The 10 Best Fixed Gear Bikes Under $500

These days you can't go into any major metropolitan area without seeing some young, tattooed kid on a fixed-gear bike. The single-geared beasts of burden are often built for speed and gained notoriety among messenger culture, before being appropriated by tree-hugging, smog-hating hipsters everywhere... but you know, in an ironic way.

Even if you don't live in Portland, Oregon or Williamsburg, Brooklyn, these rides are simple to maintain, easy to get used to, and also good for serious riders looking to train in the off-season. Whether you're looking to add to your collection or hoping to hop on the bandwagon for less, we got you covered.

At these prices, you can't expect top-of-the line stuff, but surprisingly, there are some pretty solid options. With the money you're saving, you can afford to soup up these rides, but that's a whole different story. We arranged these bikes from lowest to highest price. Better make sure your knees are in check, here are The 10 Best Fixed Gear Bikes Under $500.

Related: The 10 Best Bicycle Helmets for Urban Commuters

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This psychedelic Schwinn N' Gauged Hi-Ten Track frame is combined with a Cro-Mo steel fork and equally colorful rims, seat, handlebar covers, and top tube cover. The high-flange track hubs and doublewall rims give this extra hipster cred. At this price, you can definitely afford the powdercoat job if it's too much of a statement-maker.

Buy It Now at City Grounds, $215

It's quite easy being green on this easy-to-maintain commuter bike. With rider bars and double-walled, CNC-machined rims, the Promax front & rear brakes should provide ample stopping power. The platform pedals also make it ideal for beginners, although toe cages and straps are definitely worth getting.

Buy It Now at Road Bike Outlet, $239

This no-nonsense frame is made from a lightweight aluminum combined with a steel road fork and drop handlebars. The sporty red and black color scheme isn't a bad touch, either.

Buy It Now at Amazon, $242

As far as bargains go, you can't go wrong with this package. This Motobecane setup is pretty complete. You get a Cromoly frame with a steel fork, aluminum alloy crankset, and a whole slew of other goodies. We're talking classic road pedals with clips, aluminum drop bars with black cork tape, and a murdered-out rear brake.

Buy It Now at BikesDirect, $249

SE's urban-minded ride is a sleek black-and-white color scheme consisting of a Hi-Ten steel frame, riser bars, rear-and-front brakes, Kenda Kwest tires, and a dope golden chainring for a nice pop of color. Did we mention the seat also functions as a bottle opener?

Buy It Now at Cycle Choice, $314

This affordable offering from Pure Fix features a flip/flop rear hub, allowing you to choose between fixed or single-speed riding. The color scheme is an homage to Bianchi's signature Celeste color, and the white accents on the rims and saddle make it pop perfectly. Definitely one of the dopest offerings on this list.

Buy It Now at Pure Fix Cycles, $325

Ah yes, the Mercier Kilo TT. This week's Bike of the Week definitely deserves a mention. No, it's not as prestigious as the Merciers of the past, but it's a hell of a lot more affordable. The Reynolds steel frame is pretty solid, though we wish we could say the same for the wheelset. All in all, it's a solid starter kit.

Buy It Now at BikesDirect, $360

In terms of popularity, Republic Bikes made a name for itself as essentially the Nike ID of fixed-gear and single-speed bikes. This was due in part to their partnership with hipster superstore Urban Outfitters. Their models range in price from $399-$519, so almost all of them could have landed themselves here, but the basic Aristotle has a pretty good bang to buck ratio. You'll end up with a Hi Ten steel frame, flip/flop hub, 30 mm deep rims, riser bars, and brakes for a hair under $400.

Buy It Now at Republic Bike, $399

The awesome geometry of the GT Alloy triple triangle track frame means that you also get reinforced track ends, integrated chain tensioners, and a butted downtube. The fork is a straight track design, and the murdered-out color scheme has nice pops of metallic orange on the frame, seat, handlebars, and rear rim. Fire!

Buy It Now at Cycle Choice, $300

Holler at this deal right here. You're looking at a custom-butted steel frame with an outer-butted seat tube, and custom-tapered rear triangle and triple-butted fork, and yes, the entire frame and fork is Cro-Mo down to its boxers, basically. Combine that with a reliable Fuji crankset, Fuji alloy doublewalled rims (machined for the brakes, natch), and a gray, black, and red color scheme, and you're sure to turn some heads, as well as negotiate sharp turns really nicely.

Buy It Now at City Grounds, $499