the Best Hybrid Bike Under $500 For Men And Women [Review And Buying Guide]

There are many bikes on the market, but if you’re looking for the best hybrid bike under $500, you’ll want it to be from a brand you can trust.

Our favorite discovery is the Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Men’s Single Speed Hybrid Cruiser Bicycle. Primarily, we love that you can easily ride this bike according to your own style and the riding conditions. It can tackle uphill rides and long distances easily and it’s designed to maintain proper leg extension for riders.

The Best Hybrid Bikes Under $500 in 2020 

Have you been searching high and low for the best hybrid bike under $500? Look no further, because we’ve done all the research for you. We’ve looked at the top bikes on the market right now based on materials used, gears, tire size, and brakes. We also added some enticing models with additional features.

Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Men’s Single Speed Hybrid Cruiser Bicycle — Best Overall

Sixthreezero EVRYjourney Men's Single Speed Hybrid Cruiser Bicycle

This is one of the best men’s hybrid bikes under $500 for several reasons. Most importantly, it’s comfortable and safe to ride. The 26-inch wheels and 21-speed gears enable you to ride based on your own style and ability. The two-inch thick wheels provide an impressive turnover on tracks which are ordinarily difficult to ride on.

It’s also a hybrid sports bike which looks pleasing and has a matte black modern frame. You’ll ride the bike in an upright position, which keeps your back and shoulders comfortable during all rides. In addition, the foot-forward design allows you to maintain proper leg extension for maximum comfort and stability.

The Shimano Tourney derailleur gears and friction shifters can tackle uphill climbs and long distances with very little difficulty. Also, the front and rear handbrakes are reliable and user-friendly, which allows you to keep control when riding. We’re a huge fan of the leather grip on the handlebars which provide optimum support. 

Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike for Men and Women — Best Runner-up

Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike for Men and Women

This Schwinn model is another of the best hybrid bikes under $500. We love its back sweep handlebar which allows you to stay comfortable during your rides, no matter what kind of adventure you’re on. Another great aspect with this hybrid bike is there is a total of 21 variations in speed. This means that no matter what surface you cycle on, you can pick a speed which suits you.

Its aluminum frame is durable yet lightweight, and this allows you to pick up speed quickly. With a padded seat, you’ll always be comfortable, even on the most vigorous rides. We love the fenders which are built onto the bike to prevent the rider becoming dirty during use. This is particularly handy when riding through cities or commuting to work.

Getting on and off the bike is convenient and simple, thanks to the 18-inch step-over black frame — a great feature for those who are in a rush.

Trek FX1 — Premium Pick

The FX1 hybrid bike is the best bike for commuting to work every day if you wish to acquire more exercise, rather than driving to work every day. It’s a high-performance hybrid bike with a lightweight aluminum frame, a range of gears, and strong wheels.

With 21 speeds to choose from, you always have the option to select the right gear for your fitness, preferences, and terrain. The bike is also equipped with strong, double-walled wheels that provide excellent traction on the road. Riding is made fun by the ergonomic handlebars, which make it easy to transfer your weight and maintain a high speed.

Another reason this bike is a great contender for commuting is that it comes with mounts, so you can accessorize it with lights, mudguards, racks, and fitness trackers. The bike’s versatility makes it excellent value for money while also being suitable for various occasions and conditions. Check our Complete review guide here.

Vilano Diverse 3.0 Performance Hybrid Road Bike — Best for Speed

Vilano Diverse 3.0 Performance Hybrid Road Bike

This hybrid bike comes with standard tires which can handle wear and tear fairly well, making it a perfect bike for commutes. We also love that the brakes are reliable and long-lasting, and they help keep all riders safe. In addition, the aluminum bike frame provides durability on every ride, so you can travel for hundreds of miles without a tune-up.

Its upright handlebars provide optimum comfort and the saddle is padded, which also improves the overall comfort of the rider. The flat handlebars are great for traveling uphill and staying balanced and stable in tough conditions. The design also keeps the rider in an upright, leaned-over position to obtain maximum speed.

The brakes are Vilano’s own disc brakes which are reliable, although they’re not as good as hydraulic disc brakes, but they do make the bike budget-friendly and a perfect choice for beginners. Finally, this bike uses minimalist tires, which makes it perfect for beginners, and you can easily ride across grass and mud without experiencing any difficulties.

Schwinn Network Hybrid Bike — Best Design

Schwinn Network Hybrid Bike

This Schwinn hybrid bike generally offers a smooth and stable ride, which makes it a joy to ride. It absorbs bumps well while allowing you to sit upright for maximum comfort. Also, when you let go of the bike, it doesn’t topple to one side, as it’s highly stable. It can travel at speeds of up to 15mph on flat, paved surfaces with ease and most riders report that the gears are smooth to shift.

This Schwinn model features lightweight direct-pull brakes on both wheels, which provide you with plenty of stopping power. Although this isn’t the best choice for stopping power, compared to hydraulic or disc brakes, this bike’s brakes are reliable.

We love the appearance of this bike and it’s also available in multiple colors, which allows you to purchase a design to suit your preferences. It also comes with a step-over frame, so you can easily mount and dismount in a rush, and this also provides general comfort.

Sixthreezero Explore Your Range Women’s Hybrid Commuter Bicycle — Great for Commuting

Sixthreezero Explore Your Range Women's Hybrid Commuter Bicycle

The Sixthreezero Explore Your Range bike is among the best models on this list for commuting. It’s lightweight, weighing just over 38 pounds, which allows you to pick up speed quickly, particularly when you make use of the rear racks for carrying groceries or work equipment.

It’s comfortable to ride, thanks to its queen-size saddle which is cushioned and has synthetic leather stitching to make it long-lasting. The raised handlebars encourage you to ride in a vertical position, providing comfortable geometry to reduce strains on your neck, shoulders and back.

This hybrid bike features 700cc anti-slip tires which are safe to use in a variety of conditions. Different to other hybrid bikes on this list, this bike is fitted with narrow tires which enhance surface traction and control. This feature enables you to maintain control when cycling on smooth or wet terrain. The slim design also makes the tires ideal for attaining high speeds in these conditions. 

Diamondback Hybrid Bike 2016 Insight 1 — Best for Smooth Gear Transitions

Diamondback Bicycles 2016 Insight 1

This Diamondback hybrid bike is smooth to ride on paved and rocky surfaces. The alloy linear pull brakes provide excellent stopping power, and enable you to remain in control of the bike. Also, with 21 speeds to choose from, you can customize the ride to your liking. With Shimano gears, the bike is incredibly smooth to operate.

You can easily adjust the bike to your height and the handlebars are positioned at a suitable distance from the seat to provide a comfortable ride. We love that this bike is ideal for both road and mountain riding, which makes it a highly versatile option. 

The Insight 1 has dual-density comfort hand grips which make the bike comfortable to ride. For its price, we’re incredibly impressed that the bike includes good pedals too. Its lightweight aluminum frame makes handling and controlling much easier than many other materials.

Buying Guide for the Best Hybrid Bikes Under $500 in 2020

Are you still unsure how to choose the best hybrid bike under $500? If this is the case, we’ve created a list of six of the top features you should consider during the buying process.

Wheel Size

Are you confused about what wheel size you need on a hybrid bike? Generally speaking, smaller tires range from 16 to 24 inches. If you’re used to larger bikes, small wheels will certainly take some time to get used to. The turning radius is smaller, which makes steering more sensitive. What this means is that you’ll need to pedal faster in order to keep up with other cyclists or when turning tight corners. 

With full-size or medium wheels, the range is between 26 and 29 inches. As these wheels are larger than the previous category, they’re generally also thicker. The larger the wheel, the more speed you can pick up, making this highly beneficial for riders who are looking for speed. This is purely because the bike’s wheels don’t need to turn as much, which enables you to move faster.

The final category is oversized wheels, which are 29 to 32 inches. These dimensions are less common than small or medium-sized wheels, so you may find it difficult to source these. However, the larger the wheel, the more stability and traction you will have, and this allows you to feel more in control when riding.

Gears

Have you been wondering how many gears you need on your bike and the number of speeds you require to suit your riding style? Let’s start by saying that if you only plan on only using your bike around the neighborhood on a single surface, a single-speed will suffice. There’s simply no point in spending more money on a bike with various gears and speeds if you won’t make use of them.

For daily commuting, your hybrid bike should come with at least three gears. This will allow you to have the option of shifting up and down while riding on different surfaces, i.e. not just an entirely flat surface the entire way. Three speeds are great for commutes of up to 30 miles.

Alternatively, if you plan on traveling on a range of terrain from smooth to bumpy, you should invest in a wider range of gears. This feature helps you to travel at different speeds in different conditions without damaging your bike or affecting your overall performance.

Brake

There are two types of braking systems on hybrid bikes: mechanical and hydraulic. The former is best for cheaper models, though it requires more maintenance. Mechanical disc brakes are reliable in wet weather and offer a faster ride, which is great if you’re looking for a bike with speed.

Alternatively, hydraulic brakes provide a more powerful stopping power and are used on more expensive hybrid bikes. They require less force to apply the lever, resulting in less tired muscles. Plus, this type of braking system doesn’t require maintenance and is ideal for traveling over rocks and bumpy surfaces.

Suspension 

Suspension is crucial for absorbing shocks and making cycling more comfortable for the rider. Without a suspension system on your bike, you’ll feel every bump you ride across, as well as it having an effect on your bike frame’s longevity.

Full Suspension

A bike with full suspension is designed for those who will mainly ride on rough surfaces and bumps, rather than on smooth pavements. For full suspension, you’ll be able to make use of jumping on and off pavements. This type of suspension is more expensive, and will therefore increase the hybrid bike’s overall price.

Its main benefit is reducing fatigue and improving rider comfort. So, if you’re looking for a bike which will absorb impact from bumps, a full-suspension hybrid bike is the right choice. Also, it’s beneficial to those who have a great need for speed and who travel on more technical terrain.

Hardtail Suspension

Alternatively, you can purchase a hybrid bike with hardtail suspension. This system is less expensive, which makes it a great choice for beginners or those on a budget. It’s also a must-have for those who spend most of their time on smooth trails with minimal bumps.

Hardtail suspension doesn’t require much maintenance, which is great if you don’t want to spend time and energy fixing your bike. Finally, due to this type of suspension’s simpler design, it’s not as heavy as a full-suspension bike, which makes it great for covering long distances and climbing uphill.

More: The Best Hybrid Bikes for Men

Frame Material

There are several types of frame material you can choose from and you should begin by understanding the budget you’re working with as each material affects the price of a bike.

Steel

This is the most usual material for bike frames and is easy to bend and shape, which is ideal for framebuilders. Its main advantage is that it can be treated to prevent rust from forming, although you will need to perform some occasional maintenance.

Most entry-level hybrid bikes use steel, as it’s also budget-friendly. Steel is an excellent material which is strong and durable. It can absorb many shocks on your route and soften the impact on you. However, you should consider that steel frames are generally heavier than aluminum and carbon fiber, and this can reduce your speed when riding.

Aluminum

This is steadily becoming the most popular frame material. It’s an excellent material for absorbing shocks and will improve the enjoyment of your ride. It’s also lightweight, which makes it great for racing and time-trialing. Also, this material won’t rust, even without regular maintenance.

Most aluminum forks are durable and strong and can be shaped aerodynamically to offer optimum comfort on rough roads and help you pick-up speed.

Titanium

This is the most expensive frame material of all the available options. Although, it’s expensive for many reasons. The material is more lightweight than aluminum and stronger than steel. It’s a difficult material to mold into place, so it needs to be joined carefully in a controlled environment, which is why it takes a lot of time and money to produce.

Titanium is robust and doesn’t chip or stain easily. For these reasons alone, it’s incredibly popular for experienced and serious cyclists. 

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is one of the newest materials in the bike world. It’s extremely light, durable, and stiff, and with these three benefits, it’s a material which most cyclists love. It’s a difficult material to construct, which is generally why carbon fiber is an expensive purchase. However, it can be molded into many shapes and designs, and this is great for turning the material into various ergonomic designs for riders.

Also, carbon fiber has a natural way of absorbing shocks when riding, which makes it more comfortable for the rider. However, carbon fiber isn’t the most versatile material for aggressive riders, but it is great for riding a light road bike at high speeds.

More: Best Hybrid Bikes for Women

Handlebar Shape

Handlebars come in a range of designs and widths, so there’s always something for a rider to choose. Most widths are between 36 and 44cm. As a general rule of thumb, you should choose a width which is around the width of your shoulders, so you don’t need to stretch too far. Opt for the widest measurement you can comfortably handle, as this will put you in more control of the bike.

The drop is the measurement from the center of the bar top to the center of the grip tube at its lowest point. This typically ranges from 125mm to 132mm. If you have smaller hands, you’ll need a smaller size.

Finally, reach is the distance from the center of the handlebar at the top to the center of the further point of the bend. This measurement is typically between 80mm and 85mm. Anything more than this is considered long.

Another factor to consider when choosing the right handlebars for your hybrid bike is your riding style and preferences. For example, if you’re a laid-back rider, you’ll want handlebars which allow you to comfortably hold them without much effort. Alternatively, if you like to ride fast rather than sitting back and cruising slowly, you’ll need wider handlebars for more control when traveling at high speeds and around tight corners. 

Thoughts on our Hybrid Bike Under $500 Review

We hope that this article has been helpful, so you can now purchase a hybrid bike under $500 with ease. 

Without a doubt, the Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike for Men and Women is an excellent runner-up, as it features back sweep handlebars to keep you comfortable on your rides. Also, with 21 speeds to choose from, you can adapt the bike to your environment.

If you’re looking for a hybrid bike for commuting, the Trek FX1 is the perfect choice. The FX1 hybrid bike has a lightweight, aluminum frame which makes it easier to pick up speed in a range of conditions. Its strong wheels also make it easier to navigate on rough terrain and wet surfaces. In addition, we love the ergonomic handlebars which make it possible to transfer your weight and attain high speeds.