A great way of working out and maintaining your shape is by cycling with a road bike. Road bikes are a great option for the outdoors, however, finding an ideal bike at a very affordable price can prove to be very hard.
Hey there! My name is Diane. I enjoy writing and engaging in exciting outdoor activities. These activities give me the chance to stay healthy and fit while having a really good time. One of my best outdoor activities is embarking on cycling adventures.
Over the years, I have been specific on not spending too much money on my road bikes. Before I make a purchase, I conduct a lot of research and ensure that I buy a high-quality bike at a very affordable price. In this review, I list down all the best bikes available at less than $200. I also take a look at their main features and their advantages. If you are looking to own an amazing bike at an affordable price this guide gives you the chance to determine which is a perfect fit for you.
Best Road Bikes Under $200: Comparison Table
Product |
Frame Material |
Speed |
Buy Here |
The R2 Commuter Road Bike |
Aluminum |
21 Speed |
|
The Finiss Road Bike from Merax |
Aluminum |
21 Speed |
|
The Single Speed Road Bike from Takara Tomy |
Steel |
Single Speed |
|
The Gzr700 Road Bike from Kent International |
Steel |
21 Speed |
|
The Rampage Fixed Gear Fixie from Vilano |
Steel |
Single Speed |
|
The Sentiero Shimano Road Bike from Tommaso |
Aluminum |
21 Speed |
|
The Continental Commuter Road Bike from Schwinn |
Aluminum |
7 Speed |
Best Road Bikes Under $200 overview
The R2 Commuter Road Bike
[amazon box=”B01FIKABTQ” template=”horizontal” ]The R2 Commuter Road Bike is specially manufactured with a sublime assembly and smoothened with gorgeous aesthetics. Cyclists are assured that this bike will work well for them facilitating all their cycling needs. The bike frame is 6061 aluminum material enforced with amazing welds and does not have any loopholes. You can cycle in the rain or leave the bike out on a rainy day, and the bike will not catch any rust. The R2 Commuter bike is also light in weight making it easy to push over very inclined paths. The bike has a very black and glossy look and sections of the bike are smudged with green grants. This enhances the bike’s lavish look.
The bike is fitted with a Shimano Tourney Derailleur drivetrain that smoothens your ride. The drivetrain functions well with the Shimano A050 speed shifter. This allows the cyclist to use the 21 different speeds of the bike. The bike shifters are STI, which means that the braking function as well as the speed shifting is included in the same element. The bike is manufactured with alloy caliper brakes that work well in bringing the bike to a halt no matter what road surface they are cycling on. The brakes also work well on busy roads.
The tires have double walls as well as 36 spokes that provide the cyclist with double support. The quick-release skewer works perfectly in attaching the bike tires to the bike frame.
Pros
- The bike is very attractive
- Manufactured with Great Shimano drivetrain
- Allows for the use of 21 speeds
- Designed with STI shifters
- The Alloy caliper brakes improve your braking power
- The tires are double-walled
Cons
- Some cyclists have mentioned that they experienced issues with the delivery of the bike.
The Finiss Road Bike from Merax
[amazon box=”B07BJXK622″ template=”horizontal” ]The Finiss Road Bike model from Merax is very light in weight at only 28 pounds and it is an ideal option for a racing road bike. This bike is available in three different colors and it has a very elegant design and an attractive look. Not only is it good to look at, but it is also a very durable bike. The bike frame is flattened and made of aluminum making it more aerodynamic. It can move a lot faster and it can support cyclists who weigh up to 330 lbs.
The bike is designed with Shimano derailleurs and speed shifters. Users get to make use of 21 speeds giving them the chance to easily maneuver through tarmac roads and cemented platforms. The tires have double walls. The 36 spokes contribute to the high support making it move smoothly and swiftly over rough terrains and high bumps. The bike’s front wheel comes with a quick-release mechanism ensuring that it can be easily attached and detached.
The bike’s utility is enhanced with the bottle holder, aluminum kickstand, and pannier bag. The bike saddle is quite thin and reflectors are attached to the handlebar as well as the tires. This makes spotting the bike so easy even when cycling on a poorly lit road.
Pros
- It moves fast
- Designed with elegant aesthetics
- The bike comes with a quick-release mechanism in the front wheel
- The bike comes with a bottle holder, a kickstand, and a bag
- The wheel is fitted with 36 spokes improving the bike’s support
- It is light in weight
Cons
- The handlebar is quite far, and cannot be easily reached
- The design of the handlebar is not the best
The Single Speed Road Bike from Takara Tomy
[amazon box=”B0041QF9EQ” template=”horizontal” ]This Single Speed Road Bike model comes with a multi-mode feature that gives cyclists the chance to use the bike with single gear or a freewheel by simply using the flip-flop hub. The freewheel option gives you the chance to move downhill. You can disengage the pedals by using the drive hub. The wheel is removed and turned back allowing it to fit. This reduces the pressure that would be exerted when pedaling uphill.
The bike frame is made of steel. To make up for the additional weight of the steel material the tubes of the frame are made to be thin yet quite strong. The bike wheels have 32 spokes that are manufactured from strong alloy material. The tires are 700x32c. They perform perfectly and smoothly maneuver through bumps and cracks. The pull brakes are also made of alloy and the bike seat is adequately padded. The handlebar can be easily adjusted ensuring that you benefit from many holding positions.
Pros
- It is affordable
- Made from steel material
- The brakes are of alloy material
- It has a multimode feature that allows cyclists to use it as a freewheel bike or a single gear
- The wheels are quite strong
- The saddle is adequately padded
Cons
- The bike only supports single-speed
- It does not have an attractive look
The Gzr700 Road Bike from Kent International
[amazon box=”B01CUUWXTI” template=”horizontal” ]This Gzr700 from Kent International is one of the most affordable road bikes in the market designed with quality components and the performance is of high quality. The bike frame is made of steel guaranteed to serve your bike for a very long time. The connections are strongly welded by making use of TIG welding. The bike also comes with 21-speed Shimano shifters; however, the shifters are not placed in the basic area. The shifters are placed on the central stem area of the bike.
The braking power of this bike is amazing. Thanks to the strong alloy caliper brakes. This bike can instantly halt no matter what road surface you are cycling on. The wheels are an amalgamation of 36 spokes and 25mm wide tires. This ensures that your bike has enough strength when cycling over bumps and jumps. This bike can support cyclists weighing up to 250 pounds. The frame is 54 cm, making it suitable for users between 5 to 6 inches.
Pros
- The Steel frame is quite strong
- The bike comes with 21-speed Shimano shifters
- The caliper brakes are quite strong
- Ideal wheel assembly
Cons
- The placement of the shifters is quite awkward, especially for newbie riders
- The maximum weight limit is only 250 pounds.
The Rampage Fixed Gear Fixie from Vilano
[amazon box=”B00LGZM8BC” template=”horizontal” ]This Rampage Fixed Gear bike is designed with a flip-flop hub. This allows users to use the bike as a freewheel bike. This is great as it reduces the pressure that would be exerted when driving and the coasting capability. The bike is light in weight and made from aluminum material. The frame is quite simple. The geometry is thin tube with a strong fork. Cyclists are guaranteed that the bike will remain stable as they cycle.
The bike crankset is made of alloy material and comes with 46 teeth that can be easily replaced. To safeguard the bike against the harmful effects of rust, the wheels and hubs are anodized. The racing tires are 700 x 25c and the valves are unique. The bike’s handlebar is flat with rubber grips and a padded saddle adding to the comfort of the ride.
Pros
- It is light in weight
- The bike can be used as a freewheel bike and a fixed gear
- To protect you from cases of corrosion the bike wheels and hubs are anodized
Cons
- The tires are very small and unique. You cannot fix the tires with the basic tools in the market.
The Sentiero Shimano Road Bike from Tommaso
[amazon box=”B01N9OB505″ template=”horizontal” ]For many years now, the Tomaso manufacturing industry has been producing very high-quality bikes at very affordable prices. This Sentiero Shimano bike model is manufactured from aluminum making it very light in weight. The bike maintains a stable feeling even when cyclists are moving at a very high speed.
To enjoy the best riding experience, the bike is manufactured with full Shimano groupsets. The Shimano shifters work well over a wide range of gearing options making the cycling experience much smoother. The size of the wheel is quite adequate enhancing the smoothness of the riding experience.
The bike frame is laser measured and the bike parts are measured, producing a perfect fit. The parts that can be adjusted are the width of the handlebar, the stem length, and the crank arm length. It is a great bike that is very affordable. It is perfect for both newbie cyclists and those who are experienced.
Pros
- It is light in weight
- Cyclists are provided with a 7-day trial period
- Cyclists are provided with a lifetime warranty
- The drivetrain is of high quality
- The quick-release feature on the front wheel makes the assembly, disassembly, and repair process quite easy.
Cons
- The bike is only available in one color
- The steel fork adds to the weight of the bike.
The Continental Commuter Road Bike from Schwinn
[amazon box=”B06XXFDNQ3″ template=”horizontal” ]The Continental Commuter Road Bike is manufactured from an aluminum alloy that is very light in weight as well as a suspension fork. Thanks to the aluminum material, cyclists are assured that the aluminum material will not rust. The bike’s top tube is quite similar to the frame of a mountain bike. The frame slopes downwards to the seat tube. The 700c wheels are 27.5 inches. The front wheel of the bike comes with a quick-release lever ensuring that the bike maintains its position.
This bike is an ideal choice if you are planning to cycle along a well-paved street. There are Shimano twist shifters on the right handlebar and rear derailleurs of the bike giving you the chance to smoothly shift from one gear to the next with a lot of control and precision. To ensure that cyclists remain safe, there is the Surestop brake system that allows you to break effortlessly.
This bike weighs only 44 pounds and it is a perfect fit for cyclists who are around 5’6 to 6′ tall. The bike also comes with full rear fenders as well as partial front fenders. It also comes with a rear rack and a rear warning reflection.
Pros
- The bike has a well-padded saddle making your cycling experience very comfortable
- The bike frame is really strong
Cons
- The bike is very heavy
- The brake system is one of a kind.
Factors that Must Be Considered When Purchasing the Best Road Bike Under $200
The Size of The Wheels
The wheels of many road bikes are 700c providing you with an effortless level of spinning even when cycling on very steep landscapes. It is important to note that different wheels come with different width sizes. The rims of a road bike should be deep-sectioned and aerodynamic. They should also be quite light and must be able to move fast. The wheels that you choose should be able to work well on whatever road surface you choose to cycle on. If you frequently cycle on bumpy roads, purchasing a wide wheel will keep you safe from a very bumpy and uncomfortable feeling.
The Material of The Bike Frame
The support of the bike comes from the frame and the type of material determines how strong and durable your bike is. Most road bikes are manufactured from aluminum material, carbon fiber, steel, or an amalgamation of both materials. When it comes to road bikes under $200, the main frame material is aluminum. Aluminum material is light in weight, strong, resistant to corrosion, and affordable.
The Bike Gears
Road bikes have many gears ranging from one to twenty-seven. The gear that you choose depends on the type of terrain that you will be cycling on. For example, if you often cycle on hilly areas you may have to purchase a road bike that is designed with a large amount of gears. If you often cycle on flat road surfaces, you can choose a bike that has a smaller amount of gears. In addition, cyclists who are interested in keeping fit as they cycle in hilly areas can choose to cycle without many gears increasing the effort and energy used.
The Brakes
There are two common types of brakes. These are the disc brakes and the rim brakes. Disc brakes perform a lot better than rim brakes especially when you are cycling over wet road surfaces. Disc brakes also provide you with more effective and safer braking. On the other hand, rim brakes are aerodynamic and are much lighter than disc brakes. Rim brakes are also affordable and maintaining them is very easy. This is because the cyclist can often look at the brake-wear pads of the bike.
Conclusion
In this article, I have listed the most ideal road bikes that are available at less than $200. When browsing through the different options, you should also consider factors such as your bike components, your cycling needs, your taste, and the objective of cycling. The brands mentioned here are many for both men and women and the bikes are affordable at a very affordable price.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many gears does a road bike that costs less than $200 have?
Many road bikes come with 27 gears. However, many road bikes that are available at less than $200 are often called 21 Speed. This is because they are manufactured with a 21-gear ratio. Some bikes are designed with fewer or more gears.
How do cyclists choose the correct road bike size?
The bike size is an important factor that you must not overlook when purchasing your road bike. A bike that is much bigger than you or even smaller will compromise your cycling. When shopping you can ask a professional, or an assistant to help you choose the best-fitting bike for you. You can also refer to the manufacturer’s bike chart. This will allow you to choose the best height and bike size.
If the seat of my bike is uncomfortable, can I change the seat?
Yes, it is possible to change your bike seat. You can do this by visiting your nearest bike shop and ensuring that you have selected an ideal seat that will keep you comfortable even when cycling for long hours.