If you´re looking for a bargain for your next mountain bike, settling on one such as the Mongoose dolomite or the Kent kz2600 dual suspension mountain bike is wise. They offer great price to value quality, and will get where you need to go.
Choosing which bike to get is an important decision. There are so many options that selecting one can be difficult. Since my bike will be my partner on the road, I need to have absolute trust in it, as well as enjoy riding it. All of this has to be taken into account before you buy a bike. However, as it can often be, a high price can get in the way of your dreams.
With all this in mind, we´ve compiled a list of some of the best mountain bikes under $200 including some hidden gems.
Disclaimer
Prices have significantly increased in recent times and not all bikes may be under $200.
We´ve compiled a list of some of the best budget bikes that you can get, but not every one of them meets the $200 price range.
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We´ll start this list off with the mongoose dolomite. Regarded by some as the best mountain bike under 200, this bike is beloved by all who seek a budget bike, and it is featured in plenty of the top lists of bikes you´ll find under $200.
The bike has risen so much in popularity that its price has risen with it. It now costs around $495, which is a bit excessive.
Regardless, the quality of the bike makes it worth a mention. Furthermore, the price might vary depending on the website you´re searching on.
This mountain bike ride is very balanced due to its thick 26" front and rear tires. Furthermore, it's lightweight aluminum alloy rims make it feel fast and dynamic. Perfect for those dirt trails and wet roads.
Overall, this is a quality mountain bike, so maybe paying a little extra could be worth it. Look out for a discount.
The second best mountain bike under 200 goes to the Apollo Slant.
It is meant for men. However, with the help of an adjustable seat, anyone can ride it if they choose. The bike comes in a variety of wheel sizes, and has a sturdy steel frame design, which should make it very resistant but a bit heavy.
The bike's knobby tires will make the road feel smooth and easy to ride on, provided you ride in decent terrain.
Overall, this is a great mountain bike which you can get for around $200.
If you want to teach your child cycling, there's no better mountain bike than the Diamondback Cobra. It has everything you´ll need to safely introduce your kid to the world of bicycles.
The bike is meant for kids. It is small, yet has a great front suspension to handle those mountain paths.
When it comes to kids, it´s about the best you´ll find for mountain bikes under 200. Regardless, you should be pretty happy with the Cobra, mainly because it is an affordable mountain bike and should last long.
A hidden gem candidate for the best mountain bike under 200 is the Eurobike OBK.
It is equipped with 21 speeds to tackle the mountain and has a disc brake system to keep you safe during your ride.
The bike also has a suspension fork that smoothens out the bumpiness, thus making it easier to ride.
Within it´s category, it is one of the most affordable mountain bikes in the industry.
A slightly overpriced mountain bike that is still worth a mention on this list is the mongoose malus.
Equipped with thick 26" wheels, a strong steel frame and high-quality disc brakes, the Malus is ready to help you conquer any mountain. The knobby tires will clear out the way for you to smoothly cruise through the roads.
A downside to this bike is that it only has 7 speeds, and it's a bit on the heavy side. So it might be tiring to ride.
It is fair to say the bike has some high-quality parts, but it is quite expensive. Nevertheless, it has great reviews.
If you´re looking for lightweight and cheap mountain bikes, look no further than the hiland. Built for efficiency and agility, this bike offers a great riding experience.
Due to its lightweight aluminum frame, the bike might feel light, but those thick knobby tires bulldoze through the road, eliminating most of the impact against your body.
Admittedly, it is not the most affordable mountain bike on this list. However, due to everything it offers, it's worth a mention.
When you consider one of the best cheap mountain bikes, Huffy bikes are worth a mention. This particular bike is ideally meant for women. It is equipped with 21 different speeds so you can have the best possible riding experience without physically straining yourself.
It is a full-suspension bike with linear pull brakes. These parts, with the help of a quality suspension fork, guarantee your safety and comfort while riding.
If you order this bike through the internet, you'll most likely have to put it together yourself. But relax, the instructions are clear and you can have some fun building it.
This bike also has 26" knobby tires to punish the road. It'll be smooth riding. Changing your driving speed shouldn't be too tough as well. You´ll have a shimano rear derailleur to help you.
The mongoose maxim is among the best cheap mountain bikes for women. The bike specializes in speed and agility. To complement its attractive design, it has a lightweight aluminum frame.
Like other mongoose bikes, it focuses on providing a comfortable ride. Therefore, it has a quality suspension fork installed.
The bike also has 21 different speeds, so you can challenge yourself according to the terrain.
When you think about some of the best mountain bikes at around 200, the Huffy hardtail mountain bike has to be on this list.
This Huffy Hardtail mountain bike is one of the best cheap mountain bikes on the market. With a good suspension fork and quality parts, the bike is easy to ride and has some great reviews.
It is an entry-level mountain bike which is great for newbies and will help you find your groove.
This model might be slightly over-budget, but it is still a good introductory bike.
If you're interested in the Roadmaster Granite peak, you´re probably looking for the best cheap mountain bike. You won't find a bike as cheap as this one.
It is an all-around mountain bike which is perfect for any journey you have in mind. It's also one of the best entry-level mountain bikes on the market. If you´re looking to give your bike some rough use, this can handle it.
The bike has a solid frame, alloy rims and other decent parts that are durable. However, it is missing a full suspension to work at its best. Nevertheless, it's still a quality mountain bike for a great price.
If you´re looking for a more unique bike, this is for you. This bike is one of the few foldable mountain bikes under 200 dollars.
A major benefit of this is that it is a dual-suspension mountain bike, meaning it has a lot of resistance and sturdiness against impact. Furthermore, this dual-suspension bike also comes with 26" to pave the road as you go.
This particular model is a lightweight bike, which makes it easy to carry around.
Some of its special features include an adjustable seat and alloy rims for extra durability. It's perfect for an entry-level mountain bike.
Continuing with our best mountain bikes under 200 list comes the Schwinn High Timber. This particular bike comes with a lightweight steel frame; perfect for that extra edge while riding.
In addition, the bike comes with huge, 27.5" tires. They will make your ride very comfortable and absorb any impact from the road.
The bike also comes with an adjustable seat, alloy rims and many other accessories.
Finally, due to its popularity, the bike has risen in price. Nevertheless, you can find it in some places for around 200 dollars.
One of the meanest mountain bikes under 200 dollars is the Vertical Alpine Eagle. Just like its name suggests, this bike was made to soar over the mountain.
Equipped with 18 different speeds and quality V- Brakes, this bike is quite easy and enjoyable to ride. You can go fast and control the amount of effort you´ll have to put into riding.
The bike has a vibrant color as well. It is also a great entry-level bike which is quite affordable. With it´s rugged tires, this mountain bicycle will dominate the mountain.
This bike is enjoyable to ride, making it the perfect match for any bike lover.
Closing our best mountain bikes under 200 list, comes the Pacific Stratus.
It's equipped with 26" inch wheels and is a powerful red. This full-suspension mountain bicycle will help you conquer those mountain roads.
The bike is equipped with 15 speeds to regulate your energy use. Furthermore, its alloy wheel rims are built to last and resist the muddy mountain roads.
Due to its price, this bike is also perfect to start riding with. You´ll slowly be able to acclimate yourself to mountain biking.
If you´re looking for a cheap mountain bike with a dual suspension, going for the Kent kz2600 is a great option,
This dual suspension bike is meant to travel on the dirtiest of mountain roads. With two suspensions it can withstand any amount of impact. With two different braking systems, this bike is equipped to keep you safe and give you a smooth ride.
This aluminum mountain bike is the perfect mix between bold and agile. It´s 26" tires will plow the terrain ahead, while the frame will keep the bike light and easy to ride. Furthermore, the bike has 21 speed twist shifters.
Overall, this may be one of the best mountain bikes under 200. For starters, it's a dual- suspension mountain bike, of which you won't find many around this price. Secondly, it is a great budget mountain bike with plenty of good reviews.
When talking about the best mountain bikes in the world, an important factor to consider is, who makes them? There are a lot of bike brands out there. Some focus solely on mountain bike production, while others have a wider array.
Nevertheless, knowing some of the best brands in the world and in the US can come in handy. After all, you need a bike that is both affordable and of great quality.
Below are some of the best brands in the world. Although they might be a little over-budget, you might be able to get one at a discount or second-hand. If you come across the opportunity, don´t let it go.
Specialized Bike Components Inc. is an American company founded in Morgan Hill, California in 1974.
They are one of the first brands to put the mountain bike on the map. They were the mountain bike pioneers in the US. Their bike the "Stumpjumper" is one of their most famous models and the first mass-produced mountain bike in the world.
Nowadays, most of their bike parts are produced in Taiwan. Regardless, they still have a large presence worldwide and in the US. Their mountain bikes are still known as a quality name.
They not only design mountain bikes, but have expanded to offer road bikes, gravel bikes and more. The best part of this brand is that their bikes can be found at every price range, adapting to their customers. Although getting a $200 bike could be a bit of a challenge, it is possible. You can also consider getting them second-hand. The quality is already there.
This company was founded in Wilton, Connecticut. Cannondale has slowly become one of the top competitors in the industry, mainly due to their bold and innovative bikes.
They are known for their unique approach to making bikes, and they´re not afraid to show it.
Their bikes are described as fun to ride and are composed of quality components, such as a lightweight aluminum frame, and a great suspension fork.
Finally, although their prices are a bit over the $200 category, it is possible to find a bike at that price through a discount or a second-hand offer.
Founded in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Trek bikes are some of the best-known mountain bikes in the world. They were even featured by Lance Armstrong in a few "Tour de France" races.
Although the main focus of production are road bikes, they do produce some high-quality bikes which are accessible at any price.
Their most popular mountain bike is the Trek Fuel EX, which is praised for it´s versatility and overall "smooth ride" experience. Regardless of which model it is, their bikes constantly receive updates on the frame and design according to the trend and technology.
Finally, they are also known for offering a lifetime warranty on their bike frames. You could find some of these bikes at a discount for under 200 dollars. However, this is rare because they are usually quite expensive.
Founded in Golden, Colorado in 1985, YETI has, without a doubt consolidated itself at the top of the mountain biking community.
YETI bikes are coveted in the mountain biking world. They are exceptional racing bikes, not to mention versatile and enjoyable to ride.
The brand´s main color is a signature teal. Their designs, especially the recent ones, are bold and unique, making them one of the best companies to get a bike from.
If you're looking for a unique suspension mountain bike, YETI offers some of the best in the market.
However it is safe to say that these bikes are expensive, with some models reaching $3000. If you´re planning to find YETI mountain bikes under 200 dollars, you might have to consider getting a fixer-upper, or a previously used bike from this brand. Otherwise, this is not the brand for you.
Named after the location they were created in, Santa Cruz bikes have enjoyed a meteoric rise, being founded only in 1994.
They boast a catalog of only 14 models, of which only two are mountain bikes. Reviews describe them as quality and great to ride. Furthermore, they are a company that puts their heart and soul into their work. With the boom in demand, their operation has grown a lot in recent years.
Santa Cruz bikes also offer a lifetime warranty on their bike frames. They go bigger by also offering this warranty on their bearings. Therefore, getting a bike from them could be a very sensate option.
Located in Taichung, Taiwan and founded in 1972, this is another great company where you can get a quality mountain bike from.
Aside from manufacturing their own bikes, they´re also known for manufacturing the frames for some of the best brands in the world.
Their personal bike brand, commonly known as "Giant" started out in 1981. Their world famous "Trance Line" helped place them on the map. Their bike models are not as recent as most others on the market, though. However, they´re still lauded for being versatile and overall practical bikes.
In terms of brand recognition, they might not be as big as Trek or Specialized, but they are still important to the industry, not only as a brand but as a manufacturer. You´ll be able to find both expensive and cheap mountain bikes from them.
If these top brands are outside your budget, that is completely understandable. This is, after all, an article focusing on bikes under 200 dollars. Here are some brands from which you could find cheap, yet good bikes.
Mongoose Bikes have been around for around 45 years. They primarily focus on making both BMX and MTB bikes. You can find some of the best cheap bikes from them.
They found a lot of success by offering quality mountain bikes under 200. Examples of these are the Mongoose Dolomite and the Mongoose Maxim, which can be found under this price in some instances.
In case you're interested, Mongoose has a full-suspension mountain bike under 200. You can find all the options they have to offer on their website.
Overall, Mongoose bikes are accessible and good quality. That's why if you´re looking for a low price bike, Mongoose is a good place to start.
Founded in Kent, Washington in 1977, Diamondback bikes are worth a mention.
If you´re looking for a cheap mountain bike, Diamondback is where you can go as they offer mountain bikes under 200 dollars. Their business model has various options to choose from. They also have bikes within the price range you´re looking for.
Bikes such as the Cobra are praised for their durability and quality to price ratio. If you´re interested, you can consult their page to find your perfect bike.
Roadmaster was founded in Olney, Illinois in 1936. This makes them one of the oldest bike companies that are still around.
They are known for making good bikes at an array of price ranges. You´ll certainly manage to find mountain bikes from them under 200 dollars.
They are a company that has learned to adapt their bike production overtime. They offer affordable mountain bikes which can either be a full-suspension bike or only have one suspension.
If you´re interested, consider perusing their website and see on what you stumble on.
Established in France in 1976, Decathlon has been the go-to shop for many athletes around the world.
Let's start by saying that they are focused on more than one sport. However, they do have quite a large presence in the biking and mountain biking world.
They manufacture and sell their own road and MTB bikes. They are standard bikes which have a sturdy frame and are trustworthy. You'll manage to find bikes of all shapes and sizes at a variety of prices.
Furthermore, Decathlon has a worldwide reputation as a quality store. So, you can get a good bike from them for a very low cost. Check out their web page to learn more about what they offer.
Established in 1892, Hubby is one of the oldest bike manufacturers in the world. They technically started their bike division in 1970 and have been making bikes since then.
Huffy aims for their bikes to be accessible yet have good quality. They offer a wide selection of bikes that range from cheap to expensive.
Their bikes are sturdy and fun to ride. They use all types of materials and parts, so every bike model is unique and rides differently.
If you'd like to learn more about them, consult their web page.
Sure! Some features in bikes specifically made for men or women may result in price variations.
In most cases, these bikes can be ridden regardless of gender. Just the size of the bike may up the price ever so slightly. For example, a men's bike could have thicker tires, which could end up being slightly more expensive. A women´s bike may have same smaller diameter tires, which could be cheaper.
Here are some pros and cons to help you choose which bike might be your best fit.
If you´re looking for cheap mountain bikes, 99% of the time you´ll only be able to find steel and aluminum frame bikes.
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The type of brakes your bike comes with has its own pros and cons. Here are some of them:
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If you´re planning on doing some especially intense mountain biking, you´ll need a good suspension. Here are some pros and cons of this:
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Finding a bike under $200 is tough in today's world. Luckily, it's still possible to find cheap bikes which can handle especially rough use and be used to learn on. You just have to know where to look.
Normally, you can find bikes in the $300-$400 category for a discount. You can try getting them for 200.
You can find some hidden gems with some patience. Visit a market or buy them second-hand. Sometimes, people don´t know the value of what they're selling.
If you see a bike with high-quality parts for a great price, go for it. Don´t be afraid to spend a little for a bike if your heart is there. Getting a bike, after all, is a partnership.
Now that you know some of the best and most accessible bike brands and models, you´re all set to get your bike.
When you´re making the decision, don´t only take price into consideration. Also look at the quality of the parts and what you plan to do with the bike. Your safety is important as well.
With the information provided in this article, you´ll know exactly where and what to look out for.
Getting a mountain bike is a great way to introduce yourself to the bike world. Buying a cheap bike will allow you to find your groove without having to put a ton of skin in the game.
Now, go and find that bike. Remember to be patient and do your research.
