Fancy a new bike but don’t want to spend your entire pay check? Here are 11 really good bikes for less than £300
On the hunt for the best bike on a budget? We've rounded up the best affordable bikes under £300, whatever your requirements.
Am I the only one who can’t remember the last time I was on public transport? After years of commuting, Coronavirus put a halt to my daily tube/bus/train journey. With only a few weeks to go until things slowly start re-opening, more and more of us will be looking to get around our towns and cities again – but to be honest, the thought of being on a crowded tube again makes my skin crawl.
Of course, walking is always an option (as it is, my step count has never been so high) but there’s only so far and so quickly my two legs can take me. So instead I’ll be looking at investing in a bike – not only to get me from A to B, but also as a fun and effective workout. Cycling not only tones your thighs and bum just as effectively as resistance bands do, but it's great cardio exercise – not to mention, if you haven’t been in the saddle for a while, you’ll probably have forgotten just how fun it is.
If like me, you're not a seasoned cyclist and currently sans bike, it’s unlikely you'll want to spend upwards of a grand on one of the very best bikes for women. Sure, you get what you pay for and these more expensive choices are totally worth the investment - but if you want to test the waters first, you might like to treat yourself to something that’s a little more purse-friendly.
After a surge in popularity last summer, bikes from the likes of Halfords and Decathlon are still selling like hot-cakes, but we’ve managed to find 11 of the best bikes – all under £300.
If you’re thinking these bikes can’t be of good quality for such a low price, let us put your mind at ease. Collette Clensy, European Marketing Manager at female-dedicated cycling brand Liv reassured us that “more investment doesn’t always mean an increase in value for money.” She said: “What you should spend is subjective and depends on the type of cycling you want to do - you can easily get a good commuter bike for less than £500.
“We would suggest spending what you can,” she said. “This usually means better components and finishing kit which will make for more enjoyable riding. What is essential is to select a bike that you'll enjoy so you'll be looking forward to every ride.”
The best hybrid bike (i.e. a "do-it-all" bicycle) is the Pendleton Somerby Hybrid Bike - Midnight Blue, available for £280 from Halfords. It’s a go-everywhere kinda bike - part mountain bike and part city bike. You can use it off-road and on your commute. It has a lightweight alloy frame, powerful and responsive brakes to keep you safe and tyres which offer great traction on the tarmac. Another great hybrid bike is Carrera's newly-launched hybrid bike which dropped this summer in response to high demand. It's sleek and stylish yet super practical - and you can buy it now.
If it's the aesthetics that really matter to you (no judgement), we love this BikeStar City Bike's vintage look - it comes in 5 pastel shades, but it's the mint that's high on our wishlist. This Elops 520 Low Frame City Bike from Decathlon also scores high on the looks front, is comfortable for longer rides and has a basket for all your upcoming picnic essentials. What more could a girl want in a bike?
Here are the best bikes for women under £300 to shop now...
Best women's bike for beginners
Challenge Regent 26 inch Wheel Size Womens Mountain Bike, £99, Argos
We love this mountain bike for its low step through frame which helps with mounting and dismounting. If you haven't ridden a bike in a few years, it will help you feel more confident.
Best hybrid bike under £300
Pendleton Somerby Hybrid Bike - Midnight Blue 17", £280, Halfords
This stylish midnight blue bike is light, available in two frame sizes and has chic brown leather detailing to the seat and handle bars. The sturdy frame is a step-through style frame to make it easy to mount and dismount, and the bike boasts 7 speed Shimano gearing to help you up hills. Oh, and it can be purchased with this £40 basket so that you can transform your bike into something reminiscent of Marianne's.
Best affordable hybrid bike
Carrera Parva Womens Hybrid Bike 2020, £250, Halfords
For £250, you'll bag yourself a light and easy-to-manoeuvre frame, dependable breaks, gears for all terrains and a memory foam saddle to ensure your ride is comfortable. This bike is strong and built to last.
Best mountain bike under £300
Rockrider Womens Mountain Bike V2, £279.99, Decathlon
This mountain bike has been designed especially for women who want to get started with mountain biking. It it good for rides of up to 90 minutes in dry weather, with an ergonomic saddle, chunky wheels for comfort when riding and disc brakes for safety.
Best affordable mountain bike
Apollo Twilight Womens Mountain Bike, £135, Halfords
One for long rides in the countryside? A mountain bike is the best bike for you - namely this £135 offering from Apollo. It's great value for money, boasting 18 speed Shimano gear set, front suspension and a rigid steel frame, plus free bike build and unlimited safety checks when you purchase from Halfords.
Best women's bike under £300 for weekend cycling
Apollo Cafe Womens Hybrid Bike, £160, Halfords
The stylish Apollo Cafe Womens Hybrid Bike is the perfect bike for getting out and enjoying the great outdoors at the weekend - not least because the hybrid saddle provides superior comfort and a v. smooth ride. It has six speed Shimano gears for rural hills plus large 700c wheels which will take you from town to off-road countryside trails in one fell swoop.
Best women's bike under £300 for durability
Apollo Virtue Womens Hybrid Bike - 18", £180, Halfords
This hybrid bike from Apollo will take you from city to countryside effortlessly. It boasts an impressive 18 speed Shimano gearing for fast and comfortable commuting, and the steel frame is super durable. You can get a free build when you buy this bike from Halfords, as well as unlimited lifetime safety checks.
Best stylish women's bike
BIKESTAR City Bike, £255.90, Amazon
It doesn't get prettier than this when it comes to bikes. This lightweight aluminium bike comes in 5 pastel shades, and although it has a definite vintage look to it, it has all the bells and whistles you'd expect from a modern bike. This includes a 7 speed Shimano shifting system, adjustable saddles and handlebars and a luggage rack to attach a basket if you want.
Best value women's bike
Ammaco. Professional Avenue 700c Womens Bike, £139.99, Amazon
This rigid suspension, hybrid bike is a great all rounder - and comes at a great price. It has 6 speedsfe , light alloy rims a comfortable hybrid seat and adjustable handlebars. The reactive brakes make it a safe choice that you'll feel comfortable riding around the city or countryside.
Best affordable women's bike
Challenge Dune 29Inch Hybrid Women's Bike, £109.99, Argos
This hybrid women's bike is a strong and durable and will see you from A to B in the city, as well as on more mountainous terrain on weekend wanderings. The V-type brakes at both the front and back will allow you to stop quickly if required, and the gears can be easily changed with a twist of the wrist thanks to the microSHIFT MS25 shifter. All for just over £100 - consider us sold.
Best women's bike with basket
Elops 520 Low Frame City Bike, £299.99, Decathlon
Perfect for cycles around town, this stylish bike comes with a basket to carry all your necessities (read: cheese and bread for picnics.) It's an easy bike to ride, with comfortable seating, durable tyres and 6 speeds for improved versatility on reasonable inclines. Plus its pannier rack was designed to hold a stationary baby carrier so it's ideal for mums on the move.
