Forget your budget – Here are 4 Best Affordable Mountain Bikes For You
Budget constraints have, however, barred many potential riders from realizing their dreams as there is the misconception that all mountain bikes are expensive.
But do mountain bikes have to be unaffordable? No, they don’t. Please read on to discover how you can live your dream with a budget as low as $200.
How Affordable Are Mountain Bikes?
When people talk of bikes’ affordability, what they actually mean is how well a given bike fits into their budget, biking needs, and their lifestyle in general.
To some, a $2000 bike is an affordable choice while to others, a bike is only affordable if its price range falls below $500 or $300.
This is more like saying that there is an affordable bike for everyone. The big question now is:
What separates low-cost bikes from the expensive models?
Mechanical sophistication
A bike is as expensive as its mechanical composition. Full suspension bikes, for example, have two suspensions while hardtail bikes have one.
That sophistication alone makes dual suspension bikes more expensive than hardtail bikes, but that doesn’t in any way mean that hardtails aren’t decent mountain bikes.
Materials Used to Make the Bike
The type of material used to make a bike determines how durable, sturdy, and expensive it is.
Titanium frames, for example, are typically more expensive than steel or aluminum bike frames.
That’s why most bikes under $500 are made of either steel or aluminum and the $1500+ bikes are by titanium.
It is, however, worth noting that aluminum and steel also make very decent and durable bike frames.
The Type and Brand of the Gear and Brake Systems
The greater the reputation of the manufacturer of different gearing and braking components, the more expensive a bike becomes.
That significantly brings the price down without compromising the overall bike quality.
4 Best Affordable Mountain Bikes for You
In this article, we have reviewed four affordable bikes for you: One bike under $500, two under $300, and one under $200.
For each bike, we have analyzed their durability & maintenance needs, rider comfort, speed & braking, size & weight, and their ease of assembly.
Please check them out.
Diamond Overdrive Hardtail Mountain Bike
Durability and maintenance:
- The bike’s frame, seat post, and handlebar are made of aluminum which is not prone to rust. It is ideal for you if you ride regularly in wet conditions.
- It comes with aluminum alloy double wall rims and high-quality tires, both of which are pretty much durable for rocky terrains. Very decent for your daily urban commutes as well.
- Aluminum frames are substantially less expensive compared to titanium and carbon fiber bikes. When the need to replace your wheels or frame ever arises, it won’t cost you much.
- This bike has a mix of Acera and Tourney parts for the braking and gear systems. These brands are quite reputable for making highly-durable bike parts.
- The bike’s shock seals will demand replacement after every 500 to 1000 miles depending on the terrain you will be riding on. With only a front suspension to maintain, however, you will need a smaller budget compared to a double/full suspension bike.
Rider comfort
- Being a hardtail bike, you can bet that it has one of the best pedal performance out there. It will take you minimal pedaling energy to achieve maximum acceleration.
- The original seat is not comfortable so you may have to replace it immediately after purchase.
- The handlebar grips aren’t properly cushioned. If you cannot stand numbness on a cold day, you may have to replace them.
- The front suspension doesn’t have a lockout mechanism. Although this doesn’t compromise the rider’s comfort in any way, lack of a locking mechanism could be inconveniencing when you ride on a smooth terrain and intend to save on energy.
- On the other hand, lack of a rear suspension makes this bike rigid at the back and, consequently, not too comfortable on rough terrains.
Speed & Braking
- The Diamond Overdrive Hardtail has 24 gears which are decent enough for both tarmacked and quarry roads.
- Its brakes are hydraulic and are designed to give you an instant brake whenever you wish to, regardless of the smoothness or roughness of the terrain. The brakes are too efficient that you don’t need to over-strain your fingers to brake.
Size & Weight
- This mountain bike has four size options: 16,18,20,22. In simple terms, anyone from 5ft. to 6 ft. can comfortably ride this model.
- The weight limit isn’t specified by the manufacturer but multiple tests confirm that it can comfortably carry a 350 pounds rider. Some users have had to upgrade the seat to accommodate up to 430 pounds. That works.
- The wheels are 29” in diameter.
- If you need to carry this bike in the trunk of your car, all you will need to do is remove its front wheel. It has a type of tension spring clip that quickly loosens the front wheel so you won’t need any tools to remove it. If you have a big car, a fully-assembled bike would fit in the trunk.
- Aluminum frame bikes are generally lightweight. This one is not an exemption as it weighs around 45lbs.
Ease of Assembly
- This one is a complete bike which means that it comes fully assembled, with a few parts disassembled for shipping purposes. Those parts include the seat, the pedals, and the front wheel. You may also need to tighten the handlebars.
- If you are skilled in bike assembly, the process will take you less than 30 minutes. If it is your first time to assemble a bike, you may need an extra 30 minutes.
Under $300: Mongoose Dolomite Fat Mountain Bike
Durability & Maintenance:
- This mountain bike has a steel frame… no material beats steel in terms of durability. Of course, a bike worth $250 will dent and scratch every now and then, but this bike’s structural integrity remains intact for an entire lifetime.
- The welds are thick and sturdy enough to give you more miles on the roads before taking it to the bike shop for repair. That significantly saves you on maintenance costs.
- Its alloy rims are strong enough for all terrains: loose grounds such as sandy and snowy areas, hard trails such as on quarry roads, and even on urban pavements.
- The bike uses Shimano components for its gear and brake systems. Shimano bike components are highly durable so you don’t have to worry about maintenance for at least a couple of years.
- The bearings in the hub aren’t of the best quality. As part of its maintenance cost, therefore, you will need a few bucks to replace them after about 500 miles.
- Although the tires aren’t thorn proof, they hold up quite well in thorny terrains. You may, however, need to put some slime to make them tougher.
- The handlebar grips are durable but too small for users with big hands. If you are a big guy, you may need to budget for their immediate replacement.
Rider Comfort:
- This bike’s pedal performance is fairly good but the pedals aren’t wide enough for big riders.
- Its handlebar and seat post are adjustable so you can always customize the bike depending on your preferred level of comfort.
- The original seat is surprisingly very nice for its price. Unlike with other mountain bikes, you may not have to replace the seat at least until after two years on the road.
- Being a fat bike, you are guaranteed an extra stability.
- The grips are a little bit uncomfortable.
Gear and Braking:
- The gears change smoothly on both flat and hilly terrains.
- It has cable-operated disc brakes which stops very well for all weathers and terrains.
Size & Weight:
- Steel is a little heavier than aluminum, plus the fact that fat wheels are heavier than their thin counterparts. That explains why this bike weighs slightly over 50 pounds. Not too heavy for daily commuting, though.
- The manufacturer has set this bike’s weight limit at 250lbs but users with up to a hundred more pounds can comfortably ride it.
- The bike has a frame size of 17” while the wheels are 26″ diameter x 4″ wide. 5’6 to 6’0 tall riders can comfortably use this bike.
Ease of Assembly:
- This bike comes with the rear wheel, front & rear brakes, and the handlebars already on. The remaining parts are easy to assemble.
- The pedals and other unassembled parts are well marked to direct you on where and how to install them.
For more information about Mongoose Dolomite Mountain Bike, check this: A Good Type of Fat: My Mongoose Dolomite Mountain Bike Review
Under $300: Mongoose R2780
Durability & Maintenance:
- Another aluminum-frame mountain bike. It doesn’t dent easily even on rough terrains. It is also rust, stain, and corrosion resistant.
- Its brakes and wheels are made of alloy which is as durable as aluminum. Alloy spare parts are readily available in local bike repair shops and that makes them highly affordable.
- This bike’s crankset isn’t very durable so not unless you will be using it for light trail riding, you may need to replace it immediately.
- The tires are quite decent for light downhill and urban commuting, but you may need to replace them for rocky terrains.
Rider Comfort:
- This bike has both the rear and front suspensions so you are guaranteed a smooth ride regardless of how rocky a trail is.
- None of the suspensions is lockable so the bike’s pedal performance isn’t among its strengths.
- This is one of the few bikes within this price range that have unbelievably good jumping abilities.
- The seat and handlebars are adjustable. However, as you would expect from a $250 bike, the seat isn’t very comfortable.
Brakes and Gears:
- The ZOOM disc brakes work fairly well. With about $15, you can buy them new pads and extend their longevity.
- Every gear component of this bike is made by Shimano so- with the brand’s good reputation- you can be sure that they are a good value for money. They smoothly and are durable.
Size and Weight:
- This bike weighs about 44 pounds which is well within the range of most mountain bikes under $1000.
- It is designed for riders with 32” inseam so if you are bigger than that, you may need to replace the seat post. The wheels, on the other hand, are 29″ in diameter.
- Even though this bike is capped at a 350lbs load, a 400lbs user can comfortably ride it after upgrading the seat.
Ease of Assembly:
- This bike comes with a complete Mongoose Owners’ Manual that details everything you need to know regarding its assembly and maintenance process. Besides, more than 80% of the bike comes pre-assembled so you will need less than an hour to complete the assembly.
- Both the front and rear wheels are quick release which makes their assembly even more convenient for you.
Under $200: Merax Falcon 26” Mountain Bike
Durability and Maintenance:
- For a $195 bike, its aluminum frame is surprisingly very durable.
- The bike comes with heavy-duty nylon pedals which are not very durable. You will need to replace them for an increased safety and pedaling performance.
Rider Comfort:
- Being a full suspension mountain bike, it goes without saying that the Merax Falcon 26” will give you the least disruptive bounce on any terrain.
- Its handlebars come with high-quality rubber grips to protect you from numbness when riding.
- As you would expect for a $195 bike, the seat isn’t of a good quality. It will, however, serve the purpose for urban commuting (not more than 20 miles per week).
Brakes and Gears:
- With the very efficient linear pull breaks, this bike’s braking stopping power is never in question. You may need to upgrade the pads after a year or two, though.
- The gear components are all made by Shimano and have 21 speeds. The system works unbelievably well for an entry level mountain bike, on both flat surfaces and angled hills.
Size and Weight:
- This bike has an out of box weight capacity of 330lbs. With a few adjustments to the seat and wheels, however, you will be able to extend this limit to about 400lbs.
- The bike weighs about 40 pounds so it passes as a lightweight bike.
- The frame has a size of 17” and the wheels have a size of 26″x1.95, both of which make the bike favorable for riders with 33” inseam or less.
Ease of Assembly:
- The bike is shipped with 85% of the parts pre-assembled. All you need to assemble are the pedals and the front wheel, then tune the handlebar a little.
- The pedals are clearly marked for the right and left crank so yours is basically fitting and tightening them.
- You can fit the bike in the trunk of your car after removing the front wheel. The wheel is a quick release so you will not need an expert to do this for you.
The Maintenance/Upgrade Costs for Budget Mountain Bikes
Let’s summarize some of the parts that you may need to upgrade:
The Frame:
- You will get a durable steel or aluminum mountain bike under $500, alright, but you may end up with a poorly welded bike on your unlucky day. After riding on rough trails for about 2,000 miles, you may need to pay a welder to redo one or several welds. Most welders charge about $50-$100 per hour so the actual cost for this will depend on how long it will take to weld your bike.
The Fork Suspension:
- Low-cost bikes are in most cases too bulky for riders; sometimes as heavy as 50lbs. To reduce this weight to about 35-40lbs, you may need to spend about $100 for a new shock/fork suspension and carbon fiber seat post.
- Although you can get a cheap suspension mountain bike, most of them do not have a hydraulic or pneumatic dampening. If you wish to upgrade them to that standard, that would cost you up to $100 or more.
The Braking & Gearing Systems:
- The braking and gear systems are sometimes of very cheap quality and demand an immediate replacement with, say, Shimano components. You may end up spending up to $50 for this upgrade.
- The chain, chainrings, and other components in the drivetrain are subject to wear and tear. For cheap mountain bikes, in particular, you may need to replace the entire drivetrain after only about 500 miles. That will cost you anything from $100-$200.
The Seat:
- It is almost impossible to find a low-cost bike with a comfortable seat. That necessitates a $25 seat upgrade.
The Wheels & Tires:
- Wheel components such as the hub and the spikes are of good quality, but most of them cannot withstand strong impacts. You will need another $15 or more to replace them after a few miles on rocky terrains.
- If you intend to use your budget bike for competitive biking, you may have to spend $70+ to upgrade the tires because most of them cannot withstand rocky or thorny terrains.
General Repairs:
- Not unless you have all the necessary skills and tools to repair a bike, you will be needing about $50 every time you take your bike to your local bike repair shop for general repairs.
In total, you may end up paying $900 for a $500 bike or $700 for a $300 bike. Is this a smart financial decision? Surprisingly, it is.
After upgrading your $500 bike, its quality will be up there with $1500 bikes or even higher.
That’s why most experienced riders start with cheap bikes and then upgrade them over time to get fancy, high-performance mountain bike.
For more affordable mountain bikes, check this: Attention Challenge-Lovers: Best Single Speed Mountain Bikes
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