5 Best Mountain Bikes Under $1000

  /  Reviews  /  5 Best Mountain Bikes Under $1000

OLIVER L. Author

Published: August 21, 2020

Oliver has been mountain biking for over 20 years, raced downhill nationally and is part of several mountain biking clubs and communities. He currently owns five bikes... and they all get used (as he reminds his girlfriend regularly) Read More

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the best mountain bikes under $1000 will be perfect for you to get started. Many of them could be a bit expensive for budget-conscious buyers, but they still offer great value for the money.

If you want a top mountain bike at a reasonable price, you have come to the right place for your selection. The Schwinn High Timber Youth and Adult Mountain Bike is a versatile and affordable mountain bike that offers excellent features and stands as our top pick.

In the following article, we will be looking at a few of the top mountain bikes that offer great value, but also provide excellent performance. Our small buyer’s guide should give you some insight, allowing you to see which of the features we deemed most important in the selection process. Now, you can find your ideal mountain bike.

Top 5 Mountain Bikes Under $1000 Compared

 Frame MaterialsFrame TypePriceRating
Schwinn High Timber Youth and Adult Mountain BikeSteelHardtail$$$★★★★★
Diamondback Bicycles Hook 27.5 Wheel Mountain BikeAluminumHardtail$$$$★★★★★
Mongoose Major Mountain BikeAluminumFull-Suspension$$★★★★
Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Men’s MountainSteelHardtail$$★★★★
Roadmaster Granite Peak Men’s Mountain BikeSteelHardtail$★★★★★

Best Mountain Bikes Under $1000 On The Market

Before we dive into some of the top features, we must consider which bikes are the best. We have selected the 6 best bikes currently available for the budget-conscious buyer, which should ensure that you find the right one for your needs. Below, we have smaller reviews that will give you a bite-sized chunk of information about each bike.

Best Mountain Bike: Schwinn High Timber Youth and Adult Mountain Bike

Schwinn is one of the leading brands when it comes to providing value bikes at affordable prices. The Schwinn High Timber Youth and Adult Mountain Bike feature a solid steel frame, packed with 7-speed Shimano twisters. However, the biggest value comes from the alloy crank that requires virtually no maintenance.

Using the bike, we have found that it has a responsive riding experience, the direct brakes are very effective and the hold up well under wet conditions. Regardless of the trail, it will offer you a smooth driving experience. We would recommend it for the lightweight frame and the durability that is combined with it.

Pros:

  • Durable Frame: Made from durable steel, the frame can absorb a lot of bumps and potential falls from riders.
  • Hardtail Design: One of the benefits of the hardtail design is the ability to climb. The bike is designed to make climbing much easier.
  • Shifters: Shimano is one of the leading brands when it comes to shifters, also being a top sponsor in the Tour de France.

Cons:

  • Price: Unfortunately, the bike is often one of the most expensive options on the market today, which could be daunting for beginners.

Best High-End Mountain Bike: Diamondback Bicycles Hook 27.5 Wheel Mountain Bike

If you don’t have any experience of riding mountain bikes, one of the first names that will come to mind is Diamondback. The Diamondback Bicycles Hook 27.5 Wheel Mountain Bike is one of the best-selling bikes from the brand, but since the brand is rather expensive, it is nice to see the Hook being one of the affordable options available.

Diamondback Hook

The bike features an aircraft-grade aluminum hardtail frame that is packed with features to make your ride more comfortable. As with all Diamondback bikes, SRAM is the main supplier of all the other accessories. The Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes should offer you excellent stopping power and peace of mind.

Pros:

  • Handcrafted: Diamondback frames have a lot of detail and this is due to them being hand-crafted in the factory.
  • Disc Brakes: If you need stopping power, you can hardly ever go wrong with a set of Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes.
  • Reliable Brand: Diamondback has been around the block a couple of times, which means this bike is reliable and tested.

Cons:

  • Price: The biggest downside is that the bike could be a bit expensive due to the prices on most Diamondback bikes.

Best For Beginners: Mongoose Major Mountain Bike

If you are looking for a different type of bike, the full-suspension mountain bike is one of the best options to consider. The Mongoose Major Mountain Bike is an affordable option that features a full-suspension while being constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. The material is lightweight and offers durability at the same time.

Best Mountain Bike For Beginners

In the front section of the bike, one will find decent disc brakes. The disc brakes behave much more secure downhill, while the linear brakes at the back will allow trail riders to drift if needed around some of those corners. We like the Mongoose Major Mountain Bike for the delicate balance between value and features.

Pros:

  • 18-speed drivetrain: The 18-speed drivetrain offers a lot of value for riders looking to reduce strain on uphill climbs.
  • Ergonomic Seating: Another top benefit is the seating, which is ergonomic. Additionally, you also have a tool-free adjustment setup.
  • Affordable: Mongoose remains one of the most reliable brands on the market today, but they are reasonable with prices.

Cons:

  • Very Little Feedback: Unfortunately, the bike does not have a lot of feedback to go on and it is a little untested.

Best Fat Tire Mountain Bike: Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Men’s Mountain Bike

We rarely see individuals use a fat tire mountain bike. However, the Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Men’s Mountain Bike has its uses when it comes to outdoor trails and off-road tracks. The bike itself features a steel frame, but it weighs around 59-pounds, which might be a bit excessive for many beginners.

Best Fat Tire Mountain Bike

However, the 4-inch tires will take on any terrain and absorb most of the shock that you need to endure with a new bike. These large tires rarely get punctured, which means you have a little less maintenance when it comes to fixing of replacing them. According to the manufacturer, they can accommodate riders of up to 6-feet.

Pros:

  • Durability: It is hard to argue that one of the best features of the bike is the durability and the fact that you can tackle any terrain.
  • Easy Assembly: The company also does not ship the bike without assembly. You can easily assemble it upon arrival.
  • Accommodates All Sizes: Finally, the bike can accommodate all riders of up to 6-feet tall.

Cons:

  • Weight: Unfortunately, the bike is not without any downsides and it is one of the heaviest bikes on the market today.

Best Budget Mountain Bike: Roadmaster Granite Peak Men’s Mountain Bike

Last but certainly not least, we have one of the leading mountain bikes for beginners. The Roadmaster Granite Peak Men’s Mountain Bike stands 26-inches tall and features a solid steel frame. The bike features slightly slimmer tires, but the combination of the hardtail design means that it is still perfect for climbing.

Best Budget Mountain Bike

Once you receive the bike, you will have a couple of things that need to be done. The assembly is not complete, which means you will need a couple of tools to put the handlebars and seats together. However, the handlebars and seats are fully adjustable. We highly recommend the bike due to the affordability of the price.

Pros:

  • Budget Bike: One of the best things by far is the price of the bike. It is one of the most affordable on the market today.
  • Durable: Thanks to the solid steel frame, you don’t need to worry about damages that could occur if you fall.
  • Adjustable: Almost all the components on the bike are fully adjustable, which means you can set it up to be ergonomic.
  • Price: The most important reason for us selecting the bike is excellent feedback and an excellent price.

Cons:

  • Not For Tall Riders: Unfortunately, many of the taller riders among us have had issues with finding a comfortable position on the bike.

4 Key Features To Consider When Buying The Best Mountain Bike Under 1000

If none of the above bikes works for you, you might need to consider looking through the following buyer’s guide. The guide details all the important features that we considered for choosing your next mountain bike. These features could help you choose a different mountain bike under $1000 that we might have missed:

1. Frame Type

Mountain bikes are available in two different types. Both of them are rarely seen by beginners, as most beginners simply want the most affordable quality bike they can find. However, each type has a difference, which can be detrimental in the riding experience you have.

  • Hardtail Bikes: Hardtail bikes only feature a single shock at the front. It can be hard on you when performing jumps, but with less drag, it is much easier to climb with these bikes.
  • Full Suspension: The full-suspension bikes have an additional shock at the back of the bike. If you are a trail rider, it is much more effective for absorbing shock.

2. Materials

Next, you also want to consider the materials used for the bike. Aircraft-grade aluminum is lightweight, yet still durable, but it might deteriorate and bend over time. Steel bikes are much more durable, but the downside is the additional weight that the steel carries. Finally, carbon fiber is the most expensive material that gives you the best of both worlds.

3. Brakes

Not every bike comes with the same brake types. While SRAM and Shimano are the two leading brands in the world of brakes, you need to consider linear brakes or disc brakes. Nowadays, disc brakes are the preferable option due to the stopping power. However, they tend to be slightly more expensive depending on the brand.

4. Ergonomic Design

Finally, we have to look at the complete design of the bike and whether it is comfortable for you to ride with. If the bike is adjustable, it is much better for all riders due to having an ergonomic feeling when you ride it. We consider the ergonomic design an important feature if you are still young to adjust the seating and comfort.

Wrap-Up

With all this said, you must know the ins and outs of a bike before you buy it. There are various bikes for various purposes, but if your budget is looking for the best mountain bikes under $1000, you might need to settle for the one you can afford. Let us know in the comment section which of these bikes you like and if we missed any of your favorites.

Below is a Pinterest friendly photo… so you can pin it to your Mountain Bike Board!


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