. In fact, we’re surprised that it’s the best affordable women’s road bike. How did they do that? I mean, this road bike comes with built-in shifters and brakes, as well as a double chainring and a 7-speed rear cassette.
Similar to the brand’s R2 model, the 3.0 features Shimano Tourney parts which means that it’ll be easy to repair when the need arises. It’s the ideal budget-friendly option for beginners.
This reliable bicycle is easy to assemble and you can put it together on your own with little effort. Of course, if you prefer then you can always get someone else to do it for you.
Either way, you’ll be happy with your purchase because it rides like a dream. That’s why it has made it on this part of our list of the best women’s road bike under 500.
7. Giordano Libero Road Bike-700c
The Giordano Libero 1.6 Women’s Version is one of the best budget women’s road bikes under 500 thanks to its unique structure and amazing color combination.
It’s handmade to ensure that it adheres to a very specific geometry design.
Basically, it’s designed to prevent back pain by absorbing vibrations from the road, and it’s designed to adhere to the unique anatomy of a woman’s body.
This is in addition to the lightweight aluminum frame which makes for comfortable long rides. Plus, the padded saddle makes for an even more comfortable ride.
8. Trinx TEMPO1.0 700C Road Bike
Proudly made in Italy, the Trinx Tempo offers great value for money. In addition to its stylish design, it’s suitable for everyday use, on account of the fact that it’s made for long-distance applications.
It’s so rugged that we can guarantee that you’ll enjoy multiple rides without worrying about it falling apart or needing repairs.
This is another great one for beginners because it has a great set of brakes on it and it’s a lightweight women’s road bike and easy to ride as well. It’s also easy to put together, which shows that the brand made it with the end-user in mind. You can even install upgrades and add-ons like pedals and seats if you like with relative ease.
The only issue that people seem to have with it is the fact that the saddle can sometimes get uncomfortable.
How to Get the Best Women’s Road Bike Under $500
Most cyclists tend to overlook bikes in the $500 and below price range, but if experience has taught us anything, this is a huge mistake. These bikes offer surprising value for money if you know what you look for.
This brings us to our next section, where we cover the most important features to look out for and expected from the best women’s road bike under 500.
Size
Many women’s beginner road bike manufacturers are willing to minimize bike element dimensions to ensure that the geometry and fork angle is designed for the female form.
Height
One of the most common features in women’s hybrid and mountain bikes is the “sloping” top tube, which can also be found on the best value women’s road bikes, depending on the manufacturer.
Frame
The frame is another important aspect of the bike.
At the $500 price range, you want a bike that’s at least made from an aluminum frame. This means that it’s lightweight and durable, but not stiff.
If you can afford to pay a little more, then you should definitely consider a carbon fiber frame bike. These usually run for about $1,000 and above.
Handlebar
Bike handlebars are designed to complement the rider’s shoulder width.
Most women have narrow shoulders, so female bikes often come with narrow handlebars as a result. This is to accommodate their smaller hands.
Brakes
As you may have noticed from going through our reviews, most bikes in the $500 price range feature V brakes or caliper brakes which is just what you need for road biking.
But, for something like a mountain bike you want disc brakes because they’re equipped to handle every rougher terrain.
Again, if you’re shopping on a budget, there’s nothing wrong with V brakes or caliper brakes. They’re well worth the money at this price range.
Saddle
As a female cyclist, you want your bike to have a comfortable saddle.
The point is to be able to ride in an upright position so that you can remain comfortable, especially on the sit bone.
The last thing you want is to end up with an uncomfortable sit bone and you should be able to sit on drops without having to worry about tissue compression.
Gears
The best women’s bikes under $500 come with a compact chainset that’s complemented by a wide ratio cassette.
This translates to a wide range of gear options and it’s perfect for use in uphill conditions.
Stem
Women’s comfort bikes often feature a short stem, and this is by design because it leads to a lower reach. In turn, this can lead to compromised handling.
Cranks
Because women’s legs are often shorter than men’s legs, the best value women’s bike is often designed with a lower crank.
This is to make sure that the cyclist can get the most out of their pedal stroke. The point is to avoid overlap.
Rims
The most common materials that are used for making bike rims are carbon, aluminum, and steel.
That’s because the rims are designed to smooth out ground vibration while riding your bike so that you can enjoy a smooth ride, which is important for daily commuting. A bike’s ability to do this depends on the materials used.
If your bike has aluminum rims, then you should ensure that it comes with double wall integrations for optimal stiffness. Plus, you want reinforced carbon and steel for maximum strength.
Types of Road Bikes
Alright, at this point you’re very clear about how to find the best women’s road bike under 500.
But, just to make sure that you make an informed decision, here’s a list of the different good women’s road bikes you have at your disposal to choose from.
Commuter Bikes
The commuter bike is the most common type of road bike. That’s because they’re easy to maneuver around paved roads.
They’re designed for balance and comfort. As such, they have mud flaps, durable wheels, and sometimes even a rack.
Touring Bikes
Touring road bikes are perfect for anyone that wants to learn how to cycle for longer.
They’re made for comfort so you can ride them for prolonged periods of time without feeling tired. Touring bikes often come with a sizable rack and they’re made for a distance more than speed.
Sportive Bikes
Sportive bikes are endurance racing bikes and they’re a bit larger than race bikes.
Thus, they’re more comfortable and easier to ride for long periods of time without getting tired. Sportive bikes are great for everyday commuting.
Race Bikes
Racing road bikes are lightweight and easy to maneuver because they’re designed for making quick turns.
That’s why they also have high-quality braking systems. Needless to say, approach with caution if you’re a beginner.
Time Trial Bikes
Time trial bicycles are designed for experienced cyclists who enjoy racing.
They’re made for high-speed conditions with a fair amount of wind resistance. If you’re an experienced cyclist, this is the bicycle for you.
Aero Bikes
Aero bikes are like time trial bikes and feature an aerodynamic design that’s perfect for riding at high speeds, especially for novice cyclists.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! That’s our opinion on what’s the best women’s road bike under $500. But, if you want another nudge, we’re more than happy to recommend the sixthreezero Hybrid-Bicycles Explore Your Range model.
In our opinion, it’s the best women’s flat-bar road bike under 500 because it’s designed specifically for the female form. It comes in a number of stylish colors, it’s ideal to use for daily commutes, and it comes with a customizable handlebar to ensure that you can enjoy a comfy ride whether you’re on the pavement or on a tar road.
It’s also lightweight and easy to control on the road. It’s a thing of beauty on a budget.