Best Women’s Road Bike under $500 – for Your Weekend Rides

Who says you can’t have the best for a reduced price? From an in-depth search into all the best women’s road bikes this year, we have picked the ones under $500 just for you.
By
John Watson
John Watson
Writer
John is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Jessica Kingston
Jessica Kingston
Expert Consultant
Jessica is our expert consultant on all things connected to biking - gear, technique, you name it. Being a pro cyclist in the past, she knows exactly how things work in and read more
Last updated: September 04, 2023
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Do you know how much you’d spend on a great women’s road bike? About $4000. But we will cut that down to $500 and show you some amazing options that would knock your socks off.

We have made some deep research on brands that produce cool, quality bikes that aren’t so expensive. And to make it easy for you to pick the best women’s road bike under $500, we included some key features and highlights for each bike option. The features we reviewed are the wheel size, suspension, number of speeds on each bike, frame size and material, warranty, and a few other things.

You would also see a comparison table with detailed information on every of the product reviewed, as well as the advantages of buying a not-so-expensive bike. Our goal is not only to show you the best women’s road bikes under $500 but also to guide you into picking the one most suitable for your needs.

Quick Summary

  • "This is our number one bestseller. It is the Women’s road bike with integrated shifters"
  • Premium Pick: EUROBIKE XC7000
    "The bike has 14 speeds, a bike light, and an aluminum frame. It comes in colors white, blue, or red."
  • Best Brakes: Eurobike XC550
    "With up to 21 bicycle speed settings, it has a dual disc brake for safety. There are only black and white color variants."
  • Best Value: Hiland 700C
    "This has a lock-out suspension and a fork disc brake system. It is a hybrid road bike designed for women."
  • Best Color Versatility: PanAme 700C
    "This women’s road bike is made for both men and women. It has an aluminum frame and up to a 21-speed setting."
  • Best for All Heights: Caraci Road Bike
    "This is a great women’s road bike with a single speed and aluminum alloy. It comes in black, white, and orange colors."
  • Best Durability: PanAme 700C Road Bike
    "It has a strong aluminum frame which helps for stable riding even on rumbling roads. It comes in colors blue and red."
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3462 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.6
9.9
Features
  • Wheel size: 29 inches
  • Suspension: rigid
  • Number of speeds: 14
  • Frame size: 20-inch frame
  • Frame material: aluminum
  • Warranty: 1 year

More features: lightweight, water bottle cage mount

Vilano Shadow 3.0 Road bike is an excellent entry-level road bike that is great for exercise, club rides, fitness purposes, or commuting. It is tagged as the number best-selling product and the editor’s pick. It is the latest version of the brand’s bike, and it features a brake lever integrated shifters with 14 speeds and a lightweight aluminum frame. It also has an integrated headset and an internal cable routing. It is a fun and rigid bicycle that swiftly and comfortably takes you anywhere.

The Vilano Shadow 3.0 is a great and solid budget bike that’s great for commuting, fitness, and exercise. It is also great for both tall and short people (because it comes in different sizes). It also has a water bottle cage carrier – something most bicycle companies are forgetting to add.

    Why is it special?
  • We are impressed by the different sizes that make it fit for both tall and shorter users. The frame, reach, and stand-over sizes for the smallest variation are 49cm, 64 cm (25.2 inches), and 76.2cm (30 inches), respectively. The medium size has its measurement as 53cm, 65 cm, and 79 cm. While the largest size is 57cm, 26 inches, and 32.3 inches, respectively.
    What are the flaws?
  • However, what we did not like about the product was the recurring defectiveness of the integrated shifter. The producers could look into this and fix the shifter, which would make it more than a budget bike for commuting alone. We are sure that this bike would move from 9.9 ratings to 100% if this was fixed.
Also Product Ranking:

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9856 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.6
9.7
2
Premium Pick

EUROBIKE XC7000

Features
  • Wheel size: 700 cm
  • Suspension: rigid
  • Number of speeds: 14
  • Frame size: 19.8- 21.2 inches
  • Frame material: aluminum
  • Warranty: 1 year

More features: lightweight, heavy-duty (load capacity up to 330 lbs.)

This is a great women’s road bike for adults and is available in only three colors: white, blue, and red. It has a rigid suspension type and a 14 speed Shimano shifter that makes it easier to shift between gears while riding. It also has aluminum fashion rims and a nice, tempting design. The bike also comes with dual aluminum caliper brake that makes cycling safer.

The EUROBIKE is lightweight and recommended for riders between the height of 5.5 inches and 6.1 inches. It is also better suited for riders with a maximum weight of 300lbs. Anyone higher than that might not be able to ride the bike conveniently. Riders that fall within this variation would enjoy what the bike has to offer optimally.

    What do we love it for?
  • What sets off our brakes is the fact that all the tools needed for the assembly of the bike are included in the bike package as it is ordered. We like this because riders don’t have to look for or order any additional tools while buying the bike. This does not only save cost and stress, but it also makes it very easy to know what tool does what function while assembling the bike.
    What were we disappointed with?
  • But despite all the cool and fun things about the EUROBIKE, there is one thing we didn’t find so amazing. Only people below 300lbs can ride on the bike. Therefore, making it unsuitable for bigger people. We believe that if the brand could make stronger bike varieties, then it might rank higher on our list.
Read full review: eurobike xc7000
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7020 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.9
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.3
9.4
3
Best Brakes

Eurobike XC550

Features
  • Wheel size: 700 cm
  • Suspension: rigid
  • Number of speeds: 21
  • Frame size: 19.2 inches
  • Frame material: steel
  • Warranty: not specified

More features: curved handlebars, shifting system

This is a bike from the Eurobike brand. The XC550 is a great bike for $500 with standard wheel size and a rigid suspension. It has impressive speed, which makes it great for commuting (traveling) and racing. It also has curved handlebars that increase strong grip and handling while riding.

The road bike is recommended for both men and women below 5.6 inches in height. It has a maximum load weight of 330 lbs and can withstand even heavier loads because of its strong steel frame material. It’s an improvement from the other version that was reviewed, such that it has a higher speed number and stronger frame material.

    What are its best features?
  • We love the curved handlebars on the bike that makes handling easier and tighter. The handlebars also allow the bike to be better for racing through bends very quickly and comfortably. The gear shifter is also a great feature of this bike that we love. The shifter helps the rider to pedal faster even when climbing hills which is a lovely advantage during races and traveling.
    What could be improved?
  • What we feel could be better is to make the bike structured for taller riders. The steel already makes it fit for heavy people, but tall people cannot ride this bike because of its short frame size. This creates a space for doubt about its durability while contemplating. We also are not super impressed with its unspecified warranty.
Read full review: eurobike xc550

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 2754 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.2
4
Best Value

Hiland 700C

Features
  • Wheel size: 26 inches
  • Suspension: front
  • Number of speeds: 24
  • Frame size: 17.5 inch
  • Frame material: aluminum
  • Warranty: lifetime

More features: disc brake style, hybrid bike versatility, easy-to-assemble

The Hiland 700C is one of the bikes under $500 with the best value. It has a standard 700 cm wheel size which makes it a great candidate for a road bike. The suspension is in front (as it should be) with crazily high speed. This makes the bike best for racing and traveling long distances. The frame size is 17.5 inches, making it best for shorter people.

The road bike is one with good features and specifications. It can be used by both men and women but cannot be used for heavy-duty. The bike is lightweight, durable, and easy to assemble. It is best for traveling and racing because of its speed and durability.

    Why did it make our list?
  • We are impressed with the lifetime warranty attached to the bike. This gives a form of assurance with its durability. We also love the hybrid bike versatility of the bike that makes it a good bike for both the road and off the road.
    What is not ideal about it?
  • However, despite the flawless mark of the Hiland 700C, it does have some flaws. The short frame size makes it’s only best for short riders below 5.6 inches. Tall and heavy weighted people cannot ride on this bike. Still, despite this, the bike wore the women’s road bike under $500.
Read full review: hiland 700c

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3151 people in the past 30 days
9.1
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.7
9.1
5
Best Color Versatility

PanAme 700C

Features
  • Wheel size: 26 inches
  • Suspension: front, dual
  • Number of speeds: 21
  • Frame size: 5.5-5.7 inch
  • Frame material: aluminum
  • Warranty: not specified

More features: lightweight, aerodynamic design, easy-to-assemble

The PanAme 700C bike is an updated version of the PanAme 700C Road Bike. It has an aerodynamic design and a streamlined shape that helps it to ensure minimal resistance while riding. Riders also can be assured of better handling with this bike around. It is highly durable and reliable because of its strong aluminum frame. It has a 21-speed drive train with gear shifters and a dual pivot side pulls brake.

It has a dual suspension and a maximum load weight of about 330 lbs, unlike its outdated version. It can be used by both male and female adults. However, though it is a women’s road bike, it is mostly better for men than women. And that implies to men that are under 330lbs. Any rider that falls above that mark would be uncomfortable to a large extent.

    What do we love it for?
  • We love the different color options of the bike; red, black, KD-black, and KD-white. Most bike comes in varieties of three colors, and that’s it. We are also impressed by the suspension type. PanAme 700C has a front and dual suspension, which is a step ahead of the regular ‘strong’ and singular’ suspension of its counterparts. It also has an included component: the kickstand. These are the three things, among other things, that we love about this bike.
    What were we disappointed with?
  • With all the beautiful things there are to say about PanAme 700C women’s road bikes, there is one thing we think should be changed or fixed. The bike has no assured warranty, and though this might seem minor, it implies that the producers cannot guarantee its durability and reliability. And this is a weak spot in the marketing of this product.
Read full review: paname 700c
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7480 people in the past 30 days
8.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.5
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.5
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.5
8.9
6
Best for All Heights

Caraci Road Bike

Features
  • Wheel size: 26 inches
  • Suspension: front
  • Number of speeds: 1
  • Frame size: 21.2 inches
  • Frame material: aluminum
  • Warranty: not specified

More features: lightweight

This road bike is also a city bike as well as a fixed-gear bike. It has a one-speed number and hence why it is called a fixed gear bike. Instead of counting gear, it goes as fast as you can pedal. It is lightweight and is made from aluminum. It also has a front suspension which makes for rigid shock absorption during cycling.

It is about 54cm in size and therefore great for short, medium-height, and tall riders. Both men and women can ride this bike, and they can be between the height of 5.4 inches and 6 inches. It is also best recommended for cycling within the city and on paved roads. It might not be well suited for raving because of its fixed gear.

    Why is it special?
  • We especially love this bike because it is for riders of all heights: short, medium-height, and tall. The women’s road bike is 54 cm, and that is a pretty good size for these sets of people to ride comfortably. It is also a great bike for exercising since the pedals would help strengthen the leg muscles while cycling due to the absence of gears that soften the pedals.
    What are the flaws?
  • We believe that if more features were added to this bike, such as more gears, or a more curved handle, the bike could be used for other things than just exercising. The brand should also look into adding a fixed warranty on the product because the absence of a warranty places a question of doubt on how durable it is.
Read full review: caraci road bike
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7716 people in the past 30 days
8.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.4
8.8
7
Best Durability

PanAme 700C Road Bike

Features
  • Wheel size: 26 inches
  • Suspension: front
  • Number of speeds: 14
  • Frame size: 19.2 inches
  • Frame material: steel
  • Warranty: not specified

More features: mechanical disc brakes, heavy-duty

Though the PanAme 700C Road Bike is not the latest of their products, it is still a classic. And it has made its way to the top best women’s road bike for this year, with a rating at 9.5. It has a strong Aluminum frame which helps for stable riding even on rumbling roads. It can be used for racing, commuting, and exercise. It is very comfortable and has an adjustable seat post and handlebar.

It is suitable for both men and women looking for a classic and high-quality road bike with advanced features. Its maximum load weight is 330 lbs, and it can be ridden on both smooth and complex road conditions such as top winds, dirt roads, up and down slopes, and flat roads.

    What are our favorite features?
  • We are especially impressed with the adjustable handlebar and seat post, which is a great additional feature aside from its steel frame material. With the material, the bike is very good for heavy-duty because it would not bend or break easily from the weight. And though it is not the latest version, it is a classic that has made its way to the best women road bikes under $500.
    What could be better?
  • Though this was adjusted in the reviewed Verizon, it is one thing that makes us rate this bike lower. The frame size is so small that only riders below 5.5 inches can ride with maximum comfort and balance. Also, the warranty was not specified, and this brings a major question of doubt concerning its durability.
Read full review: paname 700c road bike
 

Things to Consider

How often have you gone shopping for something, and then you come home with a product that just isn’t what you exactly needed? Or have you ever been faced with too many options in a store that you don’t know which item to pick? According to the BBC Trusted Source Cycling - BBC Sport The home of Cycling on BBC Sport online. Includes the latest news stories, results, fixtures, video and audio. www.bbc.com cycling event recording, cycling is a serious activity and should be treated as such. Here is a buying guide for you so that you waste time when buying a women’s road bike. This buying guide would include the things to consider before leaving your house, what to look out for in the store, and what to expect while shopping for a women’s road bike under $500.

Advantages of Road Bikes under $500 Designed for Women

Before we dive into the guide, let’s see why it’s worth reviewing bikes under $500. Many articles would say that investing in road bikes like this would lead to disappointment and wastage of money. They say that bikes under $500 are usually of low quality and are not very rigid. However, don’t be fooled. Their facts are not totally true. There are some perks to buying women’s road bikes that are under $500, especially if they are the best of their kind.

We already know that cycling is great for health in that it can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. It also lowers stress in the joint. Cycling for women helps to increase endurance and reduce anxiety. In short, it is a great way to exercise the body, build muscles, develop endurance, and keep healthy. Not to mention that it can be a fun way of getting these things done.

A women’s road bike can be used for commuting, exercising, fitness, racing, and so on. And the biggest perk of it all is that you get to enjoy all of these at a very small price. A classic road bike under $500 with a good structure and frame can cycle on both smooth and rough roads. You can also land yourself a sweet deal with bikes that has adjustable parts for people with different heights. But if you are not well-informed, you might face disadvantages instead of advantages. So without further a due, what are the features to consider while a women’s road bike under $500.

Features to Consider

With the tips to be mentioned below, you can hold your head high while making your purchase with the assurance that you won’t make a mistake on which one is best suited for your needs. And if you have already looked through the products we reviewed earlier, we would guide you into choosing one among them that is best for you and your needs. The features we would be considering are wheel size, suspension, number of speeds, frame size, frame material, warranty, and a few other products you might be interested in.

Wheel size

Best Women's Road Bike under $500 - for Your Weekend Rides
Big wheels can overcome bigger obstacles than smaller wheels and vice versa.

The size of a bike’s wheel is very important because it helps determine the level of rolling resistance you would get while riding your bike. For road riding, there is a standard wheel size that gives the optimum comfort and balance. The standard wheel size is 26 cm, and this is just the right size to overcome any obstacle that could be on the cycle trail. Though all the reviewed bikes are within this wheel size, the ones tagged as 700C are better choices, such as EUROBIKE XC7000, PanAme 700C, PanAme 700C Road Bike, and Hiland 700C.

Suspension

The suspension of a bike is like the shock absorption component of a car. Depending on where it is placed, it provides shock absorption for the bike. A rear suspension allows the back wheel to soak up impact easily – and the same applies for the front. The best deal for bikes are those that have dual suspension but at the front and the back like the PanAme 700C. It is also advisable to opt for a front suspension than a single rear one. This means that Caraci Road Bike, Hiland 700C, and PanAme 700C Road Bike are great options.

Number of speeds

Why are you buying your bike? If one of the reasons you are buying a women’s road bike is to race with it, then you need to pay attention to how many speeds your bike has. Most bikes come with speed numbers up to 14. But the ones with up to 21-speed numbers are what you should look out for. The PanAme 700C and Eurobike XC550 both have 21 speeds, and these make them a great option in this category. The Hiland 700C has more speed – up to 24. Therefore if you need a bike for fast racing, this is a good way to go. The Carcai Road Bike, unlike the others, has just one speed.

Frame size

Best Women's Road Bike under $500 - for Your Weekend Rides
It influences safety, speed, and agility.

The frame size of a bike affects how comfortable your riding would be. Your height and riding style determine what frame size is best for you. For people that are between 5.5 inches and 5.7 inches, the best frame size for such people is about 52cm (20 inches). This makes Vilano Shadow 3.0, EUROBIKE XC7000, and PanAme 700C. Riders below this mark can use the Hiland 700C women’s road bike and the EuroBike XC550. Taller riders between 5.7 inches and 5.9 should pick a bike frame size that’s about 54cm like the Caraci Road Bike.

Frame material

The material of the frame is also very important. It determines the durability of the bike. Two materials are usually employed in making women’s road bikes, and they are aluminum and steel. Steel is stronger, harder, less likely to bend from weight, and generally better in heated conditions. The best women’s flat-bar road bike under $500 made from steel are PanAme 700C Road Bike and Eurobike XC550. However, steel is heavier than aluminum which means that bikes made from aluminum are more lightweight and less heavy to lift. Vilano Shadow 3.0, EUROBIKE XC7000, and PanAme 700C fall in this category

Warranty

Definitely, no one wants to buy a product that does not have a good warranty. PanAme 700C, PanAme 700C Road Bike, Eurobike XC550, and Carcai Road Bike do not have a specified warranty. Vilano Shadow 3.0 and EUROBIKE XC7000 have one year warranty. And the greatest deal of all in this section – Hiland 700C has a lifelong warranty.

Other Features

Some other features that you can look out for include a water bottle cage mount as in the Vilano Shadow 3.0, aerodynamic design as in the PanAme 700C, and mechanical disc brakes as in the PanAme 700C Road Bike. Eurobike XC550 has curved handlebars and a shifting system, and Hiland 700C has hybrid bike versatility. You can also look at our easy assemblage while shopping. According to a post on Forbes Trusted Source Your Best Cycling Gear And Accessories, From Safety To Comfort Cycling continues to ride a wave of pandemic-induced popularity, with sales of bikes the strongest in recent memory – so strong that in many parts of the country it is becoming tough to even buy a quality bike. www.forbes.com , good cycling gear is an added advantage.

FAQ

What’s a road bike?

A road bike can also be called a bicycle. It is the kind of bicycle or motorcycle that is used on ordinary paved roads. It can be used for traveling (commuting) at speed, exercise, fitness, or race. The difference between a road bike and a normal bike is that a road bike cannot be used outside of the road (like rough surfaces). They are also built for speed and an easy pedal. Normal bicycles can be used on other surfaces apart from the road, and they cannot go as fast as road bikes because of their tighter pedals. You can go as far as you want with road bikes, as fast as you can pedal.

What is the best way to store a road bike?

Good storage guarantees longevity. It saves your bike from rusting out in the harsh outside weather or from dying off in the hot and moist dark room. Kickstands are one of the most basic storage options, and a floor stand is another option. Other storage ideas are freestanding racks, gravity stands, wall mounts, ceiling mounts, and hoist bike storage. There are also bike travel cases that can keep your bikes safe during travels. They include hard-shell cases made from durable plastic and soft-shell cases made from rugged, weatherproof fabric wrapped around an aluminum frame.

How long does a road bike under $500 last?

A road bike can last for a very long time depending on what material it is made from, how it is being used, and how it is stored. A quality road bike under $500 that is made from a hard metal such as steel can last for more than a year. If the bike is being used regularly for long periods like traveling consistently or frequent racing, it might begin to wear and tear after about a year. And if it is used for a once-in-a-while fitness training, it can last for years. Finally, if the bike is stored properly, it will remain for a long while.

Our verdict

We have reviewed seven of the best women’s flat bar road bikes under $500 and have rated them according to their general features. However, the best one for you depends on which best suits your needs. The most appropriate wheel size bikes are Vilano Shadow 3.0 Road Bike with Integrated Shifters, EUROBIKE XC7000, and PanAme 700C Road Bike. The Vilano Shadow 3.0 Road bike is an excellent entry-level road bike that is great for exercise, club rides, fitness purposes, or commuting, which is worth its overall rating of 9.9. The EUROBIKE XC7000 is extremely easy to assemble, and it feels premium, coming in at the second place with a score of 9.7. And finally, the PanAme 700C Road Bike offers the best durability from our list with its sturdy aluminum frame. Every model from our top picks is worth looking into, and we ensure that you will be content with your decision.

References

1.
Cycling - BBC Sport
The home of Cycling on BBC Sport online. Includes the latest news stories, results, fixtures, video and audio.
2.
Your Best Cycling Gear And Accessories, From Safety To Comfort
Cycling continues to ride a wave of pandemic-induced popularity, with sales of bikes the strongest in recent memory – so strong that in many parts of the country it is becoming tough to even buy a quality bike.
9,9
Total Score
Vilano Shadow 3.0 Road Bike with Integrated Shifters - Editor’s Choice
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