Updated on 9/25/19
While not overly sexy (or light) there are plenty of decent entry-level type MTBs that sell for around $1000. Keep reading to hear our picks for best mountain bikes under $1000 (or close to it).
But before you head out to your nearest bike shop or online bike seller, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best mountain bikes under $1000. No. 1, just as with our last budget bike round-up, no matter what bike you buy or how much it costs, make sure it fits you well. Because if a bike fits it’s going to be a whole lot more fun to ride, and will be less likely to end up collecting dust in the back of your garage. And while pro-level bike fits are pricey, any decent local bike shop should be willing to help get your position dialed, adjusting saddle height and swapping on the best length stem.
The second thing you should know when searching for the best mountain bikes under $1000 is that you are going to want to opt for a hardtail. Sure there are some budget-priced full suspension options out there, but unless you happen to catch a super sale, odds are that at this price point you’re going to get a bike with inferior components that may not work very well or last very long. That’s why we suggest you stick with a hardtail, and make the jump to a dualie down the road when you have a little more budget to work worth.
If you’re okay with choosing a hardtail, there’s some solid value to be had on the mountain bike marketplace. Photo courtesy Trek
The other big advantage of choosing a hardtail, especially for beginners, is that they can help you become a better rider because they force you to develop your skills and make better line choices instead of just being a passenger and plowing through things. And once you’ve mastered the basics (and saved a little more money) your second bike can be a full-suspension model.
The other option, if you really want a full suspension bike but only have $1000 to spend, is to shop the used bike market. Online re-sellers such as the Pro’s Closet have a huge inventory of bikes, but you’ll need to keep an eye on their ever-changing inventory and hope the right bike in the right size turns up. Craigslist, ebay, and the various bike website forums are other good places to peruse. Just make sure you know exactly what you’re getting before turning over your credit card info or sending a check.
As for buying new, aside from fit, if possible opt for a bike that’s spec’d with parts from respected component brands such as Shimano, SRAM, Fox, and RockShox. All these companies make a wide array of products, meaning that their lower-priced options typically benefit from trickle down technology. They also have reputations to uphold, so it’s unlikely that they’ll put out parts that are going to fall apart in a couple months.
Now that you have some basics shopping strategies, here in alphabetical order is a list of the best mountain bikes under $1000 (or very close to it).
Best mountain bikes under $1,000 Bulls Sharptail
Aspiring cross-country racers, or anyone who appreciates a fast efficient ride, will like the Bulls King Boa 27.5. As the name indicates, this bike rolls on 27.5 wheels, which help keep weight in check and add a little playfulness to its overall ride character. The frame is constructed from durable double butted 7005 aluminum, where the butting process involves reducing excess materials on the inner tubes to further help reduce weight without sacrificing stiffness. The drivetrain is an old school 3×10 set up, meaning you will have plenty of gears to tackle any climb. And the bike comes spec’d with reliable Shimano SLX shifters and derailleurs, Tektro Gemini hydraulic disc brakes, and a Suntour XRC-32 RL 100mm travel fork with a lockout.
Price: $999
More info: www.bullsbikesusa.com
Cannondale Trail 4
With a 68.5-degree headtube angle in 29er form (or 68 even for 27.5), the Cannondale Trail 4 strikes a nice balance between sharp steering and stability in the rough stuff. That means you could race the local XC race one day, and rip your backyard trails the next. Spec highlights include tubeless WTB wheels and tires, a 100mm RockShox 30 Silver suspension fork, and Shimano SLX 11-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes. It also comes in two frame colors (the pictured sage grey or a very bright volt yellow) and seven total sizes: XS, S, M (27.5), and M, L, XL, XXL (29er).
Price: $1100
More info: www.cannondale.com
Hot Deal: Check out www.REI.com
Diamondback Lux 3
The Diamondback Lux 3 is a women’s specific 27.5 hardtail that’s designed to scamper up climbs, yet still be nimble and fun when gravity takes over. The 6061 aluminum frame features extra standover clearance to make maneuvering the Lux in technical terrain easier. Spec highlights include a bump-taming 120mm RockShox Judy Silver TK fork, Schwalbe Tough Tom 27.5×2.25 tires, trail bike-worthy 760mm Race Face Aeffect handlebars, and SRAM’s highly regarded GX 11-speed single-ring drivetrain, which provides simplicity and shifting precision.
Price: $1100
More info: www.diamondback.com
Hot Deal: Check out www.amazon.com
Fezzari Wasatch Peak Comp 29
Utah-based direct-to-consumer bike seller Fezzari offers some of the best deals around, and the Wasatch Peak Comp 29″ is no exception. For under a grand, you get a trail ready rig that can run either 29″ or 27.5+” wheels, spec’d a Shimano Deore 1×10 wide range drivetrain with 30t chainring and 11-42 cassette, 120mm SR Suntour XCR34 Fork, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, WTB tubeless ready wheels, and tubeless ready 2.25 Maxxis Ardent tires. Pair all that with a capable Fezzari Racing Design F275A alloy frame and you have a 29″ hardtail that’s up for anything. No wonder the Wasatch Peak is one of Fezzari’s most popular cross country bikes.
Price: $999
More info: www.fezzari.com
Giant Fathom 2
When you’re the world’s largest bike maker, you have economies of scale others simply don’t. And that often means better bang for buck for the consumer. Though this bike comes in a touch over our $1000 pricepoint, it is PACKED with amazing features. In the case of the 2020 Giant Fathom 2, you get lots of technological upgrades over other bikes in this price range, which include a 1×12 drivetrain and Giant Contact Switch dropper post that allows you to get the saddle out of the way when the trail turns techy and steep. Other spec highlights include tubeless-ready Maxxis Ikon 27.5″x 2.6 tires, a 100mm Suntour Raidon fork, and wide-range SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain with 30t chainring and 11-50 cassette. As for its intended purpose, with a lax 67-degree headtube angle and lightweight ALUXX SL aluminum frame, the Giant Fathom 2 is a solid do-it-all trail hardtail.
Price: $1200
More info: www.giant-bicycles.com
Kona Blast
From a brand known for their progressive hardtails, another solid all-arounder 27.5′ hardtail, the Kona Blast offers superb climbing gear range thanks to its pairing of 28t FSA Alpha Drive chainring/cranks with an 11-42 Shimano Deore 10-speed cassette. Up front suspension is the capable 100mm RockShock Silver. Brakes are the ever-reliable Shimano hydraulic disc, that smartly include an 180mm front rotor for max modulation and stopping power. It all spins on a set of WTB ST i29 TCS wheels shod with WTB 27.5×2.25 tires. And we absolutely love the matte desert tan frame color with charcoal and brick decals. This is a truly great looking bike.
Price: $999
More info: www.konaworld.com
Salsa Timberjack Deore 27.5+”
Salsa has a well-earned reputation for creating adventure-ready bikes and the Timberjack Deore 27.5+ is no exception. Indeed, it’s equally at home pushing the limits on singletrack or on multi-day bikepacking excursions deep into the backcountry. The Timberjack features modern trail bike geometry with a 68-degree headtube angle and roomy but not outrageous 458mm reach (size large). There’s also accommodation for 29″ wheels and tires if you prefer the efficiency of a larger wheel over the plush traction focus of a 27.5+. Short chainstays give the bike its nimble character, and parts spec is highlighted by a 130mm SR Suntour XCR 34 Air fork, Shimano Deore 1×10 drivetrain with 11-42 cassette and 30t chainring, and Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes. This is a solid rig with a great geometry!
Price: $999
More info: www.salsacycles.com
Specialized Fuse 6Fattie/29
The Specialized hook for its Fuse 6Fattie bike: “If you show us a trail rider that says they couldn’t use more traction, we’ll show the trail rider that’s never ridden our Fuse.” And max traction is exactly what you get when rolling around on Specialized Ground Control tubeless ready 27.5×3.0 tires. The only bike in this list with a dropper post this bike features a solid offering for the progressive nature of bike optimized beginner trails. The Fuse’s frame features the California company’s A1 premium aluminum construction that’s designed to provide a blend of efficiency and durability and a capable geopmetry. Spec highlights include a SR Suntour XCM32 120mm fork, Shimano’s Deore 10-speed rear derailleur that guides the chain up and down a wide range Shimano 10-42 cassette that’s paired with a climbing friendly 28t cassette.
Price: $1034 (On sale!)
More info: www.specialized.com
Trek Roscoe 6
Trek bills the Roscoe 6 as “the ideal gateway to mountain biking for new riders looking to have a fun time on the trail”. The 27.5+” hardtail features a stout aluminum frame with internal cable routing has a lightweight, 120mm SR Suntour XCM32 fork, Schwalbe Rocket Ron 27.5×2.8 tires, 1×10 Shimano Deore drivetrain, and Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brakes. There’s even compatibility to install an internally route dropper post if you want to up the bike’s rowdy factor a touch.
Price: $1019
More info: www.trekbikes.com
Mtbr is committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
The post Best Mountain Bikes Under $1000 appeared first on Mountain Bike Review.
#Salsa #Specialized #Diamondback #Cannondale #29er
