Best Mountain Bikes Under $500, $1000, & $2000

You don't have to spend a fortune to find a great mountain bike that will serve you well. This guide is dedicated to riders on a budget who want to maximize their trail riding capability for their dollar. We'll group the bikes in this guide by price, starting with the best mountain bikes under $500, then $1,000 and $2,000 price points. We'll also describe the 3 different riders who best fit each price point, so be sure to check out where you stand.

This guide is for you if:

• You're looking to get into mountain biking for the very first time
• You've already been bitten by the trail bug and you need a better bike
• You're a seasoned rider who's looking for the best upgrade at the best price

There's a lot that goes into finding the best mountain bike for the money besides just comparing prices. Here's a quick, non-technical guide to the most important features and components that you should look at so you can find a bike that not only plays nice with your wallet, but satisfies your riding ambitions as well.

What to look for:

• Wheel size: Bikes with 26" wheels are usually the most affordable, but if you want to really enjoy yourself out on the trail, 27.5" and 29" wheels are much better suited to tough terrain
  
  
• Drivetrain: You can only climb hills as easily as your gears will allow. A simple 3x drivetrain will likely do the job on mellow trails, but if you want to take on bigger terrain, you'll likely appreciate having a bigger rear cassette and a simpler 2x or 1x drivetrain.
   
• Brakes: The hierarchy of brakes go from rim brakes to mechanical disc brakes to hydraulic disc brakes. Better brakes mean you can control your speed more easily and with less hand fatigue.
  
  
• Frame material: An aluminum frame is the perfect place to start for beginners or those looking to save some money. But if your riding aspirations are high, you can't beat the lightweight performance of a carbon frame.
  
  
• Suspension: Take a look at the fork on each bike you're considering. A higher quality fork with more travel will go a long way in making your bike easier to control as you ride tougher trails.
  
  
• Additional features: There may be some other factors that help you decide that a bike is perfect for your intensions. Does it have mounts for a rear rack so you can use it as a commuter? Does it have a dropper post that will give you better maneuverability on the downhills? Little things can make a huge difference!