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We want you to get outside and enjoy nature, and what better way to cover ground than on two wheels. If you're looking for a bicycle to commute to work, ride around town, or exercise, the best bike for these activities is a hybrid bicycle. They are called hybrids because they are a mix between a mountain bike and a road bike. The bike world is full of goodies and like most other hobbies, you can get caught up in the newest and coolest. We believe you should be able to find a solid bike for $400-$800 that is fun and gets the job done. Anything cheaper, will not be worth the quality or your own safety. Anything more expensive will just have better components or lighter, stronger materials.
This list was put together through first-hand experience with the bikes, brands, and tons of research. Although we didn’t ride ALL these bikes, we’re familiar and have ridden almost all of these manufacturers before and are experts at judging from spec sheets and consumer reviews. That said, we love your opinion, so please comment below.
We tried not to include any bikes on this list that were over 30 pounds. Most of these options are in the 25-28 lbs range. Some of the cheaper bikes can get up there in weight, and we decided they aren’t worth slugging around.
Callout: we’re not a fan of the ole marketing trick posting something as $5.99 instead of $6.00, so we rounded all those numbers up a penny. Fool me once…
As a preamble, let’s take a moment to think about your individual situation. The best bike for one person might not be the best for another. With that said, please note that some of these brands offer women-specific geometry, some are unisex. So if you like a certain model bike, click the link or photo and look up if they have other versions available that fit you better.
When you're buying a bicycle, you’ll want to think about the terrain that you're going to be riding.
If there are a lot of hills around you, you need to think about having the right gears. Don’t go buy a single speed or internal hub which only has 3-5 gears. Make sure you have at least eight (8) gears.
If you’re cruising on flat ground, mostly road, you can afford to have less gears, rim brakes and even a more laid back riding position.
There are two main types of braking systems available: rim brakes and disc brakes. Disc brakes are highly effective in all weather conditions and have superior braking power, making them ideal if you’ll be climbing any hills. Rim brakes may be less expensive but don't have the same breaking power and are not as effective in wet conditions.
I’d go for disc brakes almost all of the time, unless there’s a retro-style bike you want with rim brakes. Disc brakes are either hydraulic or mechanical- meaning there either pressurized liquid (like your car brakes) or a metal cable stopping your wheels. Hydraulic has better performance, but in this price range and for this use, the two types are very similar so don’t get bent up about it.
A suspension system helps smooth out the ride. If you are mainly riding on gravel or dirt roads, you may find it useful to have suspension on the front wheel (front suspension)
I personally don't consider it necessary to have suspension on hybrids because these bikes can usually except a wider tire size and are not typically used in harsh terrain. We avoided suspension bikes in this list because at this price point, the money used for the suspension could be put towards better components in other places.
Most bicycles are made of either steel, aluminum, or carbon. Steel bicycles can be more durable and a softer ride but they can be heavier at a lower price point, so be careful. Aluminum bicycles are lighter than steel, less expensive and make up the majority of bicycles in this category. Carbon bicycles are very expensive, durable and one of the lightest materials on the market. Sometimes you may see a carbon fork combined with an aluminum frame because carbon smooths out the bumps better when you don’t have suspension.
You may also want to consider what you'll be carrying with you on your bicycle. Are you commuting to work and need to bring a change of clothes? Are you going for exercise and want to bring a water bottle with you? Most the bikes on this list have the ability to add racks, fenders or storage panniers and every bike has the ability to attach a water bottle cage. If you know you need these items, you should make sure you purchase them along with the bicycle.
Giant has always been known as a bike manufacturer that can produce quality bikes at a cheaper price. And it's no different for commuter bikes. We love the style, color options, and the ride of the Escape Series. An aluminum frame allows the bike to be lighter and snappy. I think the best part is you can fit larger tires up to 45c on this bike- many in this category and price can’t do that. The bike is also assembled by a pro mechanic and delivered to your door for free. Return it within 14 days no charge. For under $600 this is an awesome bike!
Track is a very well-known brand that has retailers across the country. This bike has a little wider range of gears because of the three rings up front, but most can argue that the three rings aren't necessary unless you're trucking up a big hill with a lot of baggage. I think the best feature of this bike is the thru-axle for the fork, which adds a lot of stability to the front end. The bike is also assembled by a pro mechanic and delivered to your door for free. Return it within 30 days no charge.
Kona has always been a great brand for mountain bikes and they have put together a really stylish hybrid that is a solid performer on and off road. The aluminum frame bike has more of a mountain bike geometry for those looking to enjoy some gravel or a more relaxed posture. We love the wide gum wall tires sizing up to 47c and looks like there’s even space to add some tread if you wanted. Top pick for us at Goyo HQ!
The Deluxe version sticks with the Dew frame but adds some flair. The drivetrain has been upgraded with a simple one ring upfront and the 12 gear Eagle in the back. They also added the fenders so you can ride in all weather conditions. And still under $1,000!
REI has their own branded bike called Co-Op and they are targeting the entry-level category. With a solid gear range, hydraulic disc brakes, and thru-axle fork, this is a good pick. However, you’ll notice you can get similar features for less money from other options on this list. Another thing to consider, REI is shipping their bikes for free but you have to assemble the seat and handlebars and petals when it arrives.
The Quick 3 has some impressive features for this price point including a carbon thru-axle fork to absorb bumps on the road and add stability, a stylish way of adding reflection patterns to the frame, and hydraulic disc brakes. Where other manufacturers make you purchase their smart technology separately, Cannondale has integrated a wheel sensor to track your speed, distance, and calories burned using their free app.
There’s a big brother to the S3 and it didn’t make the list because it’s priced at $1,000. So, we chose the S3 because it has some of the same features. The only difference being the S3 has a smaller gear range. But overall, we love this bike for it’s ability to tackle street and gravel really well due to the front and rear thru-axle and large 47c tires. The steel frame and thru-axles make this a smooth riding and stable whip. With six rack eyelet mounts all around the frame, there are so many ways to add packs and accessories. Bikepacking maybe?
The Cadent 3 isn’t anything special for its price, but we wanted to add it to the list to have a comparison to others. Main features include hydraulic disc brakes and carbon fork to smooth out bumps on the road. Should we take it off the list?…
Pure is a small bike builder from L.A. so we wanted to add them to the list for some small-time love. The first thing you notice is the price, but at $500 this klunker-style frame weighs 31 pounds. This bike is an example of how a steel frame at a low price point can be heavy and hard to compete against other bikes on this list.
Specialized always has great bikes in various configurations. We chose the “X” series since it hosts a 1x8 drivetrain. The single gear up front makes it easy to not have two shifters to mess with, as long as the range in the rear can support your terrain (we think there’s enough there for most people). If not, we’ve listed the X 3.0 below for a broader range of gears. The X 2.0 has large tires at 42c, an aluminum frame and steel fork to smooth the ride and save on cost.
Similar build to the X 2.0 above, the X 3.0 has a 1x9 drivetrain, so more range in the gears. Other upgrades include the aluminum fork and the better rear derailleur, which has a clutch to help the chain stay on the one-by drivetrain when you’re going off-road.
Ever had your bike stolen? Well, Fortified built a bike with custom security bolts on all their parts so that no one can steal anything, not even your saddle without a custom tool (or angle grinder). Note that you can also buy all similar custom screws for any other bike from brands like Hexlox if you’re worried about theft. This is the only bike with rim brakes, but we thought it was worth the discussion. Keep it locked up y’all!
The R18 Disc is a new addition to the Public classic bike collection, and a welcomed one. This model has disc brakes and comes with fenders so great for all weather conditions. The 2x8 drivetrain is great for any hills. You’re paying a little more buying from a small bike manufacturer, but they have a very unique look and stand by their stylish steel frames.
Linus has been taking the classic mid-century French look for their bikes, but all their staff really wanted to build the Rover 9. With gum walls, 650b wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, lightweight aluminum frame and steel fork it competes with some others on this list like the Kona and Jamis.
Yea, we snuck in a bike right at $1,000… You’ll like the reason why though. Polygon has been producing world-class mountain bikes for years and this i8 is uniquely different than any other on the list. The main features are a carbon belt drive instead of a metal chain, an 8-speed internal hub, hydraulic disc brakes and 40c tires. Pretty snazzy looking if you ask us.
Marin is another small bike manufacturer making waves. The Muirwoods is a lightweight steel frame with disc brakes and a wide gear range, set up for any type of hill. There are others on this list that have similar or better features, but if you’re looking for steel, this is a good bet.
Ok ok ok, we went over the $1k mark TWICE now, but i wanted to show you another 8-speed internal hub setup from Marin to compete with the Polygon because it’s an interesting concept. The RC is a take on the Muirwoods frame above with the new drivetrain, fenders, and a fun handlebar setup.
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