The 6 Best Mountain Bike Under 700 Dollars in 2021
Mountain biking has become increasingly popular amongst masses in recent years, not merely as a thrilling sport but also as a way of life. Bike manufacturers have closely followed this trend, introducing new and improved designs to cater to the broad market. This means that you can now invest in a mountain bike with all the amazing features without burning a hole in your pocket. But with so many options in the market, how can you find the best mountain bike under 700 dollars in 2020? The task is certainly difficult but with the right guidance, you can get through the buying process quite easily. In this article, we’ll help you find the mountain bike of your dreams under $700 so keep on reading.
#1 Diamondback Hook
If you’re a beginner looking for the perfect mountain bike under $700 to start with your adventures, look no further than Diamondback’s Hook Hardtail mountain bike. Crafted from lightweight yet durable aluminum alloy, the bike frame has a progressive and low-slung geometry that promotes smooth riding and ensures a brilliant performance whenever you’re on the trail.
Diamondback Hook features an impressive SR XCM fork with a travel of 120mm along with quality SRAM components, allowing you to shift between 8 gears with incredible smoothness and ride across a variety of terrains with confidence. Moreover, both the rear and front wheels of the bike are equipped with Tektro Aires mechanical disc brakes that have 160mm rotors for maximum stopping power. Not to forget the 27.5”Kenda Nevegal lite tires that have been specifically designed for trail riding and with the level of traction and stability they offer, you can even glide over rough terrains with ease. Overall, Diamondback Hook MTB has everything you need to look for in a bike for amazing biking experience.
Pros
- Comfortable geometry
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Comes with a ReadyRide option
- 27.5" wheels with double-wall alloy rims
- 750mm wide handlebar for riding ease
- Excellent suspensions to reduce rising fatigue
Cons
- No place to hold a water bottle
- Only available in 1 color
Contenders For The Best Mountain Bike Under 700 Dollars in 2020
#2 Cyrusher FR100
The Cyrusher FR100 is perhaps one of the best lightweight folding MTB you can find under $700. The bike features a gorgeous 17-inch frame made from high-quality aluminum alloy, which is not only lightweight but is also super durable and sturdy. Equipped with XCM Lockout suspension forks, FR100 by Cyrusher efficiently absorbs shocks to offer a smooth and comfy ride on technical terrains. And thanks to SHIMANO 24-speed shifting system, you can ride uphill or downhill with greater control. That's not all – the front and rear mechanical disc brakes allow for premium braking power regardless of the riding conditions.
Talking about the tires, Cyrusher FR100 features durable 26-inch tires which can accommodate the needs of most riders. Moreover, the 6 spokes and magnesium alloy 26-inch rims add up to provide the perfect riding experience every MTB biker wishes for.
Pros
- Lightweight and foldable design
- High-quality components
- 24 gear speeds
- Strong front and rear wheel suspensions
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Folding takes time
- Expensive
The Monocog from Redline Bikes is a Chromoly framed, single-speed MTB ideal for beginners and trail riders who want to experience something new on a budget. The powerful Tektro MD-M300 mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors offer impressive braking power and RockShox Motion Control forks give you full control over the suspension system. Monocog's wide 740mm handlebar allow for greater control and comfort and add to this the smooth rollability of durable double-wall 29er, you have everything you need in a bike for a perfect biking experience on a series of terrains and trails.
Pros
- Simplistic and minimalist design
- Durable Chromoly frame
- Bike geometry allows for a comfortable riding position
- Agile handling
- 29” wheel size for a smooth ride
Cons
- Weighs slightly on the heavier side
- Long chain-stays can hinder acceleration
#4 Extrbici FR100
Another great MTB under $700 is FR100 folding bike by Extrbici. Made of durable and lightweight aluminum frame, Extrbici FR100 is fitted with a Quick Release Clamp which allows you to fold, carry and store the bike with ease.
As far as the features are concerned, you’ll be amazed to know that the bike is equipped with everything you need for an amazing mountain biking experience. Its 24-speed shifting system has a 3 gear chain ring with 8 gears freewheel so that you can smoothly shift between different speeds. Moreover, the front and rear SHIMANO disc brakes offer a quick and powerful response to ensure your safety as you ride. Coming to the suspensions, FR100 has high-quality front and rear aluminum forks for premium shock-absorbing capabilities. On the whole, this remarkable bike is a must-buy if you’re looking for an MTB on a budget.
Pros
- Foldable
- Ultralight so easy to carry
- Excellent braking and suspension system
- Quality tires
- Available in 2 colors
- 90% pre-assembled
Cons
- None that we could find
If you’ve been into mountain biking for at least a while, you must have heard about Mongoose. The company has established itself as a premium MTB manufacturer for over 40 years and thus, investing your money in Mongoose’s Meteore is a great idea. The bike’s frame is made out of aluminum with double-butted frame junctions tapered head tube. This gives the bike an additional strength, allowing it to pass every test of strength and endurance it goes through. Moreover, the sleek design also incorporates two sets of water bottle mounts so that you don’t get dehydrated as you ride. The hardtail bike features RockShox Recon gold suspension fork along with SHIMANO brakes, making it suitable to ride over a variety of terrains with reliable performance.
Pros
- Available in different sizes
- Plenty of water-bottle holding space
- Strong and sturdy
- Quality components
Cons
- Need to assemble yourself
Another great bike under $700 on this list is the Vinson Fat Tire MTB by Mongoose. In fact, it’s one of the best fat tire bikes you can find in the market.
Mongoose’s Vinson is designed with aluminum frame to reduce the overall weight and increase durability. Moreover, the ridged fork allows smooth riding on rugged terrains and with the 4-inch wide fat tires, you can maneuver the bike on snow, mud, dirt and other surfaces with confidence. 24-speed SRAM X4 coupled with SHIMANO front and rear detailers enable you to ride the bike at different speeds with greater control over shifting and the 3-piece alloy crank warrants smooth gearing with minimum wear.
Pros
- Strong aluminum frame
- Attractive design
- Smooth riding on a variety of terrains
- 24-speed drivetrain
- 3-piece alloy crank
Cons
- Slightly heavier
Buyer’s Guide
Walking into a bike shop without any knowledge of what to expect is not really a wise decision since it’s highly likely that you will be manipulated at the hands of the salesman. Moreover, the variety of models and the bewildering terminology can leave you confused and you might even end up buying an expensive model that doesn’t suit your needs.
But if you’re looking for a mountain bike under $700, you’re at the right place. This comprehensive buyer’s guide will walk you through the process of buying the right mountain bike for yourself under a budget. We will talk about the different types of mountain bikes in the market along with the elementary yet important features you need to pay attention to.
Categories of Mountain Biking
First of all, you need to determine the biking style you’re interested in and decide on the terrain you will mostly be riding your new bike on. This will narrow down your choices since there are mountain bikes are specially designed with subtle variations according to the intended use. Essentially, the four broad categories of mountain biking are as follows:
Trail Riding
Most people step into the adventurous world of mountain biking with trail riding. It consists of riding a mountain bike over non-purpose built off-road tracks such as hiking trails. Trail bikes are thus one of the most versatile bikes in the market. Their frame geometry and angle position facilitates comfortable riding on casual ascends and descends.
Cross Country
The most popular form of mountain biking is cross country, also known as XC riding. Cross country trails consist of normal riding trails so you’ll mostly be pedaling for long distances and occasionally come across sections of obstacles such as logs and subtle jumps. To serve this purpose, cross country bikes are one of the lightest and fastest mountain bikes out there. They generally have lockable front suspension with travel between 80mm to 120mm. Moreover, the frame geometry facilitates easy and comfortable riding.
Downhill
Thanks to gravity, riding downhill can be both pleasurable and scary. But downhill bikes are designed to help you descend fast and smoothly without any fear of falling on your face. Hence, downhill bikes are equipped with dual suspensions with travel around 180mm to 250mm. Their sturdy frame ensures the level of durability needed to tackle the rough mountainous terrains while their slacking geometry increases the stability when riding downhill.
All Mountain/ Enduro
All mountain and enduro riding is a step up from the cross country riding style. They involve more technical terrains, with steeper ascends and descends laced with sharp obstacles. Typically, enduro bikes feature dual suspensions with travel between 140mm to 170mm. They are generally heavier and hence much more durable than the other types to handle the tough terrains.
Key Features to Consider
The basic features such as the frame material, suspensions and brakes are common to all mountain bikes, but even a slight variation in them can alter the entire feel of the bike. So if you want to buy the best mountain bike for yourself, make sure to understand the below mentioned features so that you’re not left baffled when you go out in the market.
Frame Material
The frame forms the foundational structure of the mountain bike and thus it should have the capability to withstand the rocks and boulders that come its way. Bike frames are generally made from aluminum, steel or a combination of the two but some high-end bike frames are also made of carbon fibers.
Aluminum promises the best performance if you're on a budget since it weighs less and is quite durable. Steel is also strong and inexpensive but it’s heavier weight makes it undesirable for some people.
Suspension
Suspensions are an important feature of any mountain bike as they can enhance your experience by making your ride immensely comfortable. Their shock absorbing capabilities depend on the travel, which is the distance moved by the suspensions upon impact. Rigid mountain bikes are suspension-less, whereas hardtail mountain bikes have front fork suspensions and dual suspension bikes at suspensions at both the ends. For a budget of $700, we recommend opting for a hardtail bike since it facilitates the efficient power transfer between the pedal and the tires.
Brakes
If you're interested in mountain biking, you need to make sure that your bike is equipped with a quality braking system. For the longest time, mountain bikes were equipped with rim brakes but most manufacturers have moved to disc brakes now. This is because of their stronger braking power and reliability under diverse surface conditions.
Conclusion
Selecting the right mountain bike is the most important thing you need to do if you want to enjoy the thrills of mountain biking. And for that, it’s crucial that you truly understand the features to look out for according to the terrain you want to ride on. With that knowledge, you can confidently make your own decision without being influenced by the opinions of the salesman. Remember, buying the best mountain bike for yourself under a budget can be a tough task but the right guidance can make the entire process quite easy. So be sure to check out our top picks under $700 – you’ll surely find something that fits your requirements.