3 Best Road Bikes Under $200 of 2024

By Nancy LangLast update: 2023-07-25

If you have taken to cycling, be prepared for buying a variety of equipment and accessories. Road bikes are no exception.

A good bike can accompany you in miles without costing the earth. We’ve rounded up a list of top choices for you to consult.

Here are the best road bikes under $200 you can buy in 2024:

  • Best Overall: Goplus Aluminum Road Bike
  • Best Hybrid Road Bike: Vilano Diverse 1.0 Bike
  • Best For Minimalists: Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
Top 3 Road Bikes Under $200
Best Overall
Goplus Aluminum Road Bike
    Read Our Review
    Best Hybrid Road Bike
    Vilano Diverse 1.0 Bike
      Read Our Review
      Best For Minimalists
      Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
        Read Our Review

        Best Overall: Goplus Aluminum Road Bike

        Top Pick
        Goplus Aluminum Road Bike
        Goplus Aluminum Road Bike
        Pros
        • Lightweight

        • Adjustable handlebar and seat make the ride comfortable

        • Smooth gear transition with Shimano derailleur

        • Comes in 5 different colors

        • Fashionable design

        • Quick release for the front wheel

        Cons
        • No assembly instruction included

        Goplus has introduced its new product as an excellent commuter expert that boasts speed, fashion, and practicability.

        With a lightweight and sturdy frame, this Aluminum road bike can withstand the test of time and all kinds of terrain.

        This bike is suitable for both racing performance and daily riding pleasure.

        The material strikes a great impression at the very first sight.

        Aluminum helps reduce the weight of the whole construction while enhancing the quickness of speed.

        Regarding the quick-release front wheels, you can easily install, disassemble and maintain the bike frequently. Thus, convenient parking and storage are within your reach.

        The recommended height of the saddle ranges from 5'5" to 6'0". It is adjustable to fit riders of different heights. Multiple challenges of rigorous street racing are no problem with high performance 700C tires.

        The handlebar is comfortable and open to adjustment. Thus, you can enjoy a safe and fast experience. There is an updated Shimano derailleur to facilitate happy riding everyday.

        This model of Goplus is available in five fashionable colors, including black, green, orange, blue, and red. Along with exquisite design, the road bike offers the best solution to keep pace with style.

        Goplus Aluminum Road Bike Specifications

        Frame

        Aluminum Alloy 700c

        Brake

        Alloy Caliper Brake

        Speed

        21

        Tires

        High-performance 700C

        Shifters

        Shimano A050 Thumb

        Height

        5'5" - 6”

        Verdict

        The Goplus Aluminum is a great choice for a racing head.

        Best Hybrid Road Bike: Vilano Diverse 1.0 Bike

        Vilano Diverse 1.0 Bike
        Vilano Diverse 1.0 Bike
        Pros
        • Lightweight

        • Flat handlebar

        • Smooth gear shift

        • Easy installation

        • Suitable for tall users and all kinds of terrain

        Cons
        • Handlebars are not adjustable

        The high-quality products of Vilano Bikes have been around on the market since 2008. For those fond of getting fit, city commuters, or students, this Vilano Diverse 1.0 can make a good deal for no more than $200.

        The 6061 lightweight aluminum alloy frame makes the bike easy to use and ideal for people not in want of straining out. With a set of straight and upright handlebars, the bike rides rather comfortably.

        Thanks to a Front and Rear wheel Shimano Tourney Derailleur, users can enjoy a smooth ride and easy operating system. Instant stops are possible with the help of alloy linear pull V-Brakes.

        Rims are large enough to ensure a smooth ride even in the worst terrains. You don’t have to worry about the Revo Twist shifters, which are simple and easy to use.

        The bike is designed to facilitate spotting in the crowd. Therefore, efforts to find it are minimized. What we like most is the comfy bike seat that is made from cozy materials.

        The product arrives at your door in partial assembly. The installation is simple with a few steps.

        Vilano Diverse 1.0 Bike Specifications

        Frame

        6061 Aluminum

        Brake

        Alloy Linear Pull V-Brake

        Speed

        21

        Tires

        700c x 35c

        Shifters

        Shimano Revo Twist 3/7 Speed

        Height

        5’9” to 6’3”

        Verdict

        A bike with large wheels is exceptionally ideal for entry level bikers.

        Best For Minimalists: Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike

        Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
        Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
        Pros
        • All welds are tig welded for extra strength

        • Weight saving alloy

        • Easily switches from fixed gear to standard free wheel

        • Bright colors make it safer for riders

        • Easy operation

        Cons
        • A bit bulky

        • Support limited height

        For less than $200, you can buy a road bike with great appearance, free of fuss, and easy usage. The bike is beautifully designed with two main colors green and blue. The handles are sturdy, sleek, and stylish.

        The bike offers an easy option for commuting. Worry about the long lines of traffic is now a thing of the past. The frame and fork are made from steel to ensure steadiness and lengthen the product’s lifespan.

        Alloy side pulling brakes are functional while resting your mind at ease whenever you want to stop.

        There is a flip flop hub to enable cyclists to interchange between the fixed gear mode to the standard freewheel mode.

        The kickstand is strong enough to hold the weight of the bike while the seat is both sturdy and comfortable.

        Compared to other models, Takara’s road bike has larger tires, making it sitting on the road well and offering a great riding experience.

        In terms of setup, the bike comes with all necessary devices for assembly. The whole process is a piece of cake even for beginners.

        For the price under $200, it is likely to outlast similar make bikes offered by other brands.

        Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike Specifications

        Frame

        Steel

        Brake

        Alloy side pull brakes

        Speed

        22

        Tires

        700c x 32c

        Height

        5’8” to 6’2”

        Verdict

        Most beginners find this bike at great support on the road.

        How To Choose The Best Road Bikes Under $200?

        There are a variety of road bikes under $200 out there, but to choose a model that is really worth your investment is another story. Take a look at some criteria as follows:

        • Style: Time-trial or road race bikes make a good investment if you are interested in sports. If you are crazy about speed, models with a more aggressive geometry may be a more ideal choice. In the meanwhile, with a blend of speed and comfort, a flat-bar road bike is suitable for riding in traffic.
        • Frame: With the price under $200, aluminum frames are robust and reliable. A good quality alloy frame offers more vertical compliance and stiffness but more affordable than a carbon-fiber one.
        • Forks: Carbon-fiber folks are light and strong while their flex is meant to reduce road buzz on long rides.
        • Fit: Let’s go for models with the fit of the frame that allows the adjustment of saddle height to fit different leg length and extension. In addition, make sure you can feel even pressure on your hands and seat while riding the bike.
        • Tires: Depending on your specific needs, choose between fast, lightweight racing tires and more durable, puncture protected ones. The latter is favored by people going on longer distances or rough roads.
        • Crankset: Road bikes come with triple or double chainrings. Double chainrings facilitate quick changes across the range of gears while triple ones provide more range with numerous low-end gears.

        Which Brands Make The Best Road Bikes?

        Merax

        • Established in 1995 in California, Merax is proud of supplying innovative products that facilitate modern lives. You can find everything here from home and office furniture to pet, travel, and fitness accessories.

        • Following the idea of pushing the boundaries of modern thinking, Merax Signature products are specifically crafted for maximum efficiency and excellent performance. Therefore, every possible need of customers can be satisfied.

        • Merax has made its presence across the globe in China, the US, the UK, Germany, and Japan; so customers can easily get the first-hand experience of its products at reasonable prices.

        • The Merax Finiss Aluminum 21 Speed 700C road bike and Merax 21 Speed 700C road bike are some choices you can refer to.

        Vilano

        • Vilano is a bike company that is specialized in high quality fixed gear bikes. Since its foundation, the company is committed to providing the best products at the most affordable prices.

        • Vilano pays great attention to designing the appearance of bikes. They come with a stylish frame and colorful wheels to keep up with the latest fashion.

        • The construction of bikes tends to be geared towards to create a smooth experience. Easy acceleration and smooth braking facilitate a ride in the urban sprawls.

        • With minimalist designs, Vilano bikes are suitable for commuters or those doing exercises, but not for elite bike riders.

        Eurobike

        • Known as one of the biggest bike tycoons worldwide, Eurobike is making quite a name for its great quality and excellent customer service.

        • It produces a diversity of bicycles from kid to road and mountain models, from steel, aluminum to carbon fiber bikes, from affordable to high-end ones.

        • There are various sizes and speed types, so you can easily pick out the one to your liking. Eurobike bicycles can be either lightweight or weigh up to 44 pounds.

        • They are easy to assemble and disassemble within 20 minutes. No matter what model you choose, you can rest assured that the quality and price range are always the best.

        • The Eurobike Road Bike Eurcx550 21 Speed Road Bicycle is a must-have item under $200 in your household.

        FAQs

        What is a good weight for a bike?

        The average road bike weighs from 17 to 175 pounds. In comparison with other bike types, such bikes are relatively lighter with smaller tires.

        Is a lighter bike faster?

        Contrary to common belief, weight does not make any difference to the speed of the bike, especially if the downhill asks for breaking.

        However, a heavier bike will accelerate slightly faster than a lighter one. It is your body weight, not bike weight that needs shedding to lighten your load.

        Are road bikes faster than mountain bikes?

        Of the two types, road bikes are much lighter. That means they withstand much less rolling resistance than mountain bikes. Therefore, you can go faster and further with the same amount of effort for the latter.

        What is a good average speed on a road bike?

        Depending on fitness, traffic and road conditions, speed varies greatly among cyclists. On average, many bike users occasionally ride between 20 kph (12.4 mph) and 25 kph (15.5mph).

        How long should you ride a bike for a good workout?

        For a good workout, you can try doing three turns of cycling each week, including one short ride for half an hour, one moderate ride for 45 minutes, and one long tour that lasts between 60 and 120 minutes.

        How fast can a road bike go?

        On a flat surface, a normal cyclist can hit 30 mph while that number for professionals can go up to about 45 mph. However, to surpass that speed, an explicitly designed bike will do a great help.

        What is the best material for a bike frame?

        When looking for a road bike, you’d better pay attention to frames made from steel, aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber. These materials are widely known for its strength, stiffness, and comfort.

        How do we make our bike faster?

        There are eight simple ways to enhance the overall speed of a bicycle. They are keeping it clean, lubing the chain, lowering the front end, setting the right saddle height, adjusting pedal tension, checking the tire pressure, properly adjusting the gears, and brakes.

        Is there a difference between men's and women's road bikes?

        The answer is yes.

        The most notable difference between women’s and men’s bikes lies in the fit. Due to the lower average height, women’s bike models are generally designed with shorter stack heights.

        While the bar is parallel to the ground in men’s bikes, that of women’s is slanted down towards the sear for easier mounting.

        Moreover, bikes for men have a longer and narrower seat and those for women usually feature a wider seat to fit the sitting bones and pelvis comfortably.

        Summary

        Above is our review of the top 3 best cheap road bikes under $200. Hope you have got detailed information to make your own decision.

        Have a good time shopping!


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