If you’re just getting into cycling and hoping to gain some fitness, you may not want to break the bank. We’ve rounded up our favorite flat bar, hybrid fitness bikes that the average person will find easy and comfortable to ride around for exercise, or to hit the neighborhood or even commute to work with. A majority of these are men’s models, but they may also have women’s frames available for easier mounting and stepover.
What are fitness bikes?
A fitness bike is generally a bicycle designed to ride on the road, but with flat (straight) handlebars like a mountain bike. Hybrid fitness bikes blend the speed and efficiency of a road bike with the heads up riding position many people prefer. These bikes are very easy to ride and handle and popular for people who are just looking to increase their basic fitness and health by riding around the neighborhood.
Most people don’t want to spend a ton of money when they are just starting out, so we’ve concentrated on bikes that are in a lower price range. We’ve selected fitness bikes that go as high as $1,000 and as low as the $600 range so you can get back in shape and burn some calories without burning through your entire savings.
Canyon Roadlite 5
If you’re looking for the most bike for the money, consider this bike from Canyon. Component-wise, the Roadlite 5 offers a SRAM Apex 1 SGS 1 x 11 setup with a big 11-42 tooth cassette in the rear and a 46-tooth chainring upfront, giving you a wide range of gear ratios. The bike has an aluminum frame, a carbon-fiber fork and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and all at a $900 price point. If you want good quality shifting for a fitness bike and low weight at a reasonable price, this is it.
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/hybrid-bikes/roadlite/roadlite-5/2780.html
Cannondale Treadwell 3
The Treadwell 3 from Cannondale features a SmartForm C3 Alloy frame and aluminum fork, ride-easy low-standover geometry, 7-speed gearing, and simple shifting with microSHIFT shifters. Ringing up at around $800, you can also count on wide tires for comfort and security on the road, with sturdy 650b wheels. This is a bike you can count on to get you back into exercising.
https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/active/fitness/treadwell/treadwell-3
Trek FX 1 Disc
At $680, Trek’s FX 1 Disc bike features an aluminum frame with steel fork and disc brakes to keep you in control of your fitness journey. It also has Shimano Altus EF500 shifters, an 11-32 8-speed cassette, 46/30 chainrings and 700c wheels.
Giant Escape Disc 2
Giant’s Escape Disc 2 bike will get you cruising for $780. It’s made of aluminum and has 700c wheels and Shimano Altus 2 x 8 shift system. The 700×38 puncture-resistant tires will provide plenty of rubber on the road to help you feel secure and protect you from flats so you don’t deflate out while pursuing your fitness goals.
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/escape-disc-2-2022
Fuji Absolute 1.7
With a 46/30 chainring, 9 gears in back for lots of gear choices, and Shimano or microSHIFT shifters (depending on the build) for hills, Fuji’s Absolute 1.7 will get you where you need to go on your fitness journey with no limitations. It also features Kenda Journey, 700 x 38c, with K-shield flat protection tires, all for $850.
https://www.fujibikes.com/usa/bikes/pavement/fitness/absolute/absolute-1-7
Jamis Allegro A2
Musically speaking, says Jamis, “Allegro” means quick and lively, and those words characterize the spirit and performance of their Allegro fitness bikes that are lively, quick and seriously fun to ride. With an aluminum frame and Shimano shifting, Jamis’ Allegro A2 bike will get you on the road with this 16-speed steed. You’ll be able to take advantage of the double chainring and Shimano Acera RD-M360 rear and Shimano FD-TY710-2 front derailleurs front. Not too shabby for $760.
https://www.jamisbikes.com/allegro/
Specialized Sirrus 2.0
Take a peek at this Sirrus 2.0 bike from Specialized. With an aluminum frame and a steel fork, it’s got reliable microSHIFT components, 46/30 chainrings, an 8-speed cassette and reflective tires with puncture protection. And don’t forget to enjoy those hydraulic disc brakes that take it up a notch from the mechanical disc brakes compared to many of the others on this list! A value at $775.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/sirrus-2-0/p/200206?color=322026-200206
Specialized Roll Sport 2.0 – Low Entry
If it’s been a hot minute since you last went cycling, don’t worry. Specialized makes it less intimidating with this Roll Sport bike with low entry design to more easily mount and dismount the seat. This one also comes in at $800.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/roll-2-0-low-entry/p/216877?color=349783-216877
Reid Transit Disc
If you want plenty of shifting options, check this out. Reid’s Transit Disc bike has an aluminum frame and 21-speed Shimano shifting, disc brakes, and 700 x 40 tires for $590. How’s that for fast fitness?
https://www.reidbikes.com/product/transit-disc-bike/
Surly CrossCheck
With a 8-speed 12-42 cassette and a 40-tooth chainring, Surly’s chromoly steel framed CrossCheck bike will get you exercising in no time for $949. Comes with 700 x 35 mm tires, but has lots of clearance for wider tires if you want to ride gravel or bike paths.
https://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check
Schwinn Vantage F3
For $770, Schwinn’s Vantage F3 bike has an aluminum frame, a chromoly fork and mechanical disc brakes. Its 21-speed drivetrain will get you moving in the right direction and take your fitness to a new level.
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/vantage-f3-hybrid-bike?variant=41490038096041
Kona Dew Plus
Last but not least, you should consider this Dew Plus bike from Kona. It has 650b wheels for a sturdy ride. It also features an aluminum frame, kickstand, disc brakes, and Shimano Deore 10-speed 11-46 cassette paired with a 36-tooth chainring to give you lots of gear ratios. It’s valued at $949.
https://www.konaworld.com/dew_plus.cfm
Don’t let a price point keep you from your fitness goals. With these bikes, you can get on the road to fitness in no time.
Can you tell me about the Terrific K bikes. I seen them at a local bike shop and the owner said they were go bikes.