Choosing the best mountain bike can be a daunting task. There are so many bikes to choose from and they all have different features, prices, and benefits. This can make it difficult to find the perfect bike that fits your needs and meets your budget.
Finding a perfect match needs little research. And that’s why we have completed the research for you and brought out all those important things that you should give consideration before you choose your first mountain bike.
In this blog post, I will be going over some steps that will help you choose your next mountain bike.
Decide Which Types Of Bike You Need
There are many types of bikes available in the market but, all bikes are not fit for everyone.
you should find out which one is the perfect match for your biking.
Cross-Country/Trail
If you really want to start mountain biking and want to stay with it give it a try to Trail bike. It covers the ground fastly no matter if it’s a sports day or just a day out.
Cross country or trail is the most popular and common type of mountain bike. It’s mellow in grade and less technical backcountry bike that is perfect for hiking on a bike.
When you are a beginner you can choose a Cross Country or Trail mountain bike without giving it a second thought. It improves the skill level, allows the riders to feel the biking terrain, and enhances fitness. It’s a very lightweight bike, so it will be easy to learn to ride a bike that too with fun.
Some users feel comfortable with hard trails but these days full suspensions mountain bike designs are winning the hearts of the people. These types of bikes have larger diameters like 20inch or something. Trials bike tires are super fast rolling that gives maximum speed. And its low volume helps it for long pedaling that is needed for beginner-level riders.
This type of bike comes with a 67-69° angle head tube and its suspension travel is 120-140mm.
When your budget is thin and you are on the first stage of learning Trail Mountain Bike is a perfect choice. Check out some Trail/Cross Country Bike here.
Enduro/All-Mountain
Enduro or all-mountain types of bike are almost the same as the cross country bike pedaling to rowdy and rocky descents. This type of bike comes with more technical features than cross-country bikes. These are used for riding on man-made or natural steep descents, and bigger climbs.
Enduro is lightweight and perfect for riding up on difficult trails and steep. It can perform exceptionally well to be back from the top.
you can travel more with endurance than normal trails/cross country bikes. This type of bike is designed with full suspension. You can travel 160-170mm at either end.
You are new to biking, want to learn but with a little more fun Enduro is the best choice. You can have more facilities with Enduro than a Trail or Crossbar bike. Check out some Best Enduro/All Mountain Bikes here.
Downhill (DH)
Downhill bikes are tough and big, chances of crashes are more with this bike. Downhill bikes are specially designed to ride on both rear and front forks or you can say to go downhill. These types of bikes have to jump over wooden ladders and rock gardens.
If you want to ride a downhill bike you have to wear Full Face Helmets, Body Armours and have to take an emergency first-aid box with you. Because most of the crashes occur with downhill riders. It’s a risky type of bike riding.
We won’t recommend a Downhill Mountain Bike when you are a beginner. It will be dangerous riding without practice and proper protection. So try to avoid this and buy a decent Trail or Enduro Bike for learning the basics of Mountain Biking. In the future when you will learn to ride a Mountain Bike You will be able to give a try to a Downhill Bike. Still, if you want to give it a try we will suggest renting a Downhill Bike and try yourself. You should think later about buying a Downhill Bike.
Some More Bike Types
Fat Bike
A bike with oversize tires is called a Fat Bike. This type of bike tires size starts from 3.7inch to 5+ inches in width. Usually, Fat Bikes run at low pressure and give excellent traction in snow or sand.
Fat Bike is one of the best choices for the beginner because the wide tires assure there won’t be any unusual crashes.
Most fancy riders choose Fat Bike as they want to ride something different with style. But these days adventure riders are also giving a try to Fat Bike to experience the beaten track.
Dirt Jump Bike
A dirt jumper is similar to a street or urban mountain bike. The rigid frame and the lower standover height are the difference between a trail bike and a Dirt Jump Bike.
This type of bike is specially designed to perform aerial stunts and jumps. You can do jumping and pumping tracks with a Dirt Jump Bike. Their wheels are 26inch, if you want the pressure to be high you can put on some fast-rolling tires. Dirt Jump Bike is a simple bike with one gear and short travel forks.
When your goal is to learn pump tracks choose a dirt jump bike. It’s an easy-to-learn bike for beginners compared to Trail Bike.
Mountain Bike Features
There are many mountain bikes but Bike Suspension, Frame Material, Brakes Gears, and Wheel are some important components that define how capable the bike is. As you are a beginner we will discuss only these elements for your easy learning. Once you know about them, it will be easy for you to choose your suitable bike that is worth Mountain Biking.
Bike Suspension Types
There are three types of mountain bike suspension available. The Rigid, Hardtail, and Full Suspension. Let’s know some details about these suspensions.
Rigid: Rigid is almost suspension-free, they are very affordable, anyone who doesn’t have a budget for purchasing a mountain bike still can afford one Rigid Mountain Bike. rigid is easy to maintain but most of the riders don’t want a Rigid Bike, they want a bike with the suspension to enjoy comfortability. Usually, Fat Bikes are included in the Rigid Suspension Mountain Bike list.
Hardtail: In hardtail suspension, bikes don’t have any suspension on the rear but have a suspension fork in the front wheel to absorb impact easily. Hardtail Suspension Bikes are a little more expensive than Rigid but affordable than Full-Suspension. Usually, riders who don’t want a full suspension bike as a beginner find this Hardtail Suspension Bike enjoyable and feel comfortable.
Almost all types of Mountain Bike ( leaving Downhill) allow Hardtail as their Suspension. The simplicity makes this bike a solid option to choose from Crossrail/or any type of bike. It’s very lightweight so climbing is efficient. Bikes with this suspension are very cheap and easy to maintain.
Full Suspension: The specialty of a Full Suspension bike is the front and rear fork can absorb the impact trail. It reduces the rider’s impact and increases traction. It makes the ride more easy and more fun. A Full Suspension bike can easily soak all the trail chatter and bumps. But with this suspension bike, you will have to spend some effort while climbing uphill. It has a lock-out rear suspension that will help the power transfer super fast and efficient to climb.
Bike Wheel Size
The wheel is another bike important bike feature that helps to measure the bike quality. A standard wheel lets you feel comfortable and provides improved traction and control.
Mainly there are three sizes of wheels you will find among most of the bikes. But the size variation option is also there. Let’s know about all the most used wheel sizes.
26 inch: At a time 26-inch wheel was originally used for mountain bikes, and still now it’s sparingly used for being tight and nimble. In recent times larger wheels are available in the market and riders to find the larger wheels more comfortable and worth riding quality. Larger wheels mean more traction and great roll-over capabilities. That’s why riders are preferring larger wheels than 26inch wheels and these wheels are almost obsolete these days. If you want a bike with this 26inch wheel i don’t think you will find a new quality Mountain Bike with this wheel size.
27.5 in. (650b): This wheel size is the most popular and preferable wheel size recently. Almost all the new, medium level, and experts also love to ride a mountain bike with 27.5-inch wheel size. These wheel size bikes are more playful and responsive than 26-inch wheels and even 29inch wheels. That’s why people are loving this wheel size so much. When you want to ride a mountain bike to enjoy yourself and nature you should go for a 27.5inch Wheel Size Mountain Bike. you can find hardtail and full suspension both rigs in 27.5inch wheel size.
29ers: 29inch Wheels are best for fast climbing and smoothness. But you won’t feel the fun with this wheel size that you can get with 27.5-inch Wheel Size. When you want a Mountain Bike for Professional use this will be best. These size wheels can easily roll over the tough roots and rocks like they are butter. These wheel size bikes are extremely popular among cross country riders, and also for Full Suspension and Hardtail Suspension Mountain Bikes.
27.5+ inch: Plus-sized wheels mean wheels and tires that are extra wide (2.8inch or more). Usually, wide tires are more comfortable to ride, as they offer less rolling resistance. And these days fat-tire bikes have become like a trend. So for a beginner Width, Tire Fat Mountain Bike can be a good choice also.
24 inch: This wheel size is perfect for kids. As the kids have shorter legs they can’t ride a Mountain Bike with 26inch or some other size wheels. 24inch Wheels Size Mountain Bikes are an affordable version of quality full adult bikes but with simpler components. Kids of 10-13 years can easily ride this wheel size mountain bike, and if your child is less than this age limit you can give them a 20-inch Wheel Size Mountain Bike.
Frame Material
The Mountain Bike Frame influences the bike’s Strength, Longevity, Weight, Ride Quality, and price.
Varieties of materials like Aluminum, Carbon Fibre, Titanium Steel, Or a combination of all these elements are used to make a Mountain Bike frame. Each material is different, their benefits, weight and these things define which material is best for a Mountain Bike. Let’s know a little bit about all these frame materials.
Aluminum: Aluminum is the most used material to make a Mountain Bike Frame. The lighter the aluminum will be the lighter model Mountain Bike you will get. Manufacturers spend more effort and money to make a Lightweight and Stiff Aluminum Frame Mountain Bike that means the Bike Frame needs to be as much as lighter.
Aluminum is a cost-effective, and effective solution on a cheap budget. It’s easy to work with and cheaper than Carbon. If the bike doesn’t have any suspension then an Aluminum Frame Bike with a thick tube can be the reason for a harsh ride. So be careful, and keep in mind these little things.
Carbon Fibre: carbon is a costly material, so a mountain bike made with these components is very expensive. Usually, professionals/experts use Carbon Fiber Frame Materials Bikes. Recently the price is lower than before because the manufacturer has become easier than before and Carbon Fibre frame Mountain Bike is now very popular and competitive. So brands are trying their best to decrease the price. Carbon fiber is a natural element, so it’s very easy to give it any shape (tube or frame). This frame weight ratio and stiffness are best according to other bike frame materials. You can say it’s a universal material to make a lightweight, perfect Mountain Bike Frame.
With goodness, some problems are also there. Carbon fiber can’ take excessive stress, it can lead to a crash, and if the integrity of carbon fails then it can become very dangerous and fragile to use. At that time your bike frame will need repair or replacement.
Steel: Steel is the common and budget-friendly element to use for entry-level Mountain Bikes. Steel is strong and inexpensive but the problem is its weight. It weighs twice and sometimes more than Aluminum or Carbon Fiber and is easily susceptible to corrosion.
But Steel was the first choice frame material for both professional and recreational mountain bikes. Modern premium steels are available these days, quite expensive also but they last longer.
Titanium: Titanium Bike frame Mountain Bikes are rarely found, as they are very costly. It’s lightweight, doesn’t corrode, and is highly durable. It’s not easily moldable like carbon fiber or aluminum, it needs hard and smart work. That’s why the price increases and makes Titanium Bike Frame Mountain Bike expensive. Its specialty is it stands out as incredibly resilient even after a crash. Titanium isn’t an easily damageable material. You can say Titanium bike Frame Mountain Bike is a luxury addition to your mountain bike list that will last after the other mountain Bike on the list will be damaged or broken.
Bike Gears
Mountain bikes shouldn’t be your primary concern when you are choosing your Mountain Bike.
Because you can modify them according to your wish after you purchase your Mountain bike.
When you will agent in the many combinations of different chainrings, cogs, and the available teeth on them, It will get complicated for you.
Still, we would like to give you some common information that will help you in the future. Usually, Mountain Bikes are available from a minimum single-speed to 30 or more.
Let’s keep it simple, the first and most important thing you have to consider is the bike fitness level. And then the terrain. If you don’t want to ride on lots of steep hills and want to avoid climbing hills then you can select more gears. But if you want to ride challenging terrain then you will need fewer gears that will keep your bike lightweight to climb up a hill quickly.
Usually, mountain bikes come with two or three chainrings that provide varieties of easy gears to climb up easily. But these days Mountain Bikes with single chainrings and 9,10, or 11 cogs are becoming very popular. With one chainring bike that is very lighter to ride, and you will need only one shifter to move around the gears on the bike cassette.
Bike Brakes
Brakes types and quality is different from groupset to groupset. There are two types of bike brakes available in the modern Mountain Bike industry. One is a disc brake and the other one is Rim Brakes. Let’s have a basic knowledge about them.
Disc brakes: Usually Disk brake is popular among entry-level bikes. Disc brake comes into two versions, Hydraulic Disc Brakes and Cable Activate Brakes. The hydraulic brake is strong and progressive with less effort and they are self-adjustable for brake pad wear. While Cable activated brakes aren’t self-adjustable, it needs manual help to adjust the brake pads. Disc brakes are more consistent, cheaper, greater performance in wet terrain, and steep with lesser finger strain.
But the pad changing and inspecting pad wear is a little difficult, and the Hydraulic disc brake is more expensive. And hydraulic discs are made with automotive technology that makes them lightweight, low maintenance, and a reliable system and helps to produce amazing brake control. So if you want to buy a Hydraulic Disc Brake Mountain Bike, you have to spend more than $800.
Rim Brakes: Rim Brakes days are gone, you won’t find any high-quality mountain bike with rim brakes. Only some new cheapest mountain bikes are made with Rim Brakes that are better not to use. Its modulation isn’t good, weight is much, and durability and reliability are also not good. In one saying you can’t trust Rim Bikes if you want a mountain bike. Rim brakes are easy to replace worn pads and observe the brake pad wear. But it wears out very soon, stopping power is very less, can’t be controllable in muddy or wet conditions, and requires more effort to brake aggressively.
Bike Budget
While you choose your first mountain bike, after deciding which type of bike you want now you should try to find out what will be the best budget that can get you an amazing Mountain Bike at an affordable price. Usually, mountain bikes start from $300 to over $10,000. The more you will spend over the mountain bike, the greater shift quality, better suspension, lightweight, comfortability, and durability you will get. As the price increases, the bike material quality also rises.
Let’s discuss some different prices of Mountain bike’s quality and features.
Under $300-450
As you are just starting your mountain bike journey and it will be your first mountain bike I would like to suggest you buy a minimum quality cheap bike to learn first. Your budget shouldn’t be overspending or should be too less that you can’t afford an original mountain Bike. I mean there are lots of bikes available in the market that look like Mountain bikes but not real ones. Those types of bikes are made with low-quality steel so they cost too little. That one isn’t a perfect one for you when you are wanting a mountain bike to start mountain biking. You can ride them only on city streets or towpaths. Never think of riding this type of bike off-road, it will be devastating.
I think if you can spend 300-350$ on your first mountain bike, you will get a quality full bike. With that bike, you can start your mountain biking journey and learn to ride a mountain bike perfectly. The reason I am asking you to consider a cheap bike is that in the first few days you will face crashes, and fall down, so there will be some damage to your bike. So, it will be best if you consider a bike on a low budget. According to me, $300-350 will be the perfect amount, not too less or not too high.
You can check out some cheap Mountain Bikes here.
Under $500-800
As you are just starting your journey in mountain biking you shouldn’t take a high-quality, costly bike. But it doesn’t mean you should choose a bike that costs too little,
You should choose a bike that you can ride miles away.
If you select a bike that is costly according to your money status then it will be a burden to you. Hobby means to enjoy your life without taking any stress or tension. So you should buy your Mountain Bike that will perfectly fit your budget.
If you can spend more like over $500 or something more like between $800, you will get varieties of good options with greater features. In this budget, your bike will be made with high-quality lightweight aluminum and will have much better components that will make getting up hills easier.
Check out here for some high-quality bikes under $500-800.
Under 950- 1500
While it’s about Mountain Biking it’s worth more investing. If you have enough money you shouldn’t be a tightwad over spending money on your hobbyhorse. If you can spend money around 1k or more then you should check out this list.
At $950-1500, you will get a dual-suspension Mountain Bike that will be made with better quality materials and better control. Every material will be more quality.
This range of Mountain Bikes will have Hydraulic Disc Brake and usually, the bike frame materials will be Aluminum or Carbon. So riding over the hardtail, and rough terrains won’t be a tough task. Due to the high-quality materials used the Mountain bikes will last longer than regular entry-level Mountain Bikes. Don’t forget to give a check to our list, we have done enough research and find out the best matches at this price.
Over $1500-2k or more
If you are thinking you will continue Mountain Biking for a longer time or want to add this activity to your regular list, you should look for a durable, high-quality Mountain Bike. What can be the best material than Titanium?
Nothing can be better than this. Titanium is the most expensive material that is being used to make high-quality durable bikes. Titanium is a rear component, it doesn’t corrode so the cost is very high. It’s highly durable and very lightweight. Mountain Bike made with Titanium materials I can say will be the best ever Mountain Bike. when you love mountain Biking this materials bike is a must addition to your Mountain Bike list. To get a titanium mountain Bike you have to spend over $2k. This range bike is robust, it will ensure/help you to deal with extremely difficult terrain paths.
So, the more you can, you should spend on the bikes you want, and enjoy your Mountain Bike riding like you are a king.
Now it’s upon you how much you want to spend on your first-ever Mountain Bike.
I am Ryan Ford, a mountain biking enthusiast who loves to explore the outdoors. I also like to go on adventures with friends and anything else that involves being outside. I love my bike because it gets me out of the house and gives me an opportunity to enjoy nature.