Best Mountain Bikes under $1000 for 2020 . Find our Mountain Bikes reviews, comparison charts and buying guides to help you buy the right mountain bike for outdoor sports.
After testing over 15 bikes for over 3 months if there’s a mountain bike that is lightweight, durable and delivers in terms of performance and comfort, it is Diamondback Axis Sport.
However, if you’re looking for an entry level mountain bike that is fun to ride and comes under a budget then our top recommendation would be Mongoose Impasse Dual Full Suspension. Complete bang for your buck road bike.
Finding the right mountain bike can be a hard and since you’re planning to ride it off-road, you need to make sure that it can get past rough terrain, mud, rocks and trees without breaking down.
Trust me, you don’t want your bike to give up on you when you’re 7 miles into the wilderness because that’s exactly what happened to me with my first bike.
If you’re planning to take up mountain biking then it is best to avoid the cheapest option out there and go with something that will actually last while keeping you safe on the trail.
Best Mountain Bike for Serious Bikers
Diamondback Axis Sport – Leaving no room for complaint, Diamondback has built a beast when it comes mountain bikes. The bike is primed for better control in rough terrains and the disk brakes come in really handy at gritty paths with a lot of gravel or when riding downhill.
Diamondback 29er Overdrive Sport – The bikes comes with a great combination of 6061-T6 Lightweight Aluminum Frame along with Shimano 9-speed drivetrain and Hydraulic Disk brakes. It’s hard to find a bike with this kind of performance under $1000.
Best Mountaik Bike for Beginners
Mongoose Impasse Dual Full Suspension – The best value for money bike for beginners. If you’re just starting out then it’s better to get a budget bike and learn the ropes on it before you hop on to more serious (and expensive) bikes.
⇢ THE WINNERS: THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKES
Our #1 Recommendation : Diamondback Overdrive Sport
Diamondback Overdrive Sport
The Overdrive sport can be a bit expensive for an entry level bike and if you’re on a budget then you might want to go with our top pick for bikes under $500. However, if budget isn’t the problem then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go with this bike.
The frame of the bike is its backbone and decides whether you’re bike is going to hold under pressure or crumble like a paper ball. This bike features a 6061-T6 Lightweight Aluminum Overdrive Frame that is good news. It’s a strong, durable frame that is built to last.
The bike is supported by the Shimano 9-speed drivetrain and Hydraulic Disk brakes which makes it a great combo of gears for better control on rough terrain.
Key features:
1. The 6061-T6 Aluminum Overdrive Frame
2. The Shimano BR-M395 Hydraulic Disc Brakes
3. A broad range of 24 gears
4. 29-Inch Wheels
==> Click here to See Today’s Discount on Diamondback Overdrive Sport
Second Pick : Diamondback Axis Sport Mountain Bike
Diamondback Axis Sport
The Axis Sport features the 6061-T6 Aluminum frame, SL-7 Double wall Rims and Tektro’s Avid DB-1 Hydraulic Disc Brakes.
This bike is an obvious downgrade from the Overdrive. However, it still delivers a lot of comfort and power even at a $150 price difference.
Axis Sport comes with 27.5-Inch Wheels which could be a better option, than 29-inch wheels, for a lot of people.
The bike is primed for better control in rough terrains and the disk brakes come in really handy at gritty paths with a lot of gravel or when riding downhill.
If Overdrive isn’t something you’re particularly drive to then Axis Sport will definitely something that will meet your needs.
All in all, a great bike.
==> Click here to See Today’s Discount on Diamondback Axis Sport
Best Mountain Bike under $500
Diamondback Recoil Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Diamondback Recoil Full Suspension
The Recoil also features a 6061-T6 aluminum and a 29-inch and is powered by the Shimano 8-Speed drivetrain with SR sun tour cranks.
Diamondback Recoil features the impressive Tektro Aires mechanical disc brakes that definitely set it as one of the record setters in its price range.
You’ll love the fact that it’s pretty much assembled when delivered and you wouldn’t have to spend a lot of time putting it together before you can take it out for a ride.
Apart from offering a commendable configuration, the bike has some amazing aesthetics.
It has a sleek sporty look and if it’s something that you care about then this bike is built for you.
==> Click here to See Today’s Discount on Diamondback Recoil
Top Mountain Bike under $300 : Mongoose Impasse Dual Full Suspension Bicycle (29-Inch)
Mongoose Impasse
A great bike if you’re looking for a basic mountain bike with all the standard features but without a hefty price tag.
The bike does not has anything fancy to offer and comes with the stock Aluminum suspension frame and Element Suspension fork that keeps it in the game. It is everything a mountain bike should be i.e. sturdy and easy to control on hard terrain.
It also features a set of 21 speed Shimano rear derailleur with SRAM twist shifters which makes shifting quiet a breeze. However, this isn’t a novelty since it is pretty much the standard across all mountain bikes.
You get alloy disk brakes on the front and the rear. However, you can expect to spend some time while assembly to make sure that they’re properly adjusted.
I’d recommend you to get it for a quick tune-up, to a nearby bike repair shop, after you’re done assembling the bike to make sure everything is working as it should and you don’t face any unpleasant surprises while riding.
Despite being a low-budget bike, I personally do not consider the Impasse to be a low-end bike and it doesn’t look that way either. I love the way it is designed and it looks nothing like a $300 mountain bike.
This is the best bang for your buck mountain bike and you can quote me on that. ?
==> Click here to See Today’s Discount on Mongoose Impasse
The Ultimate Buying Guide to Mountain Bikes
There are two primary factors that make a mountain bike optimum for riding on difficult terrain and rough trails.
Here we have discussed all the primary components that go into make a mountain bike what it is and exactly what you need to look for when you’re buying your next mountain bike.
The Frame
The material that is used to build the frame is one of the most important aspects of any mountain bike.
There are primarily four materials that are used to build the frame of a bike:
1. Aluminium
Aluminium makes for a very lightweight, durable and affordable frame and is commonly used in entry-level bikes.
2. Carbon Fibre
Carbon fibre offers a lot of strength, absorbs vibrations and is super-lightweight. However, since it is an expensive material, you’ll generally find it in high-end bikes.
3. Steel
Though it offers a very rigid and comfortable frame, steel frame bikes can get really heavy and the upsides just don’t make up for the added weight.
4. Titanium
A rather new material that is being used in mountain bikes. Titanium adds a great amount of stability and sturdiness to the bike.
Types of Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes generally come in two variations : Hardtail bikes (+ 29er HardTail Bikes) and Full suspension bikes.
Hardtail Bikes Vs Full suspension bikes
Hardtail bikes have a very rigid read end and offer suspension at the front. These bikes are very lightweight, durable and are a good option for a wide range for trails.
While you will have to give up on a little bit of comfort on very rough terrains, Hardtail bikes perform better in terms of speed and control. It’s comparatively easier to ride up and down the hills.
Full-suspension bikes, as you would’ve guessed, come with suspension at both the front and the rear ends which offers you more control and comfort while riding. The bike is well-designed to absorb shock so, these are the way to go if you’re planning to spend most of your riding time on bad terrain.
If you decide to go with a bike in this category then make sure you invest in a good bike that has the frame to support it and you’ll be probably need to spend over $1000 for a bike that will last.
What Size of Bikes is Best for you?
Here’s a quick chart that will help you decide the right bike size that will fit you.
- 4’11″ – 5’3″ = 13 to 15 inches
- 5’3″ – 5’7″ = 15 to 17 inches
- 5’7″ – 5’11″ = 17 to 19 inches
- 6’0″ – 6’2″ = 19 to 21 inches
- 6’2″ – 6’4″ = 21 to 23 inches
- 6’4″ and taller = 23 inches
