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performing options as seen on these reviews. But that is not always the case. In fact, the market has many budget mountain bikes that give you the best riding experience on different trails, because they perform just as good as high-end options.
The goal of this article is walk you through some of the best mountain bikes under $500. You will see some similarities between these bikes and high-end options and then, in the end, make a sound decision on the best bike to buy. Without further ado, let’s look at our top three recommendations before getting down to the reviews section.
Our Top 3 Picks Of The Best Mtn Bicycles Priced Below 500 Dollars
1) The 2018 Gravity FSX 2.0 is the new version of the FSX 1.0. It is a good option because it performs quite well on different trails. The frame is made of aluminum, which makes the bike quite lightweight. The 24-gear system lets you ride the bike at different speeds. And the brake system gives you full control of the bike.
2) The Lux from Diamondback is the best mountain bike for women on this list. It is designed with the comfort of female riders in mind. The bike is lightweight since the frame is made of aluminum. The brake, the saddle, and the gear system are up to scratch.
3) Raleigh New 2015 Talus 2 may not be an all-trail bike, but it rides quite well on a number of terrains nonetheless. The bike is lightweight and durable as the frame is made of aluminum. And it has a host of unique features that justify the price.
Top MTB Under $500 Reviews – We Picked The Best Bicycles For The Money
Gravity FSX 2.0 Dual Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Known as one of the strongest and durable MTB in the Gravity’s bikes series, the FSX 2.0 can easily ride on rough trails for long hours.
The frame is made of aluminum, which makes the entire bike lightweight and easy to ride on all weather conditions.
Thanks to the sturdy frame, this bike can withstand hard rides, especially over long distances.
Equipped with a 24-speed system that features Shimano gear shifters, Gravity FSX 2.0 can ride at the pace of your choice. Whether you want to descend fast at maximum speed or ride on steep trails without paddling so hard, take the advantage of the 24-speed system and you are good to go.
The 26-inch wheels make the bike easy to ride even on rough road. The wheels themselves do not add to the weight of the bike, so you can enjoy a long distance ride without worrying about fatigue often caused by riding heavyweight bikes.
The Tektro Novela Disc brake is also up to scratch. This gives you full control of the bike, especially when you are riding at a very high speed downhill and uphill.
Diamondback Lux Women’s
We believe that women should ride the most comfortable mountain bikes to get the most out of their cycling adventure on different trails.
The Lux is a good option, a good recommendation whose frame is made of pure aluminum for strength, reasonable weight, as well as durability.
Since the bike offers a good geometry to the ride on different trails, with a guarantee for a balanced feel throughout the ride, a rider can easily get the most out this bike regardless of the condition of the trail.
This bike comes with 27.5-inch wheels, about 0.5-inch more than what FSX 2.0 provides. While the difference isn’t that big, it contributes to the overall comfort of the rider, especially when rolling over obstacles.
Lux also features a SR Suntour XCT 80 mm suspension fork, which is ideal when riding on rough trails.By absorbing shock resulting from impact encountered on bumpy grounds, a rider easily maintains control of the bike and rides for long hours without stopping and getting off the bike.
Thanks to the disc brake system, female cyclists have full power of the speed they ride the bike. And they can stop the bike with ease, even instantly if need be.
Gravity FSX 1.0
Although the FSX 1.0 preceded the FSX 2.0, the former still has some cool features for a mountain bike under $500.
To start with, the frame is made of hydroformed aluminum alloy, which means the bike is strong enough for everyday use.
The integrated frame reinforcement and the dual suspension do not add to the weight of the bike.
Even the seat post of this bike is made of aluminum alloy, a material that contributes highly to the overall weight of this bike. When fully assembled, the overall weight of the bike does not cross the 26 lbs mark.
The saddle of this bike is comfortable, too. It makes riding fast easy. And it doesn’t subject your butt and back to pain after a very long ride.
The FSX 1.0 has a 24-speed system, just like the FSX 2.0. You can ride the bike at different speeds, depending on the nature of the trail.
Thanks to the Shimano EFT shifters, changing from one gear to another is easy and riding at your own pace is definitely a guarantee.
This bike also features the Tektro Novela Disc brakes, which are good enough to give a rider the stopping power that they need to stop the bike when they have to.
Raleigh New 2015 Talus 2
Raleigh Talus looks quite appealing to the eyes and we are sure the appearance can attract even the most meticulous buyer. Unfortunately, this bike isn’t perfect for all trails.
You can ride it on light dirt trails and pavements, but it does not perform well on the most difficult terrains.
The 21 speeds are a big to people that love to ride bikes fast. Integrated to help you ride uphill with ease and descend downhill fast, the gear system is one of the most important necessities of this bike.
Like the Lux, a mountain bike designed by Diamondback for female riders, Raleigh Talus also has 27.5-inch tires, which makes it possible for a rider to ride fast on a variety of terrains. Since the tiles provide soft and swift motion without adding weight to the bike, you can ride this bike for hours without struggling with the pedals.
The bike is available in different sizes. These are very small, small, medium, large, and extra-large. This means that there is a good option for each rider out there, regardless of his or her height.
Merax Falcon
If you are looking for a mountain bike that has a high weight capacity, you might want to try the Merax Falcon.
The bike can support a maximum weight of 330 lbs, which is about 30 lbs more compared to many mountain bikes in the same price range.
The frame of this bike is made of aluminum alloy with a dual suspension design.
Thanks to the nature of the design of the frame, you get full control of the bike, especially when riding on bumpy roads.
And in the event of extreme vibration, especially if the trail is unfriendly, the suspension ensures that you don’t lose control of the bike, hence an all around stability and safety.
The integrated 21-speed system is a good addition for riders that love to speed, especially when descending. Thanks to the Shimano gear shifter, changing from one speed to another while maintaining your focus on the trail is easy and straightforward.
It is exciting to ride Merax Flacon at the highest speed possible, which is why it features linear pull brakes that give you full stopping power when time to do so comes.
Schwinn Traxion
Traxion is one of the unique models in the Schwinn bike series, a mountain bike that has the bells and whistles found in most high-end bikes.
The frame is made of aluminum, which is a very lightweight material, so the bike does not feel heavy on the trail.
The dual suspension of the frame makes the bike easy to control on different terrains. And the suspension fork gives you the best riding experience by absorbing shock from bumps, loopholes, thumps, and rugged trails.
Since speed is an important feature that people look for when purchasing mountain bikes, Schwinn plays well by the book and includes a high-quality durable 24-speed system from Shimano on this bike.
The speed system further feature an EZ-Fire trigger shifter, which makes it easy for a rider to change from one gear to another with ease, without taking their eyes off the road.
Any bike that has a speed system must also have a durable and sturdy break system. And the Traxion is not an exception. The front and rear mechanical breaks give you the stopping power that you need to lower speed or stop the bike altogether.
Mongoose Dolomite
Mongoose is one of the most popular bike brands out there, a business well known for designing high-end as well as affordable mountain bikes.
The Dolomite is one of the best budget bikes in the Mongoose mountain bikes series and it performs quite well on different trails.
People call it the little beast since the frame is made of aluminum and the bike feels strong like steel. Thanks to the Threadless headset, a rider gets a tremendous level of adjustability of the bike.
Then there are the 26-inch wheel, which not only ensures that a rider get the best grips on different trails but also gets the best cruising experience on those trails.
This bike does not offer many speed options, but what you get is still good enough for the price. There are 7 Shimano speeds, with rear derailleur, which are good enough for different kinds of riding.
You will still be able to ride faster without an issue, especially on mountainous regions. The speed system also has gear shifters that lets you change from one gear to another with ease.
Mongoose Dolomite features a dual disc brake system, which gives you the braking power that you need to control the speed of the bike with ease. Since the brakes are sturdy, durable, and accurate, your safety, whether riding slowly uphill or descending fast downhill, is a guarantee.
Schwinn Protocol 1.0
Unlike Merax Falcon, which can hold up a maximum weight of 330lbs, the Schwinn Protocol 1.0 can support weight of not more than 220 lbs. Schwinn used aluminum alloy to design the frame of this bike.
So, as you can imagine, the Protocol 1.0 is a durable and lightweight bike that you can ride on for years before itching for an upgrade.
Talking about speed, this bike has a 24-speed system, which means you have many options that you can choose.
To make shifting from one gear to another easy, the brand integrated the Shimano EF-50 trigger shifters to the gear system.
The brakes of this bike are dubbed as excellent. In fact, the Pro Max Front Mechanical disc brakes and the rear brakes give you the braking power that you need to control how fast the bike rides on all conditions. Therefore, your safety on different roads is definitely a guarantee.
You will love this bike because it is well designed, lightweight, and flexible. It is also cheap, so it is a good option for you if you are under budget.
Royce Union RMA
Royce Union RMA appeals to women cyclist because it looks stylish and it is designed to last.
It’s an all-terrain bike, so it should ride well on paved streets, gravel paths, and all the most unfriendly paths that you can possibly think of.
The frame is made of rust-resistant aluminum, which adds to the overall strength and durability of the bike.
The ZOOM suspension fork is quite handy when riding on bumpy roads, because it minimizes the impact between your body and the bike.
As such, you have full control of the bike and you get the best riding experience every time irrespective of the trail.
Huffy Escalate
Huffy Escalate Hardtail is one of the best mountain bikes under $500 that you can buy if you are under a very tight budget.
Like most bikes in this review, the frame of Huffy Escalate is made of aluminum, so the whole unit is lightweight as well as durable.
You get 21-speed option if you choose this bike. So you can ride at different speeds, which are ideal for climbing uphill with ease and descending fast when you need to.
The braking system is also up to the standard, so you have the full stopping power whenever you need to brake.
Now that you have a list of the top 10 mountain bikes for under $500, it should be easy for you to choose what’s best for you according to what you are willing and able to spend.
