The 7 Best Beginner Mountain Bikes for Men and Women (with Beginner Tips)

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Here are the best beginner mountain bikes for men and women, priced between $500 and $1200. You don’t have to spend hours researching because I’ve gathered all the useful information I’ve learned from years of biking and following the bike industry. Additionally, I evaluated these bikes based on my mountain bike scoring system.

Below, you will also learn valuable tips on selecting your first mountain bike and to get started.

What Are the Best Mountain Bikes for Beginners?

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The best MTBs for beginners are affordable and have a suspended front fork, Shimano components, and enough gears to tackle various terrains and gradients.

They also shouldn’t be expensive (sub $1000), so you avoid spending money on a sport you may not enjoy (but I hope you will!).

I recommend reading the How to Choose a Mountain Bike section if you are new to mountain biking and don’t know where to start.

Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Bike (Best Budget Beginner Mountain Bike)

Components 4/5 | Climbing 4/5 | Downhill 3/5 | Weight 2/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Design 2/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.3/5

Don’t be fooled by the relatively low rating compared to other bikes. These are often much more expensive. The DRT 1.1 is popular among beginners due to its affordability and good components.

It features a unique top tube design that makes it suitable for both men and women. You can stop efficiently in any weather condition with reliable disc brakes, making it ideal for various terrains.

The 3×7 Shimano Tourney drivetrain provides a broad range of gears, allowing you to find the right gear for steep climbs and speedy descents.

Equipped with 27.5″ wheels and 2.1″ tires, the bike can easily handle muddy terrain thanks to its impressive traction.

I admit, this bike would be better suited with, at most, a 2X drivetrain and 29″ wheels, but those are relatively rare in this price range, around $600.

So, if you’re looking for a reasonably priced mountain bike ideal for beginners, the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 bike is a great option. This Co-op DRT mountain bike comparison will show you how it compares to its higher-end versions.

Polygon Xtrada 6 (Best Mountain Bike for Beginners Overall)

Components 5/5 | Climbing 3/5| Downhill 4/5 | Weight 3/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Design 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.9/5

The Polygon Xtrada 6 is a great-value mountain bike. It follows modern trends by having a 1X drivetrain, which means you don’t need to worry about cross-chaining and can easily select one of its 11 gears that suits you best. The 11-51T cassette provides gears for steep climbs and fast flat sections.

This bike is good for climbing, thanks to its slack head tube and steep seat tube, but even better for descending, thanks to the 120mm suspension travel and trail geometry. And the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes offer reliable stopping power when needed.

The Xtrada 6 is the mid-range model in the Xtrada line, but you may also want to consider the Xtrada 5, which has a 2X drivetrain and entry-level components.

Trek Marlin 5

Components 4/5 | Climbing 4/5 | Downhill 3/5 | Weight 3/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Design 5/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.8/5

The Marlin 5 by Trek is a great option if you have a slightly larger budget. While the versions released since 2022 don’t include women-specific step-through models, the smaller sizes have a curved top tube for more clearance.

This bike provides a great price-value ratio and is versatile, well-equipped, and reliable. You can use it for trail riding, cross country, bike packing, and long overnight trips because it’s compatible with a rear rack. This way, you can equip it with panniers to increase its cargo capacity.

The Shimano Tourney drivetrain shifts quickly and precisely. Higher-end Trek Marlins come with better components and different gearing (1X).

The Marlin 5 features partial internal cable routing that creates a premium look. With the 720 mm-wide handlebars, you’ll feel like a proper mountain biker. Additionally, the VP-536 nylon platform pedals are included, so you don’t have to buy them separately.

If you’re just starting out with mountain biking, the Marlin 5 could be the perfect first bike for you.

Don’t you have a bike helmet yet? Check out the selection of these cheap mountain bike helmets and increase your safety!

Cannondale Trail 6

Components 3/5 | Climbing 4/5 | Downhill 3/5 | Weight 2/5 | Build Quality 5/5 | Design 3/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.3/5

The Cannondale Trail line features multiple bikes designed for different riders. For example, Trail 6 is more advanced and geared towards men than Trail 8.

It boasts hydraulic brakes and weighs around 14.9 kg.

Depending on the bike’s size, it comes with either 27.5-inch or 29-inch wheels and tires. Keep this in mind when selecting your preferred size.

As its name implies, the Trail bike is best suited for off-road trails, dirt paths, gravel roads, and forest trails. With a 75mm fork travel, I do not recommend using it on difficult terrain. However, you can feel free to use it to commute.

Thanks to its 2X drivetrain, shifting is more manageable and provides a wider range of gears than 3X drivetrains, reducing cross-chaining likelihood.

Additionally, the bike already comes with pedals, so there’s no need to purchase them separately.

Marin Bobcat Trail 3

Components 4/5 | Climbing 3/5 | Downhill 4/5 | Weight 2/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Design 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.5/5

If you’re searching for a mountain bike specifically designed for trails, look no further than the Marin Bobcat Trail 3.

As an entry-level MTB in the Bobcat Trail lineup, it’s perfect for beginners and those on a tight budget.

The Bobcat Trail 3’s geometry incorporates a slack head tube, low standover height, relatively long reach, and steep seat tube angles, resulting in predictable handling on trails.

Equipped with a 2×8spd Shimano Altus drivetrain, you’ll have 16 gears. You can also count on powerful stopping power in any weather condition, thanks to the Tektro M275 hydraulic disc brakes.

Keep in mind that the wheel size varies based on the bike size. Smaller sizes come with 27.5-inch wheels, while larger sizes feature 29-inch wheels.

Giant Talon 2

Components 4/5 | Climbing 4/5 | Downhill 3/5 | Weight n/a | Build Quality 4/5 | Design 5/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.2/5

The Giant Talon 2 offers great value for the money. It comes with 27.5″ or 29″ wheels (depending on your preference). It’s suitable for beginners and experienced riders needing a spare mountain bike.

While it’s not designed for the toughest terrains, the Talon 2 can handle dirt roads, trails, gravel, and more.

Thanks to the up to 100mm travel fork that absorbs major bumps and vibrations, you’ll enjoy a comfortable ride.

The hydraulic disc brakes provide ample stopping power in any weather conditions, so you can rely on them anytime.

The Talon 2 has a 2X drivetrain, providing a wide gear range (18 speeds). However, it’s also easy to maintain, less complex, and simpler.

You have the option to choose from two colors and five sizes, making it easier to find the perfect fit.

Schwinn High Timber

Components 2/5 | Climbing 2/5 | Downhill 2/5 | Weight 1/5 | Build Quality 2/5 | Design 2/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 1.9/5

Schwinn is one of the most iconic bicycle brands in the US. I included High Timber because it’s a popular choice for many on Amazon. However, you can also see how it compares with other bikes.

It features 21-speed GripShift shifters, which enable easy shifting with just a twist of your hand. But the truth is this shifting system is becoming obsolete.

It comes with all-terrain knobby tires and durable alloy wheels that provide good traction even on rough terrain. Unfortunately, it only has rim brakes.

I like that it has a quick-release seat post, allowing you to adjust the saddle height quickly without having an Allen key.

The bike may require some tweaks and adjustments after purchase. Some customers also reported poor component quality. In this case, you can take advantage of Amazon’s return policy.

Upgrade the stock pedals with the best mountain bike flat pedals to improve your riding experience.

My Verdict

If you have a limited budget, go for Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1. This is the best beginner mountain bike because it offers a lot of value for its price.

Thanks to quality Shimano components, you can rely on it. Use it to ride on various terrains, including dirt roads, gravel, forest roads, singletracks, or trails. Its 100mm Suntour fork will easily absorb bumps.

It has disc brakes that stop you when needed. Its only minor disadvantage is the 27.5″ wheels (some riders may prefer the 29″ wheels for their better inertia and more comfy ride).

But overall, this MTB has everything beginners need.

How to Choose a Beginner Mountain Bike?

If you’re a beginner cyclist who feels uncomfortable sharing the road with cars, a mountain bike should be the right choice.

In this section, I’ll go over what you can anticipate from a low-priced mountain bike and how to spend your money wisely.

Watch this video to preview what you can expect from cheap mountain bikes.

Suspension

When choosing a beginner mountain bike, you have to decide if you want a front-suspension or a full-suspension bike. Beginner mountain bikes are equipped with basic coil or air suspension.

Front-suspension bikes are more affordable, and you get better components for a given budget. Front suspension makes for a more comfortable ride, and your arms won’t get tired from bumps and rough terrain.

Full-suspension bikes are better if you know you will ride in technical terrain and want comfort and help from the rear suspension. However, you have to prepare a larger budget to get the same components as a front-suspension bike.

Learn more about the sag and rebound in this guide by Evo.com.

Frame Material

Most cheap mountain bikes are made of aluminum due to low manufacturing costs and easy processing. However, if you have a larger budget, you can look for carbon, steel, or even titanium bikes.

Aluminum frames offer a great weight-to-stiffness ratio and durability for a given price. This means that the manufacturer can spend the money saved on the frame on other important components, such as the drivetrain, wheels, or brakes.

Carbon mountain bikes are lighter, stiffer, and more flexible than aluminum ones. They are great for pro or more demanding riders. Their downside is that they are expensive, so the manufacturer has to cut corners and equip the bike with cheaper components (if we talk about bikes for the same or similar price). The downside of the stiffness and flexibility is that carbon frames are more fragile when crashing. They can break when you fall on a rock or another hard surface.

When you are on a tight budget, it is usually better to buy an aluminum frame with better components than a carbon one with worse components. Your bike will last longer, and the overall experience will improve.

The steel and titanium frames are found on more premium bikes. Yes, you can buy a cheap steel bike, but it will probably feature very bad components compared to a bike with an aluminum frame at the same price range.

To learn more, read the article about my bike frame materials’ pros & cons.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is one of the most important things I look for when choosing a bike. It is put to hard work every time I ride my bike.

Beginner mountain bikes are always equipped with the cheapest drivetrains (groupsets). That does not mean that they won’t last. They are just as precise and quick as high-end groupsets and will also wear out faster. Sometimes, you have to help the derailer shift by pushing the lever, but after you learn how to use them, they can serve you for many years. Yet, I recommend frequent maintenance.

There are three types of chainrings: 1X, 2X, and 3X. 2X and 3X chainrings are great for beginners. Shifting from the faster gear to the slower one is easier using the front shifter, so if you are new to the sport, you won’t have to work the rear derailer hard every time the terrain changes. Just make sure you avoid cross-chaining.

2X and 3X chainrings come with higher weight and are harder to set correctly. 3X chainrings are available only in the cheapest groupsets. So if you want precise shifting, you are “stuck” with 2X or 1X chainrings.

If you decide to go for a 1X, consider a chainring size. A chainring with 30 teeth will allow you to ride faster on downhills, but you may have a problem in steep uphill sections. On the other hand, thanks to the 34 teeth chainring, you will climb very steep hills.

Most 1X chainring bikes I have ridden were equipped with 32 teeth chainring; I did not struggle anywhere, even with a 10 or 11-speed cassette.

Wheels

Most modern mountain bikes use 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. The older ones used 26″ wheels. 26″ wheels are not very common anymore because the larger diameter wheels are more stable and more comfortable.

26″ were pretty popular; however, they are outdated these days. This is because of all the advantages that bigger wheels have. They are available on the most affordable mountain bikes thanks to their low price (they are made from affordable materials like aluminum).

29″ wheels are better for speed and stability. Thanks to their size, the inertia is better, and you can maintain your speed more easily. However, the acceleration is slower.

If you ride off-road, they will handle bumps better, making your ride smoother. The bike will also be more stable on downhills. You will also have better traction and brake power thanks to the larger contact area with the surface.

27.5″ wheels are more suitable for shorter people. Because of the smaller size, the bike is more agile and is easier to handle in tight spaces. Since they are bigger than the 26″ wheels, the speed, traction, and stability will still be noticeable.

Brakes

Beginner mountain bikes are mainly equipped with rim or disc brakes.

1. Rim brakes are great for their price-to-performance ratio. They are cheap, easy to maintain, and work well on most occasions. Because the brake pads are in direct contact with the wheel, road conditions can affect their performance, mainly if you ride through water or mud. Rim brakes are also much cheaper than disc brakes.
2. Disc brakes give you the best stopping power in almost any condition and are easier to control. Thanks to the different technology and the disc placement, the braking power is usually unaffected, and the brakes are more powerful. But they can get pretty hot on long and steep descents. This can result in a lack of stopping power. Don’t worry. You will be fine if you don’t plan to descend a 10-mile route.
   There are two types of disc brakes – mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical are cheaper and easier to maintain, but hydraulic brakes are more popular and have better brake control due to the different technology.

Bike Size

Once you choose the mountain bike model you want to buy, it is time to pick its correct size. This is a crucial step because you won’t enjoy your ride with the wrong bike size.

It can be difficult to choose the right size when you can’t try the bike in person and try it out. But, thanks to bike size charts and bike size calculators, it will be a matter of a few minutes.

So, read my other article, where I explain How to Choose a Bike Size. It also contains a bike size calculator to calculate your mountain bike size.

Additional Tips for Beginner Mountain Bikers

In the following section, you will learn a few beginner mountain bike tips. I gathered them from my experience and friends riding mountain bikes since childhood.

1. Get a Bike Helmet & Bike Accessories

There are many different types of accessories for mountain bikes.

The first and most obvious thing is that you need a helmet. Even a cheap one can save you from severe injuries. Don’t underestimate your safety.

Trust me; I know what I am talking about. My good friend crashed badly on his mountain bike, and the helmet saved him from a concussion and other injuries.

But it is not just about the helmet. If you plan to ride longer trips, you can take advantage of bike accessories.

A speedometer is great for those who like to measure the speed and distance of their trip. Yes, you can use your phone, but why drain your battery and risk damaging it?

2. Download Useful Cycling Apps

Smartphone apps can help you find the right trails/paths, track your progress, or even help with first aid.

Another useful app is Windy, which provides weather forecasts. It is great if you plan longer trips and want to be sure about the weather. To find more useful apps, check the selection of the best cycling apps.

3. Enjoy It

There is one thing that I repeatedly hear from most of the riders.

It is not about the equipment you have. It is about you and about the moment you are in. And if you are enjoying it, that is all that matters.

Beginner Mountain Bikes FAQ

This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please contact me.