The 6 Best Mountain Bike Under $150 in ​2021

If adventure runs through your blood and you’re interested in riding over rough, rocky mountainous terrains, a mountain bike is a perfect choice for you. As a beginner, however, you might not want to spend a hefty amount of money for your new purchase. The good news is that many manufacturers have introduced sophisticated mountain bikes of the best quality, that too under $150.  But finding a suitable mountain bike under the said budget can be quite tedious since there’s a bewildering array option in the market. Today, we’ll take a look at the best mountain bike under $150 in 2020 to make the choice easier for you.

A great mountain bike that has won the top spot in our list of best mountain bikes under $150. This amazing mountain bike ideally designed for outdoor adventures for individuals above the age of 13. Huffy Summit Ridge offers 21 speed options along with Shimano TZ-31 rear derailleurs and micro-shift speed twist shifters for quick and on-demand speed shifting according to the surface slope and riding conditions. Moreover, rear derailleurs can be removed for reliable gearing operations.

Huffy Summit Ridge features Kolo 1200 suspensions to absorb shocks from bumps and dips so that you can truly enjoy a smooth ride. The 26 inch knobby tires also provide a good grip to add up to the comfortability and you can rely on the linear pull brakes to deliver consistent stopping action. That’s not all – the padded ATB saddle can be adjusted with the help of quick release according to your height and riding posture.

Pros

• Has a double steel frame
• Ideal for kids
• Adjustable seat-post
• Raised handlebar for a comfortable ride
• Includes kickstand

Cons

• No bottle holder

#4 Hmazy Folding Mountain Bike

A compact folding bike that is easy to carry around with you when you aren’t riding it. This bike features a collapsible frame, compact handlebars, and foldable pedals. It’s really easy to fold and unfold as well. You can store it in your trunk and take it with you wherever you go.

The bike has solid frame and tires that provide great grip on the road. It also has a rear gear system that lets you pick from 6 different speeds.

Pros

• The bike has a well-built frame and uses high quality parts.
• The brakes are quite responsive.
• It comes with a storage bag.

Cons

• The bike’s design makes it uncomfortable for taller people.

#5 Pacific Mountain Bike

A hardtail bike with a robust steel frame. This bike is designed for comfort, fun, and durability. It features a front and rear gear system with 18 different speeds.

The bike has a frontal full suspension that helps keep the rider comfortable and in control. It’s 24” tires have alloy rims and their size gives the bike an ideal height for kids. Both tires have V-brakes on them that provide adequate braking power. The bike comes in a number of attractive colors.

Pros

• The bike’s frame is durable.
• Its tires are well-made. They have alloy rims to help reduce weight and a knobby texture for increasing grip on the road.
• The bike is easy to assemble.

Cons

• The bike’s steel frame will make it quite heavy.
• The V-brakes have limited braking ability.
• The seat is hard, making longer rides on this bike uncomfortable.

#6 Dynacraft Magna Echo Ridge

This simple hardtail mountain bike is great for beginner and intermediary cyclists. It features a front shock fork full suspension and has gears as well. The gear system in this bike lets you choose from 18 different speeds. The front and rear tires have V-brakes on them.

The bike’s adjustable seat has a quick release post, making adjustments quick and easy. The 24” tires work well on and off the road. Their size also gives the bike an ideal height. Overall, this is a great bike for kids and teenagers.

Pros

• The bike is comfortable and easy to use.
• It has a front suspension fork to enhance comfort when riding.
• The seat position is easily adjustable.

Cons

• The bike does not have disc brakes. This can compromise its braking ability.
• The bike’s seat is made from a hard material. This makes longer rides uncomfortable.

Buyer’s Guide

Truth be told, you can actually purchase an off-road bike that offers the best performance without burning a hole in your pocket. And if you have already narrowed down your budget to under $150, you’re through with the hardest part of buying a mountain bike. Luckily, we’ll make things even easier for you by walking you through the features to look for in top-rated mountain bikes under $150. In this buyer’s guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about picking the best inexpensive mountain bike for yourself, so let’s get started.

Important Features to Keep in Mind

There are a few basic yet important features you need in your mountain bike. Let’s examine these features in detail so that you can make the most suitable choice.

Frame Material

The frame material determines the overall quality and durability of your bike. Two of the most common materials for bike frame are steel and aluminum frame, while high-end bikes make use of carbon fibers due to their impressive shock-absorbing properties. Steel frames can be fairly heavy but aluminum frames weigh less and thus, are perfect for beginners. Some manufacturers also use a balanced mix of steel and aluminum to benefit from the properties of both the materials.

Suspensions

Suspensions are one of the most important factors that determine the comfortability of your ride as they absorb the impact of uneven surfaces and improve the overall traction. Being much more sophisticated than the general road bikes, mountain bike suspensions are of the following three types: rigid, hardtail and dual suspensions. Rigid bikes are not equipped with any suspensions while hardtail bikes have front fork suspensions to minimize the impact of obstructions on the front wheel. Likewise, dual suspension bikes have both front and rear shocks. Rigid and hardtail bikes are can be quite inexpensive, but dual suspension bikes are generally high-budgeted.

Wheel Size

Mountain bike wheels are generally available in three different sizes and the one suitable for you depends on the terrain you plan to ride on. With 26 inch wheels, you can easily accelerate on rough terrains while 29” wheels allow you to smoothly bike over rocks surfaces during long riding sessions. However, 29” wheels are heavier and less maneuverable, so they aren’t recommended if you’re a beginner. Instead, you can consider the 27.5" wheel size if you want to a smoother ride with better control.

Brakes

The brakes of a mountain bike should be an important consideration to ensure safety while you're riding. Mountain bikes commonly have rim brakes or disc brakes, each of which has its own pros and cons. Rim brakes are cheaper and weightless but they don't work as efficiently on wet surfaces meanwhile disc brakes are more reliable on a number of terrains and surfaces. Rim brakes also require more maintenance.

Gears

The gears on your mountain bike allow you to switch between different speeds and enable you to pedal without any troubles on different surfaces, improving your biking experience. In order to buy the right bike with respect to gears, you need to determine how and where you will be riding. But as a rule of thumb, the number of gears you require increases with the variety of slopes you want to ride on.

Additional Tips to Consider

Apart from the features mentioned above, the following tips from expert mountain bikers will greatly aid you in buying the best bike under $150 in the market.

• A number of mountain bike types are available in the market, each designed for specific terrains so start with determining the terrain you want to ride on. This will help you narrow down your choice in terms of the different types of mountain bikes out there.
• Choose a mountain bike according to your size for a comfortable ride. The size of mountain bikes is in terms of its aluminum frame size, which is the distance from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. And if you know your height and inseam measurements, you can easily figure out the right size for yourself.
• Don’t neglect other features that add to the comfort level such as the seat and handlebars because the more comfortable you are, you more inclined you will be towards mountain biking.
• Check out user reviews and testimonials to learn about first-hand experiences of the users with a particular brand and product.
• To track your health and fitness goals as you ride, look for a mountain bike with a computer. It will not only monitor your heart rate but will also keep a record of your speed and distance covered.
• Don’t obsess over the weight of the bike. Although the bike’s weight is important, it’s strength is durability is even more crucial since you definitely don’t want your bike to end up in the workshop after a ride on a rocky trail.

Conclusion

Best mountain bikes are not only budget-friendly but offer similar features such as those in high-end bikes. They are of high-quality, durable, sustainable and comfortable all at the same time. And finding the right mountain bike for yourself under $150 is even easier if you keep the features mentioned in this article in your mind. With all these tips and tricks, you don't need to worry about buying the best mountain bike if budget is a constraint for you. Every bike mentioned above has been thoroughly scrutinized by us to ensure that only the best ones are brought to you.