Are you considering buying a mountain bike? This can be a daunting task. With that being said, you should read this guide thoroughly and learn about the best inexpensive mountain bikes. Then, you can make your decision.
While the best mountain bikes under $500 are great, a lot of people can’t afford that much. If you fit into this category, you’ll want to think about saving money and spending less. Surprisingly, you can find plenty of great mountain bikes for far less. Once you’ve acquired a good mountain bike, you’ll be able to cruise along the trails and see the best of Mother Nature up close and personal.
Of course, you cannot rush your decision. Doing so will result in problems soon. Instead, you’ll want to read this guide and learn about the best bikes in this category.
Best Cheap Mountain Bikes: The Comparison table
Last update on 2023-03-27 at 03:46 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Akonza Cobra Mountain Bicycle
The Akonza Cobra Mountain Bike is one of the best of the bunch. If you’re looking for a bike that can also be used on the pavement, you’ll want to consider looking at the best hybrid bikes. Otherwise, this bike could easily be the best men’s mountain bike under $300. After all, it is reliable, durable, and fun to ride. It is equipped with 21 speeds. This ensures that you’ll be able to switch gears when necessary. You can barrel down hills and climb up hills without so much effort.
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Suspensions
One of the best things about this bike is the suspension system. This bike features front and rear suspensions. You can guarantee that the suspension system is going to limit the impact. Your body won’t have to absorb every bump. Instead, you can keep pedaling through the roughest terrain you encounter.
Great Pedals
Another good thing about this bike is the pedals. They’re designed to provide you with a little adds security. They feature carved grips. Plus, the bike has anti-skid tires. If you’re going to be out biking during the rain, you need these features. They’ll ensure that you’re able to remain in control of the bike at all times.
Quick Release Wheels
Ultimately, transporting a bike can be a hassle. After all, not everyone has a bike rack on their vehicle. Well, this bike simplifies that problem to some degree. It features a front hub quick release wheel. This makes it very easy to remove the wheel whenever you need to do so. In return, this will make transporting the bike easy.
Pros
- Much easier to transport
- Bike looks amazing
- Very fun to ride
- Softens the impact of bumps
Cons
- Slightly heavy at 47 pounds
- Assembly is complicated
2. Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike for Boys
If you’ve got extra to spend, you should check out the top class hybrid bikes. Otherwise, you’ll love the Huffy Kids Hardtail Mountain Bike. Just remember that this bike is designed for children. It is best for boys between the ages of 5 and 9. It is suitable for rider heights of 44 to 56 inches. As long you know what you’re getting, you can guarantee that your child will love this bike. Then, you and your son will be able to ride the trails together!
- Assembly tutorial video located beside the images; with a gloss blue hardtail frame and 6 speeds to aggressively ride, the Huffy Stone Mountain is ready for epic outdoor fun; just follow the steps in our product manual
- Ideal for ages 5-9 and a rider height of 44-56 inches; durable steel frame is backed by our limited lifetime warranty (see owner's manual for details); Kolo 1200 suspension fork handles bumps and dips for a smoother-feeling ride
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Includes A Kickstand
One thing to note is that this bike features a kickstand. This is not as common as it used to be many years ago. The kickstand will make your life easier. When you and your kid want to stop for a break, you can use the kickstand to keep the bike upright. You won’t have to worry about finding a tree to do it for you.
Very Stylish
When it comes down to it, your child is going to be interested in getting a cool bike. Any old bicycle isn’t going to cut it. You need one that looks cool. This is where the Huffy Kids bike excels. The black and blue color scheme is very cool. You can guarantee that the appearance will put a big smile on your child’s face.
Good Suspension
Finally, you should know that this bike features a good suspension system. When you cruise over bumps and dips, your body will not take as much abuse. The bike is designed to limit the shock and provide you with a comfortable ride.
Pros
- Looks amazing
- Suspension system helps
- Great for children
- 6-speed or 21-speed
Cons
- Gear system needs improvements
- Chain comes free frequently
3. Kent KZ2600 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike
Those who wish to ride on pavement and dirt will want to check out the top hybrid bikes from our list. If you want to stay on the trails, you’ll love the Kent KZ2600 Mountain Bike. This could be the very best women’s mountain bike under $300. The bike is affordable but it offers many excellent features. In fact, it can compete with some of the most expensive bikes out there. For the price, you will get your money’s worth and so much more.
- 26-inch full suspension aluminum MTB frame
- Suspension fork 65mm travel
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Two Brakes
The braking system of the bike will prove to be more important than you could ever imagine. The good news is that the KZ2600 is equipped with a reliable braking system. You’ll have two brakes to benefit from. You can take advantage of the front disc brake and the rear linear pull brake. This combination ensures that you’ll be able to stop your bike quickly. In return, you shouldn’t have to worry much about crashing due to faulty brakes.
21-Speed Shimano Shifters
The gear system on the KZ2600 Bike is fantastic. You’re going to be dealing with Shimano shifters. You can guarantee that they’ll satisfy. In fact, these are rapid fire shifters. You will not have any trouble shifting from one gear to the next. Hit the switch and the bike will make the necessary adjustments immediately. It is that fluid and easy.
Looks Great
This bike features a simple design. However, the finish is great. The black and blue combination looks amazing. When you ride this bike on the trails, you can guarantee that you’ll receive compliments from others.
Pros
- Equipped with 21 speed Shimano shifters
- Front and back brakes are great
- Looks amazing
- Rides comfortably
Cons
- Front shock can fail with time
- Bike chain can hit the derailleur
4. Merax 26” Mountain Bicycles
All in all, the Merax could be the best full suspension mountain bike. It won’t perform well on the pavement like the best road bikes under $500 but it impresses on rough terrain. This bike is stylish and it is available in two color schemes. You can choose black or blue. Both color options look amazing. Even better is the fact that this bike is going to satisfy in terms of performance. When you fit the trails, you can guarantee that this bike will not let you down.
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Weight Capacity
Before purchasing a bike, you need to choose one that will be able to support your weight. That shouldn’t be a problem with the Merax 26” Mountain Bike. After all, this bike is capable of supporting 330 pounds at the max. This is very good compared to the competition. This makes the bike suitable for almost everyone.
Warranty
Ultimately, you never know when you’re going to run into issues. Therefore, you should choose a bike that is protected by some type of warranty. The Merax is covered by a 1-year warranty. That is okay but it would be nice if it was longer. After all, a lot can happen after your first year of ownership. This is likely the biggest flaw with this bike. Otherwise, it is great.
Pedals
Finally, you should know that the pedals are great. They will grip your feet. This guarantees that your feet are not going to go sliding off of the pedals while you’re blazing through the trails. They’ll stay glued to the pedals at all times.
Pros
- Can support up to 330 pounds
- Looks great
- Performs well on trails
- Shimano shifters and derailleurs work well
Cons
- No room for a water bottle mount
- Discs brakes could be better
5. Dynacraft Speed Alpine Eagle Mountain Bike
The Dynacraft Alpine Eager Bike is a great investment for any woman. It looks great and will perform even better. The bike’s purple, white, and green color scheme is very attractive. On top of that, the price is right on target. This bike isn’t going to break the bank. However, you can guarantee that it is going to perform well on trails. If you’re an adrenaline junkie who wants a cheap mountain bike, this is the one you’ll want to check out.
- Womens 26" steel hardtail road/mountain bike
- 21 speed index derailleur with Shimano grip shifters
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Weight Restrictions
One thing to note is that this bike has a lower weight limit than some of the others. It should only be used by people 12 years and older. Simultaneously, it is only capable of accommodating 275 pounds. If you weigh more than that, you’ll need to upgrade to a bigger bike. However, this one should be okay for most women.
Warranty
You’re going to love the warranty on this bike. While the frame is the most durable component of all, there are still plenty of things that can go wrong. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure that your bike’s frame is protected. Well, this bike features a lifetime warranty on the frame and fork.
Padded Seat
This bike features a padded saddle. The seat features enough cushion to keep you comfortable throughout your ride. On top of that, it is adjustable too. This ensures that you’ll be comfortable no matter what.
Pros
- Frame and fork are protected by a lifetime warranty
- Seat is adjustable and comfortable
- Purple and white frame is cute
- Rear and front brakes work great
Cons
- Tires go bad quickly
- Cheap construction
Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Mountain Bike Under $300?
Who says females don’t enjoy mountain biking? No one can say that in honesty. Many females enjoy the sport just as much as their male counterparts. If you are shopping for your first mountain bike, you will need to become familiar with its many important components. Mountain biking can take its toll on the bike and your body. To reduce the damage caused by rough terrains, manufacturers utilize a variety of state-of-the-art technologies. You will discover what these technologies are in the article below.
Handlebar Design
Like males, females prefer a compact handlebar design. This design will offer better control and handling in the harshest terrains. Lack of control will only increase your risk of mishaps. A compact handlebar design is more preferable for both genders. Key components of the handlebar are the grips. While the design of the handlebar is extremely important, the grip design is just as important. Manufacturers utilize a rubberized material to provide a firm grip. An ergonomically designed handlebar grip will offer more comfort than other designs.
Seat Post
The seat post design is also very important for riders. A suspension design will help reduce shock when riding over rocks, bumps, and holes. The suspension will absorb most of the shock, so you can ride on the roughest terrain sitting. To offer convenience to female riders, manufacturers will design their seat post to provide a quick release. The quick-release design allows the rider to attach and detach the seat with ease.
Suspension
Mountain bikes are generally equipped with front suspension. This suspension is known as a hardtail, which is ideal for trails and pavement. The hardtail suspension is lighter in weight than the full suspension.
Now, if you are looking for a smoother ride on rough terrain, you may find the full suspension more suitable for your needs. This suspension is slightly heavier than the hardtail. But, it does offer both rear and front suspension. So, it will absorb most of the shock caused by potholes, bumps, and boulders.
FAQ
Why do females prefer hardtail to the full suspension?
The hardtail suspension has many benefits. For females, the biggest advantage of the hardtail is it lighter in weight. Other benefits include versatility and affordability. This is the ideal suspension for hill climbing, trails, and pavement.
Why should the bike saddle be padded?
There is no doubt that bikes endure some of the harshest conditions. While resisting the damage caused by these conditions, the bike must be able to deliver a high level of comfort. If the bike saddle is padded with thick foam, it will absorb a high percentage of the shock caused by rocks, twigs, holes, and bumps.