Top 4 Best Mountain Bikes Under $500
Every adventurous person would be looking t the weather right now and thinking about making time for that much-awaited trip that they have been planning forever. Work and school can sometimes bore you out of your mind and you need an outlet to not just preserve your mental health but also ensure you give your body a chance to relax. There is nothing like going up to the mountains and enjoying a good time with yourself and friends and inhaling that deep breath of fresh air that finally relieves you of exhaustion.
If you are planning to go on such a journey, we would recommend that you try biking. People are huge fans of this sport and love to spend hours and hours trekking their bikes into the mountains and getting lost in the beauty. The activity itself sounds very interesting when you consider all the tracks that are present in such hilly areas. Even if you don't want to go on rough terrain, summer still calls for a new sport and you can enjoy rides on your mountain bikes in relatively easier places and accompany your friends daily for evening biking. It is great for health and in time, you would be ready to take your bike up the mountains as well.
So, to make things easier for you, we have selected the best mountain bikes under $500 and compiled them into a list to save you from the trouble. All you have to do is read the review, decide which features you prefer, analyze your budget and in a few moments, you will have a bike decided for yourself and begin your new adventure and have the time of your life. So keep reading further and find out which are the best budget mountain bikes that you can get for yourself as a treat for hustling all this month.
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There is a reason why this is at the top of our list. Neffice is our first choice for the best mountain bikes for the money, mainly because it packs everything you need in your ride. From a sturdy frame to giving you all the extra features for the lowest of prices, this brand does it all.
For beginners, this is an ideal choice because not only is it lightweight, the aluminum frame makes for a very interesting frame because you can maneuver it in many different situations and conditions without difficulty. It is built with a flexible trial-specific geometry and makes you feel extremely comfortable on rough terrains too. You can take on any challenge head-on and the bike would be your biggest supporter. Even apart from beginners, this is a wonderful deal for professional bikers because it comes with an adjustable suspension system that makes riding a delight.
The wheels are a combination of 27.5 inches and 2.1-inch tires which according to our experts is a remarkable construction point because it ensures safety as well as gives you the thrill of a great experience. You would love to know that the gear variation is as smooth as butter and the suspension fork built-in absorbs 90% of the shocks that goes on the way. The manufacturers have included shock brakes in the bike which we think is an excellent choice.
Features
- Aluminum frame
- Rear and front suspension type
- 35lbs
- 24 speeds
- 27.5 inches tire
Reason to Buy
- High strength frame
- 24 speeds
- Smooth gear
- Impressive suspension
- Adjustable height and frame
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
- Incredible braking system
- Perfect for beginners
Reason to Avoid
- Includes breakable components
Are you a fan of riding off-road often? If yes, we have the perfect model of bike for you. It is the perfect fit for both beginners and experts and we guarantee that you will fall in love with how much of a sweet ride this is. The main thing that we loved about this bike was the features that make it a great option for mountainous areas.
Even with a crushed gravel path that doesn't offer much in terms of smoothness, it performed like a pro and our experts instantly became fans. The frame is extremely lightweight and if not for the large size, even a child would be able to handle it easily. It is made of aluminum and the company has taken special care to ensure that even when you are riding on rough surfaces, the bike holds its ground and you don’t have to put in extra effort to guide it on steep hills. The one thing all the adventurers would love about this model is that it easily fits into a car and you can take it anywhere and then continue your journey from there.
As far as the details of the features are concerned, this bike features internal cabling which means that the structure overall looks quite neat and sleek. It comes with disc brakes that are great and responsive in mountainous areas and very easy to maintain. Even if the path gets super sloppy, you would be able to handle it super well. The bike does everything for you so all you have to do is chill out and enjoy the adventure you have been dreaming about.
Features
- Aluminum frame
- Front suspension
- 30lbs weight
- 24 speeds
- Disc brakes
Reason to Buy
- Lightweight
- Internal cabling
- Specialized in withstanding different conditions
- Easy to maneuver
- Multiple speed range
- Unmatchable stability
Reason to Avoid
- Includes breakable components
The third bike on our list is this beast of a model that has been created with a double-walled frame to give you extra protection and ensure you never have to worry about replacing a part for the longest time. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to call this bike a long-term investment because the company has put in special effort to manufacture it as per the precision required by the professional bikers who want to go out and experience the roughest of areas.
The heat-treated aluminum alloy works so well with the components that you will feel the control in your hand once you ride it. The stability is out of the world and we haven't felt as safe on any model other than this one. It has a mechanical braking system with disc front and rear brakes which means that no matter how hard you are going uphill you would be able to stop the bike with just pressure. Honestly, we love the models in which manufacturers always prioritize safety and give full control to the riders.
One thing that you are bound to fall in love with is the outer design. It is incredibly sleek and the color is so beautiful you will majestic riding in the hills. The weight is around 30 pounds and the 24 speeds really add to the thrill of the overall experience. The only downside that we could find was the lack of adjustability. This is an important factor in mountain bikes which we think should be added but other than that, it is a perfect choice, it also has an MTB kickstand for parking.
Features
- Aluminum frame
- Front suspension type
- 30lbs
- 24 speeds
- Heat-treated aluminum alloy
- Double-walled frame
- Disc front brakes
- Smooth gear shifting
- 17 inches height
Reason to Buy
- Excellent braking system
- Sturdy frame
- Reliable mechanical brakes
- Incredible for rough terrains
- Beautiful aesthetics
- Shimano components
- Comes with a kickstand
Reason to Avoid
- Height not adjustable
- Complex assembly
It is an absolute pleasure for the parents if their kids are interested in the same hobbies as them. If your kids have seen you indulge in adventures ever since their childhood, chances are they might want to have the same fun as well. Your child is old enough to accompany you to some of the less rough terrains and it is time you equip them with the art of biking and enjoying every second of it in the mountains.
But, the greatest problem comes when you have to decide which model to pick for your kid. Now there are lots of options in the market that claim that they sell the safest bike but you need to consider your child’s preference and still look at all the features to ensure you are making the right choice. Hiland is the one model that will be the best partner for your kid and that too without going out of your budget. It will ensure that your kid is getting more independent with riding while ensuring that they are comfortable and safe. It has a front suspension system and absorbs shocks while traveling between 80-100 mm.
So, if you are going slightly off-road, you might want to look into this as one of the reliable options in the market. It is extremely easy to operate and has dual-disc mechanical, a feature that is a must-have when selecting the bike for your kid.
Features
- Aluminum frame
- Front suspension type
- 31lbs
- 24 speed
- 26-inch MTB
- Made for shorter people and kids
- Quick gear shifting
Reason to Buy
- Responsive brakes
- Ample suspension travel
- Quick installation
- Eye-catching design
- Kids-friendly
Reason to Avoid
- Average construction quality
- Includes breakable components
How to Pick the Best Mountain Bikes Under $500?
The good thing about this list is that the budget is already sorted. You are well aware that you cannot go past this amount which is great because this is the perfect price range to have a basic model with additional features. Now there are lots of options available in the market as COVID-19 made people realize that they should have different hobbies to keep themselves busy. The demand for a good mountain bike under 500 has actually increased over time but you don’t need to worry because we are here to outline all the things you need to consider before you make your decision. So, even if you end up going out to the market, you would know what to ask the seller and get a bike that would be based on your preferences.
Wheel Sizes
If you would have looked a few years ago, you wouldn't have found many options in this category. But as time passed, manufacturers began to listen to what the customers were saying and as a result, there has been a drastic increase in the type of wheels available in the market. Like, you can get 26 inches, 27.5 inches, 29 inches, or even plus-sized ones if you are not comfortable riding your bike with thinner wheels. It is really a revolutionary step because even people who are new to mountain bikes can easily ride on rough terrains with the help of these wheels and there is less chance of damaging the rubber on the outside. Even research has shown that these bigger wheels are much better if you are covering more distance and bike regularly. They provide you with safety and stability and ensure you don't have to replace the wheels as often. Now if you talk about the expert opinion and have been riding the bike for a wheel, we would suggest that you go for 27.5-inch wheels, especially if you are tall. This way, you can ensure you have the traction you need and the bike feels comfortable under you instead of you putting in extra effort to stabilize it in mountainous areas. For shorter people too, we recommend this size as they would be able to handle the bike better in this way.
Construction Quality
When we talk about the best budget mountain bike, it means that the list is for people who want their everyday activities to fit into a price range. But that doesn't mean that you have to compromise on the quality of the bike itself. If you are new to the mountain bike, this factor becomes even more important because you have to keep it for a long time and ensure that you learn about it safely and can opt for a more advanced model in the future. Make sure that you don't fall into scams by getting bikes that are built with cheap materials. Of course, with 500 you might not get the best of the best but you shouldn’t settle for low quality either. This is why our list comprises of best cheap mountain bikes so you can easily select them for your next adventure. As far as the frame is concerned, we would suggest that you go for solid metals like aluminum or steel because you have to bike on rough surfaces. Your bike should be able to withstand the pressure and conditions and not succumb to the damages on the first fall. Likewise, there are carbon and titanium frames as well and they are quite well-built but you will have to pay more than your budget to get those.
Brakes
No matter which bike you are buying, the first and foremost thing is to consider how well the brakes work. The entire structure is supported by this one feature, especially if you are buying entry-level bikes. We suggest that you take this spec into account quite seriously before making your decision. From what we have researched and tested, the best inexpensive mountain bikes usually have mechanical disc brakes or linear-pull brakes. If you have ridden a bike before, you would know that disc brakes are a far better option because they are quick to respond. So, people who are planning to explore all the rough sides of the mountainous areas should definitely consider this option. You can climb and conduct all kinds of descents with this and even the best bikes used by professionals usually have these kinds of brakes to help them save from injuries. However, if you are relatively less adventurous and only want to use your bike for a little uphill climbing or like to explore areas that are not very smooth, you can go for linear-pull hand brakes. They are relatively less responsive but in the best affordable mountain bikes, you will usually find this type. You might also need to oil them regularly to ensure that they don’t lose their responsiveness.
So, which model are you taking out for your newest adventure?