Looking for a good mountain bike at a reasonable price? We're reviewing the 7 best mountain bikes under 2000 USD.
Mountain Bikes under $2000 that made to our top 7 list are:
- Marin Rift Zone 27.5 1
- Salsa Timberjack SLX 29
- Co-op Cycles DRT 2.2
- Trek X-Caliber 9
- Commencal Meta HT AM Ride
- Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29
- Cannondale Habit 6 29er
Mountain bikes can be expensive, especially if you’re looking for quality and performance. It’s said that to keep your passion alive, you’ve to spend money. But why spend so many dollars when you can get the best products at a reasonable price? Let’s review the best mountain bikes at a reasonable price, below 2000 USD.
This post is about affordable value-for-money mountain bikes, such as bikes with all the fantastic features of a top-class mountain bike. The main idea is that the mountain bike sustains the adversities of the mountain trails and gives you the best time mountain biking.
Mountain biking may become extremely costly, depending on your hunger and financial situation. A bicycle may easily cost over $5,000 and still fall far below the upper end of the pricing range. Some delectable models cost close to or more than $10,000. That, however, is a lot more than the bulk of us mortals can afford.
With that being said, let’s get to the best possible list of mountain bikes in the US at a price below 2000 USD:
Marin Rift Zone 27.5 1
For full-suspension bikes under $2,000, quality and performance may vary significantly, but Marin has a clear winner with the Rift Zone 27.5 series. The “1,” their entry-level model, is equipped with all the essential components, including an 11-speed Shimano Deore transmission with a broad range, a reliable, high-quality aluminum frame, and contemporary geometry that is loose enough for an effective descent yet comfortable on ascents.
They might also use wheels and tires that are tubeless-ready. The Rift Zone 1 is a fantastic deal at $1,899 overall. With 120 millimeters of rear travel and 130 millimeters up front, the Rift Zone is appropriate for a range of terrain, from long cross-country rides and flowing trails to relatively challenging downhills.
The Rift Zone doesn’t give up much and is noticeably more stable over rocks and roots, but a hardtail will surely be quicker and more maneuverable on a long climb for the same price. The bike’s exceptional skills would be matched if you had to pick, by stronger brakes, a better front fork, and a dropper post. Both of those issues are solved by upgrading to the “2,” but at $2,349, the price is too high.
Not to mention, Marin also offers a Rift 1 29er for sale.
A good contender, in our opinion.
Salsa Timberjack SLX 29
Building on the success of the original model, Salsa’s most recent Timberjack packs a powerful punch and is one of our favorite hardtail under $2,000. Shimano’s modern 12-speed SLX gear provides a significant increase above the SRAM SX system that is often available for the price in terms of smoothness and shifting speed.
Salsa has also given it top-notch accessories like a RockShox 35 Silver air fork, a TranzX dropper post, and Shimano MT401 brakes—all noticeable enhancements over those on the Marin above—as well as big 29 x 2.6-inch tires that are ideal for challenging trails and aggressive riding. Like many Salsa designs, it is also prepared to be rapidly changed for bike-packing.
The Timberjack’s lack of high-quality parts and awkward riding position, which are excellent for trail use and let you get a little rowdy, will frustrate all-mountain riders. The 130-millimeter hardtail design cannot match the Marin above on downhill sections, no matter how hard you try.
The Marin above or Giant below will be better long-term investments if you wish to descend steep hills fast. However, if you want a well-equipped hardtail with no evident need for any upgrades shortly, the Timberjack is an excellent option. Another Salsa to remember is the Rangefinder series, which has many traits with the Timberjack but has a more XC-oriented form.
Co-op Cycles DRT 2.2
Co-op Cycles is well known for providing the MTB market with surprisingly good entry-level and mid-range bikes. The Co-op Cycles DRT 2.2 is the best mid-range hardtail bike with a lightweight aluminum frame. This bike comes equipped with RockShox suspension and 27.5+ tires, among other surprises.
The hydraulic disc brakes on the Shimano MT500 are an unexpected addition. They cost roughly $1,900 and include a bike, which is an excellent addition. In any situation, the hydraulic disc brakes will swiftly stop you.
One of this Co-op model’s most distinguishing characteristics is the 2.9′′ wide WTB Ranger tires. Their 27.5′′ diameter gives them incredible responsiveness and agility when cornering. The RockShox Recon RL fork features 120 mm or 140 mm of travel, depending on the frame size. You’ll feel much more at ease and confident, which will help you tackle more challenging lines.
The groupset on this bike is an SRAM NX Eagle 112, a popular option for bikes in this price range because it is durable and affordable. Although you can add fenders, a rear rack, and two water bottle cages, no accessories are provided.
Trek X-Caliber 9
Trek’s X-Caliber is preferable if you enjoy making lengthy cross-country trips, even though the bikes mentioned above lean more toward the sharp, cross-country riding end of the spectrum.
This bike is swift, responsive, and agile on the trail and has a long racing history. The X-Caliber is among the lightest bikes on this list, which improves pedaling efficiency and speed on flat or inclined terrain. It’s an excellent substitute for longer, less strenuous trail days or an excellent entry-level XC racing bike for a cost-effective $1,930.However, the X-Caliber is a dependable option if you’re looking for a lightweight construction for traveling significant distances and are ready to make a small downhill performance sacrifice.
The X-Caliber, however, falters when the going gets tough. On steeper slopes with more rocks and roots, its less generous suspension travel (100mm up front) and upright riding position give it a precarious nature. Therefore, it is believed that the X-Caliber is less adaptable than the top choices and more difficult to justify in a one-bike quiver (depending on where you live, of course).
Many customers are happy with their purchase. One customer said, “Coming from a mid priced Liv, this upgrade was exactly what I had hoped for. Trying to decide on a gravel bike or hardtail, the x caliber 9 answered the question. Gearing has definitely improved hill climbing enjoyment and single shift drops in quickly. Recommend going with this model of the x caliber line due to its quality components.”
Commencal Meta HT AM Ride
Suspension: 150mm (front)
Tires: 27.5/29 x 2.6 in. (29 in. on size L/XL)
Gears: 1 x 12
The Meta HT AM Ride was developed by the French direct-to-consumer manufacturer Commencal with the premise that an excellent hardtail is preferable to a subpar full-suspension bike. They combined the suspension fork on our list with the most prolonged travel, the 150-millimeter RockShox fork, with aggressive geometry (including a 64-degree head tube).
The Meta is a powerful hardtail prepared for ascents and descents thanks to its rugged tubeless-ready tires, thru-axles for extra strength and stability, and SRAM’s 1 x 12 drivetrain. For a better fit and more maneuverable riding, the small and medium frame sizes are configured with a front wheel of 29 inches and a rear wheel of 27.5 inches (large and extra-large frames come as full 29ers).
The Commencal has a lot to offer riders seeking a single quiver, and purchasing directly from the manufacturer lowers the price by avoiding the intermediary. But there are disadvantages to buying a bike online.
Nothing compares to riding a bike before spending your hard-earned money, something you most likely won’t be able to do if you purchase from a direct-to-consumer business. Commencal provides a five-year guarantee. However, all customer support interactions occur over the phone or via email rather than in person.
Although it has 20 millimeters less travel than the Meta HT AM Ride, the Salsa Timberjack above provides a similar aggressive configuration and has a dropper post if the price of the Meta HT AM Ride tempts you, but you’d instead buy locally.
Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29
Suspension: 100mm (front)
Tires: 29 x 2.35.
Gears: 1 x 12
The mountain bike business has known Specialized and its Rockhopper line for many years, and their most current models live up to the reputation. This year’s budget-friendly Expert 29 combines mid-range components with efficient cross-country geometry.
For $1,400, Specialized offers top-notch construction: a climb-ready 1 x 12 gearbox, a RockShox Judy air fork with 100mm of travel, SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes, and tubeless-ready wheels to lighten the load on the trail.
Additionally, Specialized offers you a lifetime frame guarantee.
All of this contributes to creating a high-quality bike that is ideal for quickly zipping over simple terrain.
The bulk of the bikes on this list are labeled as trail bikes rather than cross-country bikes for a reason, though. The Rockhopper can’t keep up when the path grows tougher, much like the X-Caliber did above.
The Rockhopper’s 29-inch wheels and economic geometry might suffice on more level and rolling trails. Still, a hardtail like Salsa’s Timberjack or Commencal’s Meta HT AM Ride (for $399 and $500 more, respectively) will have a more stable riding position and more travel on downhill or over rocky terrain. Your local trail system may impact your choice, but the Specialized Rockhopper is a tried-and-true choice for faster, more leisurely rides.
Customers are satisfied with their purchase since the price tag is appealing for a mountain bike if you’re on a budget. The price tag makes a lot of difference, although the quality may defer.
Nevertheless, customers haven’t posted any negative comments about the bike till now.
Cannondale Habit 6 29er
The Cannondale Habit 6 29er costs a little more than $2,000, but it is worth it. You receive an aluminum full suspension frame made by experts in aluminum bicycle frames. Cannondale continued to develop brand-new aluminium frames employing the most recent technological advances while everyone turned to carbon fiber.
The Cannondale has 130mm of travel, just like the Diamondback, but it has larger wheels. It has Boost spaced 29er wheels, which you can see is currently the standard for the majority of full-suspension bikes.
The Boost standard only makes your wheels stronger, and I think it is agreed that it is a standard. On the Cannondale, Shimano Deore controls the gear changing. The Habit 6 has a 1x drivetrain, which you have undoubtedly come to anticipate by this point.
On the Cannondale, a Fox Float Performance on the rear and a RockShox Recon RL on the front give 130mm of travel. These two shocks from various manufacturers have been chosen to complement Habit 6’s kinematic design. Performance ultimately counts more than utilizing shocks made by the same brand.
Mountain Bikes Under $200 - Final Thoughts
A long list of bikes is available under the price tag of $2000. However, you don’t just want to go for the first cheap piece of metal you find as a mountain bike. For these things, you must do your homework.
The abovementioned bikes are among the best based on features and customer reviews. Therefore, these bikes are tried and tested and have a good customer response. So before you go mountain bike shopping, make sure you keep one component in mind on which you cannot compromise, then go for the price.
Enjoy your mountain biking adventure. In the end it’s all about the experience!
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