Road bikes are great for keeping fit and reaching your destination without it costing a fortune or harming the environment. But not everyone has the time to search through the abundance of options the internet has to offer, and your budget might be fairly low, too.
But don’t worry. We’ve devised a buying guide for the best road bikes under $300 that are budget-friendly but still boast many of the top features you see on luxury road bikes.
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Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed 700c |
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EURXC550 21-Speed Road Bike 700C Wheels Road Bicycle |
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6KU Aluminum Fixed Gear Single-Speed Fixie Urban Track Bike |
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sixthreezero Around The Block Women’s 3-Speed Beach Cruiser |
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Takara Oni Single Speed Drop Bar Fixie Road Bike |
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BAVEL Commuter Aluminum Road Bike |
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Windsor Wellington 2.0 Aluminum 21-Speed Road Bike |
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Outroad Road Bike |
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Discover the Best Road Bike Under $300 in 2021
Whatever the reason for owning a road bike, you want one that’s durable and comfortable to ride. We’ve researched for you and opted for the best eight road bikes under $300 you can buy right now.
We collated our findings based on the frame materials, number of gears, braking system, and quality of other components. Overall, we have found not only the best road bikes with quality performance level but these are also cheap road bikes.
Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike 21-Speed 700c—Best Overall
Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike 21 Speed 700cThe Vilano road bike is a great purchase for commuters or beginning cyclists looking for another mode of transportation or a new way to stay fit. In fact, it’s user-friendly, easy to ride, and won’t put a dent in your pocket.
Furthermore, this is the best road bike under $300 that boats an array of features. In particular, it offers a total of 21 speeds by the Shimano A050 thumb rear indexed seven-speed and front friction three-speed shifters. It also comes with a water bottle on the frame, making it an excellent commuter bikes and ideal for fitness advocates.
Designed with a durable, yet lightweight aluminum frame, the Vilano 21-speed is an aluminum road bike is a great choice for daily use. The frame material allows you to cycle at a top speed with ease, perfect for battling intense uphill climbs.
In addition, this road bike uses Shimano components for the drive train, since this brand produces some of the most high-quality parts for road bikes. And, the bike’s derailleur systems and shifters are also made by Shimano. The combination of these materials makes shifting gears smooth and flawless. There’s also the added benefit of convenience as these road bikes features dual brake levers.
EURXC550 21-Speed Road Bike 700C Wheels Road Bicycle—Best Runner Up
EURXC550 21-Speed Road Bike 700C Wheels Road BicycleDesigned with a 21-speed shifting system by Shimano A050, this road bike or road bicycle powers you through uphill climbs, rough terrain, and uneven terrain with ease. Plus, the TX-30 Shimano shifters enable smooth shifts between gears, helping to create a smooth ride. The front of the back is a Shimano TX 50 derailleur with a Shimano TZ 30 derailleur at the front.
This Eurobike funnels incredible power to the braking system. Even when weather conditions are challenging (such as rain and mud), this road bike continues to put your safety at the forefront of its designs thanks to the double brakes that coincide with the KMC seven-speed chain.
Also, the tires are of wider range that provide excellent grip in such circumstances and offer great stability while you cycle around corners at high speed in this road bicycle. Furthermore, this road bike uses an iron top handlebar that places you in a comfortable position when you’re on the road. This handlebar’s comfort coincides with an ergonomic seat that ensures you have the best posture possible for optimum comfort.
Finally, to look at, this road bike is stunning as it features alloy rims that add a luxurious touch.
6KU Aluminum Fixed Gear Single-Speed Fixie Urban Track Bike—Best for Response
6KU Aluminum Fixed Gear Single-Speed Fixie Urban Track BikeThis 6KU single-speed track bike is actually an aluminum road bike as it’s crafted with an aluminum frame for a smooth, lightweight touch that’s also ideal for helping you to reach your top speed in tough conditions. In fact, it weighs between 18 and 22 pounds, depending on the size you choose. Most impressively, this road bike is comfortable and fun for cycling.
In particular, this road bike features a steep head tube angle that allows you to quickly lean when you’re turning around the corners. And the road bike responds quickly. The road bike also comes with a set of pedals that you can mount or dismount easily—allowing you to customize the road bike to your liking should you wish. And the saddle is designed with synthetic leather to remain comfortable when riding long distances.
Furthermore, this road bike comes with a flip-flop hub that provides you with the option of cycling freewheel or riding with a fixed gear with a fixed cog. These options are great for riding in various conditions and riding styles.
Moreover, you can enjoy riding this road bike in a multitude of environments and any weather condition, and it’ll remain durable, reliable, and fun to ride. All that, without spending too much money. Most impressively, the 30mm deep V double-walled alloy walls provide excellent protection as you ride around corners at high speeds and plow through mud.
sixthreezero Around The Block Women’s 3-Speed Beach Cruiser—Best for Women
sixthreezero Around The Block Women's 3-Speed Beach CruiserDesigned specifically for women, this beach cruiser bike exudes elegance and style. It features curves in all the right places to boost its appearance and design while also providing ample comfort for women riders.
Furthermore, these road bikes features a 17-inch durable steel fork frame that makes it ideal for casual riding and comfortable cycling in your local area. And this frame material also helps to absorb shocks and vibrations from rough conditions or when riding at high speeds on gravel.
In fact, this bike is equipped with 26-inch, 2.125-inch wide aluminum wheels that feature large waffle tread tires to offer a cushioned ride. This allows you to ride the sixthreezero bike in wet, muddy conditions.
This sixthreezero bike is all about comfort. Designed with an upright riding style, these road bikes keep your back and shoulders comfortable for prolonged riding times. Also, this road bicycle has the dual-spring saddle and wide cruiser handlebar feature memory foam grips for better grip comfort. Overall, this is a perfect entry level road bike.
Finally, this women’s cruiser bike comes equipped with various components and accessories for added style and convenience, including a rear rack for adding baskets and panniers.
Takara Oni Single Speed Drop Bar Fixie Road Bike—Best for Style
Takara Oni Single Speed Drop Bar Fixie Road BikeThis Takara one-speed road bike is attractive to look at, boasting numerous vibrant colors, including black/green, green/blue, yellow/black, and blue. But it’s not just built for style and appearance purposes. First, it features a durable and robust steel frame that allows the road bike to tackle rough terrain without any damage or allowing you to feel the impact from the road. And the best thing is these are road bikes under 300 bucks!
Takara also designed these single-speed road bikes with front, and rear alloy pull brakes to provide you with optimum control when riding. And you don’t need to worry about unforeseen obstacles as you bring your bike to a complete stop; its brake system is reliable and responsive.
And to avoid an overly complicated braking system, Takara designed this road bike with a flip-flop system. This gives you the option of riding the bike in freewheel or single speed mode. And if you want to switch modes, just flip the handle located into the rear hub.
It features a single-speed system, which may not be for everyone, but has its benefits. In fact, a single-speed road bike means that you don’t have to adjust the gears, which is ideal as a beginner road bike.
Overall, you can ride this road bike in various environments and for different occasions, including a daily commute or leisurely cycle around the neighborhood. It features strong, durable wheels that provide a smooth experience on a variety of terrain. In particular, the large, thick tires on this road bicycle provide a cushioning effect from the impact of rough roads.
BAVEL Commuter Aluminum Road Bike—Best for Gear Shifting
BAVEL Commuter Aluminum Road BikeThis BAVEL road bike boasts many incredible features. For example, it comes equipped with an aluminum frame to keep it as lightweight as possible while also providing durable, waterproof features. And the road bike also features aluminum rims for durability and efficiency.
Furthermore, this road bike comes with 23c tires that are perfect for riding on pavements and help to enhance the overall comfort and smoothness of your ride, making it one of the best commuter bikes as well. Plus, the front and rear wheels feature a quick release system that makes the assembly process quick and easy.
This BAVEL bike uses Shimano mechanical disc brakes that are ideal for beginner riders while also making these cheap road bikes. Also, this brake system offers superior performance and power, making it user-friendly and reliable to apply.
And the road bike is basically an aluminum road bike as it comes with lightweight aluminum frame is also fitted with Shimano shifters for the rear and front, which provides excellent maneuvering when switching through gears. And with 21 speeds on offer, you’ll require impressive shifters if you plan on riding through various conditions.
Windsor Wellington 2.0 Aluminum 21-Speed Road Bike—Best for a Suspension System
Windsor Wellington 2.0 Aluminum 21-Speed Road BikeDesigned with 21 speeds, this Windsor Wellington 21-speed road bike is ideal for cycling through various conditions from smooth pavements to bumpy roads to steep hills. Another great feature of this road bike is the reliable materials it’s made with so you don’t have to worry about wear and tear and general maintenance. In fact, these components can be adjusted, allowing you to customize the road bike.
The Windsor Wellington road bike has a suspension fork that improves the overall comfort and enjoyment of cycling. Although these road bikes don’t come with a full suspension system, having a front suspension allows you to ride this road bike over gravel and on bumpy surfaces, making it highly versatile.
It’s also designed with high-quality rims, gears, and brakes. And the alloy rims are black double-button while the spokes on the rims are made of stainless steel. In addition, this road bike features powerful aluminum dual pivot brakes that are reliable and perform well—even when it’s raining.
Outroad Road Bike—Best for Safety
Outroad Road BikeFinally, the Outroad road bike features 21 speeds that you can switch through quickly with your fingertips. Therefore, you can select the appropriate gear for every terrain and your fitness levels and preferences.
But the best feature about this road bike is that it’s designed for safety. In particular, the ergonomic handlebar is designed to reduce resistance and slipping, helping you to maintain a grip when it’s raining outside. Plus, the tires have an anti-slip, wear-resistant grip that ensures they’re suitable for use when it’s raining or snowing. Furthermore, the large wheels allow you to maintain a top speed while you’re cycling, which is great for beating your personal best.
The road bike also the best features like a durable aluminum frame that’s weather-resistant and lightweight, helping you maintain a top speed during your cycles. The quality frame material actually make this an aluminum road bike. This road bicycle is also ideal for riding in the rain or if you live near open water.
Overall, the Outroad road bike is fun and comfortable to ride. It features a soft seat cushion with a thick, ergonomic design for added comfort and prevents any aches and pains on those long bike rides. Not to mention that this design relieves fatigue, definitely a bike you must have.
Buying Guide
If you’re fighting through the above choices, we’ve devised a list of the essential features to consider when choosing the best road bike under $300.
Bike Frame Materials
There are various frame materials to consider with the most popular being aluminum, steel, and carbon. Aluminum is one of the most popular materials because it’s light, helping to reduce the overall weight you have to carry when cycling. However, this material embodies a stiff design, meaning that you don’t get the level of shock absorption that steel or carbon fiber offers.
Alternatively, steel fork is commonly used on road bikes that aren’t expensive, which is great for those on a low cost budget or entry level bicycle riders. This material is strong and hard, and it can handle dents and scratches. However, steel is also heavy, which isn’t ideal if you’ll be riding uphill or want to cycle quickly—particularly if you’re an experienced rider. But it will absorb the impact from bumps and shocks in the road, helping to improve your overall comfort when cycling.
Finally, carbon fiber is the most expensive option of these frame materials and carries many benefits. First, this material is flexible and can be shaped into various designs, allowing ergonomic designs that offer the most comfortable ride.
Carbon fiber road bikes are also very airy as each of these have lightweight aluminum frame, making it great for transporting the road bike as well as maintaining a fast high speed. And this material is incredibly resilient, too. So if you’re searching for the best material to absorb the impact in the event of a collision, this is the option to choose. However, it’s expensive to produce and purchase and if the frame does bend, it can’t be fixed, so you’ll need to purchase an entirely new road bike.
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Gears
You’ll say a variety of gears featured on the above road bikes. So how many is the right number for you? To answer this, you need to know in advance where you’ll be riding your bike. If it’s on a variety of conditions—such as bumpy roads, through fields, in woods, and along smooth pavements—you’ll need around 18+ speeds that can handle this large variety.
Plus, if you want to use the road bike or any other bike type, such as a mountain bike, for fitness purposes, you may prefer a large variety of speeds that allows you to increase and decrease the resistance during your workouts.
On the other hand, if you only plan to ride your bike on smooth pavements, a single-speed bike will be apt. Plus, you won’t be paying for features you won’t use, thus reducing the road bike’s overall cost.
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Brake Type
There are two types of brake systems to consider for all road bikes: mechanical and hydraulic. With plenty of differences between these two types, it can be overwhelming to know which is the best option for you.
Let’s begin with hydraulic disc brakes. This brake system brings your bike to a stop in all conditions, even when it’s raining, snowing or muddy, without locking your tires. You could be riding fast, and the hydraulic disc brakes will still bring you to a reliable stop. And you don’t need to apply much force to the brake level, making it user-friendly and great for beginners. Minimal force will also help with your confidence by knowing that you’ll also be able to come to a comfortable stop.
Hydraulic disc brakes are also virtually maintenance-free. And because the brake system is entirely enclosed, dirt, dust, mud, or water won’t enter the system, eradicating any long-term issues. This benefit also provides you with incredible stopping power in the most challenging conditions.
Alternatively, mechanical disc brakes are a better choice if you’d prefer a cheaper bike. And even though they require some maintenance than the hydraulic type, they’re easy to fix should there be an issue with them. And changing the cables and pads isn’t costly. Plus, if the brakes should suddenly stop working on your travels, you can fix and adjust them in five minutes.
On the downside, mechanical disc brakes have less fiction and don’t perform well, especially when it’s raining, snowing, or muddy. And dust, dirt, mud, and water can affect the braking system.
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Handlebar Shape
The handlebar shape is one of the most important feature in any road or mountain bikes. It would help if you considered the road bike’s handlebar shape. This may not have been your top feature to prioritize, but your bike’s handlebar design can improve your performance as well as enhance ergonomics.
Most recently, compact handlebars have become a popular choice for cyclists. This shape means that the lower section of the drop is high. Ergonomic bars are rounder and have a flat section in the center for a place to position your hand. And traditionally, handlebars have come with a gentle round curve that creates a deep drop. This design results in a lower riding position.
Consider your preferences: ergonomics or performance to choose the best handlebar shape for your needs. If you want to endure a comfortable position, think of a center hold. Whereas if you’re going to cycle fast and reach your personal best, hold the bars close to the bottom of the drops. A traditional handlebar shape will help to increase your speed by offering more support and stability.
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Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this road bike under $300 review. Most importantly, we hope that you now have a clearer idea of what top features to consider when choosing the best road bike for you. If you’re still feeling nebulous, below are our top recommendations to consider.
The Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike 21-Speed 700c features a durable, lightweight frame that’s perfect for long commutes. And this aluminum road bike is equipped with 21 speeds, which is the ideal amount of gears for transitioning between uphill climbs and smooth pavements.
Alternatively, the EURXC550 21-Speed Road Bike 700C Wheels Road Bicycle is an excellent runner-up. Featuring 21 speeds, there’s no environment that’s too much for this road bike. And the TX-30 Shimano shifters provide smooth transitions between gears.
Finally, the EURXC550 road bike comes with wide, thick tires that provide excellent grip in the rain, helping you to remain in control and safe during your travels. Overall, a best choice and a great investment for bike lovers.
