Cheap Bikes! The Best Budget Bicycles in All Categories

Last Updated on 1 September 2024 by Cycloscope

Cheap bikes! Affordable, low-price, budget bicycles

City bikes, MTB, hybrid, road bikes, touring, foldable. The best & cheapest bikes in each category – For adult men and women

Cheap bikes! In this article, we’ll go through a list of the best budget/affordable bicycles for each category. You’ll find the cheapest road bikes, gravel, touring, hybrid, city bikes, MTB, and folding bikes – all of them a great bang for the buck!

Cheap bikes are often synonymous with low quality, but a low-price bike doesn’t always mean a crappy bike. There are some great deals out there, good, affordable bikes that will serve the purpose of those on a budget.

We’ve carefully selected the cheapest bikes for each category that still guarantee safety, reliability, and enjoyment, go through our list of cheap women’s and men’s bikes and find your next two-wheeled friend!

Affordable, Budget, and Cheap Bikes in a Nutshell

City Bikes

• 1. Schwinn Wayfarer
  • cheap commuting bike for flat landscapes
• 2. Firmstrong Navitas Organics Cruiser Bike
  • best leisure bike
• 3. Schwinn Discover Hybrid
  • best cheap suspension fork commuter bike

Road Bikes

• 4. Fuji Sportif 2.1
  • cheap and versatile road/commuting bike
• 5. Tommaso Imola Endurance
  • budget beginner road bike
• 6. Schwinn Volare 1300
  • a very cheap road bike for beginners

Gravel Bikes

• 7. Fuji Jari 2.3 Gravel Bike
  • Best cheap gravel bike
• 8. Cube Nuroad Gravel Bike
  • Best affordable gravel bike
• 9. Giant Revolt 2
  • cheap entry-level gravel bike

Touring Bikes

• 10. Mongoose Elroy
  • A fully-equipped touring bike for a low price
• 11. Decathlon Triban RC500
  • Cheap adventure bike for UK and Europe
• 12. Trek FX 1 Disc
  • affordable commuter that will double as a tourer for short adventures

Hybrid Bikes

• 13. Giant Escape 3
  • affordable hybrid bike – great bang for the buck
• 14. Cube Touring EXC Bike
  • Great long-distance commuter cheap bike, good for light touring, and also off-road
• 15. Ghost Square Cross 4.8 Trekking Bike
  • great affordable hybrid bike

Folding Bikes

• 16. ZiZZO Campo 20
  • The cheapest folding bike you’ll ever find
• 17. Dahon Mariner D8 
  • great low-price folding bike

City Bikes

1. Schwinn Wayfarer

Best cheap commuting bike for flat landscapes

Gears	7-speed Shimano Tourney
Item weight	40 lbs
Wheel size	700cc
Brakes	V-Brake
Frame	Steel

Highlights

• steel frame
• classy look
• solid frame

Let’s start with the classic chic look of the Schwinn Wayfarer hybrid bicycle. A perfect affordable option for the daily city commuter.

This cheap retro-looking bike is the perfect rig for cruising the city, with reliable brakes and an upright position that’s ideal to cycle in daily clothes, even with a tight suit.

The modest 7-speed drive-train though doesn’t make it a recommendable choice for those living in hilly neighborhoods.

2. Firmstrong Navitas Organics Cruiser Bike

Best cheap leisure bike

Frame	Steel
Weight	37.4 pounds
Wheel size	26”
Brakes	Coaster brakes
Price	$340

Highlights

• Steel frame
• Classic curvy beach cruiser design
• Coaster brakes
• Over-sized seat

This is another bike on this list specifically designed for comfort. A cruiser bike, Firmstrong Navitas is durable and a great value for money.

It is furnished with Coaster brakes, which make slowing down or coming to a total halt easy. Just cycle in reverse to engage the brake. This key feature of Firmstrong makes this bike a firm favorite for newbie riders.

The bicycle has great curves, which make it even more feminine. One of the bike’s standout features is the fact that it is made of steel, the strongest possible material a bicycle can be made from.

Furthermore, the handlebars are padded and spacious, confirming it as a true cruiser bike, meant for a relaxing ride. Lastly, the shock absorbers that Frimstrong Navitas has to make it a safe ride even on rough terrains.

3. Schwinn Discover Hybrid

Best cheap suspension fork commuter bike

Brand	Schwinn
Item weight	37.5 pounds
Wheel size	29”
Frame	Aluminum
Color	Matte Grey
Price	$500

Highlights

• Sport suspension fork
• Aluminum frame
• Front and rear Shimano derailleurs
• Shimano 24-speed EZ-Fire trigger shifters
• Double-wall alloy rims
• Mechanical disc brakes
• Shimano alloy cranks

Are you looking for a comfortable and reliable commuter that could bring you through occasional adventures? The Schwinn Discover Hybrid is a great choice. While it should is that of a commuter, the rear carrier and suspension fork make it also fit for light touring and easy mountain biking.

The front and rear Shimano derailleurs ensure smooth shifting for this price range, while its sporty aesthetics give the bike a really gorgeous look. Plus the disc brakes make slowing down or bringing your bicycle to a total halt a breeze. 

The 29″ wheels give the rider a smooth feeling and high pedal efficiency. The Schwinn Discover Hybrid’s frame is made of durable aluminum.

3 Cheap & Affordable
Road Bikes

4. Fuji Sportif 2.1

Cheap and versatile road/commuting bike

Frame	A2-SL Alloy
Fork	C5 carbon legs, carbon steerer
Drivetrain	Shimano Sora 50/34t x 11-34t, 11-speed
Brakes	Shimano Sora Alloy dual pivot caliper brakes
Tire Clearance	700×30 c
Size	Min Rider Height: 5’1″ – 150cm
Weight	10.2 kg / 22.5 lbs
Price	from $1,199

Highlights

• stable and comfortable
• fender and rack mounts for commuting or adventure
• wave seat stay
• very affordable

At less than 1,200 USD, the Fuji Sportif 2.1 is a great affordable road bike for beginners, women, and men alike.

The A2-SL Butted Aluminium frame is light enough, a lightness achieved by reducing material in low-stress areas.

Talking geometry we could mention the taller headtube and longer chainstays, those increase overall stability and put the rider in a more upright riding position – the price to pay is limited agility and a bike that doesn’t feel as nimble as a real race bike, but that is more an advantage than a problem for beginners.

Another interesting feature is the Wave seat stay, which smooths out and diffuses road vibration by providing a slight vertical flex.

Cables are routed inside the frame tubes for improved aerodynamics, a longer lifespan for the cables, and a neat look. The frame and forks feature rack mounts and are also configured to accept fenders, thus making the bike a highly versatile rig for all seasons.

5. Tommaso Imola Endurance

Budget beginner road bike

Frame	6061 SLA Aluminium
Fork	Tommaso SST Steel
Drivetrain	Shimano Claris 3×8 50/34t x 11-34t, 11-speed
Brakes	Shimano Claris Alloy dual pivot caliper brakes
Tire Clearance	700x30c
Size	Min Rider Height: 4’9″ – 145cm
Weight	10.9 kg / 23.6 lbs
Price	$950

Highlights

• good range of components for the price<
• lightweight

The Tommaso Imola bike is a decent road bike for less than 1,000 bucks. Certainly not the high-end road bike of your dreams, but still a rig good enough for beginners that are just starting in the discipline of road cycling.

Although cheap, the components are not too bad: Shimano Claris drivetrain and caliper brakes are reliable and efficient enough.

As often happens with cheaper bikes ordered online, you should really check the assembly thoroughly if you don’t wanna risk crashing. These bikes often come with over-tensioned or loose parts as they are not individually checked after assembly.

6. Schwinn Volare 1300

A very cheap road bike for beginners

Frame	Aluminum
Fork	Tommaso SST Steel
Drivetrain	Shimano Tourney 2×7 50/34t x 11-30t
Brakes	Shimano Claris Alloy dual pivot caliper brakes
Tire Clearance	700x28c
Size	Min Rider Height: 5’1″ – 150 cm
Weight	13.5 kg / 29.8 lbs
Price	$460

Highlights

• below $500
• durable materials

The cheapest road bike on this list is a good buy for those riders who are still not sure they’ll love road cycling for years to come.

The Schwinn Volare is a good budget compromise, you’ll hardly get anything similar to a road bike for less than this – the Volare will allow you to join your roadie friends and get the hang of road cycling without doing too much damage to your wallet.

The frame is made of aluminum and the fork is a nice piece of steel that is durable but certainly not light, with the overall weight of the bike sitting at 13.5kg, definitely not on the light side.

Brakes and shifters are entry-level Shimano Claris and Tourney, doing their job just fine without splurging.

Again, given the cheap price tag, be sure to bring your new Schwinn Volare to your bike mechanic before riding it out of the box – bad build and components installation is common for bikes in this price range.

3 Affordable Budget
Gravel Bikes

7. Fuji Jari 2.3 Gravel Bike

Best cheap gravel bike

frame material	Aluminum
weight	12kg / 26.4 lbs
max tire clearance	40mm
tire size	WTB Riddler, 700 x 37c,
drivetrain	2×9 Shimano Sora 46/30 x 11-34t
brakes	Tektro Mira mechanical disc
smallest available size	52 cm
price	$1,040

Highlights

• most affordable gravel
• carbon fork

The cheapest gravel bike on this list is the Fuji Jari 2.3. As you can expect at this price point, it does not weigh the least, nor does it come with fancy gadgets or gizmos. However, as an introduction to the joys of gravel biking, it is worth every cent, probably one of the best budget gravel bikes. 

The Fuji Jari comes with the relatively rudimentary Shimano Sora groupset. While a little clunky, it is reliable and does not slip off the ring, even when going over the bumpiest part of the track. Thanks to the frame geometry and carbon fork, you get an optimized riding experience for performance and utility. 

This bike comes with all mounts you need to load up for a weekend adventure. Despite its thin-looking frame, it is surprisingly stable and dependable both off and on-road. The WTB Riddler 37c tires are grippy and comfortable on and off the beaten track. 

We do not know the exact weight, but many reviews note that the Fuji Jari 2.3 is on the heavy side of an aluminum gravel bike. At this price, you should not get too hooked up on that. 

This is a very affordable and surprisingly sleek-looking gravel bike. It is both stable and fun enough to help build up your confidence in preparation to invest in one of the lighter, more agile ladies’ gravel bikes next time around. 

A low-price gravel is what you’re looking for? Check this
> 11 Top Gravel Bikes for Less Than 1000/1500$ – Reviewed for 2022

8. Cube Nuroad Gravel Bike

Best affordable gravel bike

frame material	6061 Aluminium Superlite frame
weight	10.8g
max tire clearance	700C x 45mm
tire size	Schwalbe G-One Allround, 40-622 (700c)
drivetrain	2×8 Shimano Claris 50-34T x 11-34T
brakes	Disk – Tektro MD-C51
smallest available size	XS (50cm)
price	$1,299

Highlights

• carbon fork
• lightweight frame
• wide tire clearance
• lots of mounting points

If you are on a budget but still crave a gorgeous rig, the Cube Nuroad Gravel Bike 2022 is the best affordable gravel bike for you. The beautiful deep teal color and the streamlined gravel bike geometry of the frame make this bike look a lot more expensive than it is. 

At this price range, you have to accept an aluminum frame. However, with the addition of the carbon forks, the Cube Nuroad gravel bike is light enough while also dampening the vibrations on the more bumpy trails. 

Straight out of the box, the Cube Nuroad comes with 40mm wide Schwalbe G-One Allround tires, which prove to be grippy even on even surfaces. It is a nice touch that you can ‘upgrade’ to 45mm width tires if you use your gravel bike offroad and feel like you want more control. 

The frame comes with all the versatility you need from your next partner in adventure, with holes to attach mudguards, racks, and a kickstand. So although the gearing ratio leans more towards a road bike setup, this pretty little gravel bike is more than up to the challenge of an off-road cycling adventure. 

If you are on a budget but want a lot of bikes for your buck, then the Cube Nuroad Gravel Bike 2022 is a wise investment. 

Are you a woman? Have a look here
> 11+1 Best Gravel Bikes for Women – Gravel Grinding for All Budgets

9. Giant Revolt 2

Cheap entry-level gravel bike

Frame	ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, rack mount / Carbon fork
Drivetrain	SHIMANO Sora, 2×10 48/32t x 11-34t
Brakes	Tektro MD-C550 mechanical, 160mm
Tires	Giant CrossCut AT 2, tubeless, 700x38c
Tire Clearance	max 53c / 38c standard
Weight	23.1 lbs/10.4kg
Price	$1,400

Highlights

• fast
• cushioned ride
• monster tire clearance

The Revolt 2 by Giant is a real bang for the buck and a great bike for beginners on a budget.

While being a super speedy bike with a max speed of 61km/h, the forgiving and cushioned feeling makes for a comfy and super stable ride sure to convey a sense of satisfaction also to inexperienced riders.

The angles and the distances between key contact points on the Giant Revolt family draw heavily on road-endurance bike models. Giant took no chances in designing the geometry.

The front end is traditional, inspired by road cycles. The compliance of the frame is enhanced by dropping the seat stay, shortening the seat tube, and using a D-shaped seat post.

The 430mm chain stay allows the bike to rip on rough descents and to track the way noticeably better.

With a monster tire clearance of up to 55c and supporting fenders and rack mounts, The Giant Revolt 2 is also suitable for commuting and a great gravel bike for short touring.

Read our
> Review! Giant Revolt 2: Comfort for All Butts and Pockets

3 Low-Price Touring Bikes

10. Mongoose Elroy

A fully-equipped touring bike for a low price

Frame	ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, rack mount / Carbon fork
Drivetrain	SHIMANO Tourney, 2×7 48/32t x 11-32t
Brakes	Shimano BR-RS805 flat-mount disc brakes
Tires	Kenda Slant Six 29 x 1.75in
Tire Clearance	max 2.1″
Weight	11.37kg / 25.1lb
Price	$640

Highlights

• lightweight frame
• wide tire clearance
• decent gear range

The Mongoose Elroy is a versatile adventure bike with touring geometry, a sleek and lightweight alloy frame, and a sturdy steel fork.

The 2×7 Shimano Tourney drivetrain might not be enough for the steepest and most technical hills, but it’s certainly fit for most bike trips. The Micro shift shifters/brake lever combo is fast and safe to access for smooth gear-shifting.

Brakes are mechanical discs with great stopping power, while the internal cable ensures the longevity of the cables and allows space for additional bikepacking bags and three water bottle cage mounts.

The fork comes with all the mounting points for the large included front rack, plus two more braze-on for an additional bottle or cargo cage.

A half-frame bag also comes included, and more mounting points are present in the back for a rear rack.

11. Decathlon Triban RC500

Cheap adventure bike for UK and Europe

Frame	ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, rack mount / Carbon fork
Drivetrain	Microshift H100 10-speed 38 x 11-42 cassette
Brakes	Promax DSK disc brakes – 160mm rotors
Tires	Hutchinson Overide 700×38 Tubeless Ready
Tire Clearance	max 2.1″
Weight	11kg / 25lbs
Price	£650

Highlights

• carbon fork
• lightweight frame
• micro shift levers
• ample toe clearance

The Triban by Decathlon is probably the best seller of gravel bikes in Europe. A comfort-oriented frame geometry with a more upright riding position thanks to a tall steering socket, elongated top tube, and shorter stem.

This doesn’t mean this bike is not built for speed. A single 38 chainring in the front and an 11/42 cassette (Shimano Sora) are able to reach respectable speed while also allowing enough range to face steep climbs.

Precise shifting is allowed by the sturdy Microshift XLE 10-speed shifter – a cool feature is the Microshift M665 rear derailleurs which boosts a “Clutch” system that can hold the derailleur in order to prevent the chain from jumping.

The 1800g frame (size M) is made of 6061 T6 aluminum, with sloping geometry and a semi-integrated headset.

The fork is carbon, quite a treat for this price range. The longer rake ensures enough toe clearance not to be worried about rubbing your feet against the tire in technical terrain.

Unfortunately, Decathlon doesn’t operate in the US, although some of its products can be found at Walmart, Curated, Target, and more outlets.

12. Trek FX 1 Disc

Affordable commuter that will double as a tourer for short adventures

Weight	L – 11.95 kg / 26.34 lbs
Frame	Alpha Gold Aluminum, DuoTrap S compatible, internal cable routing, flat mount disc, rack & fender mounts, 135x5mm QR
Fork	FX Alloy, flat mount disc, rack mounts, 405mm axle-to-crown, ThruSkew 5mm QR
Rims	Bontrager Connection, alloy, double-wall, 32-hole, Schrader valve
Tires	Bontrager H2, wire bead, 30 TPI, 700x35c
Drivetrain	Shimano Tourney 3×8 speeds  – 48/38/28
Price	$599

Highlights

• lots of mounting points
• lifetime warranty
• integrated stem

Trek is definitely one of the biggest players in the bicycle market, their range of products is huge and covers almost every cycling discipline.

Proper touring bikes from Trek, like the 520, 920, and 1120, are out of the price range covered in this article – but we feel like mentioning this hybrid urban/trekking bike since it has all the characteristics of a light tourer and can suit the needs of those who don’t have space or budget to own more than one bike.

The hydraulic disks might be a weak point for extended bicycle touring, but that’s not what this bike is made for. The FX2 is easy to accessorize with racks, a kickstand, fenders, lights, etc. Like every Trek hybrid, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty and supported by a wide network of retail partners.

Other interesting features are the compatibility with DuoTrap S cadence sensor (which allows you to track your performance), and the stem-integrated mount for lights and devices. 

3 Cheap Hybrid Bikes

13. Giant Escape 3

Affordable hybrid bike – great bang for the buck

Frame	ALUXX-Grade Aluminum Frame and Fork
Drivetrain	Shimano Altus 2×9 speed 30/46 x 11-36
Brakes	Linear pull, alloy
Tires	Giant S-X3, 700x38c
Tire Clearance	max 40c
Weight	12.4kg / 27.3lbs
Price	$800

Highlights

• versatile
• comfortable riding position
• wide gear range

Another budget option for a versatile hybrid commuter/tourer. The Giant Escape 3 has been completely redesigned recently and features a lot of upgrades.

Slicker lines, and different tube shapes for a fun and efficient bike, capable enough to tackle anything from city commutes to cross-country bicycle tours.

Stable geometry and a wide range of gears make it easier to venture up hilly terrain even when your racks and cargo bags are loaded. It’s designed with neutral upright positioning which helps you navigate city streets or crowded bike paths.

Might need a rims upgrade, since 28 spokes seem a bit weak for loaded touring. The hydraulic disk brakes are a plus if you are traveling in first-world countries where you can get services. I’ll swap them for mechanical if you plan on going somewhere more remote

14. Cube Touring EXC Urban Bike

Great long-distance commuter cheap bike, good for light touring, and also off-road

Frame	Aluminium Superlite Trekking Comfort Double Butted
Fork	SR Suntour NEX HLO, 63mm
Drivetrain	Shimano RD 3×8 speed 48x36x26T x 12-32
Brakes	Shimano BR-MT200, Hydr. Disc Brake (160/160)
Tires	Schwalbe Range Cruiser, Active, K-Guard, 47-622
Tire Clearance	max 40c
Weight	16.9kg / 37.2lbs
Price	$850

Highlights

• suspension fork
• integrated lighting and hub dynamo
• a good amount of mounting points

The Touring has everything you need for cycling – no more, no less. Cube intentionally ditched complicated features with this model, but not the ergonomics. That’s why it’s the perfect bike to simply get on and cycle away without having to spend any time getting to know it first. The Touring is a great all-rounder with a comfortable ride position.

The light, double-butted aluminum frame features Cube’s Efficient Comfort Geometry, specifically developed for touring bikes to provide a comfortable ride position with the best energy transfer to make the best possible use of long days in the saddle.

The Touring has bosses for bottle cages and for Cube’s ingeniously simple Cube kickstand, while internal cable routing helps reduce maintenance and keep gearshifts smoother for longer

The Cube Touring has been built in accordance with StVZO regulations. The LED lighting system up front and the small but powerful red LED at the rear both get their power seamlessly from the hub dynamo – which means they’re ready whenever needed, regardless of the weather.

15. Ghost Square Cross 4.8 Trekking Bike

Great affordable hybrid bike

Frame	SQUARE Trekking AL
Fork	SR Suntour SF16 NEX HLO DS 50 mm
Drivetrain	Shimano Deore 3×8 speed 48x36x26T x 11-32
Brakes	Tektro HD-T285 2/2 Piston 160 mm Disc
Tires	Michelin Protek 40-622
Tire Clearance	max 40c
Weight	16.5kg / 37lbs
Price	$799

Highlights

• suspension fork
• belt-drive ready
• hub dynamo

This all-rounder offers some unique technical features such as the Ghost central suspension fork, integrated cable routing, super-stiff fenders, and a fully integrated rack carrier that accommodates all common panniers.

The Ghost Square comes equipped with a hub dynamo, fenders, and an overall good range of components for the price.

All frames in this line feature the revolutionary sandwich belt-drive-ready dropout, enabling you to start simple and upgrade over time as you choose. The high-quality equipment guarantees years of use for both everyday commuting and weekend excursions.

2 Budget Folding Bikes

ZiZZO Campo 20

The cheapest folding bike you’ll ever find

Frame	6061 aluminum alloy
Drivetrain	1×7 speed 48t x 14-28t
Brakes	Power 110mm V-Style brakes
Tires	MAKO SHARK 20X1.95″
Tire Clearance	max 1.95″
Weight	13.15kg / 29lbs
Price	$320

Highlights

• the cheapest bike on this list
• very compact

Folding bikes are very convenient vehicles, their ability to be used in combination with public transport makes them the best option for many commuters. Unfortunately, they’re not exactly cheap bikes, they are usually quite pricey actually.

At only 320$ though, this Zizzo Campo is incredibly cheap for a folding bike and has been proven to be a reliable two-wheeler for those commuters on a budget.

The wheels are small 20″, folding very compactly, while the drivetrain is maybe a bit too compact, with only 7 speeds (14-28T).

For this low price tag, we can’t certainly pretend too much, brakes are V-Style and the overall components range is on the cheap side.

Despite so, this is a good and very affordable option for those who want to try how it feels to ride a folding bicycle.

1. Dahon Mariner D8 

Great low-price folding bike

Frame	Lightweight Dalloy Aluminum Sonus Tubeset Lattice Forged Hinge, w/ ViseGrip
Drivetrain	8-Speed Shimano SL-M315
Brakes	Aluminum 110 mm V-Brakes
Tires	20” x 1.6” Schwalbe Citizen tires
Tire Clearance	max 1.6″
Weight	12.56kg / 27.69 Ibs
Price	$860

Highlights

• strong frame and components
• very compact

Dahon is a budget folding bike manufacturer from the US that has proven itself in the years. The Mariner D8, one of Dahon’s most popular models, sees a lattice forged hinge with Vicegrip technology and is made from the brand’s Dalloy Sonus Tubeset.

The bike, rolling on 20 inches wheels, comes with full-coverage fenders, a rear rack, and V-Brakes, and sees an 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain.

This might not be the cheapest bike on this list, but it still comes at a great price for a folding bike with such characteristics. If you want an affordable folding bike that will last you for years to come, the Mariner by Dahon is a great choice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Bikes