Best Mountain Bikes

After evaluating and analyzing in detail more than 6,000 customer satisfaction about Best Mountain Bikes, we have come up with the top 14 products you may be interested in Best Mountain Bikes.

We have ranked the best brands as you see below: Schwinn, Diamondback Bicycles, Steppenwolf, Kent, Mongoose, HH HILAND, WENSY, FartPeach, ANCHEER, Eurobike, Sirdar, Max4out, OUTROAD OUTDOOR CAMPING GARDEN PATIO, North Woods, TITAN, GHGH, HUUH, Lroplie, Huffy.

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Mountain biking is an awesome activity that lets you fly through the off-road paths. You can ride across streams, over the forest, and all types of terrains on two wheels. However, before hitting the trails, you need to choose the best mountain bikes that will accompany you throughout the journeys!

Types of Mountain Bikes

To be able to choose the best mountain bikes, you need to think about the trails in your area. Each type is designed for a distinct style of riding. Before looking at the specs and features, you need to know the basic categories and what they have to offer. Mountain bikes are classified based on geometry and discipline. There are four major types of mountain bikes:

Cross country bikes put an emphasis on being lightweight and efficient. These are optimized for reaching maximum speed and climbing uphill. The downside is that in exchange for reduced weight and efficiency, they are slower and harder to control on descent.

SAVADECK DECK300 is one of the best mountain bikes for XC riding. The DECK300 sports a carbon frame which is lightweight and sturdy, making it the ideal model for riders of all levels.

Trail bikes are often dubbed “Swiss army knives of mountain biking” due to its versatility. They are great for a mix riding of climbs and descents. As they can be used on all kinds of terrain, trail bikes are also the most popular type. A trail bike like Schwinn S29 let you tackle various trails and riding situations with ease. If you need a machine that can do it all, choose this class of mountain bike.

Enduro riding is a unique form of competitive mountain biking. Only the downhill sections of a course are timed and scored while the uphill sections are not. Therefore, the emphasis is put on making the riders shine at descents all the while making sure they reach the uphill. They are built to perform well on steep but still light enough to pedal to the top.

All-mountain or enduro bikes tend to have slightly more suspension travel than trail bikes. TITAN Pathfinder Elite and Schwinn S29 are amazing options for the tight budget. Plus, these models are beginner-friendly and will last a long time.

As the name implies, DH bikes are built for racing to the bottom of the hill within the shortest time frame. Thus, the riders are rarely seen pedaling up. They simply find other ways to reach the top of the trail such as using a chairlift, shuttling or hiking.

This type of bike is rugged, heavy and big since everything is about riding downhill as fast as possible. Rocks, ditches and other obstacles may be in the way and they must be tough enough to take a beating.

If you’re a beginner and casual rider, an entry-level model like Gravity 2020 FSX 1.0 is a good fit. The Gravity FSX 1.0 comes with a dual full suspension, which is a great feature for its price.

Buying Guides

After you’ve chosen the right type of mountain bikes, then you need to start paying attention to the specific features. The best mountain bikes would be one that feel comfortable to sit on, and give you a smooth ride. Here’re the factors you need to take into consideration before making any purchase decision:

Choosing the right bike size for your body frame is undeniably crucial. A comfortable bike will let you enjoy a good ride, perform better and have a positive experience.

One thing you need to keep in mind is that bike sizing can vary between manufacturers. For instance, a large-sized bike from one brand fits you but a large-sized bike from another brand may not. Here are our reference charts to give you a general ideal of what size can fit you:

MTB size chart (inch)
Rider Height	Frame Size
4’10”-5’2″	13″ – 14″	XS
5’3″ – 5’6″	15″ – 16″	S
5’7″ – 5’10”	17″ – 18″	M
5’11” – 6’1″	19″ – 20″	L
6’2″ – 6’4″	21″ – 22″	XL
6’4″ – 6’6″	23″ – 24″	XXL

MTB size chart (cm)
Rider Height	Frame Size
148cm – 158cm	33cm – 37cm	XS
159cm – 168cm	38cm – 42cm	S
169cm – 178cm	43cm – 47cm	M
179cm – 185cm	48cm – 52cm	L
186cm – 193cm	53cm – 57cm	XL
194cm – 198cm	58cm – 60cm	XXL

The two other key elements you need to know are stack and reach. The stack and reach refer to how tall and how long a frame is, respectively. Knowing these two measurements can help you determine whether a bike is of right size for you regardless of the seat tube measurement. Some models like Schwinn High Timber allow you to adjust the height or other parts such as the saddle, seat, etc.

While we recommend reading various guides and research carefully, trying out the bikes in person is still the best option. You can head down to the local stores at your places and try to have a test ride to see how they feel. There’s no substitute for seeking the best mountain bikes by touching it with your own hands (and feet).

With a bigger wheel, greater momentum you will get when riding on your mountain bikes. In general, bikes with bigger wheel sizes are great for riding uphill and over in a straight line over rough terrain. The smaller counterparts, on the other hand, are more suitable for twist and turn trails as they are lighter. The best mountain bikes wheel sizes are based on what type of trail you’re going to travel on. Generally, they are referred to as three main sizes:

26 in: It’s light and nimble but not the most optimal choices for tough roads. This used to be your only choice for decades. Now these wheels are getting replaced by bigger sizes, and are rarely seen. Nevertheless, you can still find some bikes with this wheel size, such as this Hiland Mountain Bike.
27.5 in: This has replaced the 26.in as the standard wheel sizes in recent years. This type of wheel is the most versatile, stronger than 26in. wheels and more agile than 29in. options. You can find them on all types of mountain bikes.
29 in: These are also called 29ers. In exchange for their heavy weight, 29ers offer solid track traction and better handling of obstacles. They are best used for XC and trail riding, but they are finding their way into other disciplines. Check out this Schwinn Bonafide.

As you’ve been shopping around, you would see this term mentioned frequently. Suspension refers to shock absorbers that help dampen the impact of rough terrain, offering a smoother ride and better control. There are different types of suspension, depending on the number and where these shock absorbers are placed.

Dual suspension: As the name suggests, dual-suspension bikes come with shock absorbers on both the rear and the front. They are on the expensive side due to requiring more materials to make. A full suspension bike like Diamondback Release 3 is ideal for downhill biking but not for climbing uphill due to added extra weight.
Hardtail: A hardtail mountain bike has suspensions on the front fork, while there’s none in the rear. They are less expensive, lighter and easier to care than full suspensions bikes. You can even lock the suspension whenever you want a rigid bike. If you want a fast and efficient ride, go for hardtail models such as Diamondback or Schwinn Bonafide.
Rigid: The rigid bikes don’t have any suspension shocks built into them. Therefore, they are the most inexpensive and lightweight option you can find. They are very similar to road bikes. However, it can be rough to ride on these bikes through uneven terrains or trails due to the lack of shock absorbers.

Another factor you need to keep an eye on is what type of material you bike is made from. This can affect the ride quality, durability and the strength of the bike. So the best mountain bikes are made from which frame material? The answer for this question is more complicated than it seems. Here’s the thing: each frame material has their own characteristics and tradeoffs. Here’s our breakdown on each type of material and their basics:

Aluminum: The most common used material since it is relatively cheap to manufacture and also pretty durable. Looking around, you can easily find mountain bikes made of this material like Merax FT323 or Royce Union. Aluminum bikes have great power transfer but can be rough to ride on without suspension.
Carbon fiber: This is the lightest and most expensive option. For professionals and serious bikers, carbon fiber bikes like Royce Union RCF make the best mountain bikes. The downside is that they are prone to crack damage.
Steel: Another affordable frame material option. It is strong but costs more than aluminum. Most entry-level mountain bikes are made from steel. Compared to carbon fiber and aluminum, steel mountain bikes are heavier.
Titanium: This type of material is relatively light weight, highly durable and corrode-resistant. It won’t crack like carbon fiber when there’s a crash or fall. However, titanium costs a fortune as it is hard to work with.

FAQs

Mountain bikes vary in prices, some can cost as little as $200 while others can have a $10,000 price tag. You don’t have to break the bank to get the best mountain bikes. It is advisable to take a look at hardtails and full-suspensions that are no less than $1,500 and $2,000 respectively.

Here’s our table for the general price ranges:

	Hardtails	Full-suspensions	Characteristics
Entry	$400 – 1,000	$1,000 – 1,500	Can be used for casual ride on mild terrains
Good	$1,000 – 2,500	$2,000 – 3,500	Good for technical terrains
Professionals	$3,000+	$4,000+	Geared towards specific riding style

Beside the best mountain bikes, you also need to wear accordingly for better overall experience as well as protecting yourself. Here’s some must-have gears for every time you hit the trails:

Helmets: These are specifically designed for this activity. They cover more on the back of your head and have vents for cooling.
Gloves: Most mountain biking gloves cover full fingers and offer some padding.
Pads and armor: You’d want to cover yourself when trail-riding, especially on the downhill trip.
Water bottle: A little cool water can be a little luxury in the heat of summer.
Maps or guidebooks: You don’t want to get lost in the middle of the forest without these.

Mountain bikes are designed to work off-road, but you can still ride them on the roads, too. A bike is a bike, after all. However, some types of MB may be better than others at traveling on urban roads. For instance, XC bikes work great on the road while trail bikes may take more effort to ride them on-road.

The best mountain bikes can take you anywhere on the road, if you know how to adjust them. Suspension is great for absorbing impacts from rocks, debris, etc. but this feature is unnecessary for riding on the road. You can either lock it out or increase the air pressure to stiffen it up. You should also switch to a set of road tires for easier commuting in the city.

Buying your first bike for mountain biking can be a daunting task. Aside from what we’ve covered in the buying guide, here’s our extra guidelines that can help you make an informed choice:

Know the terrain you’re going to ride on
Make sure the bike fit your body
Buying a bike from a reputable seller and check the warranty
Ask the shop for a tune-up, some places offer a free tune-up for your first purchase
Always try to have a test ride, if you can
Remember to buy the tools for repairs and maintenance
Keep some budget for additional gears such as helmet, shoes, etc.

Yes, there are. Some days some things might go wrong, be it your bike malfunctioning or even some on-the-trails injury. These essential accessories can save your day and minimize these risks.

First Aid Kit: This is among top of the list in case of emergency.
Floor or portable bumps: You can’t go anywhere with a flat tire. These generate enough volume so you can ride all day long.
Headlamp: Sometimes if the sun goes down, you’ll need some light for navigation.
Multitool: This is useful for repair while in the fields.
Spare inner tubes: Tt is recommended to bring at least 2 of these.
Compass or GPS: These can help you find your way out if you ever get lost.

Final Thoughts

The best all-rounder favorite of ours are Schwinn Bonafide and Diamondback Mason Hardtail Mountain Bike. It comes with a lockable front suspension which gives you the option to ride on trails as well as on the roads. The Aluminum frame helps bring down the price yet offer solid durability, and make the bike light for a comfortable ride. What’s more, Schwinn bikes come with a limited lifetime warranty, you need to check the manual for full details. The Bonafide is truly a great option for any first-time buyers out there.

If you opt for a full-suspension mountain bike, then Diamondback Catch 2 is a no-brainer choice. This 27.5 high-end bike comes with a specialized Level Link suspension platform and Fox Float 34 Fork. The rear and front suspension have 130mm travel. This is a do-it-all bike, you can ride it on a wide variety of terrain. The Catch 2 offers an impressive value for its price.

And that’s all we’ve to say about choosing the best mountain bikes. We hope that this guide has partly helped you make a well-informed buying decision. Just remember to always find the chance for a test ride before dropping your cash.