Whether you’re looking for a mountain bike for the daily commute or a great exercise, we’ve got your back. In this post, you’ll find the top 9 best budget mountain bikes reviews. Considering many mountain bike models these days cost well over $1000, your wallet will thank you later for going with these inexpensive but high-quality choices. Together, let’s look at each of them in details! Read more:
- Top 10 Best Hybrid Bikes Under 500$ Review In 2020
- Top 9 Best Entry-Level Road Bikes For Beginners Reviews [2020 Update]
- Top 8 Best Mountain Bike Helmets Reviews In 2020
Table of Contents
Top 9 Best Cheap Mountain Bikes Under 500$/1000$ Reviews Reviews 2020
Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike, Summit Ridge
- Super affordable
- Nice color
- 6 speeds
- Easy to use
- Safe stopping
- 3 sizes
- Great for beginner to advanced riders
- Smooth shifting
- May be difficult to assemble
Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive Hardtail Mountain Bike with 27.5″ Wheels
- Super durable
- 24 speeds
- Shimano drivetrain
- Big fat wheels
- Suntour suspension fork
- Easy to ride
- Smooth shifting
- Easy to stop
- On the pricey side
Merax Finiss 26″ Aluminum 21 Speed Mountain Bike with Disc Brakes
- Incredibly sturdy
- Super cool look
- Powerful Shimano drivetrain
- Supportive
- Lightweight
- Clear instructions
- Responsive braking
- Reasonable price
- High quality
- Only 85% assembled
Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bikes, Multiple Sizes, Multiple Colors
- High quality
- Durable materials
- Powerful performance
- 21 speeds
- 3 wheels’ sizes
- Smooth shifting
- Easy braking
- Shock absorbent
- Narrow seat
Schwinn Protocol 1.0 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike with Aluminum Frame, 26-Inch Wheels, Red
- Nice design
- Strong performance
- Dual-suspension fork
- Easy-to-use shifters
- Wide Tires
- Alloy rims
- Quick braking
- Highly durable
- Missing parts upon arrival
Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike, Featuring 17-Inch/Medium High-Tensile Steel Frame, 7-Speed Shimano Drivetrain, Mechanical Disc Brakes, and 26-Inch Wheels, Light Blue, Navy Blue, and Red
- Fat tires
- Reasonably priced
- Simple gear
- Powerful
- Fast
- Durable
- Highly supportive
- Good customer support
- Quite heavy: over 50 lbs
Kent KZ2600 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike, 26-Inch
- Nice colors
- Easy braking
- Easy shifting
- Rear shock absorber
- Easy to assemble
- Very affordable
- Supportive
- Issues with inner tube and bolts
Avigo Double Divide 26″ Bike, White, 18″/One Size
- Great bike for ladies
- Incredibly affordable
- Cute color
- 21 speeds
- Has a kickstand
- Dual-suspension fork
- Easy to put together
- No colors for men, sorry
Merax Falcon Full Suspension Mountain Bike Aluminum Frame 21-Speed 26-inch Bicycle
Alright riders, this is the last stop on our journey. We want to introduce this Merax Falcon to you. The design of the bike is super inspiring. It reminds us of the colorful plumage of those Amazon rainforest birds. We’re sure it’s fast like a falcon, too! Also, this is a dual-suspension bike. Your back, shoulders, knees will thank you later for this choice. We love the 21 speed Shimano shifters and derailleurs. They have the Shimano RevoShift system on this bike. You can just twist the grip to jump to the gear that you want. Did we mention that there’s also a built-in bell that ships with the bike? Yes, it’s such a nice little touch. We also love the little tail light. The bike comes 85% pre-assembled. If there are no bike shops near you, you can choose the Amazon assembly service right on the checkout page. Overall, we love this bike and highly recommend it to you. You’ll have enjoyable rides with it!
- Beautiful design
- Strong drivetrain
- Easy to use RevoShift
- 21 speeds
- Has a tail light
- Has a little bell
- Easy braking
- Natural fit seat
- Heavy duty pedals
- No kickstand
The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Best Cheap Mountain Bikes Under 500$/1000$
Which suspension type would you like: Full suspension or Hardtail?

What’s your budget range?

What size is right for you?

- The wheel size: 20, 22, 24, 26, 27.5 inches; 700c; 49 cm and so on
- The frame size: 13, 14, 17, 18, 19 inches (usually measured from the bottom bracket up to the top tube)
From our experience, folks from 4’10 to 5’1 would fit bikes around 47cm (around 18.5 inches). Folks within the 5’ range would suit bikes 49 – 55 cm (19 – 22 inches). And riders from 6’ and taller would be comfortable riding 58 – 61 cm (23 – 24 inches) bikes. But remember, these are not hard-and-fast rules. Like shoe manufacturers, different bike manufacturers may have different sizings and geometry charts. Our best advice is to check with the manufacturer first before making any purchase decisions. That way, you’ll be sure you’ll get the best bike that suits you well. Also, some bikes (like Mongoose Dolomite) allow you to adjust the headset up or down to fit you comfortably. You can also adjust the seatpost for maximum comfort. Some tall folks set the seat up if they find the bike short. Others set it down if they find the bike too high. So, you can also be flexible with your bike.
Which kind of shifters are you more comfortable using: Twist grip or Trigger shifter?

- Twist grip (RevoShift) shifters: you twist the grip to adjust the speed
- Trigger shifters (EZ Fire, EF51): you use your index finger to shift gear
You can find twist grip shifters on Merax Falcon, Huffy Summit, Schwinn High Timber, Dolomite. Whereas, you can find trigger shifters on Schwinn Protocol 1.0 and Merax Finiss. Personally, we find the trigger shifters a bit easier to use. It’s easier to keep balance while you’re rolling on the road. The twist grip, however, gives you a greater sense of control. You’d get that “vroom vroom” feeling when you twist the throttle on your motorbike. It’s a little harder for beginners to maintain balance while twisting the grip. Either way, we’re sure you’ll get used to using the shifters with practice!
Leave a Reply