When it comes to finding a suitable commuter for you at the right price, it can be challenging. There’s a massive market to look through, and knowing what’s good value for money is difficult. In this article, I want to tell you about some bikes that I think are some of the best bicycles you can buy on the market currently when you’re shopping in the range of $500 or $1000. I also want to talk about picking the right
Unlike the Priority Ace with a single-speed belt-drive, it has a three-speed internally geared hub but still with the advantage of the carbon belt drive system.
A very incredible commuter with eye-catching looks and upgrade options. Comes with a strong aluminum frame.
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What makes a Great commuter bike ?
When it comes to getting a suitable commuter, I look firstly at design. Does it have mounts for panniers? Is it going to be comfortable to ride? Is it able to handle potholes? Then I am starting thinking about the level of equipment on the
Every
How do we rate the bikes?
I believe the best way to rate a
Once you put this all together, you get an excellent overview of what you can expect from the

5 Best Budget Commuter Bikes Under $500
Best Overall Under $500: sixthreezero EVRYjourney
A very incredible commuter with eye-catching looks and upgrade options. Comes with a strong aluminum frame.
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- City Design
- Aluminum
- Choice of gearing
- Small wheels, big tires
- Rear Rack, Mudguards
- Warranty Options
Now, this is a proper commuter here. The style of the frame is very Dutch City and comes in either a men’s or women’s version. The difference between the two is the fact you have a lower top tube you can step through. It’s a strong aluminum frame, and you can choose what color you want it in and when your order how much gearing you want. It runs smaller wheels and bigger tires or cornering ability and comfort. It comes with a rear rack and mudguards, and if you want a lifetime warranty, they offer this at an extra cost.
A very incredible commuter with eye-catching looks and upgrade options.
Runner-Up Under $500: Priority Ace
The Ace is the only belt drive single speed featuring a Gates Carbon Drive and flip-flop rear hub that allows you to adjust how you ride: fixed or freewheel.
- Flat Bar Road
Bike Design - Chromoly Road Racing Style
- Single Speed / Fixed Belt Drive
- Aluminium Aero Deep Dish Wheelset
- Flip Flop Hub
- Carbon Belt Drive System
I love this
Great value for the money city commuter, probably wouldn’t suit anywhere hilly.
Best Off-Road Under $500: Vilano Diverse 3.0
This bike is an actual city slicker with some off-road clout to it, and for that reason, it's on this list.
- Hybrid City Design
- Aluminium Heavy Duty
- 24 Gearing System
- Strong Aluminium Wheelset
- Disk Brakes
I like the Vilano Diverse, it has an outstanding hybrid city
This
Best For Rough Roads Under $500: Schwinn Discover
It will go anywhere with lightweight wheels and off-road tires, and I would highly recommend it for roads that might not be well maintained.
- Hybrid All-Terrain Design
- Aluminium Heavy Duty
- 21 Speed SRAM / Shimano
- Lightweight Aero Aluminium Wheelset
- Rear Rack, Mudguards
- Suspension Fork
Now, this
An excellent bicycle for your money would highly suit anyone who is on a rough road commute.
Best Electric Under $500: ANCHEER 500W Electric
It's a hybrid, electric commuter design made for comfort, as it can cover around 20 miles on a single charge.
- Hybrid Design
- Aluminium Heavy Duty
- Hub Automatic Gearing
- 14 Inch Wheelset
- Front light
- Folding
bike
The first Electric
A lot of power but a short-range, great
5 Best Budget Commuter Bikes Under $1000
Best Overall Under $1000: Priority Brilliant L Train
Unlike the Priority Ace with a single-speed belt-drive, it has a three-speed internally geared hub but still with the advantage of the carbon belt drive system.
- Flat bar Road
Bike - Lightweight Chromoly
- 3 Speed Belt Drive Hub
- Road Wheelset
- Mudguards and Mounts for Panniers
- Carbon Belt Drive
For me, this is one of my favorite bikes on the list; it’s very similar to the Priority Ace but with some upgrades. Firstly I love the Road
An excellent
Runner-Up Under $1000: PUBLIC V7
It has a solid wheelset and comes equipped with large tires and Mudguards again and the mounts if you want to add a pannier onto it.
- Men’s Shopper
- Lightweight Steel
- Basic Gearing
- Strong Wheelset
- Mudguards and Mounts for Panniers
- Dutch Shopper Style
The Public V7 is the Men’s version of the C7. As you can see, the frame is designed differently with a taller top tube, whereas you would have to fling your leg over. Again it’s a very beautifully designed steel frame. It has the same gearing as the C7 and, although basic, will get you up some steep climbs. It has a solid wheelset and comes equipped with large tires and Mudguards again and the mounts if you want to add a pannier onto it. I love the chopper-style handlebars, and it’s a cool-looking
I like this
Best Dutch Style Under $1000: PUBLIC C7
Bikes like the C7 are sort after, very comfortable to ride, and hold their value over years and years.
- Ladies Shopper
- Lightweight Steel
- Basic Gearing
- Strong Wheelset
- Mudguards and Mounts for Panniers
- Dutch Shopper Style
Bikes like the Public C7 are very sort after. A classic Dutch shopper is very hard to find for a reasonable price. This is an excellent example of a good value-for-money Dutch Shopper. It’s a solid Steel
Bikes like the C7 are sort after, very comfortable to ride, and hold their value over years and years.
Best Lightweight Design Under $1000: Brooklyn Bicycle Franklin 8 Speed
It has Shimano 8 Speed gearing, which will give you a good range and very silky shifting.
- Step-Through Shopper
- Lightweight Steel
- 8 Speed Shimano
- All-Terrain Wheels and Tyres
- Mudguards, Mounts for Panniers, and rear reflector
- Unisex Classic Shopper
The Brooklyn
It’s a lovely
Best Electric Under $1000: Ride1UP ROADSTER V2 Electric
It will give you 20 to 30 miles range and assist your pedaling up to 24mph, which is extremely quick.
- Electric Flat Bar Road Commuter
- Modern Road
Bike Aluminum Frame - Electric Assisted Auto Gearing
- Road Wheels and Tyres
- 500w Electric Hidden Motor
- Assistance up to 24mph
What a beautiful-looking
If you are running late, this
Types of Commuter bikes
There are many different types of commuter bikes on the market, and it’s essential to understand which ones will suit you and help you get to work quickly and efficiently. On the surface, they can look very similar, but they all do a very different job in getting you to work.
Road, Off-Road, and Hybrid
You will find with many commuters the first difference is road, off-road, and Hybrid. Road is essentially a
Gearing
Commuters often have the most comprehensive range of gearing when it comes to bikes. Some bikes will be Single Speed. This is where you have one gear and the ability to freewheel (Stop Pedaling). Then you have Fixed or Fixe. This term is used when you have a single gear but are not able to freewheel. Moving on from that, we have standard gearing. This is the most common. You will have one or two derailleurs that select the gears, and the gearing is open to the elements. This kind of gearing offers the greatest range and is very easy to service. Finally, you have internal hub gears. Internal hub gears are in the center of the rear wheel enclosed internally and typically offer a smaller range than standard gearing and are much harder to service. Still, they are much more durable than any of the other gearing options.
Chain or Belt
Chains are what you usually see on most commuters, but you come across belt drive bikes every so often. There’s a massive difference between these which is worth knowing. Chains require replacing often and are very open to the elements, but they are very efficient and easy to replace. Chains can move around and shift through a derailleur. Belts are made of either Kevlar or a carbon compound. They usually sit where the chain would. They are much more durable than chains, but they can’t move and shift like a chain, so they will only work with internal hub gearing, single-speed, or fixed. Most bikes will either be one or the other, and very few can interchange.
Disk or Rim brakes
You will find many bikes on the market, and most will offer disk or rim brakes. I think for cities, rim brakes are perfect, but disk brakes are much more powerful when it comes to any off-road riding. Rim brakes are much cheap, but it’s best not to put a price on stopping quickly.
Pros and Cons of Bike Types
Road Commuter
The Ace is the only belt drive single speed featuring a Gates Carbon Drive and flip-flop rear hub that allows you to adjust how you ride: fixed or freewheel.
Hybrid
It will go anywhere with lightweight wheels and off-road tires, and I would highly recommend it for roads that might not be well maintained.
Off-Road Bikes
This bike is an actual city slicker with some off-road clout to it, and for that reason, it's on this list.
Shopper Style Bikes
Bikes like the C7 are sort after, very comfortable to ride, and hold their value over years and years.
How to shop for a budget commuter bike
Shopping for the right
What kind of bike do you need?
Although most bikes will work in every situation, it’s more about them working well, so the first thing I think about is if the bicycle supports the terrain I will be on. For example, living in the City, I would be picking a road-style
Gearing
When it comes to gears picking the correct setup is essential. If you live in a flat city, you will, by all means, get away with a single-speed or a fixed commuter
Comfort
When it comes to commuting, another thing you need to think about is comfort. You will find all the different styles of bikes will offer different levels of comfort also. The Road style bikes, although fast, you will feel every bump in the road. The Hybrid with bigger tires will take a lot of the impact and be much more forgiving, and the Off-Road bikes will soak up all the lumps on your travels. Also, you have to think about geometry. Bikes with higher handlebars like Dutch shoppers will be much more forgiving on your back compared to a Road style
Verdict
When it comes to picking the right
Continue Reading:
1. Best Fixed Gear & Single Speed Bikes
2. Best Budget Full Suspension Mountain Bikes (Under $2000)
3. Best Adult Tricycles (Trikes)