So, you’ve just finished school and heading off to college, but you don’t want to spend too much on gas. The Best bike for students should be the perfect solution to help you move about without having the additional costs that will put a dent in your budget. Additionally, you will also lose weight and see your fitness level improve. The Pure Cycles 1-Speed Urban Coaster Bicycle is made with a steel frame and really affordable for all college students.
Whilst you might not have the funds to buy a professional bike, something affordable can easily be found to help you. With my cycling experience and days as a college student, I spent hours looking at different bikes that will be ideal for a student. These bikes are affordable but still reliable, and you won’t need to pay too many extra costs.
For this article, we have done some legwork to find some of the best bikes at affordable prices. These bikes will still allow you to look like an avid cyclist, but they won’t force you to break the bank. They will be the ideal bikes for helping you to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Best Bikes For Students On The Market Today
As we have mentioned, as a student, you will be looking for something cheap. This could be a mountain bike, commuter bike, or a road bike, but it should help you save some money for those long nights out and get you from point A to point B. here are the top bikes that you should consider buying as a student:
Top Pick: Pure Cycles 1-Speed Urban Coaster Bicycle
Designed with a durable steel frame, the Pure Cycles 1-Speed Urban Coaster Bicycle only comes with a 1-speed drivetrain. This makes life so much simpler as a student and should take all the guessing work out of changing gears. It features a very basic design that will keep you from having to do a lot of maintenance if something breaks.
With a coaster braking system, the bike is fully functional to enable you to stop on the go. No need to worry about hand brakes failing you and the coaster brake makes a dead stop that much easier. It is also available in multiple different sizes to accommodate all users, and your wheel size will be the only thing that changes.
Unfortunately, it needs to be assembled. This might be easy for a decent artisan, but if you are not good with your hands, you can have an expert help you. The bike is really affordable, and we highly recommend it to get you home from those late-night student parties. It might also keep you out of jail if you are driving under the influence.
Runner-Up: Critical Cycles Harper Single-Speed Fixed Gear Urban Commuter Bike
Having a commuter bike is the best option for a student. These bikes are lighter and easier to maneuver. The Critical Cycles Harper Single-Speed Fixed Gear Urban Commuter Bike features a single-speed drivetrain, once again removing all the guesswork from shifting into different gears when you have had a party.
It has been constructed from durable steel materials, and while this might spike the weight somewhat, the price will be dropping. Cantilever brakes have been added to the back and the front of the bike, which makes it ideal for slower riders. The riser handlebars are also fully adjustable, making them ideal for larger riders.
This bike might seem a little expensive, but you need to keep in mind that no maintenance will be required. If you are serious about cycling on campus, this is one of those bikes that will make the journey more fun. With the added durability, we highly recommend this bike to all college students looking to save on gas.
Best Mountain Bike: Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive
The Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive stands out as one of the top mountain bikes that a college student might enjoy using. The bike not only features a stylish design but it has also been constructed from lightweight and durable aluminum. With a hardtail design, it should make a trip to the mountains with your friends that much more fun.
Functionality is what the avid cyclist will be looking for, and having a good drivetrain gives you this functionality. Additionally, two brakes are added, increasing the overall stopping power. The only real problem is the grips, and they do tend to wear out quite quickly. It is also worth noting that the bike can handle users up to 275-pounds.
For a college student, the bike might seem a little expensive at first. However, Diamondback is one of the best brands on the market today, and the bike features a decent warranty as well. Students who love doing more than simply parties would enjoy this bike for all the intricate features they can use. It is highly recommended for the value and the quality on offer.
Best Hybrid Bike: Schwinn Men’s Wayfarer Hybrid Bike
Having a hybrid bike is not something that every student will consider. However, the Schwinn Men’s Wayfarer Hybrid Bike might change all that, and it is not only affordable but features one of the most durable steel frames for the price. An additional front shock is also added, making the bike perfect for bumpy roads.
With a 7-speed drivetrain, functionality will be in your hands. No longer will you need to suffer going uphill, and you can adjust the gears to make it a little more comfortable. The bike includes 2 brakes in the front and the back to make it much more reliable when you need to stop.
As one of the cheapest bikes on our list, we do recommend this to students strapped to a strict budget. Adding a basket to the back is also really easy, and you only need some basic skills to do so. Carrying a heavy bag between classes can be so frustrating. However, adding a basket to the bike will make this much easier.
Best Road Bike: Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike
Last but certainly not least, we have a bike that has been designed to impress. The Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike looks very similar to the bikes you will see from the professionals, and it will definitely turn some heads. With a durable aircraft aluminum frame, this bike will hold up well and keep the weight down.
With a 21-speed drivetrain, the bike is capable of handling any situation. These Shimano thumb shifters are really easy to use, and you should get to know all the gears in a really short time. We also love the stylish design of the bike, and this will definitely turn the heads of your friends, having them think you might be professional.
As we have mentioned, this is one of those bikes that look much more expensive than it actually is. The bike is designed as a road bike, and it can be used for commuting to the city and the college campus. If you love road bikes, we would definitely recommend it for the quality and the value that it offers.
Key Features To Consider When Buying The Best Bike For Students
Intricate features might be too much for a student. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when buying a bike. Here is a short breakdown of the most important things to keep in mind when buying a bike:
Drivetrain
The drivetrain refers to the different gears that the bike will offer you. If you don’t like this complication, having a single-speed bike might be ideal for your commuting purposes. The more advanced you’d like to be, the more gear you will need, and this will also help you when it comes to navigating difficult terrains.
Type
With so many different bike types, it can be hard to find the right one for your needs. Simplicity is the main reason the commuter bike is so popular. However, if you like to take on different terrains, you should consider the mountain bike for some additional versatility that it offers.
Brakes
We like placing some emphasis on the brakes of the bike, and the more you will use them, the better they need to be. You will need to choose between the standard cantilever brakes or the coaster brakes. Both of these are effective in keeping you safe. Professional riders might prefer disc brakes for the additional stopping power.
Wrap Up – Best Bike For Students
Now that you know how to choose a bike and which ones we would recommend, it should be that much easier for you to make your decision. We highly recommend all of the bikes on this list for the quality and the value they offer. They should also help you save a little on gas by using manual power for commuting purposes.
We would like to thank you for reading this article and encourage you to share some of your thoughts in the comment section. Let us know if you have used any of these bikes and if we might have missed any of your favorites.
