Top 9 Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes Under 1000$ Review

Whether you’re looking for an entry level hardtail mountain bike or a cross country (XC) bike, we’ve got your back. In this review, you’ll find the top 9 best hardtail mountain bikes along with useful size guides and accessories tips. It’s going to be a fast and fun journey. Put your feet on the pedals and let’s roll with us! Read more:

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Top 9 Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes Under 1000$ Reviews In 2020

Merax Finiss 26″ Aluminum 21 Speed Mountain Bike with Disc Brakes

Introducing the very first bike on our list is the Merax Finiss. It’s incredibly light, weighing in 33 lbs. Carrying it on your shoulders is absolutely no big deal, even over tough terrains. Some fit folks carry it with one hand. The frame is made from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum for superb durability. What we love about this Finiss is its disc brake. You’ll get a front and rear mechanical disc brake connected with brake cables to the levers on your handlebar. This is the kind of brake they commonly use on motorbikes and hardcore mountain bikes. You sure are equipped with a very powerful mechanism. The suspension fork on this bike has 80mm travel. This number means how far down your fork can compress, in this case, 80mm, to absorb bumps or potholes. 80mm would be great for the daily commute, light exercise, and even cross country. This will make your ride smooth and hiccup-free. Plus, you’ll be able to hang a water bottle on the bike. Pretty convenient, in our opinion. Overall, for a price that’s a little over $200, this bike is beast. This is our #1 choice for you. You’re going to love it!

Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive Hardtail Mountain Bike with 27.5″ Wheels

Next up, we’re bringing Diamondback on the road! This is their Overdrive version featuring 27.5 wheels. What’s great about these wheels is that they are right in the mid-range. You may have heard of the 26 wheels, which can be small in some cases, and the 29 wheels (or 29er) which are sometimes way too big. This 27.5 hits the sweet spot that allows you to overcome obstacles easily and ride fast. The shock they use on this bike is SR Suntour XCT 27 Coil Spring fork 80mm travel. This may not be the favorite type of shock for folks who love air shocks. Yet, its 27 coil spring system performs amazingly well. It’s not too soft and not too firm. It absorbs shocks, bumps nicely giving you less dizziness and more enjoyable rides. We love it! Diamondback also equipped the Overdrive with a powerful Shimano drivetrain. You’ll get up to 24 speeds on this bike, which is just awesome. Adjusting the speed will be easy thanks to the trigger shifter system. This is an overall great bike for trail riding, commute, dirt or grass. It won’t fall short of your high expectations!

Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bikes, Multiple Sizes, Multiple Colors

Hey there, we’re yelling Timber! We’d better move fast because they’re selling this #1 best seller like hot cakes. Featuring on this High Timber is SR Suntour M2000 front suspension. It performs outstandingly well over trails, paved roads, or bumps. Coupled with the suspension are two knobby wheels, which makes riding over terrains super enjoyable and pain-free. For this bike, they equipped the Shimano SRAM twist shifters with 21 speeds. The crankset is made from durable alloy that requires very little maintenance on your part. The bike frame measures 18 inches. This would be great for folks from a little over 5’ to 6’. You can always adjust the seat a bit to better suit your height. You do have to assemble the bike, though. It’s not that hard overall. Some took 15 minutes to complete. Schwinn also has great instruction manuals with easy-to-understand illustrations to guide you step by step. If you need a water bottle to be mounted on the bike, you can check out accessories like the water bottle cage. So, all we could say at this point is: we’re completely satisfied with the service, the bike, and the experience it provides. Big thumbs up for this one!

Mongoose Impasse Full Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike, Featuring 18-Inch/Medium Aluminum Frame and 29-Inch Wheels with Disc Brakes, 21-Speed Shimano Drivetrain, Silver

This is an excellent 29er for folks who love taking on various kinds of terrains. You’ll get 2 shocks on this Impasse. The front fork is an Element fork, while the rear is coil-spring-powered and placed horizontally. These two smooth out bumps and increase the control of your bike. On the front hub, you’ll find a Thru axle. It’s the Quick Release skewer that makes maintaining the bike much easier. There are 21 speeds together with SRAM twist shifters. The overall frame is made from aluminum which is both lightweight and long-lasting. Stopping the bike is also easy. They have mechanical disc brakes at the front and rear wheel connected with brake cables. This Impasse is trail-capable, giving you smooth rides every single time. We seriously don’t have anything much to complain about this bike. Well, maybe the pedals could have been made a bit better. Other than that, this is a solid and affordable 29er for beginner and advanced riders as well. We like it and would definitely recommend it to you!

Murtisol 27.5’’ Adult Mountain Bike Hybrid Bicycle with 21 Speed，Suspension/Dual Disc Brake in 4 Colors，Blue/Grey/Yellow/White Black

Alright, folks, your wallet is going to smile happily looking at the price of this 27.5 Murtisol bike. It’s one of the cheapest bikes on our list right now at only a little over $100. It does not, however, look cheap at all. The overall design is quite sleek, sporty, and elegant. We like the black finish and golden touches. But, there are many more colors for you to choose. Its frame is made from Hi-Ten steel. Compared to aluminum, it is a bit heavier. There’s a front fork that works well in soaking up shocks over rough terrains. You won’t get disruptive bounces during your trips. The seat can be adjusted to best suit your height. The recommended riders’ height is from 5’1” to 5’9”. And the bike can take up to 220 lbs. We think you’re going to love this one! It has many great specs at a super affordable price. We’d say this is a nice bike for the money. We know what you might be thinking, “Hmm…” Okay, but don’t “Hmm…” for too long that you might miss out on the very last one. Just buy it!

Dynacraft Speed Alpine Eagle Womens Road/Mountain 21 Speed Bike 26″, Purple/White/Green

This is another cheapo on our list. The Dynacraft is specifically designed for women and girls with active lifestyles. The overall bike is amazingly lightweight, making it much easier for the ladies to handle the bike in every situation. This particular model has 26-inch wheels. It will fit riders from 57” and above perfectly. That’s around 28” or more of the inseam. It would be a good idea to choose a bike that leaves around an inch of clearance between the top tube and your inseam. The special thing about this Dynacraft is that you’ll get a lifetime warranty on the frame and fork. They’ve got you fully covered. Riding the bike is so easy. Just get on the comfy seat and pedal away. Remember, you can always stop the bike by squeezing the front and rear brake levers. If you want to change gear, just twist the grip end of your handlebar. There’s a little kickstand that comes with the bike that might come in handy when parking. Personally, we don’t use kickstand very much. But, you may find it useful. In sum, this is a fully functional and great-looking bike at an unbelievably cheap price that you sure don’t want to miss!

RALEIGH Bikes Tokul 2 Mountain Bike

Okay riders, embrace yourself because we’re moving into the “big bucks” territory. If you’re willing to make a big investment for your hardtail mountain bike, this Raleigh Tokul 2 is a strong contender. The first amazing feature that caught our eyes is its SR Suntour XCM 120mm travel. That’s 40mm more compression compared to some cheaper models we’ve seen. With greater compression, you’ll be able to ride over even bumpier spots, trails, or tough terrains with ease. It’s also a great cross country (XC) bike and can definitely go fast. Well, you don’t get disc brakes on the Tokul 2. What you get is an equally or even strong mechanism: Tektro hydraulic brake. It uses brake fluid to stop the bike. Super quick and easy! There are 8-speed combinations coming with the Tokul 2. You’ll get a front chainring and 8 rear cogs. With Shimano EZ-Fire shifter, you can change speed with a single click of a lever. There are four sizes for all types of riders, ranging from small to extra-large. You’ll be fine if your height is somewhere from 5’4” to 6’4”. Also, there’s no kickstand on this bike. We feel that this is the real deal, the hardcore mountain bike, and the partner you can rely on for years. Oh, and you certainly can do jumps on this one while enjoying that fresh mountain air! Lots of fun are waiting for you ahead! Take it at home!

Diamondback Bicycles Hook

You’re looking at another hardcore mountain bike by the well-known manufacturer Diamondback. With more expensive models, you’ll usually find suspension with greater travel. In this case, our Hook has SR Suntour XCM suspension 120mm travel. This allows you to ride over trails like its flat ground. It can handle jumps equally well. The difference between this Hook and the Tokul 2 we saw one minute ago is the brake. Diamondback prepared Tektro Aries mechanical disc brake for this baby. It’s no doubt super powerful. So, the choice between mechanical disc or hydraulic disc brake really comes down to personal preference. The wheels measure 27.5 inches, which is just the right balance even for trail riding. You’ll also get 8 speeds with this bike. They use the SRAM shifters which are very easy to control with one finger. Riders from 5’4” to 6’4” will be riding this Hook comfortably. What we love about this model is that it looks clean. Nothing too fancy, but it just works amazing. This is a fantastic choice if your budget allows. You’ll enjoy the experience riding smoothly over almost any types of trails. They’ve certainly got your back.

Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive

We’ve got a twin right here with the Overdrive that we looked at earlier. This special model is Dark Green. For some reason, Diamondback price this baby $200 more than the other model. Let’s see, though, if it’s worth it! This is not a 29er, and it still features 27.5 wheels. Which is pretty awesome, in our opinion. The width of the tires is around 2”. This is pretty standard on most mountain bikes you see on the market today. You’ll get 24 speeds with the bike. It will fit riders up to 6’4” quite nicely. It’s also very light, weighing just under 32 lbs! The package comes only 85% pre-assembled, so you may need to do a little of assembling and tuning. That’s the trickiest part. It feels very comfortable riding on the bike. You may want to upgrade the seat if you like something wider or comfier. It’s great exercise equipment that will get you out breathing some fresh air while enjoying the scenery along the way. We say this bike is very much worth the investment. If you’re really into green, then just go ahead!

The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Best Hardtail Mountain Bikes Under 1000$

Full Suspension vs Hardtail: Which one is right for you?

We get asked this question a LOT! In simplest terms, full suspension (or dual suspension) has 2 shock absorbers. Whereas hardtail has only 1 shock absorber. Our recommendation? Well, if you have back, joint, or hip issues, we’d definitely say getting a full suspension bike is a smarter choice for you. Here’s why: You’ll get 2x the shock absorption. The front suspension will help soak up bumps so you won’t get shoulder strain, neck strain, or any surprising bounces. The rear suspension will absorb shocks effortlessly, especially when you land. This will be much easier on your spine, back, hips, and knees. Be aware, though, full suspension bikes are usually more expensive and require more maintenance. However: If you’re not suffering from any of the above issues, just go for the hardtail bike. The first benefit is that it’s lighter. The second is that it’s cheaper. Also, maintaining the bike will be less hard work. You’ll still get the amount of shock absorption necessary to make your landing, even the hard ones, smooth and safe.

Size guide: 26, 27.5, or 29 – Which wheel size is right for you?

It goes without saying that the smaller wheels would be a better fit for smaller or shorter riders. There are some pros and cons of the three wheel sizes, however. Let’s explore them below right now! 26 wheels: Pros:

• The ideal front-center/rear-center balance
• Gives riders an unmatched control of their bike
• Makes turning smooth and easy
• Can speed up very easily

Cons:

• Less traction when going over larger obstacles

27.5 wheels (650B): Pros:

• Same roll-over quality as 29ers
• Same great control as the 26 wheels
• Great for shorter riders who want to try bigger bikes
• Covers longer distance than 29er

Cons:

• A limited selection of forks and tires

29 wheels (29er): Pros:

• Tackles tough terrains with ease
• Less rolling resistance
• Increased stability over long rides
• Smooth ride quality

Cons:

• Does not give as great control and speed up as fast as 26 wheels

You still can’t decide at this point? Our advice is shoot for the most balanced 27.5 wheels. It’s simply the best of both worlds. You can also adjust the seat height however you want.

What hardtail mountain bikes accessories do I need?

From beginner to advanced riders, safety is the #1 priority. We recommend getting yourself a great mountain bike helmet first. If you want to know which helmets are the best, check out our post here. Second, get yourself some knee and elbow pads. While this may be more necessary for beginners, we’d still recommend them for intermediate or advanced riders. Having them will reduce the damage much greater than not. Finally, get yourself a water bottle cage. This is super important, yet you won’t believe how many beginner riders overlook this simple aspect. You will get thirsty on your trip! And you can’t ride back home just to get a bottle of water! On most mountain bikes today, you can mount a nice little water bottle to supply you with enough water during your trip. So, buy one and use it! A tiny little point we also want to mention is the kickstand. For mountain bikes, there’s usually no kickstand. For some models, you’ll find one. If you get this for your kids, a kickstand may be a helpful accessory to teach them how to park the bicycle. Otherwise, we really wouldn’t recommend getting one. Still, if you like one, you can get it super cheap for $10 or so on Amazon!

FAQs

1. What is the best entry level full suspension mountain bike?

Several best choices are:

• Merax Finiss
• Diamondback Overdrive
• Schwinn High Timber
• Mongoose Impasse

You may also want to check out: Raleigh Tokul 2 if your budget is more than $500.

2. How much should you spend on a mountain bike?

That depends on what you want and need. A cost of over $200 to $400 typically covers the very basic features and functionalities of a mountain bike already. If you want even more advanced models, you’d expect to pay over $500 to $10,000. Again, it depends on the size and model as well.

3. What is the best full suspension mountain bike?

Mongoose Impasse is a good one.

4. Are hardtail mountain bikes good?

Absolutely. To make sure you get the best hardtail bike for your buck, you should always check customer reviews, the brand’s return policies or money-back guarantee, and watch some YouTube test rides. That way, you’ll set yourself on the right track to getting a great hardtail mountain bike.