The 6 Best Full Suspension Mountain Bikes Under $2000 Ideal for Beginners (2024)

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These are the best full-suspension bikes under $2000 based on my mountain bike scoring, which evaluates multiple features like the components, geometry, weight, or price. These bikes are suitable for beginners who want to send it down the trails and enjoy more adrenaline.

If you are new to full suspension mountain bikes, read my in-depth buyer guide to learn how to choose one that will suit your needs and budget.

What Are the Best Full Suspension Mountain Bikes Under $2000?

Best Runner-Up

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Best Overall

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Best for Women

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The best full suspension MTBs under $2000 are those with a quality frame (mostly aluminum), suspension (RockShox, Suntour, etc.), and hydraulic disc brakes. You should also prefer Shimano or SRAM groupset and 1X drivetrain. Some bikes in this price range come with a dropper post.

If you are new to full suspension bikes, don’t hesitate to check the buyers’ guide first.

Polygon Siskiu D7 (The Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under $2000 Overall)

Components 4/5 | Climbing 5/5 | Downhill 4/5 | Weight 2/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Design 5/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.0/5

Polygon Siskiu D7 offers an excellent price-value ratio. You get a well-built aluminum frame with quality suspension from RockShox and 27.5-inch or 29-inch wheels (depending on the bike size).

The geometry makes D7 suitable mainly for aggressive cross-country riding, but you can also use it for trails, singletracks, etc.

Thanks to the dropper post with a remote, you can conveniently change the saddle height depending on the terrain you ride in.

Siskiu D7 has a Shimano Deore 1×11spd groupset and hydraulic disc brakes for effective stopping power.

Overall, this bike is perfect for beginners and people who want the best bang for their buck.

Polygon Siskiu T7

Components 4/5 | Climbing 4/5 | Downhill 5/5 | Weight 2/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Design 5/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 4.0/5

Polygon Siskiu T7 is almost the same as the Siskiu D7 but is more heavy-duty. It has a shorter wheelbase and a steeper head tube angle (65° vs. 67°). This means it’s more suitable for rougher terrain like rocky trails and bigger jumps but less effective (but still capable) for climbing.

Components are similar, but the T7 offers longer suspension travel for the more demanding terrains. It also comes with a dropper post, so you can drop the saddle when needed.

Siskiu D7 is more expensive than the T7, so it also has a higher-end Shimano Deore 1×12spd groupset and better 4/2 piston disc brakes for more stopping power.

Its affordable price makes it a popular choice, especially when discounted. You will still have money left for other accessories.

Liv Embolden 29″ 2 (The Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under $2000 for Women)

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

If you’re looking for a women’s specific full suspension mountain bike, the Aluminum Liv Embolden 2 fits the bill.

Unleash your adventurous spirit on the trails and explore new terrain comfortably with the trail-ready Embolden 2. It’s the perfect ride to escape the chaos and dive into your own world of trails and singletracks.

The Embolden is crafted with women’s-specific geometry, featuring 130mm front and 120mm rear suspension on a single-pivot Flexpoint platform. This design ensures stability, speed, and energy, especially on rugged and technical terrain. Being a 29” model, it sacrifices a bit of agility but gives you more stability, so you can tackle descents with confidence.

In terms of components, it could be better. It comes with only a 10-speed Shimano Deore, Giant Crest 34 RCL 130mm front, and Suntour Raidon R 120mm rear travel. Luckily, the build does include a dropper post, which is helpful in multiple scenarios.

Marin Rift Zone 27.5 1

Components 4/5 | Climbing 4/5 | Downhill 4/5 | Weight 2/5 | Build Quality 4/5 | Design 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.7/5

The Marin Rift Zone bike line is available in three options that differ from each other in components.

Rift Zone 1 is an entry-level bike suitable for beginners and people on a tight budget. If you want better components, you will have to pay much more.

Marin Rift Zone 1 comes with 27.5-inch wheels, providing better maneuverability, acceleration, and responsivity, so you will experience a lot of fun with it.

You can rely on its Shimano disc brakes in any weather conditions and Shimano Deore groupset for quick and precise shifting.

And, of course, you get the suspension necessary for rougher terrain thanks to the RockShox Recon Silver RL 130mm travel front fork and X-Fusion O2 Pro R air shock.

Unfortunately, Rift Zone 1 doesn’t come with a dropper post like other bikes on this list, but you can upgrade it later.

Giant Stance 29” 2

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

Paired with the Giant Crest 34 RCL suspension, 29-inch wheels, and high-volume 2.35-inch Maxxis tires, this bike is geared for long days on the hill and provides ample safety when you’re pushing your limits.

It boasts a sleek finish that wouldn’t seem out of place on a top-tier Trek or Specialized. However, when you look at the bike as a whole, it doesn’t appear as modern.

The standover clearance is impressive, ensuring stability and control on crucial descents. Yet, its slacker seat tube angle and 29-inch wheels make it less ideal for technical climbs.

Conversely, with its 29-inch wheels, you’ll experience stability on rocky and rooty terrain, along with smooth descents—no excuses for not chasing those KOMs/QOMs.

While the welds could be neater and the components better, this bike still deserves your attention.

Are you buying a mountain bike without pedals? Then don’t forget to choose from these selections of the best flat mountain bike pedals OR the best clipless mountain bike pedals, depending on which style you prefer.

Cannondale Habit 4

Components 4/5 | Climbing 4/5 | Downhill 4/5 | Weight 2/5 | Build Quality 5/5 | Design 4/5 | WEIGHTED OVERALL SCORE 3.8/5

The Cannondale Habit 4 tops the list as the most expensive option, just crossing the $2000 mark. However, its higher price reflects top-notch craftsmanship, evident in its smooth welds.

The Habit 4 has a similar but more relaxed geometry than the Polygon Siskiu T7. It will give you confidence while descending, thanks to its stable handling and quick responsiveness.

Although it comes with great components, considering its price range, its wheels don’t quite meet expectations. I recommend upgrading them for better performance. Despite this downside, the Habit 4 proves its versatility. Whether tackling rough trails or cruising forest roads, the Habit 4 adapts seamlessly.

For biking enthusiasts willing to invest a bit more in their full-suspension bike, the Cannondale Habit 4 is a compelling choice. While the initial cost might deter some, its quality construction and well-known brand make the expense worthwhile.

My Verdict

Polygon Siskiu D7 wowed me with the price and componentry. It is the best full suspension mountain bike under $2000 because it offers great components, like a dropper post (which many other brands don’t offer).

For this type of build, this is an absolute steal. As a bonus, you’ll be able to grab this bike and still have cash left over for extras.

How to Choose a Full Suspension Mountain Bike?

Choosing a full suspension mountain bike for under $2000 is not easy. In the following part, you find out what to expect from full suspension bikes at this price and how to spend your money wisely.

Suspension

The $2000 budget does not allow manufacturers to equip the bike with the latest and greatest. Full suspension MTBs in this price range feature lower-quality components than more expensive bikes.

When choosing a full suspension mountain bike, you also have to think about the types of terrain you want to ride in.

The more difficult the terrain, the longer the suspension travel you should get. Longer suspension travel can absorb large impacts, bumps, rocks, etc., making your ride more convenient.

Depending on the type of MTB, the suspension travel will vary. The following table shows the suspension travel for different types of mountain bikes.

Front Suspension

Cheaper full suspension mountain bikes (for under $2000) feature lower-end front forks. These differ from the high-end models by reliability, efficiency, performance, and weight.

Lower-end front forks don’t provide as good a riding experience as high-end forks. They also may not feature as good adjustability of compression and rebound dampening (learn more).

But this does not mean that bikes with low-end forks are bad. They can still absorb bumps pretty well.

Rear Suspension

There are 2 types of rear suspension – coil and air suspension. Bikes below $2000 are usually equipped with air suspension. Coil suspension is used on high-end full suspension mountain bikes.

Every bike manufacturer uses a slightly different type of rear suspension. It is a pretty complex topic, but Bikeradar explains it extensively in their guide on rear suspension systems. Feel free to read it to find out more.

TIP: To adjust the air suspension, you will need a mountain bike shock pump. If you don’t have it yet, make sure to get one.

Frame Material

Full suspension bikes under $2000 are mostly made of aluminum (carbon full MTBs start at around $3000). Aluminum offers 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 groupset, wheels, or brakes.

A good full suspension bike under $2000 should weigh around 32 lb (15 kg) in an M size (without pedals).

Groupset

The groupset is one of the most important things to look for when choosing a bike. It is under pressure every time you pedal, so getting a bike with a better groupset pays off.

There are 3 types of chainrings – 1X, 2X, and 3X. Full suspension bikes mostly feature a 1X chainring.

Yes, the gear selection is limited with a 1X chainring. But there is no need to have 22 gears on a full suspension bike as there are on road bikes.

The 1X chainrings differ in the number of teeth (usually 30, 32, or 34). With 34 teeth in the front, you can 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.*

*This also depends on the cassette and the gear ratio (learn more).

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 full suspension mountain bikes use 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. Some MTBs still use 26″ wheels, but they are not very common anymore. So, should you get a bike with 27.5″ or 29″ wheels?

29″ wheels are better for speed and stability. Thanks to their size, you can maintain your speed more easily. On the other hand, you will accelerate slower.

If you ride off-road, they will handle bumps better, and your ride will feel smoother. The bike will be more stable on downhills, and you get 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

The vast majority of good full suspension bikes use hydraulic disc brakes. So, I recommend passing bikes with mechanical disc brakes.

Read my article explaining the benefits of rim vs. disc brakes to learn more.

Dropper Seatpost

A dropper seatpost is a nice-to-have feature. It allows you to drop your saddle anytime you need it. This is useful in downhills or technical sections where you need a lower center of gravity and more space to control your bike.

Not all full suspension bikes under $2000 offer dropper seatpost because they are not cheap. The pros and cons of the dropper seatpost are the following:

Cheap Full Suspension 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.