Best budget mountain bikes 2024 – our expert pick of top off-road options at affordable prices (2024)

Choosing the best budget mountain bike can be a minefield – buy the wrong one and it'll rob you of a fun-filled future, but buy the right one and it'll be the gateway to a lifetime of berm slapping and adventuring. Luckily, entry-levelbikes no longer have to equate to trail-riding disappointment.

Our expert testers have many decades of experience riding affordable mountain bikes which is how we picked the best budget options here. Something to bear in mind when looking at budget MTBs is that there will always be compromises. If a bike has a great drivetrain, it might have lower-end suspension in order to keep the price down or vice versa.

Once you buy a bike, you might find that you want to upgrade some of the components too. That doesn't have to be too expensive, so we've put together a buying guide for the best budget bike upgrades. If you're looking to spend a little bit more for a full-suspension trail bike or enduro bike. Also check out our guide to the best mountain bikes under $1000.

As everyone's idea of 'budget' can differ, we've chosen a range of bikes across a number of price ranges to allow riders to match their expectations with a specific price point.

The quick list

Best budget mountain bikes

1. Best hardtail

The mid-fat, plus – or whatever you want to call it – platform has proven to be popular with beginner riders and dirt tourers looking for a little extra comfort and offering increased stability and predictable traction when riding trails.

Trek knows how to make a high-quality frame and the Roscoe comes with all the features and additions that you would expect on a modern hardtail that now includes Boost spacing on the fork and frame for increased stiffness and wheel upgrade potential later on.

The specification is what you'd expect from the Wisconsin brand, including a decent quality SR Suntour XCM 32 fork and Shimano drivetrain paired with Alex rims and Kenda Havok 27.5-inch tires.You even get a 130mm dropper post which is rare to find at this price point.

It must be noted that Trek updated the Roscoe range with new geometry, however, the Roscoe 6 still uses the old frame. Although it's almost 50 percent more expensive, If you can stretch your budget, the Roscoe 7 is far more capable and is a significant upgrade.

2. Best full-suspension

Bet you weren't expecting to see a full-suspension bike in our list of the best budget mountain bikes, yet, Marin have pulled it off.We're also loving the new eye-catching two-tone paintwork.

Not only does the Rift Zone have the on-trail benefits of full-suspension – adding confidence, grip, and control – it also manages to budget in a solid spec sheet that rivals some equally priced hardtails.

There are a few compromises – there's no dropper post and the X-Fusion rear shock is basic rather than brilliant. But overall, the Rift Zone is still a proper bargain and you can upgrade these components later if you wish.

As to be expected from an established brand like Marin, the geometry is sorted as well, with a 65.5-degree head angle, 77-degree seat angle, and decent reach numbers which put you in a great position to shred the trail both up and down.

3. Best handling

Kona has been around since mountain biking’s earliest days, and the Mahuna is its latest take on a versatile entry-level hardtail.

Despite a heavier than average weight, in our tests we found the Mahuna’s surprisingly smooth ride results in a true all-rounder that feels confident and composed across a variety of terrain, although it’s faster-paced XC trails that really bring the Kona to life.

A relatively conservative 68-degree head angle ensures responsive steering when descending and precision while climbing, and the 60mm BB drop keeps rider weight low and stability high throughout all on-trail situations. Riders in-between L and XL frame sizes may be in a predicament though, as there’s a hefty gap between reach and seat tube measurements.

Certain specification options can make it feel like it’s out of its depth on more technical terrain though, which means it's best suited to riders on the search for an upgradable XC/distance contender at a killer price point. Something that the two bottle mounts also lend themselves to.

The fact that the Mahuna is available through true brick-and-mortar bike shops is a big bonus, plus its frame is covered by a lifetime warranty which reinforces the purchase as a quality investment.

Beyond the frame, Kona has specced Shimano's superb Deore 11-51t, 11-speed groupset, although depending on your location you may get Microshift XLE 11-46t 11-speed instead. WTB ST i27 wheels are paired with Maxxis Forekaster 29 x 2.35-inch tires for decent rolling performance.

Our reviewer Guy Kesteven summed up: "If you’re after a surprisingly smooth and cultured ride with an easy-speed XC vibe then the quality upgradable frame and decent wheelset of the Mahuna get you off to a great start and guarantee a fresher finish than a slacker, sturdier trail-style hardtail."

Check out our comprehensive Kona Mahuna bike review for a more in-depth look into how it performs in the real world.

4. Best spec overall

If you’ve read our very recent review of the Rockhopper Elite 29 you’ll see that during the testing period we were left in a conundrum between excellent ride-feel attributes and several upgrade limiting design features; as a result, the Rockhopper is brilliant for some riders, but a total non-starter for others.

On the trail we found the Rockhopper’s low weight provides an energetic and lively ride feel that encouraged us to stamp on the pedals with enthusiasm – a characteristic which, when paired with the smooth RockShox Judy air-sprung fork, low bottom bracket and fantastically well-modulated Shimano MT200 brakes, makes the Rockhopper ooze confidence on the trail.

The shine of these quality ride attributes quickly started to vanish as we took a deeper look into the Rockhopper’s construction though, and it's the straight non-tapered head tube that’s the major flaw here. With all the best aftermarket suspension forks featuring tapered steerer tubes, there’s no room for the Rockhopper’s front end performance to grow as time goes on.

If it wasn’t for the upgrade-limiting design overlooks, the Rockhopper has the potential to be one of the best-performing bikes in its category.Our reviewer Jim Bland says, "If you think you’re a rider who will keep things stock and just ride, the Rockhopper’s trail prowess, excellent brakes and sorted gearing make it a great riding option that should provide years of fun."

For more, check out our in-depth dive into all areas of the Specialized Rockhopper Elite’s construction and performance.

5. Best for trail riding

We thought Merida's Big Trail 600 was great when we tested it and the Big Trail 400 shares the same DNA and a really sorted spec for a bargain price.

It's clear the Merida has teamed up with progressive shops and riders to really dial in the geometry and feel of this super-confident 29er too, guaranteeing good times on genuine Big Trails.

While the 140mm fork, 1x10 Shimano Deore groupset with hydraulic brakes, 2.4in tires, and a dropper post are all obvious highlights, there's some great 'hidden' detailing too.

Short seat tubes let you size up or down to get the reach you want for the kind of riding you do. There are twin bottle mounts and an accessory mount for trail essentials, but also stealth kickstand and fender fixtures for weekday workhorse duties.What's not to love?

6. Best for speed

The Marlin hardtail family are Trek's best-selling mountain bikes, which makes them some of the most popular in the world. It's easy to see why with the Marlin 7s under 30lbs weight, fast-rolling 29er wheels, and racey look that's complemented by fiery paintwork all making it a standout performer.

Trek has also taken the super smart decision to scan its warranty data and only use the most reliable equipment. This includes Shimano Deore gears, hydraulic brakes, and a RockShox Judy fork which means you get to ride more and worry about maintenance less.

The relatively steep 69.5-degree head angle, narrow, low-rise handlebars, slim 29er rubber, and lack of dropper post definitely make it a racer, not a raver.

However, if you're after maximum speed or just efficient, comfortable long-distance mileage over mixed terrain, the Marlin is one hell of a catch.

7. Best for plus tire grip

After catching everyone's attention when they first appeared around 10 years ago, bikes with plus-size tires have since become a bit of a flash in the pan.

That's not to say they don't serve a purpose with many riders – from beginner to expert-level – loving the extra grip and comfort that big, wide tires bring to the table – though they can be a handful in the wet, and ideally, set up tubeless so you can run low pressures.

The Fuse is a top bike for those looking to tackle singletrack comfortably and confidently thanks to the 66-degree head angle, feature-packed frame, and well-specced component list.

Those big 2.6-inch wide tires work their magic when combined with a 130mm RockShox Judy fork, SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, and a TranzX dropper post.

Plus, you'll be able to find one easily in your local Specialized shop, so getting your hands on this bike really shouldn't be a problem.

8. Best for bikepacking

Not all mountain bikes are designed to shred rock gardens and not all mountain bikers are out to get gnarly. If the idea of multi-day adventures is more your thing then the Sonder Frontier is a great option for bikepacking. The durable alloy frame keeps weight down, has boost spacing and there are three bottle cage mounts on the frame, plus triple bosses on the forks to mount bottle or accessory cages.

While the complete bikes all come with 29er wheels, the frame also has the capacity to clear 27.5x3-inch tires for those looking for a bit more comfort.

Taking to the trails on a rigid mountain bike is certainly an acquired taste that will test your skills, although the Frontier geometry should mean it’s still a blast on smooth flow trails. The rigid fork can also be swapped out for a 100mm suspension fork and there’s even internal routing for a dropper post, if that’s your thing.

Beyond simplicity and mounting options, another advantage of a rigid fork is it frees up some budget for Sonder to spec some better parts. That means you get a full Shimano Deore M6100 12-speed groupset including a wide range 10-51t cassette which will make light work of steep gradients when loaded with camping kit.

9. Best for XC miles

The Grand Canyon 6 caters to more dedicated XC riders than part-timers and is designed to cover miles quickly and efficiently.

Canyon has always been known for its stellar value and this model is no different, making its very reasonable asking price go a long way.

The Grand Canyon 6 comes specced with a Shimano XT 12-speed derailleur which is paired with a Shimano Deore 10-51t cassette for slick shifting performance.

A fast-rolling combo of Canyon own-brand wheels and 2.25in Schwalbe Tough Tom (front) and Rapid Rob tires (rear) work well in most conditions and keep the bike feeling spritely up punchy climbs.

As a bonus for smaller riders, the XS and S bikes come with 27.5in wheels for a better fit to create consistent riding dynamics across all sizes.

Best budget mountain bikes comparison table

Things to consider when buying a budget mountain bike

Between us, our test team has tested a huge number of mountain bikes of all price points over the years. That's helped us identify exactly what to look for when buying a budget mountain bike. If the bike you're interested in ticks all the boxes on our checklist below, it's likely to serve you well. If you want more detail after reading this, check out our article 5 must-have features on budget mountain bikes.

• Geometry: Modern frame geometry can deliver a confidence-inspiring ride without the need for state-of-the-art suspension. A key number is the head angle – look for numbers less than 67 degrees, anything over that is likely to feel twitchy and nervous in trail situations. Reach is also a key factor, as longer numbers here will also help to boost trail confidence, though going too long can feel uncomfortably stretched for the rider. Look for around 470mm for a large frame, 450mm for a medium frame and 430mm on a small. If you want more on this, see our article on mountain bike geometry explained.
• Brakes: MTB brakes have moved on from grabbing the wheel rim to using specially designed discs (like most motor vehicle brakes) also known as rotors. Disc brakes are much more effective and come in two varieties – hydraulic and cable-operated (aka mechanical). Hydraulic brakes give more reliable stopping as the calipers self-adjust as the pads wear down, but cable operated are decent too. Out of the two types, we'd opt for hydraulics every time though. For more, see our mechanical vs hydraulic disc brakes article.

• Skinny head tubes: The short explanation here is to just avoid them. Beneath your frame's skinny and straight head tube is a fork with a straight steerer. Straight steerers are an outdated fork standard as most forks now have tapered steerers that are wider at the bottom, and narrower at the top. While straight steerer-equipped forks aren't necessarily worse than similarly specced tapered models, if you want to upgrade to a better fork later on, you're unlikely to find anything that fits your frame.
• Thru-axles: Rather than using a skinny QR skewer rod (that hasn't moved on since they were invented in 1926!) to attach your wheels to your bike, any mountain bike worth its salt these days uses bolt thru-axles. They are threaded tubes that are much stiffer and more secure than QR wheel skewers and will ideally be on the fork and rear dropouts. Look for 'Boost-width' (110mm wide at the front and 148mm at the back) as this is the most commonly used standard these days, so will give you more choice if you decide to upgrade your wheels later.

Best budget mountain bike FAQs

How we test the best budget mountain bikes

All the budget mountain bikes tested here have been ridden on a wide range of trails, from singletrack to technical woodsy riding, in a variety of weather conditions, from bone dry to properly sodden. We test bikes over a number of months so we can assess how they fare over time.

Meet the testers

Guy Kesteven

Guy has been writing about and testing bikes since 1996. Over the decades he’s tested a phenomenal amount of mountain bikes and ridden all the leading budget models.

Jim Bland

Jim Bland is a product tester and World Cup Downhill mechanic. Always on the hunt for the perfect setup, Jim will be found comprehensively testing bikes with World Cup racing levels of detail.