Interested in getting into mountain biking as a hobby? I can tell you first hand that this is an exhilarating sport that you will love! If you are into any other type of extreme sports, then this is the perfect fit for you. Of course, when you are just starting out, you probably will want to take it easy out there on the trails until you get the hang of riding a mtb as a beginner as well as riding on uneven surfaces.
Mountain bikes can range in price from under $200 to well over $4,000, but when you are shopping for a new mountain bike for the first time out, it just doesn’t make sense to spend a bunch of money on it. Of course, you do not want to go for the cheapest mountain bike on the market because you want quality gear that gives you a good experience out there. With that in mind, I want to share with you my top mountain bikes for beginners. You will find that these are some of the best mountain bikes for the money right now at this price point. And if you’re interested in women’s mountain bikes, then look at this article.
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Best Cheap Men's Beginner Mountain Bikes (2018)
| PHOTO | BIKE | OUR RATING |
|---|---|---|
 | Cannondale Catalyst 2 27.5 Bike - 2018 |  (4.9 / 5) |
 | Salsa Timberjack NX1 29er Bike | (4.9 / 5) |
 | Cannondale Trail 6 27.5/29 Bike - 2018 | (4.9 / 5) |
 | Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Bike |  (4.7 / 5) |
 | GHOST Kato 1.6 AL 26 Bike - 2018 | (4.7 / 5) |
Past Best Beginner Mountain Bikes Under $500 – $1000 Reviewed
If you’re a newbie mountain biker looking for a good, affordable mountain bike for a beginner like yourself, then any one of the five models listed below will be a good choice for you. Look over my review of each model to determine which is the best fit for you in 2016 and know that you’re getting a great mtb for your rides.
1. Diamondback Overdrive Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels
There is a LOT to like about this mtb. It is made by one of the best mountain bike brands out there and it has a great price.
One of the things that makes this such a great 29er mountain bike for beginners is that it gives you a good, comfortable ride and you don’t have to worry about crappy components because only the highest quality stuff is used. When you hit a beginner track on this bike, you will love the ride. It can even handle more intermediate and some advanced tracks. This is what makes it perfect for noob mtbers.
After you leave the beginner tracks and hit more difficult trails, you might want to consider replacing the fork as it is not really designed to take that kind of beating. And if you don’t change it, then you will have a harder time out there. Just something to keep in mind for the future. Expect a basic fork upgrade to run you around $150 or so.
2. Schwinn Protocol 1.0 Men’s Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)
If you want a good mountain bike for beginners under $300 – $500, then this is the most affordable beginner’s mtb for the money right here. Sure, it doesn’t pack quite the same punch as the Diamondback model above, but it is still a respectable choice for someone just getting into the sport.
This bike has 26-inch wheels, so the clearance is a bit different than riding a 29er on the tracks. But it is still a fun bike to ride on the trails and it feels both sturdy and comfortable. For the most part, the components are of good quality, but the wheels are not the greatest. Sure, they’re functional so you can make do with them. This bike is also a bit difficult to tune-up on your own, so budget in a trip to the local bike shop for this (around $80 or so in most places).
Bottom line: with the cheap price on this beginner’s mtb, it is difficult to find a better deal than this one.
3. Schwinn Men’s High Timber Mountain Bike
Schwinn is probably one of the best known bike brands out there, but you might not have known that they made mountain bikes. That is because they are not the best choice for experienced mtbers, but this Schwinn is a good cheap mountain bike choice for a beginner. It has a great low price, which is perfect for someone who is budget shopping. However, it cannot compare with the Diamonback mtb above in terms of quality and comfort.
This cheap 26er mtb has decent enough components. After a few hundred miles of riding it, you will likely want to replace the parts that you can for a smoother ride. For the beginner, I’d still recommend this bike since it is a great way to get a feel for mountain biking without having to spend a lot of money. Just make sure that you know what you’re getting before you buy this one.
4. Vilano Blackjack 2.0 29er Mountain Bike
I am a sucker for a Vilano bike as I just love their entry level road bike offerings, and it is the same way with this mtb. In fact, I think that this Vilano is a good entry level mountain bike as it has great low price and good quality. Plus, it looks badass, right?
The ride on this one is smooth and comfortable, and you’ll be able to keep it when you move up to the intermediate and expert tracks as it handles very well. And you can count on the high quality components on this bike to last you a while. All in that, that makes this one of the best value entry level mountain bikes for the money. Definitely put this one on your list if you want something cheaper than the Diamondback but almost as good.
5. Giordano Forza Mountain Bike
If you want a sweet looking 26er for your cheap beginner’s mtb, then check out this one from Giordano. With this bike, you get a good ride at a low price all from a brand that has a great reputation when it comes to making high quality bikes at affordable prices.
The components are all top notch and you will be riding this bike for quite some time before you need to replace any parts. It is lightweight, comfortable and leaves you feeling secure while you’re on it. Definitely a great buy at a good price. If you are comparing this one against the Schwinn High Timber, I’d go with this model just because their reputation is a little better in terms of quality components.
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