In 1817, two centuries ago, Karl von Drais from Germany invented the first bicycle; he called it a “swiftwalker.” Since then, cycling has become a part of many people’s everyday life. Others do it for fitness and sports, while some do it for commuting or to help save the environment.

With 25% of adults ages 30-49 years old claiming to be a cyclist, biking is clearly a sport that people of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy. Road biking is especially popular, with many riders choosing to skip the horrible traffic in the car lanes for the fresh air and sunshine that comes with commuting by bike to work. Road biking is also a popular hobby, with many riders enjoying long weekend rides with their friends.

Road biking doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby to start with; there are many affordable, high-quality Road Bikes available on the market today. After looking at the ten best road bikes under $500, we think that the ​Pure Classic 16-speed bike is the best road bike under $500. Its lifetime warranty, variety of sizes, and high-quality Shimano STI Integrated shifters are all great benefits to a sharp looking bike.

With six sizes to choose from and four different colors, it’s no wonder that the Pure Cycles Classic 16-speed road bike is one of the best-reviewed road bikes under $500. Its retro and classy look is matched by its features—a frame and fork of 4130 chromoly steel, 16-speed Shimano Claris STI shifters for easy shifting, and easy-to-use front and rear alloy caliper brakes.

It features 700c x 28mm tires for speed with enough traction for various terrains. The adjustable drop handlebar allows for a variety of hand positions to find the one best suited for you. The frameset has all the mounting and attachment points needed for whatever addons you want. The medium-sized bike weighs a light 26 lbs., perfect for a road bike.

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This Pure Cycles Road Bike looks like a high-quality and stylish choice, rolled up into one affordable package. The Shimano shifters are one of the main attractions for many buyers—this is the lowest-priced, but highest-quality, bike that offers these STI shifters!

The GMC Denali Bike—not the car—offers four sizes for a perfect fit. It is also available in three colors, one of which is pink (how fun!). It has a 6061 aluminum frame, alloy calipers and side-pull brake levers, alloy Vitesse racing rims, and Shimano derailleur and Revo shifters with 21 speeds.

The popular drop bar handlebars are perfect for those wanting speed, while the Vitesse saddle is comfortable for longer rides. The medium-sized bike weighs 30 lbs., while the other bikes weigh a little more or less depending on the size. The wheels are 700c x 28mm, perfect for road biking, but also able to handle the wet or loose terrain.

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For the price, the GMC Denali Road Bike is a great frame that can be upgraded to suit your needs. It will be a suitable bike for the amateur cyclists or the experienced rider who wants a cheaper second bike for commuting or other circumstances.

From a company that is 100% employee-owned and operated come the Tommaso Fascino Sport Performance Aluminum Road Bike. Their stated goal is to make high-quality, affordable road bikes simply because of their love of biking. The Fascino is offered in five sizes for the perfect fit.

They offer a lifetime warranty on the Fascino frame and are one of the few road bikes to offer a full Shimano Tourney drivetrain—shifters, triple crankshaft, and cassette. It is patterned after their famous Imola bike and includes the same quality that Tommaso is known for.

The small size weighs a light 23.6 lbs. and the frame offers a quick release front wheel. The wheels are 700c x 25mm, a size which will glide effortlessly over the open road.

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The Fascino bike is high-quality, with name brand components, for a beginner-friendly price and budget bike.

The Volare 1400 from Schwinn, undoubtedly a market leader in the cycling industry, is one of their most popular models, with this size (and color) directed towards the female riders. It features a lightweight aluminum frame with a steel fork, Shimano 14-speed integrated shifter and brake lever, Shimano derailleurs, and oversized road tires.

The bike comes with a limited lifetime warranty from Schwinn. It weighs 29 lbs. Reviewers mentioned that it was packaged well and is relatively simple to assemble.

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While perfectly suited as a road bike for the beginning cyclist or commuter, it seems that there are other options available besides this bike that perform well at the same price, and have more impressive options, sizes, and color choices. However, it’s a good frame with Schwinn’s well-known warranty, so a lot could be done to make this the bike of your dreams!

Raved about by its users, the Giordano Libero 1.6 Men’s road bike is impressive and solid. It comes in three sizes and two colors, made of 6061 aluminum, and has a steel fork. It weighs about 26 lbs., depending on the size ordered, and includes a 16-speed Shimano STI drivetrain. The tires are 700c x 25mm and it includes dual water bottle mounts.

Reviewers mentioned that it needed a lot of work right out of the package, and recommended taking it to a bike shop for assembly. Others noted that the seat is uncomfortable (to be expected in this price range) and that the brakes aren’t always responsive at high speeds. They also mentioned the tires included are bottom of the line and could use replacing.

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