best mountain bikes for the money

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Finding the right mountain bike for you can be tricky because you want to take it up to the mountains and you need it to perform.

After all, you want a good bike that will actually last. Read below, I have thebest mountain bikes under $500 right here. Before buying a good mountain bike under $500, here are the best 10 you need to consider!

REVEALED: The 10 Best Mountain Bikes Under $500 For Everyone!

Well, these top 10 picks are the best mountain bikes for under $500 dollars. Enjoy!

1. Batch The Mountain 29

Best Bargain Mountain Bike

Batch The Mountain 29 We are excited to introduce this budget mountain bike.

This is not a high-end bike, but it is an excellent choice for beginners.

Batch The Mountain secures its place as one of the top affordable hardtail bikes thanks to the attractive money to value ratio.

Key takeaway points:

29″ wheels
Lightweight aluminum frame
3×7 drivetrain
Alloy V-Brakes

The bike is built around a durable aluminum frame that combines strength and comfort. There's plenty of standover clearance for short riders thanks to the slanted top tube. The frame has mounts for fenders and a rear rack.

This particular model comes in modern and attractive orange and blue colors which make it look more expensive.

The Mountain's components are suitable for entry-level mountain biking and include an SR Suntour XCE28 fork with 100 mm of travel andalloy V-brakes for reliable stopping power. With the grip and comfort you get from the tires, you will feel confident to ride and explore dirt roads and trails.

This bike also boasts a 3 x7 Shimano drivetrain, which is enough gearing for beginners.

Batch The Mountain is a bargain hardtail mountain bike for everyday riding as it comes with wide 29er wheels and tires and suits different mountain and recreational biking purposes!

We've found several user reviews online, most had given 4-star and 5-star ratings. The owners gave high ratings to every aspect of the bike and found it to be an excellent holiday gift.

Batch has done a good job on The Mountain, which is why it was the best-selling cheap MTB in 2020. Despite the low price, it doesn't look cheap. It will provide years of performance and riding bliss to any entry-level rider.

2. Co-op Cycles DRT 1.0

Best with Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Co-op Cycles may sound like a new brand to your ear, but we've been fans of it for several years now. It's owned by REI.com, the maker of a few pretty slick mountain bikes priced at under or around the $500 range.

Key features:

Suitable for men and women
21 gears
Best for short riders (4'9″ and up)
Free warranty tune-up from REI
Powerful hydraulic disc brakes

FULL DRT Series overview

The DRT 1.0 is designed for cycling enthusiasts who want to take up trail riding and spend some time in nature.

Co-op Cycles DRT 1.0 has a number of stand-out features that put it on par with more expensive trail bikes, even though it costs only around $599.

The bike employs lightweight 6061 aluminum alloy frame tubing coupled with 100 mm of travel on the front suspension, which will make all trail surfaces feel much smoother, and also will increase the rider's control and confidence. Another standout feature of DRT 1.0 is that it has not only disc brakes but hydraulic disc brakes.

The bike requires minimal mechanical prowess to assemble – the provided comprehensive instructions and tools make it easy!

User reviews confirm our thoughts – DRT 1.0 is very intuitive and easy to feel comfortable on, and some owners point out that it's a steal at this price. The word is out!

Finally, DRT 1.0 is a great choice for riders who are making their initial foray into mountain biking and seeking a reliable "companion". We hope that more and more beginner riders discover Co-op Cycles because it looks like they might be the new Diamondback – proven to be reliable and a great value!

3. Mongoose Switchback – Men's and Women's

Best Affordable Hardtail MTB

Mongoose Switchback is a versatile hybrid mountain bike that's suitable for male and female riders. Plus, it comes in several versions, such as Expert, Comp, Sport, and Trail.

It has a lightweight, streamlined, and sleek aluminum frame painted in various attractive colors, which is always a big plus. It's not ultralightweight, but it's not heavy either. The coil suspension fork is basic but it's a great feature for recreational trail, gravel, and dirt riding.

Key takeaways:

Suitable for men and women
Aluminum frame
Mechanical disc brakes

Moving on to the components, the Switchback is equipped with anywhere between 8 and 21 gears, depending on the model. This is more than enough for entry-level riders. The groupsets vary as well, so you'll get Shimano Tourney or Altus, depending on the model.

Moreover, this bike comes with mechanical disc brakes to slow you down or stop you on a dime, which is an indispensable feature when riding off-road.

Mongoose Switchback is a well-built mountain bike that delivers phenomenal value for the money to the average beginner trail rider.

Finding the right fit on Mongoose Switchback is easy as the bike is available in Small, Medium, and Large sizes. All models also get 27.5 x 2.1″ knobby tires that will ensure plenty of grip in most conditions.

Mongoose Switchback is an entry-level bike so it's not recommendable for serious trail riding. However, it's perfectly suitable for casual off-road rides and explorations off the beaten path. It's a comfy, upright MTB that will do a great job of introducing you to the nuances of the sport.

4. Neffice 27.5 Mountain Bike

Best Granny Gears for Climbing

Neffice Mountain Bike It's time to update our list of the best mountain bikes that you can get for under $500. The newest addition is the Neffice 27.5. It has earned its place on the list because it provides unprecedented value for such a small amount of money.

The low overall weight is achieved thanks to the lightweight 6061 aluminum frame with a relaxed trail-specific geometry. It puts the rider in a more upright and easygoing position. Therefore, you will feel more confident and ride more.

The best aspects about the Neffice 27.5 mountain bike are:

Attractive colors
High-quality aluminum frame
Powerful mechanical disc brakes
24 speeds
2.1″ wide knobby tires

Neffice has an adjustable suspension fork, 2.1″ wide tires, and comes with 27.5″ wheels. Therefore, it is suitable for different terrains and types of off-

Even though Neffice costs much less than $500, it uses decent components. These are entry-level choices, but they work really well even at this level. You will have 24 speeds in total which is perfect for some decent off-road riding and climbing.

Neffice is a simple and versatile trail mountain bike that does well on paved and unpaved roads, in the forest, and on moderate trails.

As we said, the wheels are 27.5″ in diameter and the tires are knobby and wide, so you won't be lacking grip. You'll also get a pair of platform pedals and a comfy ergonomic saddle. Therefore, all you need to do is hop on and go explore!

The Neffice 27.5″ is the right choice if you want to buy an affordable mountain bike with decent components that you can ride on and off-road, to enjoy the outdoors, lose weight, or get fit.

5. Schwinn Mesa

Best for Short Riders

Schwinn Mesa

As you know, Schwinn has been around for a long time, making quality bikes in different categories. One of those categories is mountain biking. They provide value where it is needed the most, for example with components and strong wheels.

Key takeaways:

Suitable for riders 5'2″ to 5'6″ in height
Disc brakes
27.5″ wheels

This Schwinn is the best mountain bike under $500 because it is made of high-quality materials, so it offers good value for the price. It has 27.5″ wheels and disc brakes which allows you to negotiate obstacles and stop quickly. It has wide knobby mountain tires, which are wide enough for off-road riding but not too wide for road commutes.

Assembling might require some technical knowledge, though the bike ships mostly assembled already. The bike might be a little on the heavier side, considering it has entry-level front suspension. This suspension is not intended for serious trail riding, but it will significantly improve the overall comfort on off-road rides.

Schwinn Mesa is an entry-level bike intended for beginners and recreational riders. You can't really find too many faults with it considering the low price.

This hardtail bike has a Shimano Tourney drivetrain that offers 21 gears. This is a low-tier groupset, so I would advise against too much abuse. However, it's completely fine for everyday use. The components on this bike are going to last until you decide to wrap yourself around a tree, though we advise against it if you have a choice.

Get it if you want an affordable hardtail bike with the most comfort for off-road adventures.

6. Vilano Blackjack 3.0

Cheapest We Could Find

This bike is fairly cheaply priced. You can get it for less than $500. But what about the components? In this price range, you can't expect anything superb, but there can be a nice balance between the price and quality. Vilano Blackjack 3.0 is really popular on Amazon.

Key takeaways:

29er wheels
One Size (17″)
Aluminum frame
Suspension fork
Front and rear disc brakes

Let's look closer and see what the reason for all of the attention is.

It rolls on 29" wheels, which are double-walled. It is only available in one size (17"), so some very short or very tall riders might not be able to ride it. The frame material is aluminum, which Vilano claims, has been heat-treated. This bike comes in one color only, but it's a modern and attractive black, with gray and red details.

Vilano also says its weight to be around 30 pounds. It's not light, but it's decent for the price. It mainly uses Shimano low-level components which are better than some third-party components. Its 24 gears are absolutely enough for different riding situations.

Vilano Blackjack 3.0 is a massive bargain as it costs under $500 but offers components that usually cost much more.

You will need some tools to assemble it. The assembly instructions are good, but if you're not familiar with bike assembly, then you might want to bring the bike to a local bike shop and have them do it for a fairly inexpensive price.

This is a good pick for those who are looking for the best mountain bikes under $500. Check the best sellers and feedback on Amazon — they tell the same thing, this bike is worth buying in this price range!

7. Mongoose Malus Fat Bike

Our Top Pick – Best Fat Bike Under $500!

Mongoose makes many different types of bicycles, but we like their MTB line the most. This MTB review page would not have been complete without a fat bike, as they are becoming more and more popular. With that in mind, when choosing mountain bikes under $500, the Mongoose Malus fat tire bike was the most logical choice

Main Features:

Knobby 4″ wide tires
Mechanical disc brakes

Moreover, fat bikes are usually more robust and less complicated than other types of bikes, which makes them the perfect candidate for entry-level riders.

All fat bikes usually come with disc brakes, since they need more stopping power because of their heavier weight. Mongoose Malus has a set of mechanical disc brakes, which might need more strength in your fingers to fully engage, but they brake much more efficiently than V-brakes.

Mongoose Malus comes with a steel frame that puts an emphasis on comfort and strength but does not sacrifice speed and weight too much.

At this price, you cannot expect high-end components, that's for sure. However, Mongoose Malus doesn't give you the cheapest components either. It comes with a 1×7 drivetrain operated with a Shimano rear derailleur.

Fat bikes usually do not come with a lot of gears since they are intended for extreme terrains and conditions where you do not need to go very fast. Therefore, the seven speeds on Malus will certainly suffice.

Related: Best Fat Bikes

All in all, fat tire bikes are really fun machines, but they are much more than a toy. If you haven't ridden one so far, we recommend Mongoose Malus as it's great value for the price – fat bike for under $500 – give it a try!

8. Royce Union

Best 29er Trail Bike

Royce is not a very well-known brand but it is doing a lot to popularize mountain biking among entry-level riders, for both men and women. Royce Union is the right tool for this job because it costs little, looks good, and has plenty of beginner-friendly features.

Main features:

Aluminum Frame
29″ wheels
22 gears
Hydraulic disc brakes

You can see straight away that this is a modern trail bike, because of the attractive paint job and the progressive trail geometry. The bike looks really nice on the streets and rides even better, even though it is quite affordable.

The SR Suntour XCT front fork has 100 mm of travel which is a good amount of travel for fun rides on bumpy roads or recreational rides on moderate trails.

It makes the ride smooth and eliminates the majority of vibrations. The fork and the frame allow for wide knobby tires, which you'll love when the surface beneath you gets sketchy. You'll get plenty of grip even if you ride in wet conditions.

The Royce Union trail bike offers phenomenal entry-level performance with a range of components and features to fit every pocket.

The number of gears is sometimes a problem with cheap bikes, but the Royce Union has 22 gears and a 2×11 drivetrain, which is plenty. You won't need more than that. The bike comes with Shimano SLX components, which is an excellent mid-tier groupset.

All in all, we quite like Royce Union and think it's an excellent choice for recreational riders since it has a comfortable geometry and quality parts. Feel free to buy one of them if you want to start off-road cycling as a complete beginner and learn the beauties of the sport.

9. Schwinn High Timber

Best MTB with 29″ Wheels

Schwinn High Timber is an affordable mountain bike, perfect for being your first bicycle for hitting the off-road. It is well-equipped, good-looking, and incredibly easy to maintain.

Some specs:

Aluminum Frame
29″ tires
21 speeds

It has a lightweight and durable aluminum frame that improves comfort and achieves a modern look. Great looks are this bike's main trait, but it is also pretty well-equipped for this price.

High Timber has a comfortable saddle that will support you well on longer rides and comes with platform pedals.

The value Schwinn High Timber offers at a very low price is hard to beat, making it the best bang for the buck in this category.

This bike has a 21-speed drivetrain so you don't need to worry whether or not you'll have the right gear for a steep climb. The bike also has front and rear mechanical disc brakes instead of V-brakes, which is a big plus on cheap mountain bikes.

The highlight is the wide 29″ tires that improve comfort and stability, which is the most important thing for beginner riders.

To sum, if you want an affordable but quality bike that will show you all the beauties of riding bikes, don't hesitate to get the Schwinn High Timber mountain bike.

10. Hiland 26 Aluminum MTB

Best Bike for Kids Under $500

Hiland 26 Aluminum MTB We believe that kids should start riding bikes at an early age. It's fun and it's good for their health! That's why we're wrapping up this list with the best kids' bike for under $500! We're talking about Hiland 26 which is a versatile choice that does well both on and off-road.

Key features:

26″ wheels
Front suspension
Aluminum frame

It features 2 6 " wheels which make this bike suitable for teenagers and young adults. However, depending on their height, even younger kids can enjoy this beautiful MTB. It's suitable for riders over 5'1″ in height.

This Hiland model costs well under $500. That's a bargain, which makes this the perfect first mountain bike for you or your child.

The stock model is equipped enough to guarantee a fun and quality ride. Hiland 26 has a beginner-friendly Shimano 24-speed drivetrain that's easy for kids to use and even easier for parents to maintain.

Hiland also has front and rear mechanical disc brakes that inspire confidence and stability.

The fork is on this bike offers ample amounts of travel even though it's heavy, but most kids don't really need loads of travel as they don't ride too hard.

Related: Best Kids Bikes

If you want you or your child to spend more time outside and fall in love with cycling on a fun and quality bike, then Hiland 26″ is a no-brainer.

Conclusions

We tested eight bikes and found them all to be great values and competent machines. But which one would be the best for you?

suggested

Let's investigate…

If you want a true taste of real mountain biking, then you should get the affordable Batch The Mountain. However, the best trail mountain bike around $500 that we've located is the Co-op DRT 1.0.

Mongoose Switchback costs slightly more than $500, but it's worth it if you want excellent value for your money and a well-built bike that will last you for years.

Seriously!

The best trail mountain bike comes in the form of the Neffice 27.5. If you need a 29″ MTB, you should consider Schwinn High Timber, which is an excellent hardtail option.

Short riders sometimes have a hard time finding the right bike. However, we've managed to find Schwinn Mesa which will fit you like a glove if you're under 6 ft. tall. For all-terrain fat bikers, we found the Mongoose Malus to be the best pick.

Fact time: W omen can always use men's bikes, and many do. For example, you should consider the Royce Union. A great bike for the price!

For the most part, you get what you pay for. If low price is your priority and you are satisfied with weaker components, then we'll suggest the Vilano Blackjack 3.0, which will fulfill its duties if maintained regularly and not abused.

Finally, if you're looking for a bike to treat yourself or your kid with, then Hiland is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Not Sure how to Assemble a Bike? Click Here To Order Proper Bike Assembly At Amazon.com!

If you didn't find what you were looking for, here's a quick tip for you. Find your bike on REI, JensonUSA, evo, Backcountry, Planet Cyclery mountain bike category (sorted by price)

OVERALL

Overall Ideas

One may be hesitant to purchase a cheap mountain bike online, but there are some strong contenders. When it comes to branded bikes, you pay at least 30% for the name alone, while lesser-known best budget mountain bike manufacturers work hard to make quality bikes that could rival "Scotts" or "Treks". You can read about them here on Bikeradar. All of the bikes have a firm lightweight and high-quality frames and the only way to go up is to buy a carbon fiber frame, which is considerably pricier than the cheap mountain bikes discussed here.

We suggest you buy only the best hardtail mountain bikes because full-suspension bikes need more money and you can't afford them in this price range.

While they mightrequire some basic assembling, i.e handlebar or rims installed, we would advise any one of these bikes as top-notch entry-level options and you shouldn't worry about the less than perfect quality – they are great for training and exploring new roads.

I hope you found the best mountain bikes under $500!

Consider buying pre-owner bikes from The Pro's Closet

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