Mountain bikes give you new possibilities where other types of bicycles start to limit you. They let you explore more and have more fun for the same price. Check out our choice of the best mountain bikes on the market right now.
Contents
- What Makes One Mountain Bike Good?
- Co-op Cycles DRT 1.0
- Cannondale Trail 7.1
- Mongoose Impasse
- Salsa Horsethief
- Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29
- Santa Cruz Chameleon 8 AL MX D
- Devinci Troy
- Trek Slash 8 Gen 5
- Santa Cruz 5010
- Diamondback Yowie Carbon
- Devinci Django A 29
- Juliana Roubion
- Orbea Oiz H20
- Santa Cruz Bullit
- Cannondale Moterra Neo 3
- Giant Talon E+ 3
What Makes One Mountain Bike Good?
What is it that defines a mountain bike and what makes it the best mountain bike? They come in different sizes and shapes, but every mountain bike should have several recognizable features and meet certain standards.
The frame of most mountain bikes is made of aluminum, and its geometry is more comfortable than that of road bikes. It allows the rider to sit in a more upright position and thus have more visibility, as well as experience less strain on the back. Compared to a hybrid bike, the position of the rider is lower.
Jump to bikes -> Beginners | Training | Experts | Women | Electric
A good mountain bike will have tires that are wider than road and hybrid bikes. They can be 2.1″ or wider and go up to 4.5″ on fat bikes. This gives the rider more comfort and stability and makes the bike more practical.
Another difference between mountain bikes and road bikes is that mountain bikes are usually more customizable. You can generally fit mudguards and racks on them, as well as carry several water bottles.
Many low-end mountain bikes already come with much of this additional equipment, so you don’t have to worry about it.
However, high-end mountain bikes are usually not designed to carry bike racks, but you can fit mudguards on them.
Mountain bikes typically also have suspension. Based on suspension, we can distinguish between rigid, hardtail, and full suspension bikes. Rigid bikes have no suspension at all, hardtail bikes have only the front suspension, whereas full suspension bikes have suspension both on the front and on the back.
All three types of mountain bikes can be equally good, depending on what kind of mountain biking you plan to do. However, if you want to do tricks, you should consider wheelie bikes, many of which are lightweight mountain bikes.
Finally, a good mountain bike needs to have robust and reliable brakes. Most mountain bikes today have disc brakes, which provide much more stopping power compared to V-brakes, which is essential when riding off the road. More expensive bikes have hydraulic disc brakes, whereas the cheaper ones have mechanical disc brakes.
Even though hydraulic disc brakes are better, the mechanical ones are a decent choice as well.
— For Beginners —
Co-op Cycles DRT 1.0
Best Mountain Bike for Short Riders
MSRP: $599
Clench your thirst for the mountains and nature with the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.0 bike. It’s available in a beautiful blue color finish that will appeal to most riders.
Co-op Cycles DRT 1.0 is a capable and good looking trail bike with a price for those who are still not ready to break the bank by spending too much on two wheels.
DRT 1.0 has a 6061 double-butted aluminum frame compatible with 26″ wheels and tires that ensure high on-trail performance.
This bike is a hardtail model, which means it has a front suspension. In this case, it is a SR Suntour model with 100 mm of travel, which is more than enough for recreational riding.
DRT 1.0 will let you take it up any hill thanks to 21 mountain biking-specific gears, that allow you to keep the cadence up, but keep your spirits high as well. The drivetrain is Shimano Tourney, which is entry-level, but great for beginners.
On the trails, you can also count on the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that have proven to be strong and reliable time and time again. You’ll be surprised by the stopping time and the lack of maintenance.
We recommend Co-op Cycles DRT 1.0 because it offers excellent value for the price. It’s a great choice for any entry-level rider who wants a beautiful bike to practice skills and spend more time under the sun.
Cannondale Trail 7.1
Best Value Hardtail MTB
MSRP: $580
The Trail 7.1 is an interesting addition to Cannondale’s collection of budget-friendly bikes intended for trail enthusiasts. It features size-specific 27.5″ or 29″ wheels which guarantee a great fit and riding experience regardless of your height.
The SR Suntour XCT DS front suspension fork provides you with 100 mm of travel. This is a coil fork, which means that it is on the heavier side, but it’s indispensable for overall comfort.
The frame comes in a single color, which is black, and features eyelets for two water bottle cages, fenders, and a rear rack. Unfortunately, this bike does not have internal cable routing.
You can easily ride Cannondale Trail 7.1 on different kinds of trails in your vicinity, as this bike is a capable climber and descender.
When faced with challenges, Trail 7.1 performs well thanks to quality components. This bike is a decent climber as it comes with a 1×8 drivetrain with a 12-42T cassette and a 30T crankset. Granny gears abound.
- SmartForm C3 Aluminum frame.
- 100mm SR Suntour front suspension.
- 8 gears.
- Size-specific 27.5″ or 29″ wheels.
- Rear rack compatible.
The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes provide constant and reliable stopping power both on and off-road, even when you ride through deep puddles or muddy sections.
What you’ll also like are the 27.5″ or 29″ x 2.25″ WTB Ranger Comp tires, which are ideal for mixed-terrain riding. You’ll feel like you’re riding on a cloud, even when you’re rolling over rocks or roots.
Get this budget-friendly hardtail bike if huge tires, decent components, and size-specific wheels sound like a good deal to you for just $580.
Mongoose Impasse
Winner! Best Mountain Bike For Beginners
Mongoose Impasse is a phenomenal choice for beginners who do not have high demands but want a reliable bike that can safely take them places they’ve never been.
Related: Cheap Mountain Bikes
Mongoose Impasse has an aluminum frame with a relaxed geometry and comes with a suspended fork for added comfort. The fork has plenty of travel, so you can rest assured that it will absorb most of the bumps and imperfections on the road.
The drivetrain and the derailleurs give you 21 diverse speeds so you can adjust your riding to the terrain. This number of gears is more than enough to tackle any hill out there, so you don’t have to worry about it.
The absolute highlight of Mongoose Impasse is the mechanical disc brakes which you don’t often see on a bike that is this cheap. This is just one of the things that make this bike a grand bargain.
All in all, even though Mongoose Impasse will not win any mountain biking championships, it is perfect for entry-level riders who ride recreationally and just want to have fun on the local trails. It’s a great deal that’s worth checking out.
Salsa Horsethief
Best Full-Suspension Bike for Enthusiasts
MSRP $2,999
The Salsa Horsethief is an affordable full-suspension bike there is almost nothing to dislike about. We love the price, the design, and the components that you get for your money.
The Salsa Horsethief is a great choice if you want to ride longer distances on the trails and tackle some extremely demanding terrain on extra-wide 2.5″/2.4″ tires.
Let’s take a look at what you get if you buy this Salsa bike. First of all, it has a lightweight aluminum frame, so it feels light and nimble while riding.
The RockShox 35 Silver TK fork gives you 140 mm of travel, whereas the RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock is an excellent choice in this price range as well—it will boost your control and improve comfort and handling.
You have 12 speeds to choose from depending on what terrain you’re riding on. You can shift through them using a Shimano Deore rear derailleur. The shifting is smooth and precise and granny gears amass.
The Horsethief rolls on Maxxis 29x 2.5 and 29 x 2.4 in. tires, which is a combination that guarantees maximum grip. Both wheels are aluminum and the tires are tubeless-ready, which will ensure you get significantly fewer punctures.
Finally, a positive surprise for us was the Shimano MT4100 hydraulic disc brakes which really make a change if you’re riding in challenging conditions or you want to take your ride up a notch.
If you’re looking to spend a bit more but get a capable full-suspension mountain bike that you can use for different types of trail riding, the Salsa Horsethief is a great buy.
— Best for Training —
Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29
Best Mountain Bike Under $1,000
Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29 is an excellent hardtail adventure bike that will allow you to train on a higher level, ride more extreme routes, and go on long adventures.
This model has a durable aluminum frame available in an attractive blue color. It also features a RockShox Judy Solo Air TK fork with 100mm of travel that comes with lockout and preload adjustment.
Specialized Rockhopper is an entry-level 29″ bike with a tempting price, perfect for someone with little experience on the trails, wanting to ride more seriously and bikepack.
The Rockhopper has a SRAM SX Eagle drivetrain that gives you 12 massive-range gears to choose from.
The wheels on this bike are 29″ in diameter and roll on 2.35″ wide trail-specific tires that provide lots of traction and puncture resilience. They look impressive and ride even better.
- Massive 29″ x 2.35″ tires.
- 12-speed SRAM drivetrain.
- RockShox 100mm front suspension.
- SRAM hydraulic disc brakes.
The brakes are hydraulic discs produced by SRAM, so you can fall back on them whenever you need to stop quickly. You also get mounts for one water bottle cage, meaning you can stay hydrated while exploring the trails.
If you’re looking to spend a reasonable amount of money and get a capable 29er trail bike that you can use to ride trails or go on daily adventures with friends, Specialized Rockhopper Expert is made for you.
Santa Cruz Chameleon 8 AL MX D
Best Mullet Trail Bike
MSRP $2,599
Santa Cruz Chameleon is a slack mullet hardtail mountain bike with loads of travel and other features that will put a smile on your face.
Mountain bikes with mullet wheels have become increasingly popular due to the fact they are capable of more on the trail and boost riders’ confidence.
- Lightweight 6061 aluminum frame
- RockShox Recon RL 130mm fork
- 29″ and 27.5″ x 2.5″ Maxxis tires
- SRAM NX Eagle groupset
This bike is built around a 6061 aluminum frame and tackles imperfections on the trail with a RockShox Recon RL fork with 130 mm of travel.
This bike costs around $2,600, so it doesn’t surprise that it comes with a SRAM NX Eagle rear derailleur on a 1×12 drivetrain. The package also includes SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes which fit the general image nicely.
Santa Cruz Chameleon is a capable and well-equiped trail bicycle with plenty of fork travel and oversized wheels that boost riders’ confidence and conquer trails.
Another positive aspect of the Chameleon is the WTB ST i30 rims. The tires are Maxxis Minion/Aggressor, 2.5″ wide, so you will have plenty of traction when cornering on loose terrain.
Our final verdict regarding Santa Cruz Chameleon is that it offers a lot more in terms of components than a lot of its competitors. If you want a powerful mullet bike to use for training on technical singletracks and get the best value for money, we recommend it without second thoughts.
Devinci Troy
Best Bang for the Buck FS
MSRP $6,150
The first thing that you notice when you take a look at this good-looking Devinci bike, apart from the modern design, is the long suspension. The wheel size is 29 inches, whereas the Maxxis Minion tires are 2.5 and 2.4 inches wide, respectively.
Devinci Troy is a seriously mean-looking FS bike with an attractive full sand paint job. It has a lightweight and modern carbon frame with boost spacing, Split-Pivot suspension, internal cable routing, and Flip-Chip geometry adjustment. Therefore, it’s obvious that this is a bike that’s capable of a lot even when faced with the roughest of trails.
Devinci Troy is capable of permanently extending your riding season and allowing you to tackle different gradients and various surfaces.
The Troy is made to go fast, especially when going downhill. With that in mind, it has a 1x drivetrain with 12 gears that you can shift through with a SRAM GX Eagle derailleur.
- Lightweight and modern carbon frame
- 29″ x 2.5″ / 2.4″ tires
- 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle groupset
- 150mm and 140mm of front and rear suspension
- SRAM Code R hydraulic disc brakes
To stop this trail beast, you need good brakes as well, which is what you get with the SRAM Code R model. Of course, they are hydraulic discs, so you will get maximum stopping power with little force exertion.
The best thing about Devinci Troy is the Fox Float 36 Performance Elite 150mm fork and the Fox Float X2 Performance Elite rear shock. This is a capable combo that will make short work of any obstacle you encounter on rough singletrack routes.
So if you want something different from a company that’s an old-timer on the market, we recommend giving this Devinci trail smasher a try.
— Experts —
Trek Slash 8 Gen 5
Best Full-Suspension Enduro Setup
MSRP $4,300
The best way to describe Trek Slash 8 is to call it a competent aluminum full-suspension bike. It’s intended for experienced riders (or those who want to become experienced) in enduro racing and other mountain adventures.
Trek Slash 8 Gen 5 is intended for both hustling and flowing around the trails with a suspension setup that can assume different roles and match a variety of riding styles.
The suspension system consists of a RockShox ZEB Select fork with 170 mm of travel and a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ rear shock that’s buttery smooth.
Trek Slash 8 has 12 gears on a 1×12 drivetrain powered by SRAM GX Eagle parts. They have proven their worth on the trails in numerous competitive environments. The cassette is a 10-52t, so there’s a good range of gears that you can choose from for any occasion.
- Light and stiff aluminum frame.
- Aggressive enduro and trail-friendly geometry.
- 170mm of travel with modern RockShox suspension.
- SRAM GX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain.
- Dropper post.
This bike comes with SRAM Code R four-piston hydraulic disc brakes with massive 180 mm and 200 mm rotors both on the front and on the rear. The Bontrager Line Comp 30 rims are tubeless-ready, which is a popular choice these days among professional trail riders. The 29″ x 2.5″ tires are also tubeless-ready, as well as puncture-resistant.
Trek Slash 8 Gen 5 is perfect for enduro and trail-oriented expert riders, but it does not limit your choice of terrain. It behaves well in every corner of the trail, thanks to its quality suspension and thoughtful design.
Santa Cruz 5010
Best Carbon All-Around Trail Bike
MSRP: $8,800
Are you an expert trail rider or you’re looking to become one? Santa Cruz has your back with their 5010 model. This is a high-end trail bike with a lightweight carbon frame and full suspension. Its price is high as well, but it is worth the investment.
This Santa Cruz’s durable carbon frame is compatible with 29″ and 27.5″ wheels that provide unparalleled performance on tricky sections.
It is equipped with a RockShox Pike Ultimate 140mm fork and a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock. Suspension is the most important part of a trail bike, so it’s obvious that Santa Cruz didn’t cut any corners.
With 140mm of travel on the fork, Santa Cruz 5010 will really allow you to take your skills to the extreme and break some records on the trail.
Other specs that need mentioning include SRAM X01 Eagle components. This bike has 12 speeds with a 10-52T cassette and a 32T crankset, so you don’t need to worry about picking up speed where the descent allows it or climbing the toughest hills.
- Lightweight carbon frame.
- Modern RockShox suspension.
- SRAM X01 Eagle 12-speed groupset.
Santa Cruz 5010 rolls on Maxxis Minion 2.4″ tires and Race Face ARC 30 rims that are durable and light. Finally, the brakes are SRAM G2 RSC, powered by hydraulics, for supreme braking properties.
You could ask for more than what Santa Cruz 5010 offers on the trail, but you simply couldn’t get it at this price point. It’s the perfect bike for an expert rider who is planning to do trail racing and win podiums.
— Women —
Diamondback Yowie Carbon
Best in Class! Fastest and Lightest Carbon Bike
MSRP $4,750
Diamondback Yowie is a high-end trail bike that is perfect for demanding downhill races and workouts. If you view cycling as a challenging activity that will test your physical limits, this bike will be perfect for you.
Riding bikes is mostly about having fun and feeling free! That is precisely what the Yowie can offer to you for a price that is more than fair.
This is a competent full-suspension trail bike that can descend any hill along any line you choose.
First of all, it has a strong and lightweight carbon frame which makes it really light, nimble, and springy. It’s available in an attractive gray color with yellow highlights.
The Rockshox Pike Select fork has 130 mm of travel which is more than enough to eliminate the most severe vibrations on the trails. The same can be said for the RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ rear shock with the same amount of travel.
- Monocoque carbon front and rear triangle
- Level Link suspension platform
- SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed
- SRAM Guide T hydraulic disc brakes.
Moreover, the Diamondback Yowie has enough gearing to get you flying down the steepest hills! The SRAM NX Eagle derailleur gives you 12 gears with an 11-50T cassette and a 32T crankset.
Finally, this bike has SRAM Guide T hydraulic disc brakes, which is the best you can get in terms of stopping power.
If you are just looking to buy a quality and fun trail bicycle that you can abuse for years you’ll be quite content with this buy!
Devinci Django A 29
Best Short-Travel Trail Bike
MSRP $2,999
Devinci Django is a capable full-suspension trail bike that can easily conquer off-road routes!
Considering what you pay for it and what you end up getting, we can say it’s a real bargain. It has a comfortable geometry and an attractive color so it’s suitable for both genders. It’s guaranteed to help any intermediate rider boost their skills.
Devinci Django is made with an Aluminum 6061-T6 frame combined with a RockShox Revelation RC 140 mm fork and a Rockshox Deluxe Select+ RL rear shock, so it’s best suited for versatile trail and all-mountain riders.
The frame even has room for one water bottle cage, so you can spend more time on the trails or carry all the necessary tools.
Devinci Django is a do-it-all trail workhorse that any outdoors-oriented rider can find exceptional value in and have years of fun on.
Other than the stiff and light aluminum frame, this bike has a few other surprises. It comes with SRAM SX Eagle components, which are great for what this bike is built for. Moreover, the 1×12 drivetrain has a wide range and easy granny gears for climbing hills.
Another highlight on this bike is the SRAM Guide T 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes which means that this bike can deliver serious stopping power when you need it the most!
The only downside is that the frame doesn’t have internal cable routing and all of the cables run along the upper side of the down tube.
If you’re planning on doing some trail riding or easy all-mountain biking to explore the nearby mountains, definitely consider Devinci Django.
Juliana Roubion
Best Women’s Full-Suspension Bike
MSRP $5,899
Juliana Roubion has a carbon frame with an attractive green paint job. The carbon fiber material makes the bike light and nimble but maintains stiffness for when you need to stomp the pedals.
Juliana Roubion is a full suspension model with perfectly smooth vibration absorption. There’s 160 mm of travel on the fork and 150 mm on the rear shock, which makes it a capable all-mountain machine.
Juliana Roubion is intended for women who have fallen in love with mountain biking and are ready to invest a little bit more into their skills and hobby.
Juliana often uses SRAM components on their bikes, so this model is equipped with an SRAM GX Eagle rear derailleur which provides 12 versatile and precise gears.
- Nicely painted, lightweight carbon frame.
- Women-specific geometry.
- 160/150mm of front and rear travel
- SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed components.
- Dropper post.
Roubion has mullet 29″/27.5″ wheels and SRAM Code R hydraulic disc brakes with 200/180 mm rotors, which are a big plus on race-ready FS trail bikes. Finally, the tires are 2.5 /2.4 inches wide, so you don’t need to worry about traction on the trails.
See More: Best Mountain Bikes For Women
Consider buying the Juliana Roubion if you want a bike that is good for training and more serious mountain biking. This bike has everything that a female mountain biking enthusiast needs.
Orbea Oiz H20
Best Mountain Bike With Aluminum/Carbon Frame
MSRP $3,599
Orbea Oiz H20 is an incredibly fun and agile XC Race bike with a modern aluminum/carbon frame. It’s a bike that’s built to meet the requirements of today’s aggressive trail riding.
- 120mm of front suspension travel.
- Aggressive XC-ready geometry.
- SRAM Eagle GX Components.
- Maxxis 2.35″ tires.
- Shimano Hydraulic disc brakes
The geometry includes a well-balanced head tube angle, a steep seat tube angle, and a short chainstay length to give you the utmost control on the trails.
Orbea Oiz H20 can help you stay in an XC race for longer and have an all-day mountain biking adventure thanks to its capable suspension and balanced geometry.
Oiz also has a wide-gear SRAM Eagle GX derailleur with 12 speeds and a 10-50T cassette. The star of the show is the Fox 32 Float Rhythm fork with 120mm adjustable travel and the Fox I-Line DPS Performance rear shock. Both front and rear suspension on this bike also have a remote for lockout.
Other high points include the Shimano Hydraulic Disc brakes that send loads of stopping power to the wheels, as well as Maxxis 29 x 2.35 tires. Forecaster on the front and Recon on the rear. The Orbea Oiz H20 comes equipped with a dropper post ready to get nice and low on those tough descents.
So, in case you are looking for a way to ride and win more XC races and have more fun on your trail rides for longer, definitely consider buying the Orbea Oiz H20.
— Electric —
Santa Cruz Bullit
Best Electric Carbon Moutain Bike
MSRP $10,000
Santa Cruz Bullit is the electric mountain bike you have always dreamt about. It is a trend-setter on the trails, light as a feather (for an e-bike), and extremely stiff. Bullit has a carbon frame with VPP suspension, internal cable routing, integrated frame protection, and an integrated battery.
- 170mm of travel.
- Shimano motor and battery
- SRAM GX Eagle
- Downtube protection
- Maxxis Minion/Assegai tires
Talking about the suspension, this bike has a Fox 38 Float Performance fork with 170mm of travel and a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ shock with shock adjustments. This is a serious setup for hardcore all-mountain riders.
The Bullit is called that way because it’s powered by a Shimano DU-EP800 mid-drive motor and a 630Wh battery. They’ll allow you to skip the shuttle and ride any hill that the trails throw at you.
This setup is perfect for any who’s struggling with knee pain or simply doesn’t enjoy climbing.
The drivetrain is composed of mid-range SRAM GX Eagle parts that provide you with an efficient 1×12 gear setup. The Race Face ARC HD 30 rims come with DT Swiss 370 hubs and are clad in performance-oriented Maxxis Minion/Assegai 29″ x 2.5″ and 27.5″ x 2.4″ tires. Braking abilities are nothing to worry about either because Santa Cruz has already found a good solution. The SRAM Code R hydraulic brakes are a fail-proof choice.
Santa Cruz Bullit is a bike that appears to have come out straight from a hardcore mountain biker’s wet dream.
Other pleasant surprises on this bike include internal cable routing and downtube protectors. You won’t hear any cable rattle while riding and you can rest assured that rocks and pebbles won’t damage your carbon frame.
All in all, if you’re on the lookout for a fantastic electric carbon trail bike that is built for expert riders, definitely consider Santa Cruz Bullit. It’ll let you abuse it on the trails and always perform at your finest.
Cannondale Moterra Neo 3
Highest-Spec’d Aluminum Electric MTB
MSRP $6,750
Cannondale Moterra Neo 3 is by far one of the best full-suspension mountain e-bikes that we are reviewing today.
It is built around a super-lightweight aluminum frame and equipped with exquisite front and rear suspension.
At the front, the RockShox Yari RC fork travels 150 mm, attached to a tapered head tube with a 65-degree angle.
In the back, the quality of the rear suspension is ensured with a RockShox Deluxe Select + RT, DebonAir shock with rebound and lockout.
- Ultralightweight aluminum frame.
- Capable front and rear suspension.
- Powerful Bosch mid-drive motor.
- Integrated 750Wh battery.
- 27.5″/29″ wheels and 2.6″ wide tires.
The Bosch Performance Line CX motor with Purion Display is combined with a 750Wh battery to provide you with enough power and range for a day’s worth of riding. It will allow you to climb more hills easier than ever before, smash more descents, and thus practice your technical abilities more.
When it comes to the components, you get the best when you pay $6,750. Shimano Deore groupset puts 12 speeds at your disposal for climbing hills and smashing flats and downhills.
Another nice touch is the Shimano 4-piston hydro disc brakes with large rotors. The braking power of these is more than enough for the steepest downhill rides.
Cannondale Moterra Neo 3 rolls on WTB ST i30 TCS tubeless-ready wheels and Maxxis Minion/Rekon 2.6″ tires will give you all the grip you need.
All in all, if you have the money to spare and you want an aluminum electric beast that’s ready for serious trails, get the Cannondale Moterra Neo 3.
Giant Talon E+ 3
Best Fat-Tire Electric Bike
MSRP $2,899
The Giant Talon is one of the best fat-tire electric mountain bikes we’ve seen recently. It has a 400Wh battery with lots of torque and a max speed of 20 mph. Not only does it pack a punch when you ride but it looks amazing.
The front 100mm Suntour suspension is excellent, it will enhance your off-road riding capabilities and give you a lot more comfort on rough rides.
Even though the emphasis with this bike is on the high-power electric parts, the mechanical components are not lagging behind either. Giant Talon has a 1×9 speed Shimano drivetrain, which will help you climb hills more easily, together with the oomphy motor.
- Lightweight aluminum
- Shimano 1×9 drivetrain.
- Capable 400w motor and integrated battery.
- 29″ x 2.4″ tires.
The Talon rolls on the epic Maxxis Recon tires and uses hydraulic disc brakes for stopping.
All in all, the Talon is quite easy to like and fall in love with. If you want to ride more trails in less time, or overcome an injury and be able to enjoy MTB cycling again, it’s definitely worth the money. Also when you get a bike like this from Giant you know it’s still going to perform amazingly in 5-8 years’ time.
But, is the Mountain Bike the Right Type for Me?
This is not an easy question to address. The best way to provide an answer to it is by asking yourself several additional questions.
Why do you want to ride a bike? Where will you be riding most of the time? What are the weather and the terrain like in your area? How frequently will you be riding your bike? What is more critical for you, speed or comfort?
These are the main questions that everyone needs to have answered and sorted out before deciding to buy a bike. If you are still unsure about these answers, try to think about them and write them down. It will help you clear your head and have a better perspective. To help you out, we’ve created a list of pros and cons of mountain bikes, so take a look at it to determine if they are the right type for you.
Mountain Bike Pros
- Mountain bikes are very stable thanks to their geometry and wide tires.
- They are stronger, heavier, and more durable than other types of bicycles.
- Thanks to the wide tires, you have a much better choice when deciding where to ride.
- Mountain bikes are more comfortable than other types of bicycles because of suspension.
- You can ride on rough terrain that you would have to avoid on road or hybrid bikes.
- They are fun!
Mountain Bike Cons
- MTBs are often heavier than other types of bikes.
- Maintaining a mountain bike is more difficult because it has more moving parts.
- Riding a mountain bike is slower compared to other kinds of bikes.
- You need more energy to pedal on a mountain bike.
Now that we have covered all of the basics and you know enough about mountain bikes, we can proceed and check out the 15 best mountain bikes that you should consider. The list includes different types of mountain bikes in all price categories, so there’s a high chance you will find something that suits you well.
Read Next: Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes
Is It a Good Time to Buy?
Of course, now is the perfect time to buy!
When possible, you should always try to buy a new bike during the off-season, which is when most online and land-based shops have exciting discounts. This way, you can save up to half of the price of the bike, so it makes much more sense to purchase a bike in winter and early spring. Check out our list of the 15 best mountain bikes, choose the category that suits you best, and we’re sure you’ll find something that meets your needs.
Consider Other Types Too
Which One Should I Buy?
Now that we’ve covered the most important aspects of mountain biking and presented the 15 best mountain bikes, it’s time to determine which bike to choose.
It can be difficult to find a good mountain bike. The best way to choose one is to consider your needs and budget.
If you are an occasional rider, you should pick from the Beginners section. If you want to achieve better results, then the Training section is better for you because you can develop more skills on these bikes. The bikes in the Expert section are perfect for you if you are already a skilled rider and you’re taking mountain biking to the extreme (or you’re planning to do so).
The Women section is intended for women and features the three models in the three most popular pricing categories. However, women can also pick from all five categories, there isn’t really any significant difference between men’s mountain bikes and women’s mountain bikes. There may be some differences in geometry and the frame, but all in all, men’s mountain bikes are pretty similar to women’s.
Finally, if you’re planning to buy an e-bike to overcome an injury or just be able to ride longer, don’t miss our Electric section as it features the three best e-bike picks.
Happy picking! We hope you’ll find something that you like and that makes you happy!
Hope you find yourself a proper MTB!
Hi,
I bought a Scott mountain bike Aspect 940 size XS for my 60cm kid at a local bike shop. I thought Scott was a great brand, but then read a few negative online reviews. I’m worried that it might be a hard bike for my kid to ride.
https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/hardtail/scott-aspect-930-review
Now I’m worried. There is a 10 day return period. Not sure what to do.
Bike:
https://www.scott-sports.com/us/en/product/scott-aspect-940-orange-bike
Hi Scout,
Instead of being swayed by negative reviews, why not bring your kid’s bike to a local bike shop and have it tuned up? Having great running components will prevent any failure on the bike. Ensure the drive train is always clean and lubricated. Your kid is not going to use it for extreme stunt so I don’t think you need to worry about the bike failing. Even a great brand can fail when not tuned up properly. 😉
Why aren’t there bikes with the Bio-pace sprocket set ? I have a 1985 Schrand Cimarron And climbing a steep hill I just love those sprockets. On a steep hill,If the front and wouldn’t lift off the ground and throw me backwards I could climb the steepest hills with those gear sets. It seamed like it gave more leverage that developed power.
And im asking you not to sell my email please.
Hi Beach,
We don’t sell emails here 🙂 We protect our readers. Most often trends come and go. It also depends on the demand. If you look harder enough you can always get what you are searching for online. The late Sheldon Brown wrote about that on his site. It’s a good read.
Hi mate, what size frame should I get if I’m 6ft
Hi Z,
Most preferably a 18″.
Hi, I’m currently looking at a 2011 Cube LTD race mountain bike. Do you know anything about this brand? Also I am 6 ft 3 inches tall. The cube is 20″ frame. Would this be an ideal size?
Hi John,
Cube is a good brand. Here’s a nice link that you might enjoy. Size 20″ is good for you. Refer to our Size Chart for more details.
Hello,
I am currently in the market for a mountain bike and stumbled across one of these for sale locally, new for $300. Do you have any knowledge on this brand? I can’t seem to find much information outside of their website.
http://begasso.com/product/b4-sport/
Mostly looking at used bikes to to help save on cost, and was wanting some recommendations on reliable brands. Looks like Trek or Diamondback?
Thank you in advance.
Unfortunately, I do not know a lot about this brand. Trek, Diamondback, Co-op Cycles, Giant, Specialized, etc. are all reliable brands making high-quality bikes.
Is the Diamondback Black mountain 7000 LX series still available. Have been unable to locate the bike frame.
Unfortunately, Diamondback no longer produces that line. However, you might be able to find a used bike or frame somewhere online. 🙂