Best Commuter Bikes Under £500 - Top 10 (December 2023)

The Windgoo folding electric bike frame has a unique dolphin shape design. The electric bike has 350W high-speed motor 36V & 6.0Ah lithium battery easily help you to drive up to 25km/h and 15-25 km range, fast charging system only about 3 hours, it is ideal for getting around the city and short distance travel. The Windgoo has several functions available to the riders fingertips including check battery life, turn on the headlight, honk the horn, accelerate, and braking. The Windgoo e-bike comes with a mechanical disc brake for maximum braking capabilities. When you brake the smart taillight will activate to offer some warning to nearby pedestrians, motorists and passers by.

The eco-friendly bike is 100% electric, emissions free and available at a fraction of the price of most electric bikes. Saving both your wallet and the environment at the same time.

If you're happy enough with a fully electric bike then we can't see a better option for the money. Take a look for yourself.

The Vilano Aluminum 21 Speed road bike is a very nice beginners bike. Well worth considering if you’re making the move into the world of road bikes.

The Vilano Aluminium 21 Speed road bike is a great example of how you don’t need to break the bank to have a really nice road bike. It’s frame is made from aluminium to help keep it’s weight down to a nice 7.27kg. Although shown in black the bike is also available in white. The handlebars are ergonomically designed for optimal comfort and come with mounted Shimano A050 SIS gear shifters. The wheels are 700x double walled alloy wheels in a chrome effect. These wheels are quick release to allow you to transport the bike easily in the back of your car and is also useful for long term storage. The bike comes with pedals included so no need to purchase them separately. The saddle of the Vilano Aluminium 21 Speed road bike is marked as an ‘urban comfort’ saddle, this saddle is reported to be comfortable and allows the user to ride for long periods of time without discomfort. It is adjustable to allow the user to customise the position depending on their preference. The gears shift effortlessly and are very easy to use.

The brakes provided on the Vilano Aluminium 21 Speed road bike are alloy calliper type brakes. They are easy to setup and are well reviewed with current owners. Easily adjustable to allow the rider to perfect their performance. The brakes are very responsive without being overly sensitive to the riders squeeze.

The tyres provided with the Vilano Aluminium 21 Speed road bike are 700c x25c. They have a light tread to allow for gripping when turning and braking however remain aerodynamic allowing the bike to glide effortlessly on the road. The tyres are well reviewed to last a significant amount of time and have had very few reports of issues in terms of air pressure or shape.

As this is a road bike suspension is limited along with very thin wheels that will do little to protect from bumps and knocks. As this bike is designed to be used on the road however this isn’t really an issue as more often than not the roads are flat and smooth. Current owners review this bike as exceptionally comfortable for the price and a great example of budget road biking.

As this bike is not priced to break speed records or require a small mortgage to pay for the bike offers great features unseen elsewhere within the price bracket. It comes with pedals which is a nice bonus as not all road bikes are supplied with these. In terms of its design, look and feel it is a very nice bike, some road bikes have a much more ‘in your face’ design and this bike offers a nice alternative to these type of styles.

The Barracuda Vantos road bike is a great starter bike for anyone who’s looking to venture into the world of road bikes or perhaps those looking to upgrade from an older model.

The Barracuda Vantos road bike has a lightweight 22″ alloy frameand a 700C road fork. The bike frame’s colour scheme is blue and white and it’s handlebars, saddle and pedal system are all black. The handlebars are flat and provide access to the Shimano TZ35 21 speed gear system via the Shimano EZ Fire shifters. The Barracuda Vantos has Verismo 700C profiled alloy rims with 700x38c tyres. The bike comes with black plastic pedals and a black padded sports saddle that allows easy adjustment for optimal positioning and comfort. The bike is designed with lightweight in mind as the seat post and handlebar stem are both made of lightweight alloy as well as the chain discs. The total weight of this bike when assembled is 13.5kgs so it’s lighter than the average 14kg threshold of most road bikes.

The brakes on this bike are alloy dual pivot brakes. A recommendation from some current owners is to upgrade the brakes as the standard ones on this bike are not great. Upon inspection the brakes work fine however it’s clear to see and understand where the reviews have come from and although the brakes aren’t unsafe, they are one area of the bike that could be upgraded to great effect.

The tyres that come with this bike are thin slimline tyres to help streamline and lower the friction between the tyre and the road. The tyres are fine for everyday use and offer no major problems. Possibly another area that you could look to upgrade in the future however not necessary from day one. The tyres seem quite durable with many owners confirming the tyres last way over a year if you can avoid punctures or other damage.

Considering this bike is a budget road bike the Barracuda Vantos offers a comfortable ride for a great price. The brakes aren’t the best but that doesn’t effect the enjoyment of the ride and the tyres though certainly not of a professional calibre still offer a smooth ride on a flat surface. Overall very impressed with the ride of this bike.

The Barracuda Vantos road bike is a great entry level bike. It offers all the necessary gadgets and components needed to fulfil it’s role and the price is very reasonable for the bike you receive. The design of the bike is very pleasing and the bike is a good weight so it’s easy to lift, move and store.

The Avenir Aspire road bike has a great combination of colours and looks the part of a racing bike.

The Avenir Aspire has an aluminium compact frame with clearance capable of holding a mudguard, not very common with road bikes. The bike weighs a total of 14.1 kgs so is about average when it comes to road bike weight. The handlebars are black unlike the frame which is primarily red. The handlebars are curved to allow the rider to keep their hands vertical. The Avenir Aspire road bike comes with a Shimano 14 speed A050 gear set and clever positioning of the gear shifters to allow the rider to maintain their hand positions close to the brake levers. The bike comes with deep section alloy rims to cut down on the bikes weight and a quick release feature for the front wheel for easy transportation and storage. The bike comes with black plastic pedals with foot straps. The bike’s saddle is a racing saddle that can be adjusted to suit the rider’s optimal position.

The Avenir Aspire road bike has alloy calliper brakes and levers. These brakes are very responsive and offer a nice level of sensitivity when pressing the levers. Although durability of the brake pads hasn’t been tested, from current owners reviews it seems they last way over a year of regular use. This is a good sign however their durability will depend on how often and how vigorously you use them.

The Avenir Aspire road bike comes with 23mm tyres. The tyres look good enough for road use and isn’t something you’ll need to replace immediately however heavy users may want to consider upgrading to more well known tyre brands in order to improve the overall comfort of the ride.

This is a road bike so suspension is out of the question. However on a flat smooth surface this bike seems to perform quite well. Although the seat isn’t the most comfy in the world it is perfectly capable of offering an enjoyable seating position for a smooth ride. The tyres are another potential weakness, the current tyres offer an acceptable ride however upgrading these would be your first and most rewarding task.

Overall the Avenir Aspire road bike is a nice looking well designed road bike. It’s components are inline with it’s price however little extras like room for a mudguard and pedal straps are nice extras you don’t see with most road bikes in this price range.

The Ecosmo 20 Folding Bike was very first folding bike we reviewed. It’s a very sturdy folding bike which offers a storage rail at the rear allowing for small luggage transportation. Not quite podium potential due to the more expensive bikes offering more comfort and technology however well worth considering.

• Lightweight Alluminium Frame, bike only 12Kg
• 7 Speed SHIMANO Gears
• Adjustable handlebar & stem
• Patented Folding Lock,Super safe and convenient!!
• Folding Pedals, Alloy rear rack, Alloy Crank

The Ecosmo folding bike is hugely popular and rightly so. It offers commuters a usable mode of transportation while allowing for simple storage once at work. This lovely lightweight alloy folding bike is an ideal companion for your life. The Ecosmo is easy to carry weighing in at just 12 Kg. It is also really easy to fold up taking no more than a reported 1 minute to do it after you get the hang of it. This compact folding bike has sturdy, long seat post, so it is suitable for short and tall riders.

This quality folding bike is an ideal companion for your life. It offers families with enjoyments and mobility in a high level. Everything in one box weighs just 18 Kg. Really easy to fold up, and it takes you no more than 2 minute to do it after you get used to the process, you’ll easily fit this bike inside your car boot.

Small & Compact

When compact this bike takes up 87cm(L) 39cm(W) 60cm(H), this allows you to store it in places you couldn’t even consider for a standard bike.

Ecosmo Folding Bike Summary

A great modern bike that takes full advantage of the technology available. It will transform the way you commute to work, or simply transport your bike. Whether you choose to get on a bus, train or in a car with it, life with a folding bike will prove to be much simpler than a standard bike. Although these benefits do come at a price. The smaller wheels, less road comfort all are factors to consider when you decide for or against a folding bike. The Ecosmo is the obvious choice if you do choose a folding bike over a conventional one.

Barracuda seem to make good bikes and the Barracuda Vivante road bike is no exception.

The Barracuda Vivante road bike has a lightweight 22 1/2″ alloy frame. The frame of the bike is primarily white, with the exception of the front area including the fork finished in black. The bike weighs in at 14kg therefore is light enough to move around easily. The handlebars offer curved grips for vertical hand positioning and are fitted with Shimano TZ30-31 21 speed rotational shifters. The wheels on the Barracuda Vivante bike are Verismo 700c profiled ally wheels. They seem strong and durable with mainly positive reviews about their ability to withstand the test of time and regular use. The bike also comes with a ‘Bicycle Kit Box’ containing pedals, reflectors, bell, Allen key and a multi-spanner. The saddle provided on the Barracuda Vivante is listed as a ‘padded sports saddle’. It is very comfortable and easily adjusted so there should be no issues with finding your optimal riding position. The seat post and stem used on the Barracuda Vivante are both alloy to help keep the bikes weight to a minimum.

The Barracuda Vivante comes with alloy dual-pivot brakes. They work well and offer responsive effective braking when centred correctly. Initial reports seem to suggest the pads provided with this bike last a significant amount of time however most frequent bike users eventually upgrade the brake pads to benefit from enhanced performance. The brake pedals are not overly sensitive and are quite usable straight out of the box.

This road bike comes with good quality tyres and therefore these won’t need upgrading even for the more committed riders. Some bikes can come with below par tyres however these are exceptionally good considering the price of the bike. Some owners report using the bike 6 times a week for 2 years and the tyres still going strong. This obviously depends on your amount of usage and how testing your terrain is but it’s a good indication that the tyres are durable and of a high quality.

The Barracuda Vivante road bike offers above average ride enjoyment. With it’s padded sports saddle providing the rider with a comfortable seated position perfect for those long rides.

The Barracuda Vivante bike looks the part, it’s black and white design perfectly matches the white wheel rim and black tyres provided with the bike. The gear shifters are very smooth to use and the saddle is one of the comfiest in this price range.

The Vilano Rampage road bike fixed gear road bike is very well designed bike.

This bike is eye catching to say the least. The Vilano Rampage’s frame is jet black as is every component of this bike. The frame comes in at 12.5kg (large version is 15kg) and is designed to eat up the miles. As stated earlier the whole bike is coloured black and looks great. The handle bars aren’t as curved and ergonomic as some of the others available however they are just as comfortable and easy to use. The wheels on this bike are impressive, presented in black and seem strong and durable. The Vilano Rampage Black comes with urban platform pedals as standard. The saddle is perhaps a little on the hard side however remains comfortable and easily adjusted for rider preference. The Vilano Rampage road bike comes with a rear flip-flop hub containing a freewheel and cog, allowing the rider to quickly change from a single speed to a fixed gear by flipping the rear wheel. This is well reviewed and we agree is a very nice feature of the bike.

The brakes do need a little adjustment initially however perform well once corrected. The pads are quite tough and plastic like however can be easily upgraded if you’re unhappy with them. For the price the brakes are more than sufficient and respond well when engaged.

The tyres are brilliant on this model. If regularly kept at a steady pressure they’ll last a long time. Some choose to upgrade things like tyres and brakes immediately however with the tyres provided with the Vilano Rampage road bike this is not necessary.

The bike rides really smoothly and although the seat is a little on the hard side, the experience of riding this bike on the whole is positive.

Hugely recommended bike to anyone looking for a low maintenance, high quality bike. The price for a brand new bike like this is impressively low and therefore offers huge value for money. The bike comes with somewhat budget components which is perfectly understandable for the cost of the bike. These can be upgraded if and when you choose, offering the rider with the ability to enjoy the bike immediately and improve their experience over time with component by component upgrades. This bike is very good and we hugely recommend you consider the Vilano Rampage road bike when looking for your next road bike.

• Hi-Tensile Steel Frame
• Hi-Tensile Steel Front Forks
• Front & Rear Alloy V-Brakes
• Microshift 7 Speed Thumb Shifter
• Shimano Tourney Rear Derailleur
• Shimano TZ-500 7 Speed Cassette
• Single Ring Chainset W/Double Guard
• Sprung Comfort Saddle
• Steel Sprung Pannier Rack
• Full Length Mudguards
• Alloy Wheel Rims
• Centre Kickstand
• 700 x 38c Tyres
• Wheel Size: 700c
• Colour: Matte Black

The stylish and handy Ammaco Madrid Mens Hybrid Bike provides everything you need, whether its roaming around the countryside or making your daily commute, the Madrid has it all; its 7 speed Microshift gears ensure any hills you may face will be a breeze. The included pannier rack makes your commute that bit easier, just attach your pannier bag and away you go!

Another Ammaco bike for our ever growing collection. Not many bike providers cover so many budgets. The Madrid city bike is one of their low cost bikes, allowing individuals with a lower budget to still get hold of a decent bike that's solid enough to get your to and from work or the shops when needed.

Although this price range doesn't allow for aluminium bikes you can rest assured that even Ammaco's steel bike frames aren't particularly heavy weighing in at 15.9Kg. The Madrid has a comfy padded seat, responsive V brakes and 7 speed thumb shifters.

Some additional luxuries that make it a city bike include the rear storage rack. You're able to carry your bag or coat on the rear of the Ammaco Madrid rather than having to wear them. Over long journeys when the suns out in the day, yet you need your coat for the evening ride, it can be annoying having to wear your coat. The storage rack means you don't have to.

The Madrid also comes with a kickstand which is great for when you've come to a stop and want to rest the bike so you can do whatever else is the priority at the time. Gone are the days of checking your phone while balancing your bike between your legs or resting it up against a nearby wall. Kick out the kickstand and you're good to focus on something else.

The front and rear mudguards are a particular favourite with our team here. Many ride to work regardless of the weather (within reason). You can always tell who has and more importantly who hasn't got mudguards. If it's raining outside you can be sure that certain members of the team will arrive looking like they've taken a detour through a shallow river. Yep, we like mudguards.

Overall, this bike deserves to be on our list due to it's value for money. Many will advise you to spend more on a city bike, especially if it's for work rather than a hobby or pastime. If that's not an option for you then you certainly should consider the Ammaco Madrid city bike.

This versatile mountain bike offers great value for money and is ideal for both teenage and adult riders. With 18 gears and Shimano revo shifters it is easy and comfortable to use, while the 20 inch high-tensile steel frame and front suspension forks ensure a smooth, solid ride even on challenging terrain. The Flite Active Hardtail comes with high quality front and rear V-brakes to give you control and safety when you’re out exploring the great outdoors, and with a padded gent’s sports saddle it boasts a great all-round cycling package.

Getting away from it all has never been easier thanks to the Flite Active 26 inch front suspension gents Mountain bike. Cycle away the miles with ease and comfort, this versatile Mountain bike is equally suited to your daily commute or a weekend spin in the country.

Front suspension on a MTB specific frame for a great ride.

Shimano 18 speed gear system provides smooth gear changes when required.

Key features

• Men's mountain bikes.
• 18 Twist grip gear(s).
• microSHIFT Shifters shifters.
• Shimano RD-TY18 rear derailleur.
• Front V-type and rear V-type brakes.
• Front suspension.
• Mountain bike style Kenda tyres.
• Alloy rims.
• 9mm wheel nut size.
• Steel frame.
• Suspension forks.
• Reflectors included.
• Adjustable seat.
• Adjustable handlebars.
• Minimal assembly.

When we saw the price of the Arden Trail Mountain Bike we thought it was a mistake, however assurances were given that this bike is aimed at the budget market and the price is correct. The bike is no thrills however for the price it’s nothing less than you’d expect. We’ve seen some previous buyers suggest getting a service done just to be sure the setup is correct. Even if you decided to upgrade the seat, pedals and tyres this bike would still come out far cheaper than some of the podium position options mentioned above. If budget is your priority then this bike is well worth a look.

The Arden Trail mountain bike has a classic road bike look about it. It’s simple, sleek design is complemented by it’s vivid red fork. The bulk of the bikes frame is black, matching the saddle, handlebars, gear system and pedals. Honestly I don’t think you can go wrong with black, it looks professional and will allow reflective plates to be as visible as possible throughout the day and night.

The bikes frame is made of hi-tensile steel, it’s strong enough to take a beating off road yet as mentioned above has a minimal, classic look to it. The handlebars are straight and quite comfortable, the bike even comes with a bell for those of you planning on politely passing pedestrians. The handlebars are equipped with easy to use twist grip gear levers  as well as standard brake levers. The gear system of choice on the Arden Trail mountain bike is a 21 speed Shimano one. This is enhanced with a rear Shimano dereailleur system for improved shifting.

The brakes used on the Arden Trail mountain bike are v-type brakes at the front and rear, they’re powerful brakes and more than fit the bill when it comes to stopping the bike quickly and safely. It’s difficult to tell without testing the bike over several months but the pads seem pretty good on the brakes so no concerns there.

The mountain bike comes with lightweight alloy wheels and an ‘in the middle’ tyre, the tread is good enough for off road cycling but still quite suitable for long journeys on smoother surfaces. The main concern with this bike is simply the fact it doesn’t have a suspension system like many other mountain bikes do, however the tyres do dampen a lot of the impact while off road so it’s not really an issue unless you’re giving the bike a real beating.

This bike is very well received online and has a large amount of reviews, feel free to check the price via the button on this page for more information.