Whether it’s for their own health, environmental concerns, money-saving measures, or simply to find a hobby, many adults are turning to an old pastime for health and happiness—cycling.

H.G. Wells once said, “Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the human race.” He would be happy to know that cycling is still providing people with exercise, transportation, fresh air, and passion for a sport that can take someone as far as they are willing to go.

For those who are interested in cycling, but are not sure if it’s a good investment of their money, there’s good news—there are now many affordable and well-built Road bikes that cost under $300. These are for both beginning bikers and experienced cyclists who want a cheaper road Bike for everyday commuting use or leisure road riding.

We researched 10 affordable road bikes that are popular amongst owners and compiled a list of their features, advantages, and disadvantages to help you decide which one would be the best fit for you.

After thorough consideration, we have decided that the Merax Finiss Aluminum Road Bike is the best choice in this bunch. It is an affordable road bike with all the style of a more expensive bike. Its paint job is beautiful, it comes in four sizes to ensure a perfect fit for anyone, and many reviewers commented on how well it rode. The 21 gear options are a popular choice for both professionals and commuters alike.

From Merax comes a road bike ready for commuting or weekend hobby riding. It features a 6061 aluminum frame for lightness and strength and a saddle that's easy to set up and adjust. It has Shimano shifters, a quick release front wheel, and a water bottle holder included.

It arrives almost completely assembled with a few attachments to do before it’s ready to ride. It weighs 28 lbs. and comes in two sizes.

Reviewers noted that it is well-made considering the price and is very sharp looking. Others said that the brakes are a bit sensitive in the beginning, but that a bike shop could adjust them to fit the rider’s needs. The handlebars are not height adjustable, though, which could be uncomfortable depending on the rider.

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This bike comes reviewed and recommended by both novice and experienced cyclists who say this would be a great purchase for someone needing a commuter bike or the beginner hobby cyclist looking to put in some miles on a reliable bike for years to come.

The Vilano R2 Commuter bike is another relatively cheap road bike that packs a big punch.

It features 6061 double-butted aluminum frame for as light of weight as possible with all of the strength that comes with aluminum. The bike has Shimano thumb shifters for 21 speeds, quick release wheels, and comes with pedals included (not always the case for road bikes). It is available in three sizes and weighs about 30 lbs.

Reviewers liked the smoothness of the thumb shifters but had trouble with the freewheel design and subsequently broken axles.

Many said that the seat and tires would need upgrading for maximum comfort and speed.

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The Vilano R2 Commuter bike lives up to its name as a great choice for those wanting a sturdy bike that they can ride for miles comfortably and then have peace of mind about leaving chained outside their home or office. Many liked the thumb shifters and preferred them to other shifting mechanisms on other bikes.

A well-known name in the biking world, Schwinn offers the Volare 1400, a 14-speed road bike with Shimano shifter, aluminum frame, and quick release tires. It weighs a light 23 lbs. and, like all Schwinn bikes, comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

With its alloy linear pull brakes, braking will not be an issue. It is also built for speed, given its light weight and oversized road tires.

Reviewers have commented on how easy it is to assemble, but noted that the brakes need some work—they are touchy and inconsistent. The seat included may also leave marks on your pants.

Overall, it’s a great frame for an affordable road bike, and many users happily use it for leisure riding and commuting.

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With its light frame weight, its limited lifetime warranty, and sharp appearance, the Schwinn is a great choice for novice and experienced cyclists alike, as long as the one size offered fits the rider.

Coming with 21 speeds and two sizes, this EUROBIKE Road Bike is made of durable steel and weighs 31.5 lbs. It features 700c x 28mm tires, which many users said offer them a bit more traction on sand or dirt.

Its Dual Disc brake ensures it stops when you want it to stop, while the wheel's design gives it a more stylish look than other road bikes. It comes with a free pedal and seat, too.

Reviewers mentioned that the customer service department does a wonderful job addressing missing or damaged parts and getting them to the owner right away. Others said that the instructions for the bike are difficult to read and navigate and that they went to a bike shop to have the bike assembled.

The tube size can be hard to find, according to some users, and requires a special buy to find one that fits.

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The EUROBIKE Road Bike is a great choice for a road bike that can handle a little bit of rough terrain on commutes or while riding for pleasure due to its wider tire size than the typical road bike. However, this can also be a challenge when it comes to repairs, as it may be hard to find a tire tube in its size.

The Goplus Road Bike is an aluminum bike that comes in five fun color choices to match your preferences and personality. It features a Shimano 21 speed shifter, high-performance 700C tires, and weighs about 32 lbs. It comes in one size (52 cm).

Its strong but lightweight aluminum frame makes it easy to increase your speed. It is easy to install and disassemble, too, with a quick-release front tire that makes storing it quick and easy.

Reviewers noted that the bike arrived with damaged parts in some circumstances, but that the seller was very responsive and eager to send the correct parts for repairs.

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