Best Mountain Bikes

Types of mountain bikes

Different mountain bikes are made for different terrains and riding styles. Whether you’re a trail rider, a cross-country or enduro racer, or seeking a thrill in downhill biking, there’s a bike out there for you.

Dual-suspension mountain bikes

Dual-suspension, or full suspension mountain bikes, have suspension in both the front and rear wheels that allow for travel and help the bike’s traction and rider’s comfort by absorbing trail impact.

The rougher the trail, the more suspension a bike needs, which is why bikes such as downhill mountain bikes need plenty of travel to give them extra support as they go down steep descents.

Hardtail mountain bikes

A hardtail mountain bike has suspension in the front of the bike and not the rear, hence the name ‘hard tail’.

Rigid mountain bikes

A rigid mountain bike doesn’t have any suspension, meaning their use is generally limited to less technical trails.

After something else?

Newer types of mountain bikes are becoming more and more common - even electric mountain bikes are gaining in popularity.

A fat bike is an off-road bike that’s designed for use on sand and snow, however now they’re being used more on a wider range of terrains, such as bogs, mud, and dirt - particularly where there’s no established mountain bike trail.

Fat bikes have oversized, ‘fat’ tyres that are suited for low ground pressure and riding on soft, unstable surfaces. There are also ‘plus bikes’, which have tyres in between the width of a fat and regular MTB.

What to look for in a mountain bike

Frame material

Mountain bikes are usually made from one or a combination of the following materials:

• Aluminium: Aluminium is the most common material used in frames, and makes for a light, strong, stiff bike. It’s easy to work with, making it more affordable than carbon fibre frames.
• Carbon fibre: Carbon fibre is the second most popular mountain bike frame material. It’s considered the standard for professional-level bikes. It offers a great stiffness to weight ratio, however it’s susceptible to cracking when sustaining excessive stress - if this happens, a repair or replacement is needed.
• Steel: Steel is commonly found in entry-level bikes. It’s durable and inexpensive but can corrode and is heavier than aluminium and carbon fibre.
• Titanium: Titanium is lightweight, highly resilient, and doesn’t corrode, however it’s difficult to work with and expensive, making it rarely used on mountain bikes - if it is, it often makes for a luxury ride.

Size

An ill-fitting bike will probably be uncomfortable and difficult to ride. You can move the seat position and adjust the handlebars as much as you like, but if the frame size is incorrect, then there’s not much you can do to fix it.

Mountain bike measurements generally refer to the horizontal distance from the top tube junction to the seat tube, or the ‘effective top tube length’.

Although you should always do a test ride of a bike to confirm whether it fits you, here’s a rough MTB adult size guide to help you get an idea of which bike may be right for you:

Note that going off small/medium/large sizes may not necessarily be a good way to figure out which bike is right for you, as different mountain bike brands have different sizing - a medium for one manufacturer may be considered a small by another.

Other relevant measurements include the stack and reach.

• The stack refers to the bike’s height as measured vertically from the centre of the bottom bracket to the centre point at the top of the head tube.
• The reach is the horizontal distance from the bottom bracket to the centre of the head tube

Do I need a gender-specific bike?

You might come across ‘mens mountain bikes’ and ‘womens mountain bikes’: while some manufacturers may not offer gender-neutral bikes, remember that a ‘womens’ bike is really just a bike that a woman is riding.

Bikes marketed as for women will usually just have a shorter stack and reach to accommodate the fact that in general, women are shorter and have shorter torsos.

However, generalising fit by gender doesn’t work for everyone, so feel free to ignore marketing, try out different bikes, and go with what feels right for you.

Kids mountain bikes

Mountain bikes for kids are usually just scaled-down versions of their adult counterparts. Most kids models are suitable for children aged 7 and over, and they often have front-suspension forks, more reliable brakes, and multiple gears available.

Wheels

A wheel diameter of 27.5” is most commonly found on mountain bikes at most price points - they offer improved performance over the old 26” standard, while shedding some of the weight of 29” wheels.

Quick release wheels let you effortlessly remove your wheel when you inevitably have a flat tyre. Cheap mountain bikes often use nuts to lock in the wheel, which means you’d have to carry a wrench around with you - saving on costs in this case will mean more inconvenience and time spent when you do puncture your tyre.

Tyre quality will also make a huge difference to your riding experience. If you expect to mostly be riding on dirt tracks, look for a knobbly, pronounced design that offers more grip. Tyres with a lighter tread will roll faster on hard surfaces, so ensure you’re considering the terrain you’re riding when you shop.

It may also be a good idea to get tyres and wheels than can run tubeless, which make them more puncture-resistant.

Groupset

A groupset consists of the bike’s cranks, chainrings, chain, cassette, brakes, derailleurs, and shifters. Groupsets on entry-level bikes are often lower-grade alloys, while more premium mountain bikes will be made from high-grade alloys, carbon fibre, or titanium.

Disc brakes are now the standard for mountain bikes. Offering up superior stopping power, excellent speed modulation, and reliable braking in all weather conditions, disc brakes have pretty much replaced rim brakes, and although are generally more costly, are found on MTBs at all price points.

They can be heavier and sometimes more difficult to maintain than rim brakes, however if you opt for a bike with rim brakes, you can’t upgrade to disc brakes further down the track.

You can choose between hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes - the former has better stopping power while the latter is cheaper.

Saddle

A comfortable saddle is important because you’ll be sitting on it for long periods of time and it will help absorb the bumps and vibrations you’ll inevitably get on the trail.

When saddle shopping, you’ll likely have to make some kind of trade-off between comfort and weight. A broader, more padded saddle may be more comfortable, but will add weight.

Cross-country bikers spend a lot of time out of their saddle and races are generally short, so they can go for a narrower, more lightweight saddle. Endurance racers generally prioritise comfort in a saddle, while downhill bikers and freeriders often opt for a durable yet comfortable saddle, and can afford for their saddles to be a little heavier.

Pedals

When it comes to MTB pedals, you can choose between flat pedals or clipless pedals (also called clip in pedals). Clipless pedals essentially connect you to the bike for more efficient riding, however there may be a bit of a learning curve to getting used to them.

Some also have a clip on one side and a platform on the other, letting you choose how you want to ride - this can be great for those starting out their mountain biking journey.

Accessories

• Helmet: A dedicated trail helmet with greater head and face coverage, sturdier construction, and an extended peak helps provide extra safety, comfort, and protection against overhanging foliage. Some also allow a light or a GoPro to be attached to them.
• Footwear: You’ll need to match your footwear to your pedal - you can buy both flat soled and cleat (clip in) mountain biking shoes.
• Clothing: MTB clothing is more comfortable, breathable, and flexible so that you can move around while riding. It’s also made of tough material that’s more difficult to rip in the event of a crash.
• Pads: Flexible knee pads (some also offer shin protection) and elbow pads give you some extra protection on tougher trails.
• Gloves: Mountain bike gloves are usually full-fingered and only lightly padded to allow you better control over the handlebar.
• Glasses: Sunglasses offer sun protection, impact protection, and stop flying debris from getting into your eyes. Mountain bike eyewear curves around your head and fit with a helmet.
• Storage: A saddle bag, saddle wrap, or backpack lets you carry around essentials, such as a hydration bladder, tyre levers, and a mini pump.

Price

Mountain bikes can range anywhere from $300 to well over $10,000. Spending more generally means you’ll have a lightweight bike that’s more durable, comfortable, and has better suspension - so how much does a decent mountain bike cost?

Cheap mountain bikes are generally better for beginners or recreational riders who are taking on smoother trails. You can still find decent entry-level hardtails with hydraulic disc brakes starting from $600, which can let you tackle a wider range of trails.

With bikes starting at $2000 to $3000, you’ll start to see carbon frames and features like a dropper seat post and 1x drivetrains, the latter of which reduces weight and makes gear shifting easier.

The bottom line?

Going to a specialty bike shop and having a look through the mountain bikes for sale with a good idea of what you want to use your bike for is always a good place to start, and can help you tackle your next trail without a (major) hitch.