This article would help you to find the best road bikes under 300 dollars. Most often people think that cheap means low quality. While that might be true to some extent, when it comes to bicycle, there are lots of good options within the budget. The listed products here are pocket friendly commuter bicycle for men. Let’s check those out 🙂
A Quick Start
Road bikes are very popular among the general population and are not only used for riding from point A to point B, such as from home to work, anymore. Many of the road bikes on the market today offer improved gear systems that take less effort to reach top speeds, making these bikes great for long-distance riding, as well as for events like cycling sports, such as participating in a race.
The only problem is, many of the high-quality road bikes that are available on the market today are way beyond the amount that the average person can afford to spend on a bike. This can be discouraging for a person who would like to start cycling. Fortunately, all hope is not lost.
There are many good road bikes on the market that you can easily pick up for under $300. When it comes to choosing a bike within such a budget range, however, there are a few factors that should always be taken into account, since not all of the cheaper road bikes will provide you with the performance you expect from such a product.
We looked at a large number of options that are currently available in order to find the best road bikes under $300. In this post, we will share the four best options that you can choose from, and also tell you which one out of these four we highly recommend. Furthermore, we will also share a basic buyer’s guide with you to help you understand what specific factors you should always look at when you go out to buy a road bike with a budget limit of $300.
5 Best Road Bikes Under $300
As commonly known, road bikes are a cross between racing bikes and mountain bikes.They focus on mainly riding experience in the city ( for example – in your local area ). I highly recommend you to take a look at comfort, speed and overall durablity at the time of choosing. This article will help you to pick the best road bikes under $300.
1. Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C Road Bike Racing Bicycle
The very first option on our list and our preferred product when it comes to the best road bikes under $300 are the Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C Road Bike Racing Bicycle. This is a multi-purpose bike that you can use as a standard road bike, as well as a racing bike should the opportunity arise. The bike has a lot of features that set it aside from many of the alternative road bikes that we found available on the market for less than $300 at the moment, making it a preferred option.
The Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C Road Bike Racing Bicycle is available at a very attractive price, at around $259.99 – depending on the options you choose, such as the size of the bike. The bike comes in two different size options that you can select from, including a 52cm frame size and a 56cm frame size. The bike also comes in three different colors to ensure your style preferences are met, while the bike is also appropriately sized for your specific height. The colors that you can choose from including Green & Black, Red & White, and Yellow & Gray.
What I Like
The Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C Road Bike Racing Bicycle comes with a high-quality gear system that allows you to easily adjust the gears of the bike according to your requirements.
You can easily set the gears to help you gain more power while riding an uphill, or change the gears for a more free-flowing experience on a downhill.
The bike comes with a quick-release system for the front wheels. You do not need any specific tools in order to release the front wheel – simply press the appropriate button, and the wheel can be released. Hooking the wheel back onto the bike is just as easy.
The bike comes with a 180-degree rotatable fork, which makes the assembly of the bike effortless and perfect for those who do not have any prior experience in assembling bikes.
Furthermore, this bike is lightweight for improved speed and aerodynamics. The bike’s frame is made from 6061 aluminum material, providing added durability to ensure the bike can last for a more significant period of time, even with excessive use.
What I Don’t Like
While there are many things to like about the Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C Road Bike Racing Bicycle, we did find that the range of colors is somewhat limited and not all customers find that they like the specific color schemes that are available.
The more advanced gear system introduced in the bike also makes it harder for beginners to get used to how shifting gears work and can make it harder to ride on certain terrains.
Pros
- A sturdy bike made from quality 6061 aluminum material
- Comes with Shimano shifter for easier gear shifting
- Rotatable fork for easier assembly
- Lightweight for better aerodynamics
- Quick release front wheel.
- Highly targeted as one of the best road bikes under $300
Cons
- Somewhat more expensive than some of the other options we list here
- Gear system can be a little hard for beginners
- Only two sizes to choose from
- The back wheel don’t support quick release
2. Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
The Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike is a beginner-friendly option for those who are looking for a road bike that does not come with any complicated features. The bike is excellent for people who are not sure how gear systems work and also comes at a great price, at less than $300. Customers are able to choose between a variety of colors and two different size options to ensure the option they buy is suitable for them.
What I Like
The fact that the Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike takes the effort out of a road bike through a single speed system is one of the major advantages for those individuals who feel uncomfortable constantly having to manually shift gears in order to comply with their pace and the terrain they are riding the bike on.
The product also comes in three colors, including Black/Green, Green/Blue, and a standard Blue color.
Many people also appreciate the fact that the Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike comes with a flip flop hub at the back of the bike, which makes it very easy to freewheel while riding the bike.
The tig-welded steel frame system, along with a fork that offers similar features, also makes the bike a sturdier option than some alternatives.
What I Don’t Like
There is a couple of things that we noted about the Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike that we did not particularly like, with the fact that the only two sizes available is “Medium” and “Small” being the primary concern here.
The company does not offer any extensive information about the specific size, except for these two labels, which makes it harder to know which one to opt for.
Pros
- Three colors to choose from
- Tig-welded fork and frame
- Comes with alloy side pull brakes
- Flip flop hub installed at the back
- Easily fit in the 300$ price range
Cons
- Limited information and options in terms of size
- Only two main colors to choose from
- Assembly not as easy as some alternative options
3. Goplus Road Commuter Bicycle
Next up is the Goplus Road Bike Commuter Bike. This bike features a 700C 21-Speed gear system that gives the rider better control over the power and speed of the bike.
The product is also made from a quality aluminum material to ensure the entire bike is sturdy and also durable for frequent usage.
The bike is also available at an affordable price, with a price tag that is just over $200.
The gear system was designed to allow for faster changing of gears, which is definitely an added advantage that should be taken into account.
The product is not only perfect to be used as a road bike but also easily doubles as a racing bike – even at a competitor level.
What I Like
We really liked the fact that the Goplus Road Bike Commuter Bike comes with a very lightweight design, allowing for a significant improvement in aerodynamics and ensuring you are able to reach maximum speed.
Even though lightweight, the bike’s frame is made with a very strong aluminum material. This ensures that you get better performance in terms of durability when the bike is used on a day-to-day basis.
The Goplus Road Bike Commuter Bike was designed to be easy to assemble and install, which is another significant advantage that this bike has over many of the competitor options.
There are many of these bikes on the market that are hard for beginners to set up after delivery.
The tires of the Goplus Road Bike Commuter Bike was also designed to deliver minimum traction and maximum performance for day-to-day use, as well as for racing events.
What I Don’t Like
One of the most problematic points in terms of the Goplus Road Bike Commuter Bike is the fact that this product only seems to come in a single size.
This can be unpleasant for many potential customers, as they would not be able to choose a more customized size that is appropriate to their height or their inseam length.
Pros
- Lightweight construction for better performance
- Quality aluminum for better durability
- Quick and easy installation
- Quick release front tire.
- Easily fit in the expected price range
Cons
- No option to choose a size, only one standard size available
- Limited color selections
- Seat sometimes seems to move around
- Back tire is not quick release
4. EUROBIKE Road Bike EURXC550
Our last preferred option in terms of the best road bikes under $300 is the EUROBIKE Road Bike ERUXC550, another affordable option that can be picked up for between $239 and $299, depending on the size selected.
This bike has a unique design and comes in a variety of colors. You can also select between two different sizes, ensuring that the frame and bike are sized appropriately to your own length.
What I Like
We liked the overall durability and construction of the EUROBIKE Road Bike EURXC550.
The bike is made from a strong and durable material, making this bike ideal for those people who will be riding the road bike every day.
The bike also comes with a disc braking system, ensuring you can quickly push brake and avoid putting your life in danger due to an ineffective braking system.
These brakes also tend to last much longer than some alternative options that are available.
What I Don’t Like
Even though it is definitely convenient that the EUROBIKE Road Bike EURXC550 comes in different sizes, the size options that the customer can choose from is still very much limited.
Thus, even though there are two different sizes available, there is no guarantee that every potential customer will be able to buy an option that fits them comfortably.
Pros
- Equipped with a range of Shimano components
- Four colors to choose from
- Supports up to 220lbs
- Disc braking system
- Shimano TX-30 thumb shifters
Cons
- More expensive than some of the other options
- Assembly can be a little challenging for the inexperienced
- Limited size options available
5. Vilano Tuono 2.0 Aluminum Road Bike
Talking about road bikes under 300$, how can we skip vilano? One of the most respected companies in the bicycle industry.
Their Tuono 2.0 Aluminium model makes it perfect to choose if you’re a looking for a road bicycle under 300 dollars.
The model comes with a 6061 double butted aluminium aero frame & forks which make the bike very lightweight for faster moving on the usual roads.
You can ride this model on different terrains as it has 21 gear mechanisms.
One of the cool features I really like is how powerful disc brakes it has. It eliminates the fear of accident and you have the ability to stop the bike whenever you want.
Taking about the handlebars, I can safely say you will get an aerodynamic riding experience for quicker commutes.
Feel bored? You can easily adjust the handlebars with the included headset as per your preference.
Here are the features that attract me the most:
1) 6061 Double Butted Aluminum Aero with 700c 1 1/8″ Thread-less fork.
2) 21 gear mechanism
3) Shimano front and rear derailleurs [ Along with KMC chain ]
4) Dual disc precise brakes to give you an unfair advantage of braking power.
Pros
- Lightweight [ only 11 Kg ]
- Smooth gearing option
- Adjustable and comfortable handlebar
- Rock solid breaks to stop it whenever you want.
Cons
- Plastic pedals
Why Choose a $300 Bike Online?
Visiting a local bike shop will likely not be able to provide you with a reliable road bike for a price that is under $300.
This is quite an unfortunate factor, as a lot of people would like to get their hands on a road bike, but they are unable to afford to pay too much for such a product. This is where the internet comes in handy.
There are hundreds of online stores that sell bikes – including road bikes. It is well-known that by taking your search online for any type of product – which would include a road bike in this case – you greatly expand the number of options that are available.
This is why we highly recommend considering to buy a road bike online if your budget doesn’t allow you to simply walk into a local store and buy one of these products.
Some people might not be sure whether buying a bike online is an appropriate option. There are concerns such as whether the size they choose in terms of the bike they buy will be appropriate for them.
Luckily, there are many guides on the internet, including some useful sizing guides, that you can use in order to determine what size will be best suited for you.
In most cases, you’ll need to measure yourself and then take a look at such a guide to finding what sized bicycle frame you would need to buy if you would like to opt for a road bike.
In terms of safety – some people may also be afraid that they could be scammed when buying a bike on the internet.
They are using all the money that they have available to invest in a road bike and paying an online company for a bike.
In order to avoid being scammed, the best option would be to ensure you do thorough research on the company you would like to buy a bike from.
Amazon is a very good option to opt for – the company is trusted by millions of people and ships out thousands of orders each and every day.
What Factors to Consider When Buying a $300 Bike?
When you are interested in buying a road bike for under $300, there are a few factors that you should keep in mind during the buying process to ensure you buy a bike that will not end up disappointing you.
In this section, we are going to provide you with a basic buying guide to help you know what elements to look for in order to ensure you buy a road bike that will provide you with the performance, durability, and, of course, the speed that you would expect from a high-quality product.
Consider the Material
I am a farm believer that, material is one of the first things to look especially when you’re throwing a big chunk of money on a product. Be it your bicycle or anything.
First thing to look at when you decide to pick a road bicycle under 300 dollar is the materials the bike is made from.
You have two options to go with – Steel frame or aluminum.
Steel is good for more durability. If you need super lasting bike, go with this option. But also keep in mind that it’s going to be a little heavy than aluminum frame.
Also, they tend to give you more enjoyable ride.
Like speed?
Go for Aluminum. They are suited to fast moving. These types of bicycles are ideal for cities but they lack in strengths and durability.
You need to take care of it regularly. Go for bike tune up and do cross check twice a month.
Consider The Brand
First, take a good look at the brand that manufactures a specific road bike that you might be interested in.
There are many brands out there that manufacture these products – and some of them are known to be better than the rest.
You would ideally want to buy a road bike from a more reputable brand that is known to manufacture products that tend to last for a longer period of time.
If you do find a particular road bike that you would like to buy, but you do not know the brand, then you should do some background research first.
If the brand is not very popular, it does not necessarily mean that their products are not worth buying.
Try to find reviews that customers who have bought products from the brand in the past left on websites like Trustpilot and Yelp.
This would give you an idea of whether or not people are constantly having issues with the brand’s products, and whether you should trust in the road bike that you are interested in.
Consider The Bike’s Features
Do not overlook the importance of taking into account the specific features that a road bike you are interested in has to offer.
There are quite a large number of road bikes under $300 on the market, and they tend to vary in features.
You want to look for an option that can satisfy the particular preferences that you have in mind – consider what you expect from the road bike you wish to buy, and then look for an option that can provide you with these particular features.
One of the main features of a road bike is speed – so you would ideally want to buy a bike that is lightweight, but at the same time, you should ensure that the bike you opt for is sturdy and durable.
You do not want to buy a bike that will break down after just a couple of uses. Make sure that the materials featured in the bike’s construction are durable – this is especially important if you are planning to use the bike on a regular basis.
You might also want to take into account features such as quick-release wheels.
If you run into any problems with the wheels or tires while the bike is in use, you certainly do not want to spend hours trying to get the wheels released in order to fix the issues that have developed.
You want to be able to release the wheels easily, fix the problem, and hook the wheel back up on the bike.
In addition to all of these features, you should also consider the shifts and gear system that is installed on the road bike.
While there are some options that feature a single speed option, a lot of the road bikes on the market will allow you to manually adjust gears in order to accompany the pace you are riding at and, of course, the terrain you are riding on.
Consider the Wheel
Decide where you will be taking your bike mostly. On the plain or rough roads?
Know that, wheels will affect the actual weight of the bike and also how well the bike accelerates and take the momentum.
For the few months, you don’t need to change the wheel as most bikes have decent pair of wheels that will last for good amount of time.
But over time, as you grow, realize that having a good pair of wheels can take your riding experience to a next level.
Choose something that will work for you. I recommend the following-
Choose wider tires if you have the physical capability [strong legs ] to gain momentum quickly. Because wider rims provide more traction but harder to get started.
On the other hand, thinner tires are awesome to get going super quick and flexible. They are good on the open road and increase the speed.
Consider Pedals
Manufacturer provides pedals with bikes but sometimes they tend to provide low quality material. They invest a lot of time and money to build the core functionality but forget the pedals.
If you find, your bike has a thin and low quality pedals don’t need to worry as you can buy a pair of pedals separately in just few minutes online.
I am listing out 3 options for you to choose from
Platform bike pedals:
They are the common one. Usually they offer treads for shoes to grip onto while you use.
Pedals with straps:
They allow you to pull up the pedal using a “ cage “ with a strap that goes around the ball of your foot.
Clip less:
These type of pedals Clip in similar to ski boots. Being more flexible to remove your foot easier and quicker, they are go to choices for many road cycling enthusiastic.
Consider Brakes
They play a very important role. Cycling people prefer various breaks depending on their needs but here are few of them to consider:
V- Brakes:
They used to be the go to choice for most mountain bikes for years but now, you will see them on commuter and touring bikes as well.
Disc Brakes:
One of the most popular types for road cycling. The brake is mounted to a specific hub and a brake clipper is attached to the fork.
Caliper Brakes :
They are common with the dual pivot brake being the most popular.
Consider the Price
Sure, we are looking at road bikes under $300 in this guide, and this already limits your options, but you should take the price of each bike that you consider into account.
There are times where you will note two bikes with similar features and quality that comes at two different prices.
In these cases, you can save a significant amount of money by simply doing some initial research to ensure you buy the best options that are available to you, at the best price.
Prefer Online :
I have been saying this for a long time. The discount you get online is huge compared to a local shop. Reason being – they don’t have middle man to involve. Online companies can directly sell through their site or massive retailers like amazon.
Here’s the trick you can apply –
Go to your local shop and try out the bike. Cross check the size and colors etc and buy the bike online.
From my experience, I have always found that, online store offers more value compared to offline & can be really cheap sometimes.
Conclusion
Choosing the right road bike for you is crucial, as this will greatly enhance your experience and provide you with a bike that will satisfy all of your needs.
While there are many options on the market, we found that the ones listed in this post provide a better overall experience compared to other options that you can choose from.
When all features, prices, and other factors are taken into consideration, we find that the best option out there at the moment is the Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C Road Bike Racing Bicycle.
As the name implies, this is a road bike that can easily double as a racing bike, since the manufacturer of the bike did not only focus on sturdiness and overall stability but also ensured the bike could reach faster speeds than a lot of the competing options out there on the market.
The bike is also lightweight, which means it will not weigh you down or get in your way of performing on the track or on the road.
Plus, the bike comes at a very attractive price, considering the high-quality design and durability offered by the product.