The 5 Best Road Bikes Under $500 in 2017
Why Road Bikes are the Best Method of Daily Commuting
Cycling is arguably the most efficient and fun way to commute. There are mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes, cyclocross bikes, and entry-level road bikes to consider. Then there is what goes on the bike. Are you looking for steel frames, aluminum frames, or carbon fiber? Do you require disc brakes? The options are endless and can be a little confusing. However, once you have the right bike for your needs, the cost of upkeep for a bicycle is negligible when compared to maintenance costs of a car—not to mention the initial price for the vehicle's purchase. On top of that, for those who have a soft spot in their soul, for the problems of global warming caused by burning fossil fuels, the bike commuter can sleep easily, knowing that their vehicle is a state-of-the-art, zero-carbon-footprint machine (regardless of make or model). The best road bikes of 2017 can transform the way you live day-to-day and you don't have to break the bank. If you want to become a healthier, happier human, keep reading to see the 5 best road bikes with a price range of under $500 for 2017 that you can easily find online or down at your local bike shop.
The only question for those reading is: Are you ready to upgrade your lifestyle and integrate bike commuting as part of your daily habit? Perhaps, you remember biking as a child and feeling as though it was difficult or embarrassing. However, keep in mind that all bikes are not created equal. The effort which you expend in riding your bike is determined by the type of bike it is, the weight, and, most importantly, on what kind of tires that you are riding.
Why Ride a Road Bike?
Out of the many differences that road bikes exhibit—in terms of shape, material, aerodynamic design, and mechanical gear shifting differentiations—the main design feature of road bikes, which makes them the best bike type for commuters, is the tire size. Road bike tires are thin and sleek. They are meant to be ridden on the road and, therefore, do not require the surface area and treading, which is favorable for mountain bikes. This substantially cuts down on the tire’s mass.
Since road bike tires are thinner than others, they hold a lower volume of air and are designed to be filled to a much higher presser. The increased pounds of pressure per square inch of the road bike tire, combined with the decreased resistance of the tires surface area is the design feature, which provides road bikes with the benefit of pedaling effort efficiency. It takes less effort to pedal when there is higher air pressure and less physical resistance.
Road Bike Types
The road bike types that are designed with the best use in mind for riders are racing road bikes, endurance road bikes, cyclocross road bikes, and touring road bikes.
- Racing road bikes
These bikes are built for speed. They are sleek and slender, designed for racing. The gears are closely set in ratio and the tires generally measure between 23 mm and 25 mm. The slim tires and drop-down handlebars make cutting through the streets a breeze. However, they are great bikes for commuting too. The speed design makes these road bikes great for commuters who like to get where they are going—fast. Racing road bikes are meant for the rider to bring the bike up to a cruising speed and to continually shift between accelerating and drifting. The positioning of the rider on the bike can be less comfortable for those with any kind of physical limitation. Racing road bikes are designed for flexible athletes, but for anyone who is in shape or is dedicated to getting fit, racing road bikes are the easiest to pedal and the fastest type to ride.
- Endurance road bikes
Endurance road bikes are, perhaps, the best road bike for full-time bike commuting beginners and those who commute on rougher terrain. They combine a mixture of comfort and high-performance features for the rider who is in it for the long haul. The frames are designed to handle rougher terrain and the bike can accommodate a range of tire dimensions and sizes, based on the terrain’s dictation.
- Cyclocross road bikes
These road bikes are designed for a specific style of racing, in which the contestants race each other in a circle, over many laps—similar to a horse race or Nascar. These bikes are extremely lightweight and require the most hunched over riding position of any type. The wheels have an identifiable solid plate inside the wheel hub, which increases their aerodynamic attributes.
- Touring road bikes
Made for the open road, touring bikes are the best overall road bike model type for those who rely on biking as their primary means of transportation. The feature most identified with touring bikes is the rear pannier rack, which is designed to carry bags, boxes, crates, or packages of any kind. Though the tires are slightly thicker than those of road tires, usually around 32 mm wide, the added mass helps to bear the load of extra travel gear. This results in the frame being slightly longer than racing road bikes and more suited to a sustainable biking posture, resulting in a riding position which is more naturally upright.
The 5 Best Road Bikes Under $500 in 2017
Bicycles are a mechanical, physical, man-powered machine and every detail of the design, engineering, manufacturing, and construction of the bike, determines the overall quality of the unit. That being said, road bikes with high price tags are, in all likelihood, justified in their asking price. However, just because it doesn't come with all the bells and whistles, as a $3000 bike, doesn't mean that you have to mortgage your house to get a great road bike. To give you a hand, here is a list of the 5 best road bikes for under $500 dollars on the market in 2017.
1. Vilano Shadow Road Bike
The Vilano Shadow Road Bike starts around $300 and tops out around $450. If you want a great road bike for a great price, the Vilano Shadow Road Bike is overall the best road bike for under $500 in 2017. With a smooth aesthetic design, the Vilano Shadow is the tuxedo of high quality, economical road bikes. The lightweight aluminum frame makes carrying the bike easily manageable and the model comes in a simple assembly format. The 700c tires and 7-gear Shimano shifters are perfect for riding on the road, with low to medium altitude differentiation.
2. GMC Denali Road Bike
For those with the need for speed, (and frugality) the GMC Denali is the best road bike under $500 in 2017, for racing and getting where you’re going, fast. The 21-speed Shimano Revo shifters make for progressively easy hill climbing and are located conveniently on the handlebars to allow the rider to maintain control between shifts while riding at high speeds. The GMC Denali is constructed out of lightweight aluminum and comes in weighing under 35 pounds for easy transportation, handling, and low-resistance, high-speed riding.
3. Vilano Aluminum Road Bike 21-Speed Shimano
Another great option for the speed demons is the Vilano Aluminum Road Bike. It features 21-speed gear shifters and the frame is constructed of lightweight 6061 aluminum. Handlebar mounted shifters make for safe, effortless shifting while going through tight turns and steep hills. In total, this bike weighs less than 25 pounds, which makes it the best lightweight road bike under $500 in 2017.
4. SE Bikes Royal 14-Speed Road Bicycle
With a 14-speed Shimano gear derailleur and shifter, an alloy road caliper brake set, and an SE 1 alloy main frame the SE Bikes Royale 14-speed Road Bike is the best road bike for anyone worried about their bike breaking. Sturdy, solid, and safe this bike will get you from A to B without constant maintenance. Priced in the range of $500 to $700 and weighing over 30 pounds, it is not the first choice on this list; however, it is a high-quality, economical commuter bike.
5. Giordano Libero 1.6 Men's Road Bike - 700c
The trailblazer’s dream. The Giordano Libero 1.6 Men’s Road Bike is a high-quality endurance/touring bike, suitable for the multi-day excursion. A hand-crafted, lightweight aluminum frame, weighing only 26 pounds, securely, and effortlessly carries the 16-speed Shimano Claris STI shifters and derailleurs, which makes climbing steep hills an invigoratingly manageable task. Coming in around $400, the Giordano Libero is the best road bike under $500 in 2017 for the biker who wants the ability to adventure freely.
Biking is a fantastic way to stay healthy, help the world, and just get around. Always obey the rules of the road—after all, bicycles are equivalent vehicles to cars on the road. And, always, always, always, wear a helmet whenever you go for a ride. There are plenty of super cool helmets on the market, so be safe and have a blast!
