5 Best Trail Mountain Bikes
Is there anything better than a new bike? But buying the best mountain bike for your needs can be exacting because you need to contend with the constant evolution of new technology. Trends shift overnight with changes in tire widths, wheel sizes, frame geometries, and components.
Why a mountain bike? Generally speaking, mountain bikes are great all-around bikes that can handle nearly anything. A road bike is not going to help you to go faster on rough terrain.
We are here with our thoroughly researched knowledgeable favorites to take some of your stress of buying a new mountain bike.
Table of Contents
§ Men’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike
§ Best Hardtail Mountain Bike
§ Best Electric Mountain Trail Bike
§ Best Budget Mountain Bike
§ Best Short Travel Trail Bike
Men’s Fat Tire Mountain Bike
1. Mongoose Dolomite
Ø Wheel size: 26 inches
Ø Suspension type: Rigid
Ø Bike type: Mountain Bike
Ø Brand: Mongoose
Ø No. of speed: 7
Ø Size: 17-inch/ Medium
Ø Special Features: Lightweight, Fat tire, Kickstand
Ø Pros: Becah cruiser alloy pedals, free kickstand installed with a secure spring motion, both front and rear disc brakes for maximum stopping power.
Ø Cons: Not suitable for long rides, need a comfortable saddle.
The 26-inch dolomite fat tire mountain bike fitted will instantly help you to try riding the bike on sand or snow. As a matter of fact, you can just ride your Dolomite bike through a sand beach easily and without sinking, thanks to 4-inch fat tires. Every component used on this bike is of high quality and meant to improve the performance as well as the ease of handling of this mountain bike. The chain on this bike is guided in the front sprocket in such a way that it does not pop off. The cruiser frame used on this bicycle is both appealing aesthetically and offers superior performance.
Best Hardtail Mountain Bike
2. Huffy Kids
Ø Wheel size: 20 inches
Ø Suspension type: Front
Ø Bike type: Mountain bike
Ø Brand: Huffy
Ø No. of speed: 6
Ø Size: 20-inch wheel/13-inch frame
Ø Pros: dual disc brakes, front, and rear suspension, great looks.
Ø Cons: Derailleur is on the lower end and constantly requires adjustment to shift properly.
Dual suspension frame and fork combine for a responsive ride. In this bike, the 6-speed bike’s trigger shifter delivers smooth shifting. Dual disc brakes provide a more consistent response and stopping action in wet conditions as well as dry weather. The padded saddle in this bike, with durable stitching, can be easily adjusted to the right height. Huffy-branded Krayton grips provide a performance style and comfort style. Slight-rise handlebar enables upright riding to minimize back and shoulder strain.
Best Electric Mountain Trail Bike
3. Specialized Turbo Levo Comp
Ø Wheel size: 29 inches
Ø Suspension type: Front
Ø Bike type: Electric bike, Mountain bike
Ø Brand: Brose motors
Ø No. of speed: 21
Ø Special Features: well-rounded e-bike with a strong, long-lasting battery and redefined downhill performance.
Ø Pros: highly adjustable geometry, adaptable for terrain or riding style, very stable.
Ø Cons: moderate weight
Specialized has been at the forefront of electric mountain bikes in North America, and their Turbo Levo is a leading all-mountain design. This bike was updated last year, still, its platform is based on the excellent Stumpjumper full-suspension bike, but its electronics have seen a nice upgrade with a more powerful battery and motor. Point it uphill and it climbs pretty darn well with a relatively supportive pedaling platform and a nice steep seat tube angle. Overall, among a fast-growing and competitive field of e-mountain bikes, the latest Turbo Levo Comp is at the top of the list.
Best Budget Mountain Bike
4. Giant Stance 29 2
Ø Wheel size: 29 inches
Ø Suspension type: front and rear
Ø Bike type: Mountain Bike
Ø Brand: Giant Bicycle
Ø No. of speed: 12
Ø Pros: balanced suspension, solid all-around performance
Ø Cons: non-aggressive tires
The new Stance 29 features a lightweight aluminum frame with a Flex Point rear suspension platform. Flex Point is a single pivot design with a main pivot attached at the base of the rear shock just above and slightly forward. The Stance is available in four sizes. The large 29-inch diameter wheel rolls over rugged terrain with balance and stability, giving you the momentum to tackle technical climbs and the confidence to fly on fast, rugged single-track descents. This bike does not come with a dropper seat post which we feel would take its downhill performance to another level. Beyond that, this is a great entry-level full-suspension bike for all-around riding.
Best Short Travel Trail Bike
5. Ibis Ripley Deore
Ø Wheel size: 29 inches
Ø Suspension type: rear
Ø Bike type: Mountain bike
Ø Brand: Ibis cycles
Ø Pros: Immensely fun to ride, super-supportive suspension, good value spec.
Ø Cons: Not a plough bike; could do with grippier tires.
Shot-travel full-suspension bikes hit a sweet spot for many riders and the light and fast Ibis Ripley currently is our favorite of the bunch. It provides crisp shifting in demanding terrain. Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes provide excellent stopping power.
Trail Mountain Bike Buying Advice
Full-Suspension vs. Hardtail
When buying a new trail bike, one of the most commonly asked questions is: should I buy a hardtail (suspension fork only at the front) or full-suspension (includes both a front suspension fork and rear shock) model? There are a number of factors to consider when making this choice. Are you on a tight budget? Are you just starting out? Are your local trails smooth and with few obstacles? If so, a hardtail is probably the best choice for you. However, should your local terrain be rooty and rocky, or maybe you just like going downhill fast, then a full-suspension rig probably is the better option. This is just the tip of the iceberg, however, and we break down the additional considerations below.
Wheel Size: 27.5 vs. 29er
For 2021, the old 26-inch wheel standard is essentially gone, and most trail mountain bikes are equipped with either 27.5- or 29-inch wheels (occasionally you’ll come across “plus” variations of the two sizes, which indicate wider tires). In general, riders focused on a lighter and nimbler style will prefer 27.5, while 29ers are more popular among speed-focused cyclists tackling rougher trails. And there are other considerations — including your height and local terrain — which we cover below.
Electric Mountain Bikes (E-MTB)
Electric mountain bikes (also known as e-mountain bikes) are a fairly new and rapidly growing category. As the name would suggest, they feature an electric motor to help propel the bicycle along. Currently, there are three popular classifications of e-bikes: Class 1 is known as a pedal assist (AKA pedelec) and requires rider input to engage the motor. This is the most popular form of e-mountain bikes. Class 2 features a throttle and does not require rider input to engage the motor. Class 3 is considered a speed pedelec (it still needs rider input) but features a higher assisted top speed of 28 miles per hour (Class 1 bikes stop assisting at 20 mph).
