20 Best Road Bike Under $400 (Jan 2023 Update)

I bought this bike for road treks and I have been happy. There are two sets of hand brakes, so you can comfortably ride low or high and be able to break. It shifts easily and is great going up hill. It is a sturdy bike and lightweight.Bkdavis89

It’s fast it’s amazing, love the change in the gears. It’s like a mountain bike, I use it to go hiking. Rt now I’m using it every morning it’s amazing love it.sana.k

This is a pretty good bike for the most part. It is really for a casual bike rider not so much a long distance rider. It's a bit heavy for long distance but seems to be pretty good quality with the exception of the tires. I think we'll probably replace them with some good quality ones since my husband does ride quite a bit. He generally rides somewhat long distances (more than 10-15 miles) but because he's risen professionally, he can handle the weight at least semi regularly. Thank you Influenster!heather.h

Excellent bike. Very smooth riding with a comfortable riding position. Quality parts from Shimano make for fast shifts with good gear range. I ride primary for aerobic exercise and find the bike gives me a great workout while providing a smooth, solid ride. I assembled it myself but needed to have a bike shop to fine tune the front disc brake and true the front wheel in order for the front wheel to spin freely. (Although the bike comes with all the necessary assembly tools (hex wrenches and pedal wrench), the included assembly instructions are not very good w respect to the front wheel / disc brake assembly). But as it turns out Vilano explains that you need to have a bike shop check the assembly in order for the warranty to be valid … not something I knew going in, but the bike shop’s assembly review and front wheel / disc brake tuning ($80) gives me added peace of mind. I should add that Vilano customer service is outstanding. Their toll free phone automated attendant menu could do for a few more option selections to make things more intuitive, but once you get through to the staff they is great. They give you the sense that they are genuinely interested in helping you solve whatever problem you’ have. They listen well, seem to be very knowledgeable about the product and follow up as promised. Overall I’m very pleased with the bike … smooth and solid with good quality parts. Would I recommend and buy again – Yes!Michael L.

We ordered this bike for our teenage son. We added the Pro Build, since we don’t have any close bike shops and we knew he would ride it right away. The bike came on time and packaged neatly. Our son put it together in about 15 minutes and took it out for a ride. So nice that it worked perfectly! Totally worth the slight up charge. The bike looks and feels great for the price point; matte finish, lightweight frame, responsive components. Our kiddo is very happy!James K.

I researched bikes in order to find a hybrid bike that delivered more road performance than trail, at a reasonable cost. This one fit the bill and I believe is a clear winner in the price range $300. It does take a while to set up, and you should understand bikes or bring it to a shop to handle that for you. I understand bikes and I still became tripped up on the front derailleur, and it took me a couple days of working on it and reviewing video to first see where I messed up in attempting to fine tune it and then figuring out where to set it back to where it originally was set and then fine tuning it from that point again once I realized that's all it needed. The back derailleur and the disc brakes also needed adjustment and I did fine on them though but again, you need to understand bikes and also to comprehend videos on the subject matter. Took the bike for my first ride recently, so this is a maiden voyage review of approximately 7 to 8 miles on steep hills. It performs admirably on hills, where the 24 gears are a must! The bike is a performer for the price! Tires felt strong, frame is solid, disc brakes are great. The seat may need to be changed out for comfort, however, they are cheap enough and for the price of the bike, should not be considered a deterrent. It is better to NOT have a front shock for more road use, as that absorbs energy going up steep hills and that's what I needed this for. Had the bike pushing 40 m.p.h. or over and was very stable. Be sure to check the wheel hub and brakes prior to doing that though. Five stars for the quality on price point and the outlet shipped it fast and delivery time is reasonable. Remember, assembly IS required. The bike is solid but will need some adjustment once assembled though, so your call on how you do it, yourself or professionally, as it can be quite frustrating. If you were worried about quality, don't, it will get the job done for leisure to intermediate riding endeavors I believe based on my first take. I will update this if I have any major issues.Alphonse I.

I am very pleased with this bicycle. You get a lot for your money. This is a fast and light and well put together bicycle excellent for fitness. I would recommend that anybody over 5' 8" ,looking to get into cycling, to take a good look at this.RonCS

im in search or hunt i should say of a good road bike for beginners,ive set myself some short term goals for this year start with few miles and eventually build strenght to pedal harder but didnt want to spend a fortune so this just might be the rite one,open for all suggestions from the experienced fellas that will guide me in the rite direction havent road a bike since i was a kid im 52 so imagine ,thank you.

MikeMAMadera

Bought this bike under some recommendations of online cycle reviewers, so far I'm really pleased. The bike came in great shape, only had to put together a few key items (handle bars, front wheel, and seat). I was ready to go in about 1hr. I've taken it on a few 30 minute rides, the seat is definitely firm but more forgiving than other road bikes. I think the shifters on the brakes and the overall feel of the bike are very high end compared to the cost. I like the styling and look forward to riding it to work on a regular basis. If there is one thing to complain about it's that the shimano claris derailleurs have recommended combinations front-to-back, so they suggest not using the lowest front gear with the top two highest rear gears and vice versa. The front derailleur offers a "half shift" if your chain rubs, which really comes in handy when you want to break the shimano rules! Next steps: trying the bike with a baby carrier on it! Note: it came with a lot of warning/warranty/branding stickers. They all came off (some easier than others) with some good fingernail picking. No glue residue left behind – really happy about that.CarlFS

I bought this bike back in June of 2019 for $130. It was on-sale during christmas of 2018 for $99. It's crazy how the prices have jumped up so high for this bike. I have been riding this bike on and off since I bought it, usually in the beginning of each cycling season (like the past weekend), using it as a training bike. Simply because this thing is so heavy! It certainly cannot compared to my other sub 20lb bikes. It is very stable and steady. Hence, i have converted to a somewhat gravel bike. Upgraded the tires to gravel, brake pads to shimano ultegra, changed out the 14-28T freewheel to TZ500 mega range for better climbing, upgraded to tourney UN300 BB, TY500 rear derailleur, TZ500 front derailleur, and HG40 chain. It is a budget built, but for a $130 bike? I have already spent too much on parts. It shifts so much better now and never have to use the middle and small front chain rings. I highly recommend to take out the brake line and fully re-grease them and the housing lines too. It came with no grease whatsoever. This is a solid bike, but for $350-370, no! It's too expensive for what it is. The kent Nazz provides a better value because of the disk brakes. Other than the brakes and double front chain rings (which is the correct setup for all road bikes), there is nothing different between Road Tech and Nazz. Nazz just provides better value in price and offers more! Oh yeah, one more thing before you buy this bike. The customer service at Kent is the worst i have ever encountered. Don't expect much help from them, if you like to jump through hoops. If you buy it in the stores, look over EVERYTHING closely. If you ordered online, the first sign of issues, call Walmart customer server, return it and have them pick it up. In contusion, i would recommend the bike, but not for the current price. Nazz is a better choice, if you must go the walmart steel road bike route.MRdeuce

So the weather is getting nice out and even though in the past ive had bad luck with walmart bikes i decided to try again. Saw this Kent bike on a huge sale, seemed like a fair deal for a entry level road bike and the manufacture seemed pretty good too. I ordered this bike in a box so I could ensure it was put together well and wasnt one of those outside models that sits in the weather. After getting it all together, next came the adjustments (these bikes will not come set up at all) after a bit of tinkering i got the derailleur set just right and the brakes right where they should be. Now here come the problems. The front derailleur is not a click style, you have to search for the gear which while riding is rather difficult. The front brake bracket was bent slightly, no matter what adjustment i made they rubbed. The brakes that come stock will have to be changed out as well, they dont grip well. And the worst problem, the bearings front and rear were Grundy, like they had sand in them. The rear wheel had about 1/2 of walk as well, both the rear rim was out of alignment and there was play in the bearings. Being a bike tech, I pulled apart the rear wheel and repacked the bearings but it was too late, the rear axle was beyond repair and the rear cassette was in bad shape too, so bad it would grab while riding and fling the derailleur. So needless to say, yes this bike is cheap but you get what you pay for, expect to spend at the very least $80-150 more just to have everything completely gone through and if parts are broken expect more. I contacted Kent and they wanted so much information as well as pictures and videos of the issue and it still wouldve been well over a week before parts arrived and that wouldnt cover the labor to replace them. I've since returned this bike and bought one from a local bike shop. Really a shame, I expected much more.tbalonick

Liked the color. Great looking bike. Mine came with a bent front rim. Called technician and they sent a rim and tire that doesn't match the bike. They sent white wall tire white and bright trim. Rim doesn't match either. Now they are giving me a hard time bc I didn't buy a mismatched bike. I want a refund asap. Just remember if you buy this bike kent doesn't stand behind their product's.tabitha

Not only was I impressed, just about every one that has seen it, felt the same! I belong to a circle of old serious riders who have had numerous bikes and have been riding for years! The bicycle fits and rides well. For the price, its hard to beat,and all riders agree with me!.thanks!ralphieboy561

The cutest bike that ever was. The olive green color is awesome. It's great for quick rides around town and I love the step through design (skirts and heels to dinner are doable!). My boyfriend assembled the bike for me and said it was fairly easy to put together. The metal chain cover arrived bent causing the chain to catch on it. We had to bend and pound the metal piece to fit. Overall the bike is best in my opinion for flat commutes. If I lived somewhere with more hills I'd be bummed because first gear is sometimes not low enough for steeper roads (which compared to other places I've lived are still pretty mellow considering) and I'm not sure the 8 speed would fix that issue. I'm also 5'5" and find the handle bars a tad too far away from the seat, by about an inch. My body position is in this awkward not-leaning-forward-not-sitting upright position, which gets a bit annoying after awhile. That said, for a price tag of under $500 including tax and shipping, I can't complain. It's great for what I wanted and I get compliments everywhere I go 'cause it's cute af.Brittany D.

A very solid bike for the price point. Is it trying to do anything fancy? No, but it is a great option for someone looking to get from A to B without breaking the bank. When I was researching this as a gift for my girlfriend, I noticed a few complaints about the weight and the build quality. To those points, I would say the following: Weight: overall, the bike is not super light, so it can be a little unwieldy when trying to load it into a vehicle. That said, it is not too heavy, and rides fairly smoothly. The bigger factor is how the weight is distributed across the bike (center of gravity, in essence). Most of the weight feels like it sits between the rider and the rear wheel, with the front feeling very light in comparison. This is not an issue in any way, but it does create a bit of a learning curve for cornering, as well as for stopping on down-slopes. Just be aware that it will take some getting used to. Build quality: lined up with what I would expect for the price point. The frame and primary components seem solid, and while some of the smaller nuts and bolts for things like the fenders are a little on the soft side, they didn't present any issue for me on install. As a side note, I did the initial assembly of the bike upon receipt just to make sure nothing was missing or obviously damaged, but I took it to a shop for final alignment, tightening, and tuning setup. There were no issues to be found, and it was pretty intuitive to assemble, to the point where I almost didn't need the instructions. What I will say is that the brakes needed significant adjustment out of the box, which is part of the reason I entrusted the initial setup to professionals. My GF and I have ridden the bike several times now on variable length trips (1 mile – 20 miles), and the bike performed reasonably well for all use cases. The seat did get a touch uncomfortable toward the end of the 20 mile trip, but not to the point of being unbearable (I should also mention that this is coming from the stance of someone who is not used to sitting on bike seats for any length of time). It rides and shifts well through the midrange gears, but gets a bit noisy in the lowest gear, and the highest gear is feels like it really only wants to be used when going down a pretty steep hill to try to build speed. The weight in the tail is also very noticeable when climbing steep grades, encouraging the rider to lean forward more than usual, but not to an uncomfortable degree. Overall, this is a very usable and well priced bike. It isn't perfect, but it exceeded my expectations. I have not had it long enough to comment on long term reliability/ serviceability. P.S. I would strongly consider upgrading the brakes if planning to use this bike in hilly environments or as a daily rider, just for a bit of extra stopping power and response. The rear brakes in particular can feel a bit soft, especially when traveling with loads such as groceries.Colin R.

Firstly, the parcel was sent in the thinnest, least-protective box imaginable. I've gotten Amazon boxes of cotton balls more fortified. It was also shipped via FedEx Home Delivery, which means it was subject to a contractor's whims and handled roughly. It not only came late, but the box had several large holes and I'm pretty sure some of the hardware fell out in the process because it was missing two bolts. The derailleur hanger was bent upon receipt as a result of banging around for days and days in transit. Now I have to spend additional money and time having it repaired. They quoted us $100. Retrospec did refund just under that, so they did make it right in that regard, but it's now been two weeks and I haven't gotten to ride my bicycle once. I can't review the actual bike yet, but I wanted to call out the shoddy box and the choice to use FedEx instead of UPS, which is consistently better for packages like this. Just a bit of extra padding, especially for models with a delicate derailleur, and I would have been singing its praises and having fun on my vacation instead of feeling sad every time I see someone else enjoying a bike. That said, the color is beautiful. The saddle and grips are rather cheap-looking, but those can be replaced.Jessica M.

Hi I m David King and my bike is so great its explosive on the road and on trails I love my bike so much im taking it on a dirt road also bye 🙂Dayday

I was surprised at how good the quality of this bike, specially for the price. The parts and the build is very good. So far no issues with the bike after riding it every day for two weeks. It feels like my old Jamis road bike except the bar is straight and the bike is meant for comfort but also does have the speed if you need to. If you are looking for a daily bike for your daily commute or maybe fitness, this bike is worth checking.MSG21

I have broken multiple personal bests for distance traveled after I began riding this bike. It has taken me to many places with ease and the posture I maintain on this well-designed bike makes every ride relaxing. The gears are very smooth and the wheels give me a great feel for the road. The suspension is top class and the powder-coated frame still looks like new after my rides through all kinds of weather.Camryn Brown

Solid frame and what I would consider a really good beginner bike. However, the disc breaks on my are cannot be adjusted to where they do not rub constantly. I've taken it into a shop to get it tuned and they cannot help either. The spacing on the wheel and the frame are off. I guess I need to spend some more money and convert it. I'm sure this is a 5 star bike with the right brakes or a better inspection from the factory.Joshua C.

I ordered a Vilano TUONO T20 2.0 Aluminum Road Bike 21 speed 54 cm. The picture of the bike on your website was misleading because the bike I received is some other Vilano aluminum road bike 21 speed 54 cm. I actually liked the one you sent me, even though it arrived pretty banged up… Like the rear derailleur and hanger were bent and scratched and the chainguard and other areas on the frame wereSteven W.

Easy to assemble. Rides great. Excellent manual. Quality parts. But… No center stem to raise handle bars so had to get a bike shop to add a stem adjuster and lengthen cables. This ran about $80 with quick install. I love the bike and it fits a 6 foot guy well. Overall a great buy. Quick delivery too!Michael C.

Bought this for my husband for his birthday. He is just getting into biking and this is a great bike to get started with! I also ordered the pro tune bicycle assembly which was a great add-on. Very simple to put together after that. Very happy with my purchase!! Thank you!Michelle D.

The bike looks beautiful and light weighted just as what I expected. But after assembling it and trying it on the road for the first day, I found that the front wheel tire went flat. I had to return it immediately to save the trouble of exchanging the tire. All the bike shops are fully booked for services. I don’t want to wait any more time just to change the tire. I want to get a bike NOW!Estereggmmm

You get what you pay for here. Bike needed a full tune up out of the box. Wheels were horribly untrue. Gear shifters were super tight and hard to push down. Need to find that sweet spot between High and Low gear settings so the chain doesn’t rub against derailleur. Popped a tube second ride out after hitting a tiny pothole. Hoping things get better with time since bike is virtually not returnable after being ridden. If I could do it all over again I would’ve invested a little more money for a better bike.Adam K.

It's my preferred method of transportation to the coffee shop or brewery! I always get compliments and lots of head turning. Rides great and gears shift crisp after taking it in for adjustment (10$ at your local shop)Leo S.

I received This Amazing Takara Oni Bike Complimentary from Influenster and Kent Bicycles Free in exchange for my honest Review and I LOVE �� This bike , The Handlebars, The Brakes and The way it Rides also . I have had other bikes before But , This one really did outperform The others. Thank you soo much foe this Amazing Bike That You've blessed me with and I'm very Grateful �jennifer.i

It’s a great solid bike! I don’t have a ton of experience with bikes and I’m not an avid rider, but this seems to be on par with other brands! My husband enjoyed riding it and I think it will last for years to come.taylor .r

I received these bike for free from Influenster and Kent brand in exchange for my honest review. I had my husband trying the bike he states that is very easy to use and very light so far he really likes it and enjoyed it he went around our neighborhood. This bike looks stylish and has all the much-needed features for a smooth ride! The bike seat is well cushioned and really comfortable. Brakes on the handle act much quicker and stronger than the paddle ones. I’m pretty sure he’ll continue using it.he loves bikes!sherley.m

Wheels are perectly true(purchased pro build). Very quiet ride and frame and spokes seem to absorb most road road irregularitys well. Slight chain noise easily eliminated by fine tunning of front derailer. Tires look a litle questionable, I don't think I'll get life that I was getting with my Vittoria Zaffiro V tires on my previous bike. Time will tellAmato B.

Price was really good. The bike had a few issues mainly due to someone assembling that didnt know what they were doing. Some minor scratches too but those look like they were from how it was returned. The rear derailleur hanger was bent and needed replaced. Got one for $10 and it was as good as new. Someone tried to put the peddles on backwards and damaged the starting threads a bit. Also had to do a lot of spoke adjustments to true the wheels. Basically good as new after a few hours of work and $10.je_vajef_b0zku3

The bike arrived on time like it said it would. The packaging was good. No damages and all the places that needed be protected are all cover with cardboard and foam pieces. Assembling the bike was a breeze no real headache there, whew! Thank god for that because the assembling instructions that came with the bike wasn’t really much help either way. Everything else about the bike was great I like the way it feels. The quality isn’t the best but it’s also not the worst…it’s definitely you get what you paid for. If you’re planning on doing any long-distanced riding with this bike I’d the first thing you want to do is change the tires. I wish I didn’t have to return the bike but I guess I’m going to. The bike height is taller than I expected. I went off of the sizing chart that the original website recommended to me. I bought a medium and I’m 5’7”. I’m going to try and get the smaller size and hopefully the fitment will be more comfortable.Brandon

Broken spokes on rear wheel!! Tape on broken spokes to make it easier to see. Kent said since bike is out of warranty, I would have to buy a new rim!! I will not be wasting money on a new rim that might have the same problem…I have never had a spoke break on any bike before. This has serval broken!!! Buyer beware!!Mreview

You can't beat the price on this bike! It's well made, easy to assemble and perfect forcommutes. I would say that if you are 5'6" tall, this bike will be too large for you. I am 5'8" and I am barely tall enough to ride this bike with the seat lowest as possible. I am very happy with the purchase! #sweepstakesHana

I bought this about 2 weeks ago. I have already put over 100 miles on it. I like that the gear shifts is part of the brake lever on the handlebars, didn't realize how convenient this is. The frame is sturdy. Get a padded seat for long rides. 4.8.Eli A