Best Budget Hybrid Bikes Under $500
Are you trapped between making your pick between a mountain bike and a road bike? Do you enjoy exploring off-road trails as well as speeding across the city? If the answer to both questions is yes, a hybrid bike which brings you the best of both mountain bikes and road bikes will be the solution to your dilemma.
Hybrid bikes come in different designs as well as different specifications. After carefully going through all the choices available, we have curated this list to help you select the best for you. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Best Overall
For those of you who love riding your bike almost everywhere, starting from your neighborhood, to grocery shopping, to weekends at the beach, we’d say that the EVRYjourney is the best overall women’s hybrid bike out there. Living up to its name the EVRYjourney would allow you to travel in a wide variety of terrains ranging from flat surfaces to slightly rough terrains.
At first sight, you'd see that this hybrid bike comes in a wide range of eye-catching colors for you to pick from. The glossy components of the bike, as well as its shining aluminum alloy frame, is a crowd-pleaser among many females. Adding to the sleek aesthetics, the bike also comes with matching full fenders.
The EVRYjourney is one of the most lightweight women’s hybrid bikes equipped with its aluminum alloy frame and weighing 39.7lbs (18 Kg) in total.
The step-through design which is especially for the ladies makes it easier to maneuver the bike and get on and off of it. Going away from the norm, this bike comes with 26” (55.9 cm) wheels.
Ensuring that you experience a comfortable ride, the sixthreezero EVRYjourney is equipped with a frame that swoops low so that the rider will always be in an upright position. This will make sure that no matter how long your ride is, you won’t end up with a terrible back pain afterward.
Adding to the comfort factor is the saddle made of synthetic leather which is plush and comfortable even for longer rides. This means that you won’t have to go through the hassle of replacing your saddle in favour of a more comfortable one.
This comfortable seat can be adjusted according to your height as well allowing the bike to be a crowd-pleaser for riders of different builds. The sixthreezero EVRYjourney also comes in two sizes, 24” (61 cm) and 26” (66 cm) which will accommodate riders from 4 feet (1.22 m) to 6 feet (1.83 m) or more in height.
Moreover, the sixthreezero EVRYjourney comes with a foot-forward seat and pedal position. This will not only ensure that you are comfortable and at ease when you pedal as you can stretch your legs fully forward, but it will also allow you to see straight ahead of you while riding. This will also allow you to put your feet on the ground when you want to stop the bike after applying brakes.
The sixthreezero EVRYjourney braking system is front and rear hand brakes which control a Shimano 7 speed gear system. This will allow you to travel up to 30 mph (48.28 kph) during a single ride. The brake cables are wired along the frame making it easier for maintenance and repairing as well.
The rear rack is another plus in the design, which makes it the perfect companion for you to travel almost everywhere you wish to.
When we looked for cons, we couldn’t find anything much to say apart from the fact that it arrives half-assembled and you would have to assemble a few parts yourself. Some might find it difficult and, in that case, you can easily get the job done at your nearest bike shop.
Pros
• Can ride on a wide variety of terrain
• Sleek aesthetics and wide range of colors to pick from
• Lightweight aluminum alloy frame
• Upright riding position
• Comfortable to pedal
• Comfortable, adjustable seat
• Shimano 7 speed gear system
• Rear rack and matching fenders
Cons
• Comes half-assembled
Best Value
If you are looking for the best women’s hybrid bike to ride around the city and commute daily, we’d say that the Schwinn Discover would be your buddy.
Built with an Aluminum city frame, it is a lightweight hybrid bike that would weigh around 35.5 lbs (16.1 kg) after being fully assembled. This is not too bad of weight when you have to carry your bike to place it on the bike rack or take it in and out of your house or garage every day.
The Schwinn Discover is equipped with a well-padded comfortable seat which is truly a godsend for its price. You wouldn't have to worry about replacing the seat for a more comfortable one with the Schwinn Discover.
This hybrid bike is also equipped with a Schwinn suspension fork which is quite rare in hybrid bikes, but a great add on when available.
Both the comfy seat and the suspension fork together will ensure that this women’s hybrid bike would absorb shock quitewell when you ride it through bumps and potholes along your way. Your comfort will not be compromised despite the uneven road. Like most hybrid bikes, the Schwinn Discover also comes with 28” (62.2 cm) wheels allowing you to enjoy a comfortable ride.
This is also designed with upright handlebars that are swept back along with an adjustable alloy stem. This will ensure that the rider is always in a comfortable upright position throughout the ride and not strain their backs.
The Promax alloy linear-pull brakes integrated with four-finger brake levers ensure that the bike can effectively be brought to a halt as and when needed.
The Schwinn alloy crank is an added bonus that comes with the bike which will also help you bring your bike to a jolt free stop faster as required. You will appreciate this feature when you have to skid to sudden halts while riding the bike on account of traffic or any other obstacle on your way.
Adding more versatility to the bike, the Schwinn Discover is equipped with an SRAM 21-speed shifter and Shimano rear derailleur. This will allow you to pedal uphill without breaking too much sweat. Yes, you will still have to put some effort but it isn’t too bad thanks to the SRAM speed shifter which will give you the needed extra boost.
The fenders you get along with your Schwinn Discover ensure that you don’t end up being covered with the dirt on the road while riding it. Further, the bike also comes with a rear rack. This will come in handy when you have to do a bit of grocery shopping or has to carry something on your bike.
All in all, I did not find anything to complain about in this female hybrid bike apart from the fact that it might be hard to assemble it. You will get a manual along with the bike but according to my research, it isn’t very clear.
For this, I suggest you visit the nearest bike shop to get your Schwinn Discover assembled and the small price you have to pay as service charges would be worth it.
According to our research, we think that this is the best female hybrid bike that has value for money. The features that come along with the Schwinn Discover are definitely worth it.
Pros
• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Comfortable seat
• Higher shock absorption
• Upright adjustable handlebars
• SRAM 21-speed shifter
• Fenders and rear rack
Cons
• Hard to assemble
Best Fitness
For ladies looking for a fitness bike, I’d suggest the Diamondback Vital 2, which is built according to a specific Sport Hybrid geometry. This special build will ensure nothing but the best while giving you some much-needed exercise every time you take a ride on it. This special build will also make sure that your ride is always stable and comfortable.
What makes the bikes special is that it is equipped with a 6061-T6 Aluminum Frame which makes it super lightweight and easily maneuverable for many female riders. Weighing around 33lbs (15kg), this bike is an absolute joy to handle as you can even carry it as and when needed without much trouble.
Moreover, the step-through design allows you to get on and off the bike without much trouble. This means that you can wear your normal street clothes and not worry about the possibility of being uncomfortable during the ride.
The Diamondback Vital 2 is also equipped with an HL Zoom suspension fork which is capable of having 60mm travel to provide a smoother feel to your ride when encountering bumps and potholes.
The shock absorption is further enhanced by the heavily padded seat and the KindShock suspension seat post. This means that riding the Diamondback Vital 2 will be an absolute breeze and you wouldn’t have to bear the brunt of the unevenness of the road with sudden jostles that will startle you. The 28” (62.2 cm) wheels also add to the comfortable riding experience allowing it to glide across smoothly without lagging.
The Shimano 21-speed drivetrain which is incorporated into this purple beauty has an extended low end. This means that you can ride uphill in your bike without too much effort. It might even appear to you that it doesn't take effort at all to spin uphill with the Shimano 21 speed shift gears at your disposal.
Another plus point was the bike’s adjustable stem. This will allow the riders to adjust the height of the handlebars according to their comfortability and get the perfect fit for themselves.
The adjustable handlebars also help to ensure that the rider is always in an upright and comfortable seating position. This will prevent the rider from having to strain their back and lean forward and eventually end up with back pain.
The comfortable and upright seating position will also allow you to enjoy the scenery around you while riding the bike. Being able to see ahead without any difficulty while riding your bike will also give you the boost of confidence you need if you are nervous about your riding skills.
The Diamondback Vital 2 is also offered with a bike sizing guide. According to that, what we noticed was that even the small size accommodates riders who are 5’4” (1.63 m) or taller. This is a downside and shorter riders will find it uncomfortable to ride on. They might not even be able to take full advantage of all its features.
Also, the bike comes 95% assembled, and thus assembling the rest yourself would be an easy task. But you can get it done from a bike shop near you.
Accordingly, we think that the Diamondback Vital 2 is one of the best fitness bikes you could find at a very reasonable price.
Pros
• Sport Hybrid geometry
• Stable and comfortable
• Super lightweight
• Easily maneuverable
• High shock absorption
• Shimano 21-speed drivetrain
• Upright seating position
Cons
• Accommodates riders who are 5’4” (1.63 m) or taller
Best Cheap Hybrid Bike
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If you are an entry-level rider and are looking for a cheap women’s hybrid bike, we suggest the Kent Springdale. This is one of the cheapest hybridbikes you can find in the market right now.
A special feature of the Kent Springdale is the handcrafted, lightweight 6061 Aluminum Frame which brings the total weight of the bike to around 32lbs (14.5kg). This makes maintenance and storage of the bike pretty easy as it can be carried without much strain.
To ensure the comfort of the ride, the Springdale is also equipped with a 60mm travel front suspension fork. This will ensure that you can ride your bike on a wider variety of surfaces and not let you feel too much discomfort during the ride.
The low-price tag on the bike could mean that it can’t withstand high wear and tear. So, unless you want to wear off your bike pretty easily and move on to another very soon, I suggest you don’t do any travel off-road on this bike.
The bike is also equipped with Shimano’s 21-speed shift gears and Shimano Tourney rear derailleur. This will ensure that you can quickly shift the gears and adjust the speed according to the need of the hour. This will also allow you to ride up and down small hilly roads around the city.
The linear-pull brakes will allow you to bring the bike to a complete halt. The Alloy Quick Release Seat Clamp included in the Springdale will also ensure that the bike has adequate stopping power.
Even though this is one of the cheapest hybrid bikes in the market, its 28” (62.2 cm) wheels are equipped with 36 Spoke Double Wall Alloy Rims which will protect them from quick wear and tear to a great extent.
Equipped with front and rear fenders, the Kent Springdale also ensures that the rider is not splattered with mud and dirt while riding. The Springdale also comes with a rear rack that can be used to carry your shopping home. This is an attractive feature for most women who look for hybrid bikes to do their daily or weekly grocery shopping around the city.
Since the bike comes with a very low price tag, there are shortcomings in terms of comfort. Most users find the seat quite uncomfortable and stiff for their liking. This will also result in the ride being far from smooth.
Moreover, similar to most hybrid bikes, assembling the bike can be quite challenging. Most users complain that the assembling instructions aren't clear.
This depends on your knowledge of bikes as well. If you are confident that you can do it, by all means, go for it. If not, you can always get the nearest bike shop in town to assemble it for you.
The Kent Springdale is undoubtedly one of the cheapest women’s hybrid bikes. If you want to practice with a cheaper version before you move on to a more comfortable ride, start with this. Moreover, if you aren’t a frequent rider, this is great for occasional rides around the city.
Pros
• Cheap
• Lightweight
• 6061 Aluminum frame
• Easy to maintain
• Shimano’s 21-speed shift gears
• Shimano Tourney rear derailleur
• 36 spoke double-wall alloy rimmed wheels
• Front and rear fenders
• Rear rack
Cons
• Uncomfortable seat
• Difficult to assemble
Best Comfort
The comfort of the ride is key for most riders. This is why we decided to include the Schwinn Suburban as our top pick for the best women's comfort hybrid bike. Equipped with a steel frame, the Suburban comes in an eye-catching orange colour which will turn heads as you ride it around the city.
As its name suggests, the Schwinn Suburban is built to give you the maximum comfort throughout the ride. Even though the bike comes with a steel frame, it weighs only 37.8lbs (17.1kg) which isn’t too bad. The steel frame also ensures the strength and durability of the bike.
The handlebars which are swept-back ensures that the rider can maintain an upright position while riding. Moreover, the light-alloy rims accompanying the Suburban’s 26” (55.9 cm) tires add to its sleek look.
The handlebars are also covered with comfortable grips for your palms and prevent bruising. Adding to this is the Schwinn Quality comfortable saddle which will ensure that you can make longer trips on your bike without body aches and pains.
The saddle is also equipped with a suspension seat post which will not let bumps on the road affect the comfort of your ride. The Schwinn Suburban’s front suspension fork also ensures that the rider will not be uncomfortable during the ride even on rough roads.
Even though the bike is primarily aimed at short and long rides in the city along pavements and trails, these features ensure that the Suburban has good shock absorption.
The step-thru design is specifically incorporated to make it easier for you to get on and get off the bike with ease. You can also fully stretch your legs and place them in a more comfortable position while riding the Schwinn Suburban.
Alloy linear-pull brakes at the front and the rear of the Suburban ensures that the rider has full control of the bike. Whenever you need to bring the bike to an immediate halt, just insert the brakes.
This women’s comfort hybrid bike is equipped with Shimano 7-Speed Micro twist shifter gear system which will allow you to ride quickly and comfortably. The Shimano rear derailleur will ensure that the system combined will allow you to shift gears without much difficulty. Traveling at a single speed every day all day can get boring so having a range of speeds to choose from is always a plus.
Living up to its name, we found out that this bike is an absolute joy to ride and most riders do not have any complaints. But it arrives at your door half-assembled so this might be an issue for you. Depending on your knowledge, it might be easy or difficult.
If you find assembling hard, go to your nearest bike shop and get it done. We wouldn't want you to get in trouble just because you did a lousy job assembling it.
We found that this is one of the most comfortable ladies’ hybrid bikes that comes at a reasonable price. If riding is all about enjoying a comfortable ride throughout the journey for you, I suggest you do more digging up on the Schwinn Suburban.
Pros
• High comfortability
• Strong and durable
• Swept-back handlebars with comfortable grips
• Schwinn Quality comfortable saddle
• Good shock absorption
• Step-thru design
• Shimano 7-speed micro twist shifter gear system
Cons
• Arrives half-assembled
Yes, we have come to the end of our review. But before you go, there are a few more things about hybrid bikes that you should know. You should be well-informed and make the right decision when you finally buy your bike.
The frame can be made of either steel, aluminum, or carbon. When it comes to steel frames, they tend to make the bike heavier and bulkier. This wouldn’t be the best pick, especially for a women's bike.
Carbon frames are gaining popularity in the market but they often come with a very expensive price tag. Aluminum frames are the most commonly used. They come with high comfort and also reduces the overall weight of the bike, making it lightweight and easy to maintain.
Brakes could of three main types, namely rim brakes, mechanical disc brakes, and hydraulic disc brakes. Most hybrid bikes are equipped with rim brakes and even though they do a pretty good job, disc brakes have higher stopping power.
When it comes to traveling on wet and muddy surfaces, disc brakes prove to be more efficient than rim brakes. Out of the two types of disc brakes, hydraulic brakes tend to be expensive.
The widely preferred type of handlebar for hybrid bikes is flat handlebars as it will help the rider to maintain a more upright position while riding the bike. Unlike normal handlebars which are slightly lower, requiring the rider to lean forward and adopt and hunched position, flat handlebars will ensure that the rider can look straight ahead of them while sitting upright.
This not only adds to the comfortability of the bike but will also act as a confidence booster for the rider.
The type of tire largely depends on the terrain you ride on. If you will be frequenting the city and its roads and pavements it makes sense to look for slick tires which will add more speed to the ride. But if you will be traveling on rough terrains and off-road trails, we advise you to look for tires with higher volume.
When it comes to wheel size, 700c (28”) is the most commonly used for hybrid bikes. But these hybrid bikes lean more towards road bike models and are often used to commute in the city. If you want a hybrid bike that can withstand rough terrain and off-road trails as well, you could opt for a tire size like 650c (26”).
The comfort of your ride is largely determined by the bike’s size. No matter how high-quality the components of the bike are, if the bike isn’t the right fit for you, you won’t be able to get the benefit of those awesome features.
Especially when it comes to the seat, handlebars, and pedals, they should be within your reach. If you have to unnecessarily strain yourself to reach them, then the bike is not for you.
Moreover, if your bike is too tall and you can’t put your feet firmly on the ground, this might cause problems when you try to stop the bike. If you are making your purchase online, get your hands on a Bike Sizing Guide and measure yourself to find the best fit for you.
If your measurements are between two sizes the best thing to do is to visit the nearest bike shop and try out a few bike sizes first before you buy. If you pick the wrong size it will be a pain to ride and also be a waste of money.
Almost all hybrid bikes come with a wide range of gears. These help riders adopt the necessary speed controls when they climb uphill or ease downhill during a ride. If you use your hybrid bike only to travel on flat surfaces like back and forth from work every day, then a single speed shifter would be more than enough. But if you want to explore a wide range of terrain, it is always good to have a few speed-shift gears at your disposal.
The type of gear you should have in your hybrid bike largely depends on the terrain you intend to ride on. It is also important to note that the cheapest hybrid bikes come with quite good speed shift gear systems which are a plus.
When it comes to selecting pedals for any kind of bike, be it hybrid or otherwise, it is always better to opt for flat pedals. Flat pedals will allow you to wear any kind of rubber shoes when you ride. Otherwise, you will have to wear riding shoes which make it impossible for you to normally walk or go about your business.
Moreover, opting for a clickless pedal system will make it easier for you to get on and off your pedals. This will especially come in handy when you are stuck in traffic.
The comfort of your hybrid bike will also largely depend on your seat. Always make sure that the seat is comfortable and broad enough for you. If you are going for a more budget option and the seat doesn’t look too promising or doesn’t feel comfortable, I suggest you get it replaced.
It is a worthy investment and spending a few extra dollars on getting the seat replaced would pay off well when you can comfortably ride for hours on your bike.
Front and rear fenders are other extra features that most riders love to have on their hybrid bikes. As mentioned earlier, nobody wants to arrive at their destination with mud and dirt on their pants especially after riding in bad weather. Fenders prevent mud or dirt from getting on the rider.
For ladies who love to go grocery shopping on their hybrid bikes, a rear rack is a must. It will ensure that you don't have to carry the additional weight of goods yourself. Instead, your bike will do it for you.
If the bike does not come with mudguards and a pannier, go for an option with eyelets to fix them. This is always better than having a clip-on.
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As you may have realised, there is a wide range of women’s hybrid bikes to choose from. Coming up with these recommendations wasn’t easy.
We tried our best to make picks from across the spectrum so that there is something for everyone. We hope we made your job of selecting the best women's hybrid bike easier with our review and guide.
