Best Mountain Bikes Under 1500: Here’s What You Can Get
With their ability to cover every facet of bike riding, MTBs can tackle and endure any terrain ranging from single-tracks, unpaved surfaces, fire roads or any other rough terrain.
The uses of these bikes are unlimited. You can use it to haul some groceries home, participate in a competitive sport, workout around your backyard and much more.
Although they share similar characteristics with other bikes, mountain bikes come with unique features that give it added performance and durability.
With a budget of $1500 or less, you can find a great mountain bike that can revolutionize your biking experience.
The bikes in this category come with so much more to offer than just off-road riding.
In case you’re planning to upgrade or buy a new bike with excellent features, then below are the top 5 best mountain bikes under 1500.
BEIOU Carbon Fiber Hardtail 27.5 Mountain Bike
Its flexibility and strength make it an excellent bike for beginners, mid-level riders and professionals alike.
Being an enduring bike, BEIOU is recommended for prolonged riding.
The same way beginners find it supportive and comfortable to ride, professional riders enjoy the sophisticated features that this bike brings.
Features
Sturdy frame and construction
BEIOU takes a different route regarding framing. Instead of aluminum and regular steel frames, it uses an expensive solid carbon frame.
This is lightweight and durable making it ideal for extreme biking. The carbon fiber frame extends to the seat.
It weighs only 10.7 kg which is below the weight of most metallic MTBs. The carbon fiber not only makes it lightweight but rust-retardant.
The unibody frame design means you can ride on extreme terrains without worrying about frame issues.
You can even lift and carry it literally at one point because it is lighter than you can think.
Speed is excellent
It feels nice to cruise past your colleagues on the trails, and this is the fun of bike riding. BEIOU 650B is a speed-optimized bike.
It has a 27-speed system and a 27.5/29-inch wheelset. For optimized speed control, the bike features Shimano Alivio gear system.
Aesthetically appealing
Who doesn’t want a stylish bike? The amazing look is the first attraction point of this bike. It has a fantastic finish that is quite irresistible.
It comes in three different matte finish options including red, black and white.
Regardless of the color of your helmet, jersey or any other gear, you can find the color that matches your preference.
The seat and handlebars also feature some elegance and style. It is a classy bike that doesn’t compromise on performance.
Excellent riding posture
If you take your riding posture seriously, then you might fall in love with BEIOU 650B.
Apart from giving you an excellent riding posture, it allows you to work out your forearms thus promoting better muscle development.
The position is also great if you’re still battling your way up to improve your riding skills.
Great braking and control
As you advance and increase your riding speed, you deserve a bike with excellent stopping power.
BEIOU 650B utilizes Shimano M355 technology which delivers superior stopping power.
The system is integrated with hydraulic braking to help you prevent unnecessary crashes and injuries.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Braking and gear system is excellent
- Easy to assemble and use
- The frame is strong and durable
- Lightweight design is an added advantage
- Very speedy
Cons
Although the bike provides an exceptional riding posture, the saddle isn’t very comfortable.
This means you might need to replace your seat to make it comfier.
Additionally, the pedals aren’t excellent. The quality of the pedals doesn’t suffice a bike of such price range.
You may need to change the pedals and add the clipless ones.
BEIOU 650B is a high-performance mountain bike that can endure the toughest terrains.
While you may not like the pedals and seat, you’ll love the lightweight, speed, appeal, good riding posture, and sturdy steel construction.
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Raleigh Kodiak 2 Mountain Bike
Raleigh Kodiak 2 is the best mountain bike under 1500 that is made for those who want to make mountain biking an exciting activity.
If you like riding with friends, then you’ll love this bike. It is a nicely finished bike that does great on the trails.
Features and benefits
Robust frame
Just as strong as it sounds, Raleigh Kodiak 2 is the bike designed for avid mountain riders.
The hardened 6061 aluminum alloy frame makes this bike strong for hard riding. It is soft and supportive thus guaranteeing you a smooth ride.
Comfort
As a full suspension bike, Raleigh Kodiak 2 delivers the comfort needed for long rides. It has its place in the mountain biking world.
The full suspension soaks up all the bumps and impacts while giving you better control and handling.
The dual suspension renders it an excellent option if you want to switch from a hardtail.
Excellent traction
The full suspension combined with the 27.5-inch tires guarantee you greater traction regardless of the trail you’re riding on.
The wheels have greater rollover ability no matter the surface you’re riding on. It is a good pick if you want a responsive bike that adapts to any trail you go.
The tires are a bit wide about 2.8 inches wide. This gives the bike an added grip for stable cornering, smooth rolling ability, and improved suspension.
Great stopping power
Thanks to the Tektro Auriga hydraulic brakes. Expect more in terms of stopping power because these aren’t mechanical disc ones.
It doesn’t matter the weather; the braking system never lets you down.
Safe
The 2.8-inch wide wheels provide improved stability and added traction.
Jumping can be comfortable with a mountain bike, but landing can be challenging. Raleigh Kodiak absorbs all the shock for a soft landing.
Pros
- Improved handling and traction. The tires are decent and deliver smooth rolling ability
- The full suspension makes it very responsive and ideal for everyday rides
- The hydraulic brakes make it easy to stop and control
- The gearing system is reliable for both uphill and downhill riding
Cons
While Raleigh Kodiak 2 promises stunning performance, its weight is quite unforgiving, particularly for mid-level riders.
The components used contribute to the high weight of this bike.
View On Amazon.comCheck this review for another Raleigh Bike: Raleigh Mountain Bike M50 and Raleigh Tekoa Mountain Bike
Diamondback Bike Sync’s 27.5 Hardtail Mountain Bike
It is a no-nonsense hardtail mountain bike that packs a handful of cool features.
It is a do-it-all bike that has stellar quality components for even more enjoyable riding. This bike is suitable for riders in all categories.
Features
Quality fork and frame with progressive geometry
What material do you expect in the framing of this bike? Most likely you’ll say something lightweight.
Diamondback Sync’r has an inbuilt butted aluminum alloy frame.
The aluminum material helps to reduce the weight of the bike. It is bend-resistant, so you can pedal smoothly even when your bike is loaded.
Smooth and accurate gear shifting
As a mid-level rider seeking to advance your riding skills, you deserve a bike with responsive gears. It doesn’t matter the terrain you are riding on.
Diamondback Sync’r is an all-terrain beast that comes with a smooth gear shifting system that gives you smooth pedaling and excellent power transfer.
Supportive saddle and seat
Diamondback minds your comfort. The lightweight, relatively narrow and reinforced saddle gives this bike greater support.
It has a downward sloping design with proper padding. Additionally, the seat has an adjust feature that allows for added convenience.
High-performance and aesthetically appealing chain
Harsh weather conditions can impact on the durability and appeal of your bike.
Diamondback has included nickel plating on this bike. This helps to protect against rusting.
It also helps to maintain the appeal of your bike. You can ride it in damp places without worrying about rust eating your chain.
Quality suspension
The roughness of your riding terrain can either make or break your mountain biking experience.
Diamondback comes with a decent front suspension fork that can absorb accidental bumps.
Since it is a hardtail bike, it lacks rear suspension and is suitable for moderately uneven trails.
Reliable braking
The braking system installed in this bike is the Shimano MT500 hydraulic disc type.
It assures you of reliable stopping power and brings your bike to a full stop.
The disc brakes are exposed, and this helps to dissipate any heat that is formed when braking.
The brakes have reduced disc sizes which translates to a much lighter weight.
Pros
- The aluminum frame drastically reduces the overall weight of the bike
- The hydraulic disc brakes are reliable and guarantee instant stopping
- About 85% of the parts are already assembled. It is almost a ready-to-ride bike
- Most of the parts are durable. It does well in different terrains
- The front suspension is reliable and provides extra comfort
Cons
The bike lacks a kickstand for propping. It also doesn’t come with a water bottle.
It could have been better if the two additions were included particularly for a bike that costs more than a thousand dollars.
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2019 Marin 6 27.5-inch Nail Trail Mountain Bike
Although it may not be that eye-catchy to most of us, Marin Nail Trail is a powerful machine in its category.
Its performance is noticeable. Some of the features you’ll appreciate in this bike include:
Smooth handling
There is the controlled fork damping that makes this bike to glide smoothly through rocky and rooty paths.
It flattens all the roughness to guarantee you improved traction and feather-like rides.
The wheelbase is long and relatively relaxed making it safe for negotiating those slippery corners during winter.
Greater frame quality
The hydroformed frame is soft and smooth. The alloy 6061 butted alloy frame makes the bike lightweight but very functional.
The frame is extended to the 27.5- inch wheels. This provides nimble handling and improved riding confidence regardless of the terrain you’re riding on.
Superb shifting
The SRAM NX 1×11 drivetrain together with the 32T single chainring works synergistically to deliver smooth shifting.
It lets you enjoy an ultimate performance and easy power transfer. Even if you are riding on flat and jerky trails, you’ll never feel pissed off with this bike.
Stable and reliable traction
The full on-race rubber tires provide improved traction. Both the rear and front tires feature semi-slick Schwalbe Racing Ralphs which make it a great fast-trail bike.
The tires also come with a generous width of 2.25 inches for added stability. You can remain upright even in slippery conditions.
Pros
- Excellent braking for added safety
- Smooth shifting of gears for efficient pedaling
- Easy and smooth handling
- Lightweight design for easy riding
Cons
Even though it does well in mountain biking, the neon green graphics aren’t that appealing.
It is not so thrilling to most people. Additionally, the seat appears tall. This can be a drawback in case you are a short rider.
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2018 Fuji Tahoe 1.5 Mountain Bike
Fuji Tahoe is an aggressive feature-rich bike that is made with performance on the mind. It has adorable features that you’ll love including the:
Super-butted alloy frame design
This is featured on both the rear and front triangles. The frame design is the secret behind the uniqueness of this bike.
It is a super-butted frame that is lightweight and features a prolonged, low and slack geometry.
This translates to confident handling. The bike is good for mountain riding, road biking, and extreme sports.
Quality components
Right from the SRAM components to hydraulic disc brakes, Fuji Tahoe boasts of impressive and long-lasting components.
Unlike other brands that include a combination of cheap and expensive parts, Tahoe brings a serious overhaul.
Comfortable riding position
The seat post is ergonomically set for a greater riding posture. Besides, the stem, saddle, and grips are all styled for a professional ride.
Instant and dependable braking It’s not the conventional mechanical discs. 2018 Fuji Tahoe comes with SRAM hydraulic disc brakes for amazing braking power.
The bike lets you experience the feeling of riding at the riskiest mountain edges. You can also perform tricky cornering with ease.
Pros
- Braking is instant and reliable
- Comfy riding posture
- High-quality components for added durability
- It is lightweight thus suitable for easy handling
Cons
The major drawback in this bike is the small travel front fork. It might not be that comfortable in case you’ll be riding on extremely rough trails.
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Bottom Line
Whether you’re looking for riding comfort, design, handling and more, choose one best mountain bike under 1500 from the above options.
If you are looking for a high quality mountain bikes and have a bigger budget, check this: Extraordinary Budget: Best Mountain Bikes Under 3000
For the list of Best Mountain Bike Brands, check this: Top 10 Best Mountain Bike Brands of 2018
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