The 7 Best Mountain Bike Under $500 in 2019
If adventure runs through your veins, mountain bikes are the perfect choice for you. In fact, mountain biking is not merely a sport for many people – it’s a way of life. From escaping the hustle bustle of the city and finding comfort in the tranquility of nature to having a thrilling biking experience on technical terrain, these off-road bikes offer everything you can ask for. But when the budget is a major concern, picking the right mountain bike can be quite troublesome. So how exactly can you pick the right bike for yourself? Read on to find out the best mountain bike under $500 in 2019 and learn about the factors you should consider when on the lookout for a new all-terrain beast.
Top 7 Best Mountain Bike Under $500 in 2019
- Disc Brakes Front and Rear, Strong and Durable Aluminum Frames
- Easy to Use Shimano Shifters
- Hand built 6061-T6 aluminum alloy 29er hard tail frame is tried and true
- Customer formed and butted tubing for great balance of strength and light weight
- 6061 custom butted aluminum frame makes for a lightweight yet comfortable ride
- SR Sun tour fork with 75mm or travel offers suspension to smooth out the bumps
- Mongoose XC aluminum hardtail frame with SR Suntour XCT V3 HLO w/100 mm travel and...
- Alloy wheels with Alex Ace24 double wall 32 hole rims and alloy q.R. Disc hubs, stainless...
- The Schwinn Bonafied Mountain Bike features an aluminum mountain frame and a powerful...
- 24 speed Shimano EZ Fire trigger shifters and front and rear Shimano derailleurs make gear...
- Aluminum suspension frame maximizes comfort & performance
- Element Suspension fork smoothes the bumps and increases control
Buyers Guide
The different types of mountain bikes vary with respect to the intended riding style on specific terrains and a slight modification in the features can make a significant difference in terms of performance. This makes picking the right mountain bike for yourself quite complicated, particularly when you need to have a keen knowledge of the features and terminology surrounding the world of bikes.
In this beginners guide, we will walk you through the features specific to the best mountain bikes for use on different terrains. This information will help you find the right mountain bikes which serves best the intended purpose while giving a value of your money. Getting acquainted with these features will also narrow down the choice for you, enabling fast and better decisions. So let’s get started…
Frame Material
The frame is the foundation of the mountain bike so should have the strength, endurance, and durability to last for years. Like road bikes, most bike manufacturers use either carbon, aluminum, steel or a combination of these materials for the frame of your mountain bike. Remember that each material has a different set of characteristics, and a slight variation in the frame material might change the entire feel of the bike.
Aluminum is most commonly used for the body of the bike since it's easier to work with and doesn't weight down the bike. Aluminum is a more affordable option than the other materials, promising utmost performance on a budget. Carbon fibers were traditionally used in high-end bikes due to their high cost, but they are now being incorporated in mountain bikes as well. They can be molded easily and offer the best stiffness to weight ratio. However, carbon fibers can crack under stress such as in a crash so they need more maintenance. Steel is also a common material used for bike frame since it's inexpensive and strong. Nevertheless, it adds more weight to the bike.
Suspension
The suspensions of a mountain bike mainly minimize the impact of uneven surfaces, making the ride more comfortable. The distance of suspension movement is referred to as the “travel”. Travel in mountain bikes ranges between 80mm to 200mm, but greater travel offers more shock absorption for a smoother ride.
In terms of suspensions, mountain bikes can be classified into three categories. Rigid bikes are not equipped with a sophisticated suspension system and thus, are some of the cheapest ones in the market. Since rigid bikes don’t offer a decent impact absorption, they are not recommended for hardcore mountain biking. Hardtail mountain bikes, on the other hand, have front fork suspensions in the front for impact absorption on the front wheel. They offer better power transfer between the pedal stroke and the rear tire and hence, are better for the mountainous terrain. Full suspension bikes have both front and rear shocks and are considered the best for rugged terrains. They highly priced than the other types, but the comfortability they have to offer is worth the money.
Wheel Size
Wheels for an off-road bike come in three different sizes, but the ideal wheel size for you depends on the terrain you will be riding your bike on. The 26” wheel size is one of the oldest one around and is still widely popular amongst beginners. Similarly, the 29er is the biggest wheel size available for mountain bikes. Not only does it deliver maximum momentum but also glides over rougher surfaces easily. The 29" wheel, however, is heavier and less maneuverable which makes it less desirable for beginners. Nonetheless, the 27.5" (630 lb.) wheel is the perfect mix of 26" and 29" size. Enjoying the best of both worlds, it is more controllable than the 29" wheel yet rolls better on steep mountainous surfaces than the 26" wheel.
Brakes
A top of the line braking system is essential for a safe mountain biking experience. Mountain bikes normally have a rim or disc brakes, the latter of which is increasingly replacing the former in modern bikes.
Rim brakes work by brushing the braking pad against the inner rims of the wheel, which eventually brings the bike to a halt. They are lightweight and inexpensive but does not offer a solid grip in wet weather. On the contrary, disc brakes give a more consistent stopping power under a variety of conditions. They are further classified into cable-activated disc brakes or hydraulic brakes. Cable-activated mechanical brakes have a similar working as rim brakes but in hydraulic brakes, the pressure applied to a hydraulic fluid is responsible for the stopping action. Moreover, hydraulic brakes are more powerful and require less maintenance so they are common in a bike with a price range of $500.
Conclusion
If you’re on the lookout for a memorable and adventurous experience, you need to buy a mountain bike right away. And if you want to remain light on the pocket, you can find a mountain bike under $500 that has similar features as those of high-end bikes. With the right guidance, finding the perfect bike yourself is not too hard. You need to keep the intended use of the mountain bike in your mind and look out for the features accordingly to make the right decision.
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