The word "budget" can mean many things to many different people and when it comes to your bike buying process. It doesn't have to mean you're settling for less, especially in terms of the on-trail experience. We've rounded up a mix of wallet-friendly mountain bikes to fit into all types of budgets and riding styles. Whether you're a new rider or a seasoned shredder of singletrack, finding the right bike for your riding preferences and your budget is the key to an amazing experience.
The Best Budget Mountain Bikes
"Affordable" can mean many things when purchasing a new bike. We recommend creating a budget for your bike purchase so when it comes time to embark on the shopping experience, you have a solid number in mind.
Related: The Best Mountain Bikes Under $1,000
As you'll notice in our roundup list of the best budget mountain bikes, prices range from $1,000-3,000, all are considered "budget" based on different criteria. If you're looking for a full-suspension bike, an entry-level price is around the $2,000 mark, while a similarly equipped hardtail will likely be closer to the $1,200-1,400 range.
Related: The Best Mountain Bikes Under $500
How Much Bike Do I Need?
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
Riders looking to get into mountain biking for the first time will be well-served by an entry-level hardtail. Most cost around $1,000 to $1,500. Experienced riders ready for an upgrade and folks looking to get back into the sport after a few years off the saddle may prefer to look at full suspension mountain bikes. Hardtail bikes (bikes with no rear suspension), will be the most economical choice when it comes to pricing. No matter what your needs, make sure a mountain bike purchase fits into your means. If the cost of your new bike seems like it might send you into the abyss of unneeded debt, take a step back and reevaluate your budget. If you have to work more to pay off your new bike, you'll have less time to enjoy it.
The Best Budget Mountain Bikes - Our Picks For 2021
Marin Bobcat Trail 5
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
The Bobcat Trail family crosses boundaries between Trail and Sport mountain bikes. The Bobcat Trail 5 is designed for the hardtail enthusiast looking for a full-featured trail mountain bike that doesn't break the bank. Long, low, and slack trail geometry coupled with a 120mm suspension fork, a lightweight Series 2 aluminum frame, and the wide-range drivetrain make the Bobcat Trail the complete mountain bike package capable of tackling real singletrack. The Bobcat's 29" wheels offer great roll-over performance giving you a smooth ride no matter how rough the trail gets.
Price: $939
Norco Fluid HT2
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
The HT 2 version of the Norco Fluid comes with a Shimano Deore M5100 11-speed drivetrain. This includes a cassette that has a hill-crushing 11-51T gear range that makes climbing and pedaling through rough terrain much easier. Tektro M275 hydraulic disc brakes provide confidence-inspiring stopping power so you can descend under control. Alex DP30 rims are paired with Maxxis Ardent tires. With the TranzX dropper post, you'll be able to quickly lift and lower your saddle with the press of a lever.
Price: $1,099
Specialized Fuse 27.5
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
Here's proof you don't need a full-suspension bike to tackle challenging trails. Specialized's Fuse is a 27.5+ hardtail that leads with all the latest in trail-focused features. Equipped with a new longer, lower and rowdier chassis, they've also added 27.5x2.8 wheels and tires to create a bike that lets you rally down the trail with confidence and control. Upfront, 130mm of suspension comes courtesy of a RockShox Judy Silver TK fork. Highlights include Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, a TranzX dropper post, and a Shimano Deore single-ring drivetrain.
Price: $1,500
Kona Honzo
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
Designed to be a simple, trail-shredding machine, the Honzo is a great hardtail for riders of all ability levels. Featuring an updated geometry with a slack, 67-degree head tube angle paired with a steeper seat tube angle, the Honzo keeps pace with the changing geometry trends to provide the best quality riding experience. With a Shimano Deore drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and a long-travel adjustable dropper post, it's a killer bike for the money. Squish is provided by a RockShox Recon RL Solo Air fork. Folding bead tubeless Maxxis rubber surrounds the WTB ST i30 TCS rims, providing proper grip on any surface.
Price: $1,599
Rocky Mountain Growler 40
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
Rocky Mountain knows a thing or two about building aggressive trail bikes and the redesigned Growler 40 is no exception. The hard-charging hardtail has the attitude of an enduro bike with less fuss and plenty of fun. This aggressive bike lives for high speeds, techy trails, and keeping you pushing your boundaries without draining your wallet. Sporting a full Shimano Deore 1x12 drivetrain, Suntour Raidon 140mm fork, and a long drop Rocky Mountain dropper post, the Growler 40 packs a lot of amazing quality in an economically priced package. At $1699, this bike is a great value as it boasts a solid build kit with fantastic rubber to back-up this bike's rowdy attitude.
Price: $1,599
Co-op Cycles DRT 2.2 Bike
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
REI's house brand Co-op does a good job of packing a lot of quality into affordable, trail-worthy mountain bikes. The DRT 2.2 is ready a modern trail hardtail with well-rounded geometry. This is a bike that will help new riders gain confidence. It features 27.5+ WTB that provide gobs of traction and a SRAM NX 1x12 drivetrain. Co-op's DRT 2.2 features 120mm forks on size small and extra-small models, for improved stand-over clearance. The medium, large and XL versions are designed around longer 140mm forks.
Price: $1,699
Canyon Neuron 5
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
As one of the first brands to focus solely on direct-to-consumer bike sales, Canyon has shifted the bike industry to away from the layers of middlemen in order to bring consumers more economically produced bicycles. The Neuron 5 is the German brand's entry-level 29er mountain bike. With 130mm of suspension, a 1x12 Sram drivetrain, and RockShox suspension, the Neuron is a versatile, economical way to get into a full-suspension bike that will take you wherever you want to go.
Price: $1,899
Giant Trance
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
Giant has long been known for their consumer-focused value and as a large manufacturer, they are able to keep prices low and build options robust. The 2021 Trance is no exception. Engineered utilizing a lightweight yet super strong and stiff ALUXX SL aluminum frame, the Trance features updated Maestro rear suspension featuring a trunnion-mount shock and Advanced Forged Composite rocker arm to soak up bumps small and large. With 140mm of smooth, active rear travel from the Fox Float DPX, the Trance is an efficient yet capable trail bike. Frame geometry is designed around its 27.5 wheels, which deliver both quickness and control on rugged terrain. Upfront, you have a 150mm RockShox 35 Gold suspension fork for even more confidence.
Price: $2,350
Trek Fuel EX5 Deore
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
At $2,399, the Trek Fuel EX 5 is an excellent gateway to full suspension trail bikes. Trail-taming Rockshox suspension up front and X-Fusion rear suspension the Fuel EX offers a versatile, modern geometry. When it comes to components, a Shimano 1x12 drivetrain simplifies things, while a TranzX dropper post helps you to get low on descents. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes keep you in control and round out the value package of the Fuel EX 5.
Price: $2,399
YT Jeffsy Base
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
Known for their well-priced, consumer-direct trail and gravity bikes, YT is still a relatively small brand making big waves in the industry. One of their best-selling bikes, the Jeffsy is available in four 27.5" builds and four 29" builds. The Jeffsy Base, comes equipped with a robust aluminum frame with carefully selected components that include a full Sram SX eagle drivetrain, RockShox suspension, Maxxis tires, and DT Swiss wheels. The JEFFSY Base is a great choice if you're looking to get into a trail bike but have a hard time swallowing the ever-increasing prices from most brands, YT makes it easy to get into some of the latest trail bike technology without breaking the bank.
Price: $2,299
ORBEA OCCAM H30
![Best Budget Mountain Bikes]( "Best Budget Mountain Bikes")
The H30 version of the Orbea Occam comes with a Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed drivetrain that includes a cassette that has a hill-crushing 11-51T gear range that makes climbing and riding in rough terrain much easier. Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes provide ample stopping power so you can descend under control. Orbea OC1 29c wheels are paired with Maxxis tires that can be set up tubeless for a smoother ride, better traction, and fewer flats. With the OC2 dropper post, you'll be able to quickly lift and lower your saddle for more efficient climbing and safer descending.
Price: $2,599
Mtbr is committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
The Best Budget Mountain Bikes
"Affordable" can mean many things when purchasing a new bike. We recommend creating a budget for your bike purchase so when it comes time to embark on the shopping experience, you have a solid number in mind.
Related: The Best Mountain Bikes Under $1,000
As you'll notice in our roundup list of the best budget mountain bikes, prices range from $1,000-3,000, all are considered "budget" based on different criteria. If you're looking for a full-suspension bike, an entry-level price is around the $2,000 mark, while a similarly equipped hardtail will likely be closer to the $1,200-1,400 range.
Related: The Best Mountain Bikes Under $500
How Much Bike Do I Need?
Riders looking to get into mountain biking for the first time will be well-served by an entry-level hardtail. Most cost around $1,000 to $1,500. Experienced riders ready for an upgrade and folks looking to get back into the sport after a few years off the saddle may prefer to look at full suspension mountain bikes. Hardtail bikes (bikes with no rear suspension), will be the most economical choice when it comes to pricing. No matter what your needs, make sure a mountain bike purchase fits into your means. If the cost of your new bike seems like it might send you into the abyss of unneeded debt, take a step back and reevaluate your budget. If you have to work more to pay off your new bike, you'll have less time to enjoy it.
The Best Budget Mountain Bikes - Our Picks For 2021
Marin Bobcat Trail 5
The Bobcat Trail family crosses boundaries between Trail and Sport mountain bikes. The Bobcat Trail 5 is designed for the hardtail enthusiast looking for a full-featured trail mountain bike that doesn't break the bank. Long, low, and slack trail geometry coupled with a 120mm suspension fork, a lightweight Series 2 aluminum frame, and the wide-range drivetrain make the Bobcat Trail the complete mountain bike package capable of tackling real singletrack. The Bobcat's 29" wheels offer great roll-over performance giving you a smooth ride no matter how rough the trail gets.
Price: $939
Norco Fluid HT2
The HT 2 version of the Norco Fluid comes with a Shimano Deore M5100 11-speed drivetrain. This includes a cassette that has a hill-crushing 11-51T gear range that makes climbing and pedaling through rough terrain much easier. Tektro M275 hydraulic disc brakes provide confidence-inspiring stopping power so you can descend under control. Alex DP30 rims are paired with Maxxis Ardent tires. With the TranzX dropper post, you'll be able to quickly lift and lower your saddle with the press of a lever.
Price: $1,099
Specialized Fuse 27.5
Here's proof you don't need a full-suspension bike to tackle challenging trails. Specialized's Fuse is a 27.5+ hardtail that leads with all the latest in trail-focused features. Equipped with a new longer, lower and rowdier chassis, they've also added 27.5x2.8 wheels and tires to create a bike that lets you rally down the trail with confidence and control. Upfront, 130mm of suspension comes courtesy of a RockShox Judy Silver TK fork. Highlights include Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, a TranzX dropper post, and a Shimano Deore single-ring drivetrain.
Price: $1,500
Kona Honzo
Designed to be a simple, trail-shredding machine, the Honzo is a great hardtail for riders of all ability levels. Featuring an updated geometry with a slack, 67-degree head tube angle paired with a steeper seat tube angle, the Honzo keeps pace with the changing geometry trends to provide the best quality riding experience. With a Shimano Deore drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and a long-travel adjustable dropper post, it's a killer bike for the money. Squish is provided by a RockShox Recon RL Solo Air fork. Folding bead tubeless Maxxis rubber surrounds the WTB ST i30 TCS rims, providing proper grip on any surface.
Price: $1,599
Rocky Mountain Growler 40
Rocky Mountain knows a thing or two about building aggressive trail bikes and the redesigned Growler 40 is no exception. The hard-charging hardtail has the attitude of an enduro bike with less fuss and plenty of fun. This aggressive bike lives for high speeds, techy trails, and keeping you pushing your boundaries without draining your wallet. Sporting a full Shimano Deore 1x12 drivetrain, Suntour Raidon 140mm fork, and a long drop Rocky Mountain dropper post, the Growler 40 packs a lot of amazing quality in an economically priced package. At $1699, this bike is a great value as it boasts a solid build kit with fantastic rubber to back-up this bike's rowdy attitude.
Price: $1,599
Co-op Cycles DRT 2.2 Bike
REI's house brand Co-op does a good job of packing a lot of quality into affordable, trail-worthy mountain bikes. The DRT 2.2 is ready a modern trail hardtail with well-rounded geometry. This is a bike that will help new riders gain confidence. It features 27.5+ WTB that provide gobs of traction and a SRAM NX 1x12 drivetrain. Co-op's DRT 2.2 features 120mm forks on size small and extra-small models, for improved stand-over clearance. The medium, large and XL versions are designed around longer 140mm forks.
Price: $1,699
Canyon Neuron 5
As one of the first brands to focus solely on direct-to-consumer bike sales, Canyon has shifted the bike industry to away from the layers of middlemen in order to bring consumers more economically produced bicycles. The Neuron 5 is the German brand's entry-level 29er mountain bike. With 130mm of suspension, a 1x12 Sram drivetrain, and RockShox suspension, the Neuron is a versatile, economical way to get into a full-suspension bike that will take you wherever you want to go.
Price: $1,899
Giant Trance
Giant has long been known for their consumer-focused value and as a large manufacturer, they are able to keep prices low and build options robust. The 2021 Trance is no exception. Engineered utilizing a lightweight yet super strong and stiff ALUXX SL aluminum frame, the Trance features updated Maestro rear suspension featuring a trunnion-mount shock and Advanced Forged Composite rocker arm to soak up bumps small and large. With 140mm of smooth, active rear travel from the Fox Float DPX, the Trance is an efficient yet capable trail bike. Frame geometry is designed around its 27.5 wheels, which deliver both quickness and control on rugged terrain. Upfront, you have a 150mm RockShox 35 Gold suspension fork for even more confidence.
Price: $2,350
Trek Fuel EX5 Deore
At $2,399, the Trek Fuel EX 5 is an excellent gateway to full suspension trail bikes. Trail-taming Rockshox suspension up front and X-Fusion rear suspension the Fuel EX offers a versatile, modern geometry. When it comes to components, a Shimano 1x12 drivetrain simplifies things, while a TranzX dropper post helps you to get low on descents. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes keep you in control and round out the value package of the Fuel EX 5.
Price: $2,399
YT Jeffsy Base
Known for their well-priced, consumer-direct trail and gravity bikes, YT is still a relatively small brand making big waves in the industry. One of their best-selling bikes, the Jeffsy is available in four 27.5" builds and four 29" builds. The Jeffsy Base, comes equipped with a robust aluminum frame with carefully selected components that include a full Sram SX eagle drivetrain, RockShox suspension, Maxxis tires, and DT Swiss wheels. The JEFFSY Base is a great choice if you're looking to get into a trail bike but have a hard time swallowing the ever-increasing prices from most brands, YT makes it easy to get into some of the latest trail bike technology without breaking the bank.
Price: $2,299
ORBEA OCCAM H30
The H30 version of the Orbea Occam comes with a Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed drivetrain that includes a cassette that has a hill-crushing 11-51T gear range that makes climbing and riding in rough terrain much easier. Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes provide ample stopping power so you can descend under control. Orbea OC1 29c wheels are paired with Maxxis tires that can be set up tubeless for a smoother ride, better traction, and fewer flats. With the OC2 dropper post, you'll be able to quickly lift and lower your saddle for more efficient climbing and safer descending.
Price: $2,599
Mtbr is committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
