Cycling is one of the few sports that is already several centuries old and yet still appeals to people. It can be enjoyed by those in various stages of life and fitness, and aside from the initial financial outlay, it can be done repeatedly at almost no cost. There are several kinds of bikes in the market today, but for those who want the features of both the mountain Bike and the road bike, getting a hybrid bike is the way to go. There are a number of cheap hybrid bikes for beginning cyclists that are well-made and available at the click of a button.

We have looked at the 10 best hybrid bikes under $300 and reviewed them in-depth in this article. Out of the ten, we have found that the Raleigh Cadent 1 Urban Fitness Bike stands out for its light weight, branded components, four size choices, and great reviews. If you’re looking for the best hybrid bikes for the money, this is our pick!

The other bikes in our list are great as well. Take a look at all the hybrid bikes we have reviewed and make your choice.

The Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bicycle is a classic, black-on-white aluminum city bike for the daily commuter or leisure road rider. It comes in one size, with the minimum height recommendation at 5’8”, so it’s not for shorter riders.

The bike weighs in at a sturdy 35.5 lbs and has several classic road bike features like an upright geometry, 700c tires, linear pull brakes, and 21-speed Shimano twist shifters with a Shimano rear derailleur. It also comes with a rear rack and a padded saddle.

On the hybrid side of the bike, its road-friendly 700c tires are 38mm wide, offering the traction of mountain bike tires that can handle trails and other terrains. The rear and front axles also have shock-absorbing suspension. The handlebars are upright but a bit swept-back and the bike has fenders to keep clothing and limbs clean.

Schwinn offers a limited lifetime warranty on their frame and many of the parts, and a 30-day warranty on all parts. Reviewers noted that their customer service department was helpful in the midst of some wheel and spoke issues.

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Overall, the Schwinn Discover Hybrid bike is a well-made, sturdy bike from a company with a good reputation and helpful customer service. It’s big and heavy but will have no problem performing on paved roads or dirt trails. Because of the warranty, it’s worth a try for the leisure mountain biker and the commuter who doesn’t have too far to travel.

From the well-known Raleigh bike company comes a bike to appeal to both commuter and off-roader alike. From their “Fitness” line, the Cadent 1 Urban bike has a classic, retro design and look with modern conveniences.

It comes in four sizes and in black or tan with colorful markings. The aluminum frame is truly lightweight – this bike is only 26 lbs even with the off-road worthy, wider tires. It has Shimano Tourney components and offers 21 different speeds.

The flat handlebars are combined with an upright geometry for a comfortable ride. The tires are road-sized for momentum but 35mm wide to be able to handle both the open road and off-road tracks. The bike has rack and fender mounts to add on to the frame as needed.

Reviewers raved about this bike, from its classic looks to the fact that only a few basic, common tools are needed for assembly. Some noted that assembly was more involved, and also that the bike wouldn’t do well on intensely off-road rides because of its lack of shock absorption.

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Overall, this has become the top pick for one of the best hybrid bikes for the money. It is lightweight, has heavy duty wheels, quality Shimano components, and comes in four sizes. It would be a great choice for the commuter and amateur trail rider.

The Giordano RS700 Hybrid Bike is a two-thirds legitimate road bike with a few comfortable mountain bike features. It features a more aggressive, stretched-out riding position than seen in the previous bikes, but has the flat handlebars for a more comfortable grip than dropped handlebars may provide.

It is made of aluminum and weighs in at a little over 31 lbs. It features Shimano shifters and derailleurs with 21 speeds, a shock-absorbing steel fork, and alloy linear pull brakes. It comes in two sizes and is made to fit taller riders – many reviewers said the bikes run big, and most riders needed to be close to 6’ tall to fit on the smaller size.

Besides the flat handlebars, the tires are the other hybrid features of this bike. They are 700c for easy road riding, but 35mm wide for various terrains and traction. Reviewers mentioned the bike looked really nice, was fairly easy to assemble (though it needed some special wrenches and tools), but had some issues with squeaking brakes.

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If you want one of the best affordable hybrid bikes on the market today, this might be the bike for you. Some reviewers didn’t have the same squeaking brake trouble that others did, and with all of the features this bike offers, it seems like a great choice for commuting or weekend riding.

The Kent Northwoods Springdale Men’s Hybrid Bicycle is a classy, all-black model with a leather-looking saddle and several high-quality features for a very low price.

It’s made of aluminum and features a Shimano Tourney rear derailleur with 21 speeds, linear pull brakes, and short travel front suspension for curbs and bumps. It comes in one size, and reviewers noted that it was made for taller riders, closer to 6’. The frame includes a rear rack and fenders.

The tires are road-worthy 700c and 32mm wide – one of the narrower wheel sets, making it better for commuter and road riding purposes. The bike is surprisingly heavy at 40 lbs. Reviewers said the front shocks work extremely well, but many complained that it began to fall apart after extended use.

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Overall, while this bike has some nice features, it also seems to have a lot of cheap components that make it a bad choice for someone that will be putting a lot of miles on their bike. For a bit more money, it seems worth it to get another bike with a better warranty or reputation.

The Vilano Diverse 2.0 combines all the speed-inducing features of a road bike twice its price, with some of the added comforts of the hybrid bike model. First, it’s aluminum and weighs an incredibly light 26 lbs. You won’t find a lighter bike in this price range! It comes in two sizes to find a good fit.

Second, it has a high-quality Shimano drivetrain with EF 51 integrated brake lever/shifters, offering 24 speeds. Some people find these hard to operate at first, but many people like them after the learning curve. The bike has alloy linear pull cantilever v-brakes for great stopping power.

The bike has the flat handlebars and 700c x 35mm road-friendly tires that are often found on hybrid bikes. The tires are quick release, and the frame offers holes for racks. Many users have positive things to say about this bike, especially after a tune-up.

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