5 Best Mountain Bikes Under $1000

Last updated: December 14, 2020
BEST OVERALL
Mechanical Disc Brakes and Premium Positioning
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BEST BUDGET
Lock-out Suspension and Lightweight
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BEST WITH MAG WHEELS
3 Spoke Mag Wheels and Affordable
Read Review
FULL SUSPENSION
Mechanical Disc Brakes and Durable
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BEST FOR KIDS
Durable and Hydraulic Disc Brakes
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Your guide

While it is quite common to find a mountain bike that costs under $1000, you need to be careful with what you buy. Just as you can find some pretty good mountain bikes for under $1k, you can find some pretty bad ones too. Check the material of the bike that you want to buy, and what parts are used, to make sure that the quality is suitable and durable. 

Top 5 Mountain Bikes Under $1000

Searching for your first mountain bike, or any bicycle for that matter, is probably the best time to spend a little less on one because you don’t actually know if you are even going to enjoy the sport or how to mountain bike properly.

Girl with a Mountain Bike

Once you have gotten the feel for it and improved your skills, you can jump up to a more expensive model of mountain bike and start shredding it on the trails and jumps. That’s not to say you can’t shred on a cheaper bike, it’s just a strategic decision in terms of your unknown potential.

If you are looking into getting a mountain bike for under $1000, the list of them out there is practically endless. Making sure you don’t get a dud that’ll fall apart as soon as you start cruising can therefore be daunting to say the least.

Luckily for you, you don’t have to worry about that part because we did the daunting task for you, sifting through all the good and bad bikes out there to bring you the five best mountain bikes under $1000, for five separate categories.

1. Best Overall - Fezzari Wasatch

Specifications:

  • Frame: Aluminum Alloy
  • Wheels: WTB Tubeless Ready Wheelset
  • Shock Absorption: SR Suntour Air Fork
  • Brakes: Mechanical Disc Brakes

Key Features:

  • Possibility of 3 bottle holders
  • Mechanical disc brakes
  • Threaded bottom bracket
  • Removable derailleur hanger

Fezzari Wasatch Peak Comp Review

When looking at mountain bikes under $1000, it’s no surprise that the best pick overall will come from pure quality and durability.

The Fezzari Wasatch Peak Comp has everything you need in a hardtail mountain bike, and it has been made with care and with the rider’s best interests in mind. Let’s take a look at it.

Constructed with Care

Fezzari took their previous Wasatch Peak model and started from scratch to create the Fezzari Wasatch Peak Comp with a new design. They have taken everything from the angle of the head tube and seat tube to the tidiness of component layouts into consideration when building the bike.

The frame is made from strong aluminium alloy to withstand the bumps that come along with mountain biking, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes provide sufficient stopping power as you need it, and the WTB tubeless ready wheelset has been built to last for years even with the stress that mountain biking can put on wheelsets.

In terms of maintenance, the threaded bottom bracket and removable derailleur hanger make taking care of your bike much easier, so you can spend less time on maintenance and more time actually riding the bike.

Comfort and Design

As we mentioned before, Fezzari considered the angle of the handlebars and seat tube when building the bike. The head tube has been positioned at a 68-degree angle, which provides better stability while riding, as well as gives you even better control of the steering.

As for the seat tube, it has been placed at a 75-degree angle, which puts your body in a position to make pedalling more powerful and efficient, as well as makes riding less strenuous on your back so that you may be more comfortable.

Although the chainstay length is short, this helps keep the bike agile whilst still providing good stability. In addition, the SR Suntour air fork can be adjusted, and softens the impact of bumpy terrain on your arms.

Additional Features

The XL sizes of the Fezzari Wasatch Peak Comp can hold three water bottles, so you can ride for longer periods of time without needing to stop to fill up your bottles.

You may have to set the bike up yourself, which some may not appreciate, but this is relatively simple and shouldn’t take you too long. It also comes in two different colors, so you have the option to change it up a little bit if you want.

Overall, the Fezzari Wasatch Peak Comp is an excellent bike with great value. Although you may have to set it up yourself and the chainstay is a little short, all the other aspects of the bike are great, durable, and keep you in a good position while you ride. This is why it is our top overall mountain bike for under $1000.

Pros
  • Comfortable Positioning
  • Mechanical Disc Brakes
  • Multiple Bottle Holders
  • High Quality
Cons
  • Short chainstay
  • Might have to set it up yourself

2. Best Budget - Diamondback Line

Specifications:

  • Frame: Aluminum Alloy
  • Rims: 32h Diamondback DP25 Doublewall
  • Shock Absorption: SR Suntour XCR 120mm Travel
  • Brakes: Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Key Features:

  • Lightweight
  • Lock-out suspension option
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Aluminum alloy frame

Diamondback Line Review

While mountain bikes under $1000 are on a pretty good budget as it is, there are some that you can get which are of good quality and still beat even some of those low prices.

Our pick for the “Best Budget” category is the Diamondback Line. While you do get some cheaper mountain bikes, we feel this one is the best pick if you are still looking at getting something with good quality and durability.

Build and Materials Used

The Diamondback Line frame is lightweight and durable. Made from 6061-T6 Butted Alloy, it is both stable when under pressure and gives you the ability to gain some excellent speed or go for a little air. The materials used all-round are of good quality and will last a long time, making this bike more than worth its price.

Components

The Diamondback Line comes with a number of great components. A Shimano 1×9 drivetrain gives good range and lets you adjust your ride as needed for various trails.

The SR Suntour XCR travel fork provides enough shock absorption to make the ride a lot more comfortable, and give you better range in terms of more technical trails. The fork also has a lock-out option to help you on days when you are looking at focusing on big climbs rather than rough terrain.

The brakes on the Diamondback Line are Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, which are powerful enough to provide enough stopping power for pretty much any situation, whilst remaining reliable the entire time. The chain guide with a roller also adds to the bike’s abilities of being able to handle tough situations and gives you peace of mind about the chain as well.

Additional Notes

For a hardtail, the Diamondback Line can take some tough terrain, however, it is probably more suited to beginners as pro riders might find that there are a few aspects here and there which they would like to improve.

In most cases, these pros would be going for a more expensive bike anyway. It also only comes in one colour, so if you are looking for variety or don’t like gunmetal blue, this isn’t for you.

The Diamondback Line is a great bike, for a great price. While not necessarily suited for pros, and only coming in one colour option, it performs really well on a range of terrains, allowing you to potentially forget that it is a hardtail.

The durability of the bike will ensure that it lasts you a long time too, even if you ride in rough terrain and conditions. It is comfortable, durable, and just feels good to ride all round, which is why it takes the spot for our “Best Budget” category.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Comfortable
  • Feels like a full suspension bike
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Pros might not find it suitable
  • Only comes in one colour

3. Best With Mag Wheels - Eurobike

Specifications:

  • Frame: Steel
  • Rims: 3 spoke alloy mags
  • Shock Absorption: MTB suspension fork and rear shock
  • Brakes: Dual Disc Brakes

Key Features:

  • Full suspension
  • 3 spoke alloy mags
  • Dual disc brakes

Eurobike Full Suspension Review

When searching for a mountain bike, you might want something with a little something extra, such as mag wheels. Well, that is possible, and while mountain bikes with mag wheels are not as common as mountain bikes with the usual spokes, we found a great one for under $1000 – the Eurobike Full Suspension.

Quality and Comfort

The Eurobike Full Suspension frame is made from steel, and although not as lightweight as aluminum frames, this is quite durable. The price of the bike is quite low, and in some ways you do forfeit on quality, but for this price it is still a great bike and you will have a lot of fun on it.

In terms of riding comfort, the bike does quite well. The 21 speed shifter gives good range to help you handle a variety of different terrains more easily, and the seating position is also quite comfortable. In addition to these aspects, the full suspension of the bike gives it better shock absorption and helps a lot on more technical tracks, we’ll get into that below.

Parts

The first part which we will mention is the obvious trait which put the Eurobike Full Suspension in this category – the mag wheels. It comes equipped with 3 spoke alloy mag wheels, which are both lightweight and look great when you ride.

We also mentioned the full suspension of this bike, which helps with more technical terrain. The front suspension is a MTB Suspension Fork, which absorbs bumps quite nicely for your arms, while the rear suspension gives that extra shock absorption for those bumpier rides.

With that being said, some have said that the bike shouldn’t be used for jumping or anything too extreme, which we referred to when we discussed quality vs price. Another benefit of this bike is that it comes equipped with dual disc brakes to give you some great, reliable stopping power.

Additional Features

If you like the look of this bike but don’t particularly enjoy mag wheels, there is the additional option to get it with aluminum alloy rims. This option also comes in a little cheaper for if you are looking to save a few extra dollars.

While the Eurobike Full Suspension might have some quality issues and may be a little heavier than some other mountain bikes, for its price, it is a really good bike.

With full suspension, helping you handle tougher terrain with less strain, and some good-looking mag wheels, this bike seemed fitting for this category, and we think that you will appreciate the low price and overall feel of the bike.

Pros
  • Mag Wheels
  • Full Suspension
  • 21-Speed
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Some quality issues

4. Best With Full Suspension - Schwinn

Specifications:

  • Frame: Schwinn Aluminum Dual-Suspension frame
  • Wheels: Extra wide, double wall alloy rims
  • Shock Absorption: Schwinn suspension fork and rear suspension
  • Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes

Key Features:

  • Aluminum frame
  • Mechanical disc brakes
  • 24-Speed easy shifting
  • Full suspension

Schwinn Traxion Dual Suspension Review

If your question has something to do with whether or not it is even possible to find a full suspension mountain bike under $1000, the answer (as you may have already seen with our previous category) is yes. And the best one, in our opinion, is the Schwinn Traxion Dual Suspension.

Quality and Material

The Schwinn Traxion Dual Suspension frame is lightweight aluminum, making it much nicer to ride than heavier, steel-framed bikes whilst still maintaining good durability.

Although this is a good material, some other aspects of the bike might not be so great, as you will find that, especially when it comes to full suspension bikes, lowering the price usually comes with a lower quality as well.

The weight of the bike might also be a little more than other mountain bikes that you would find under $1000, since there are added components which make it a full suspension bike. Overall, the bike is still decent quality and will provide some great shock absorption and comfort on your rides.

Components

The Schwinn Traxion Dual suspension comes equipped with 24-speed EZ Fire trigger shifters which give you good range as well as make shifting much easier. The brakes are mechanical disc brakes and are situated on the front and the rear wheel. As you may know by now, mechanical disc brakes are a great option for any mountain bike.

The suspension fork is a Schwinn suspension fork, and the rear suspension is built nicely within the frame to provide more shock absorption on your ride.

For a full suspension bike that costs under $1000, the Schwinn Traxion Dual Suspension is pretty good. Although there may be some minor quality issues, these are to be expected at such a low price, and there are a number of good-quality parts which you would not usually get on a bike that is this affordable.

With a comfortable design, full suspension build, and a great price, the Schwinn Traxion Dual suspension really takes the cake for this category.

Pros
  • Full Suspension
  • Durable Frame
  • Easy Gear Shifting
  • Mechanical Disc Brakes
Cons
  • Minor quality issues
  • Heavier than hardtails

5. Best For Kids - Norco Charger

Specifications:

  • Frame: Charger aluminum frame
  • Wheels: Aluminum Disc MTB hubs
  • Shock Absorption: SR Suntour XCR Air
  • Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc brakes

Key Features:

  • Lightweight aluminum frame
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Low top tube for standover height
  • Brake levers to fit small hands

Norco Charger Review

Some of us just want to mountain bike with our kids, which is why finding a mountain bike for kids can be a great idea. The only thing is, they grow up so fast that they soon outgrow these things, so of course finding one under $1000 is probably one of the better decisions you can make. The best mountain bike for kids, in our opinion, is the Norco Charger.

Build and Quality

The Norco Charger has been built with durability and performance at heart. The durability aspect is probably one of the most important factors when buying a childs bike due to how reckless they can be, and makes this bike particularly good.

The aluminum frame provides a lightweight, sturdy feel and allows your child to gain some good speed and get the kind of performance you would from an adult bike. The frame also has a low standover height, which allows the rider to move around on the bike to feel more comfortable and avoid injury.

Components

The SR Suntour XCR Air suspension fork absorbs bumps on the trail. This keeps your kids arms safer from the shocks of the trail as well as provides a more comfortable ride.

The bike also comes equipped with hydraulic disc brakes, which can be quite useful in emergency situations, providing good stopping power and safety. It also has a 1×8 Shimano Altus drivetrain, making it easy to ride on a variety of trails.

Additional Notes

One of the great things about this bike is that professional assembly is included on every order, meaning you can be sure it will be done right. The brake levers have also been designed in a way to fit small hands, so that children can get used to hand brakes at a younger age. While there aren’t many downfalls, some have found the steering to become a little twitchy at higher speeds.

The Norco Charger is a great, durable bike for kids with high quality parts. It’ll last them as long as they need it for and can take on some of the toughest terrain. Although at speed some may find the steering to be a little twitchy, this comes down to the individual bike which you get and your child’s own perceptions of the steering.

Good suspension, excellent brakes and a number of other features which make this bike what it is, are the exact reasons why we have chosen it for our “Best For Kids” category.

Pros
  • Durable
  • High Quality Components
  • Hydraulic Disc Brakes
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • Steering could get twitchy at high speeds

Mountain Bikes Under $1000: Frequently Asked Questions

Are Cheap Mountain Bikes Any Good?

While cheap mountain bikes might not have as high-quality parts as the more expensive models, you can still find ones that are very good. You may have to search through a number of bad bikes first and do your research on each bike you find, but you can definitely find a good quality mountain bike that is affordable.

Why Do Mountain Bikes Cost so Much?

Mountain bike prices vary depending on a number of different factors including materials used, manufacture prices, brand, quality of the parts, etc. The better the quality of construction and the higher the quality of materials used, the more expensive the mountain bike will be.

How Heavy Should a Mountain Bike Be?

Mountain bike weight varies depending on how you are wanting to ride the bike. While some individuals look for lighter weight for uphill speed, others might want something a little heavier or in the mid range for downhill speed. With that being said, the average weight of mountain bikes is around 30 lbs, with variations on this coming in based on components used in the construction of the bike.

Do I Really Need a Full Suspension Mountain Bike?

Full suspension bikes come in handy when you will be riding on trails with more technicality to them. If you are a beginner, and don’t want to spend so much on a full suspension bike, your best bet is to go with a hardtail. But if you know that you will be doing some intense cycling on difficult trails, a full suspension mountain bike will come in handy.

How Much Should I Spend on a Bicycle?

The amount that you should spend on a mountain bike really comes down to a number of factors including your experience, how often you will be riding the bike, how long you want the bike to last for, etc. It’s hard to say exactly how much you should spend because this varies so much for each individual person.

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