The 3 Best Trek Bikes Under $500 (Mountain and Hybrid)

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*Electra is Trek’s brand of city and commuter bikes, e-bikes, and accessories.

Unfortunately, Trek doesn’t offer road, gravel, or fitness bikes for under $500. You would have to pay at least twice as much for a Trek road or gravel bike.

Check out the Trek bikes for under $1000. This price range offers more options.

Let’s look at the bikes and see which is best for you and your riding style!

What Are the Best Trek Bikes Under $500?

The following bikes are suitable for adults. Of course, Trek also offers kids’ bikes for under $500, but I didn’t include them in this article.

Trek 820 and Trek 820 WSD (Best Trek Mountain Bike Under $500)

Budget-friendly mountain bike for men or women, providing durability, versatility, and a wide gear range.

Trek 820 is one of the best beginner mountain bikes. This is thanks to its affordable price and the great value it offers.

Its versatility will allow you to ride it on various surfaces, from city streets to forest roads, trails, and singletracks.

The steel frame ensures durability, so the bike will take anything you throw at it. The downside is the weight penalty. The bike weighs 33.68 lb (15.28 kg), so you will have to make a little more effort when climbing.

It’s also a shame it comes with only 26-inch wheels. Yes, they provide better maneuverability than the 27.5-inch but they are less comfortable.

The 21-speed Shimano drivetrain (3×7spd) offers enough gears for various gradients. This means that you will always find the right gear.

Trek 820 also has a front suspension with 75mm travel. It doesn’t perform as well as more expensive suspension forks at the value of this bike, but it will absorb bumps and vibrations.

Your ride will be more comfortable than riding with a rigid fork, and you can relax your hands.

You can also leverage the mounts for a rear rack if you need to extend the storage capacity with bags or panniers.

This additional cargo space allows you to store spare clothes, food, and other things needed for a long trip.

Trek 820 comes with platform pedals, so you don’t have to buy them separately.

Choose from step-over or step-through options and multiple sizes.

You can also learn more in this Trek 820 review.

Electra Cruiser 7D and Electra Cruiser 7D Step-Through

Cruiser bike with seven gears, front and rear brakes, and comfy saddle, suitable for flat and rolling terrain.

Are you looking for a comfortable bike for cruising around the coast, through a city, or neighborhood?

Electra Cruiser 7D is a bike that should catch your attention because that’s what it has been designed for.

Its geometry and bent handlebar will allow you to sit in an upright riding position. It’s beginner-friendly, and you will also have a nice field of view. So, you can take it easy and enjoy your rides.

The Cruiser 7D differs from the Cruiser 1 with the 7 gears. Those are helpful if you don’t live in a flat area but occasionally encounter hills. You can switch them with a simple twist of your wrist.

This bike is not suitable for performance-oriented cyclists. I recommend it for paved roads, not for bumpy terrain. This is because it has no suspension and is not designed for it.

One detail I want to highlight is the chainguard. It will ensure that your pants do not get tangled in the chain.

Electra Cruiser 1 and Electra Cruiser 1 Step-Through

Affordable single-speed cruiser bike suitable for chill rides in flat areas.

Except for these features, you can enjoy all the other benefits of Electra’s cruiser bike.

These include comfortable riding geometry, wide saddle, style, step-over and step-through options, fresh colors, etc.

The Cruiser 1 is available in two wheel sizes – 24-inch and 26-inch. I recommend a 24-inch size for short riders and a 26-inch for taller ones.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a brand new Trek adult bike, you only have a few options because most Trek bikes cost over $500.

You can also buy some second-hand Trek bikes. I am sure you will find the iconic Trek 3700, Trek 4300, or Trek 800 on Craigslist, eBay, etc.

Trek Bikes Under $500 FAQ

Preview picture source: trekbikes.com