Bike prices have surged in recent years but it’s still possible to get a good quality commuter on a tight budget. Here are some of the best options
Commuting by bike is one of the smartest ways to save money, stay fit, and reduce your carbon footprint. And thanks to the Cycle to Work Scheme, it’s easier than ever to get a high-quality commuter bike without breaking the bank.
That said, in today’s market, it’s surprisingly easy to go over budget, even entry-level bikes can quickly climb past the £500 mark. That’swhy we’veput together this guide: to show you that it’sstill possible to find excellent, reliable bikes within that price range. All the models featured here are available through Cyclescheme and come from trusted brands and retailers we work with.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 of the best commuter bikes available for under £500 in 2025, whether you're after a hybrid, a city bike, or something versatile for mixed terrain, there’s a perfect ride waiting for you.
Why choose a commuter bike?
A good commuter bike isn’tjust about performance, it’s about practicality. If you’re using your bike daily for routine tasks like getting to work, running errands, or navigating the city, you need something that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. In this context, your bike becomes less of a sport or leisure tool and more of a reliable, everyday vehicle, a logistical solution that helps you move efficiently, save time, and stay active.
That’s why a solid commuter bike should be:
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Comfortable enough for longer rides and frequent stop-start traffic, especially during rush hour.
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Durable to withstand year-round use, including rain, wind, and the occasional pothole.
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Efficient on roads, cycle lanes, and mixed urban terrain, helping you get from A to B without unnecessary effort.
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Low-maintenance, so you can spend more time riding and less time fixing.
And the best part? With theCycle to Work Scheme UK, you can access a high-quality commuter bike and essential accessories with no upfront cost, and save up to 47% through salary sacrifice. It’s a smart, sustainable investment in your daily routine.
But while all these factors are important, where you live also plays a big role. The UK has incredibly diverse landscapes, from flat city streets to hilly countryside, and sometimes the best option for your daily logistics might not be a classic commuter bike. Depending on your environment, a road bike or even a mountain bike might be the most practical and efficient choice.
That’s why our list includes a wide variety of bike types, all carefully selected to suit different needs, and all available for under £500 with Cyclescheme.
Top 10 commuter bikes under £500
All the bikes listed below are available through Cyclescheme and come from brands you can trust. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer.
1. Ridgeback Comet
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Type: UrbanHybrid (fitness/commuter)
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Market price: £499.99
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Cyclescheme price: up to £324.99 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: The Comet is built around a confidence inspiring 6061 heat treated aluminium frame and a chromoly fork to give you a stable and comfortable ride. It has been finished with a single chainring to keep maintenance low and a high-quality Shimano 7 speed 11-32 cassette gives a gear range that will allow you to take on any terrain. Stopping is taken care of by Promax V-Brakes front and rear to make the Comet a fantastic all-round urban bike.
2. Trek FX Hybrid
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Type: Urban Hybrid
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Market price: £375
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Cyclescheme price: up to £243.75 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: FX are fast, fun, comfortable and agile enough for a multitude of uses. They’re perfect for crushing your morning workout, enjoying your daily commute or cruising to the farmer’s market. Every FX is designed to be the ultimate, multi-talented ride. The line-up ranges from recreation and general fitness models made from a lightwight aluminium frame to top-of-the-line, performance fitness models (FX Sport) that are made from superlight weight carbon fiber.
3. Giant Talon 3
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Type: Hardtail Mountain Bike
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Market price: £575
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Cyclescheme price: up to £373.75 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: This aluminium hardtail gives you a feel for the trail with balanced, confident handling and a plush suspension fork. Built on a lightweight ALUXX aluminium frame that features classic hardtail design and the balanced riding characteristics of either larger diameter 29-inch or 27.5-inch wheels, Talon is a great choice for XC and trail riding. The frame geometry is specifically designed to adapt to its respective wheel size and either an 80mm or 100mm suspension fork (depending on frame size). It’s a confident ride that’s perfect for ambitious riders who want to take their off-road skills to the next level.
4. Boardman 8.6
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Type: Road Hybrid Bike
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Market price: £600
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Cyclescheme price: up to £390 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: TheBoardman HYB 8.6 is a hybrid bike with a lightweight alloy frame, hydraulic disc brakes and a Shimano 2x9 speed drivetrain. The bike is designed for commuting, fitness, and leisure riding, with features such as a comfortable saddle, and ergonomic grips ride for a comfortable ride.
5. Bianchi Spillo Deluxe
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Type: Urbar Hybrid
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Market price: £499
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Cyclescheme price: up to £324.35 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: Classic Italian design meets everyday practicality in the Bianchi Spillo Rubino Deluxe. Whether you're cruising through city streets or heading out for a relaxed weekend ride, this urban hybrid is built for comfort and style. Its lightweight aluminium frame and 21-speed Shimano gearing give you smooth, reliable performance across varied terrain, while the upright riding position ensures a relaxed, ergonomic feel on longer journeys.
6. Raleigh Strada
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Type: Urbar Hybrid
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Market price: £475
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Cyclescheme price: up to £308.75 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: Whether it’s livening up your daily commute or taking a slow ride along the river, the Strada is your key to conquering the urban jungle. With a fast, agile frame and an ultra-sporty riding position, this lightweight bike lets you slip through traffic with ease, no gridlock necessary. The 650b wheels have been painstakingly selected for their comfort and cushioning, giving you a ride so smooth you’ll barely be able to believe it. And when you’re ready to swap the tarmac for the trail, the 47c-wide tyres are perfect for tackling looser ground, with full mudguards to keep you clean and dry while you’re off-roading.
7. Raleigh Pioneer Grand Tour
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Type: Urbar Hybrid
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Market price: £425
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Cyclescheme price: up to £276.25 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: To rediscovering both the city and countryside, ‘Grand’ perfectly sums up the components of our top-of-the-range Pioneer. With 24-speed Shimano gears, this fully equipped bike gives you everything you need to tackle even the biggest hills, no sweating necessary. The strong, exceptionally lightweight aluminium frame is paired with a steel trekking fork, making it easy to go from tarmac to trail in one fell swoop. Full mudguards help protect your favourite jeans, and a handy kickstand stops your pride and joy from toppling while you stop and admire the view. Basically, the Pioneer Grand Tour has everything you need to conquer the urban jungle.
7. Electra Cruiser Lux 3i
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Type: Cruiser Bike
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Market price: £450
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Cyclescheme price: up to £292.5 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: The Cruiser Lux elevates the basic Cruiser to the next level with modern refinements like a lightweight aluminum frame, custom components and, of course, Electra’s patented Flat Foot Technology®. With a 3-speed internal hub, it's practical yet eye-catching, making it perfect for cruising in style year round.
8. Electra Loft RRP 7D
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Type: Urban Commuter
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Market price: £400
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Cyclescheme price: up to £260 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: If you live in the city, ride like it. The Loft™ 7D is a lightweight commuter that puts the fun in functionality. 700c wheels and a foot-forward, upright riding position provide optimum speed, comfort and control. This modern-day classic is built to ride. It’s lightweight. It’s durable. It’s comfortable and designed to handle the rigors of the streets.
9. Rockrider Touring ST 120
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Type: Hardtail Mountain Bike
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Market price: £349.99
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Cyclescheme price: up to £227.49 (depending on your tax rate)
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Why it’s great: This 27.5" mountain bike is easy-to-handle, making it the perfect choice for getting started with MTB touring. It's lightweight and precise thanks to the single chainring, and mechanical disc brakes.
10. Rockrider Touring Expl 520
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Type: Hardtail Mountain Bike
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Market price: £499.99
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Cyclescheme price: up to £324.99 (depending on your tax rate).
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Why it’s great: The fork, equipped with a hydraulic cartridge, improves sensitivity to small impacts when mountain biking. It’s lightweight aluminium frame and 10 speed single chainring allows for ultimate efficiency.
How much can you save on any of these bikes?
Interested in one of the bikes on the list?
If you'd like to know how much you could save through Cyclescheme based on your salary and tax rate, just head over to the Cyclescheme savings calculator.
It will show you a personalised estimate of your potential savings.
For example, a £500 bike could cost you as little as £305 through salary sacrifice.
And don’t forget, on top of the savings, the scheme also lets you spread the cost through monthly payments taken directly from your salary, making it even more affordable.
Where to buy
All of these bikes are available through Cyclescheme-approved retailers, both online and in-store. With hundreds of partners across the UK, there’s no shortage of options, and if you’renot sure where to begin, just start with our store locator map to find a shop near you.
Don’t worry about where you live, we’re everywhere. Whether you'rein a busy city or a quiet village, chances are there'sa participating retailer close by.
And the best part? Applying to the scheme is just a click away. Quick, easy, and fully online, your next bike could be closer than you think.
What to look for in a commuter bike
When choosing your commuter bike, consider:
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Your route: Flat roads, hills, or mixed terrain?
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Comfort: Look for upright geometry and a padded saddle.
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Accessories: Mudguards, pannier racks, and lights are essential for year-round commuting.
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Security: Invest in a good lock.
One of the great advantages of these schemes is that they’re not limited to just bikes, you can also use them to purchase essential cycling accessories. This flexibility can significantly reduce your overall commuting costs.
How the cycle to work scheme works
The Cycle to Work Scheme is a government-backed initiative designed to make cycling to work more affordable and accessible. It allows employees to obtain a bike and cycling accessories tax-free by spreading the cost through their salary, a process known as salary sacrifice. This means you don’t pay upfront, and you save money by paying from your gross (pre-tax) salary, reducing your income tax and National Insurance contributions.
Here’s how it works, step by step:
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Choose your bike and gear: Browse and select your ideal commuter bike and any necessary accessories, such as helmets, locks, lights, panniers, or even clothing, from a participating retailer.
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Apply through your employer: Most employers use the Cyclescheme platform, where you submit your request for the chosen package. Your employer then reviews and approves the application.
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Receive your eCertificate: Once approved, you’ll get an eCertificate that you can use to collect your bike and accessories from the retailer.
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Pay monthly through salary sacrifice: The total cost is deducted from your salary over a fixed period (usually 12 months), with no interest and no upfront payment. Because the payments are taken before tax, you can save up to47% depending on your tax rate.
Ready to start?
Use the Cyclescheme calculator to see how much you could save, then browse Cyclescheme’s partner brands to find your perfect ride.
Final thoughts
Cycling to work is more than just a commute, it’s a lifestyle upgrade. With so many great bikes available for under £500, and the added savings from the Cycle to Work Scheme UK, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.
Whether you're looking for a hybrid bike, a bike to work scheme shop, or just want to explore cycle to work options, Cyclescheme has you covered.
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