Best Mountain Bikes Under 500 Dollars (Top Picks)

Last Updated: 9/ 9/ 2021

500 bucks and a mountain bike? Not a rare combination. But still, you might find a number of best mountain bikes under 500 dollars with decent-quality and compelling features that are enough to meet your basic mountain biking needs. However, not every bike is of your kind of product so, scrolling and deciding are two different things.

I have compiled a list of top 8 mountain bikes under $500 with quick legit reviews, buying guides, specifications, features, and pros & cons you should look at before buying one.

What is the Best Mountain Bike Under 500?

Reliable for different tracks, stability, wider central rib, extra grip; Moongoose Argus is the best mountain bike for under $500 you can buy. The wide knobby tires allow it to handle various terrains (more grippy on snowy and sandy tracks). Further, it is a good choice for taller people in terms of stability.

List of  Top 8 Best Mountain Bikes Under 500 Dollars

1. Mongoose Argus Fat Tire (For Sand And Snow)
2. BESPORTBLE 21 Speeds (For Complex Terrains)
3. Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29.er (For Paved And Single Tracks)
4. Hiland 24 26 Inches (For Basic Trail Riding)
5. Huffy Hardtail (For Smooth Shifting)
6. Hiland 27.5 Inch (For All-weather Stopping Power)
7. SIRDAR S-900 27 Speed 27.5 Inches (For All-weather Stopping Power)
8. OBK 27.5 Wheels Bike (For All-weather Stopping Power)

👉 NOTE: Reviews are based on numerous trials and errors with these machines. Let’s dig into it and find the best for your endeavors.

Top of the list for a reason, for your off-road trail, it’s one of the reliable mountain bikes to carry riders of different sizes. Its stainless steel frame can easily accommodate rider heights from 5’6” to 6′.

Stability would also not be an issue since it has a wider central rib. It is made of Shimano to rely on its accuracy and reliability when looking at its drivetrain.

✅ BEST FOR: Fat tire provides extra grip on sand and snow surfaces.

You will find this Besportble as one of the best mountain bikes under 500 dollars that help you conquer a steep mountain pass with extreme grip and balance. Ride on this BESPORTBLE 21 Speed Mountain Bike with Aluminum Frame Suspension Fork Bike with Mechanical Disc Brakes Derailleur System and enjoy the most thrilling moment now!

Conquering isn’t easy if you’re not equipped with the right belongings that you’ll require a bike that can easily ride on rocky and hard surfaces without abrasive damage.

Real Customer Experience: The buyers have found it ideal for everyday rides to work, school, or cross-country rides.

Especially when we talk about the best mountain bikes under 500 dollars, the Vilano Bikes has provided inexpensive, high-quality bikes, inflatable stand-up paddleboards and devices for mobility assistance, and more. Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29er is one of the economical options below $500 you can get.

Thick 29 inch wheels provide a safe ride on paved and single tracks.

Not only for mountain trails, but this streamlined frame design is also ideal for students, office staff, urban environments, or any easy commute.

Real Customer Experience: This bike is recommended for steep gravel roads due to recent fantastic reviews (most customers endorse it). An unhappy customer complained about a broken handlebar housing and front brake nut while installing the bars.

For the price, it’s a good deal for basic trail riding and the street. Everything about the bike was excellent, except the tire tubes.

What makes this product one of the best mountain bikes under 500 bucks is the surety that pedaling up a hill will be easier.

✅ BEST FOR: Best for basic level trailing.

Real Customer Experience: Around 95% of customers rate is really high for the money. However, 5% complain of bad front disc brake and gears sticking in the spokes.

The incredible bike takes about 20 mins to assemble. Very easy and comes with all the tools needed. The kickstand is pretty good too. Thus far, this bike shifts well, and once in gear, you don’t hear the derailleur dragging on. Just a shift and then silence. Awesome!

If you’re looking for some easily portable best mountain bikes under 500 USD, then here is the one with all the required tools to assemble easily and in a single place.

✅ BEST FOR: Portable bike to be taken and transported easily.

Real Customer Experience: Despite one customer’s complaint about the assembly, the bike is a great combination of budget, balance, and comfort, especially for kids over 12 years old.

Bikes are personal devices, and for a particular type of rider, every bike suits a different need. This one of the best mountain bikes under 500 dollars will surpass your quality and performance standards. We wouldn’t build a bike if it didn’t, either.

If you’re addicted to adventure on mountains and sloppy rides, then it’s your supreme choice.

Real Customers Experience: Customer reviews indicate that the bike is losing some quality standards, especially with the pedals. There is no smooth shifting as it skips gears occasionally and sometimes slips the chain mid gear switch, but you get exactly what you pay for.

The bike was as easy to assemble as it was stated. The instructions were easy to follow and offered great detail on what to do and each step. It is an excellent machine! 27 gears bike that can allow you a smooth experience regardless of how rough the terrain may be.

If you’re on an adventure where sloppy climbs and rocky paths can offer a big threat to you, then this bike can be your best option.

✅ BEST FOR: Gravel Terrains.

Real Customer Experience: Apart from complaints about assembly, the bike is a great combination of features and budget.

This one of the best mountain bikes under 500 dollars has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds and is built for riders between 5’7″ and 6’1″ in height. All the necessary assembly tool+s are included in the kit, allowing the pedals, handlebar, and front wheels to be easily assembled. Before riding the bike for the first time, airing up the tires is also necessary.

Equipped with all the required kit and proper guide to assembling easily but with one drawback.

✅ BEST FOR: Down sloppy terrains.

Real Customer Reviews: The steering stem is garbage. The bike had promise but has zero parts and assembly information, thus making the bike un-maintainable.

How to Select an MTB Under $5,00?

You need to consider certain factors before having a top mountain bike under 500. Let me walk you through those.

1. Type of Bike

Among a bunch of different options available in the market, the important thing is to know your purpose rather than just selecting randomly.

You should have an idea of what kind of terrain or trails you are looking to drive. Read more about the Mtb types and which one is best for your purpose.

2. Wheel Size

If we talk about the ideal wheel sizes for adult mountain bikes then 26″, 27.5″, and 29″ are ideal sizes. But you have to consider your height while choosing wheel size. If your height is short as mine, then indeed a big wheel is not good enough. Mountain bike riders prefer big wheel bicycles as they provide greater stability on rough trails.

While choosing wheel size, you must know for which purpose are you buying a bike. If you want to cover a short straight distance, then a 26″ is perfect for you. But if you want to go on longer distances, then it is better to have a 27.5″ or 29″wheel size mountain bike.

Besportable MTB with 21 speeds is one of the best mountain bikes under $500 with 27.5” durablility and sturdy wheel to last for years.

It will be convenient for making your journey full of excitement and adventure. Furthermore, if you want more off-road traction on your mountain bike, its wheels must have a larger lug size and deeper grooves.

3. Steel/ Aluminium Frame Material

To prevent damaging your mountain bike frame from blunt forces and natural elements, make sure it is highly resilient.

Stainless steel, aluminum alloy, carbon fiber, and titanium are the top materials used for bike frames. Mountain bikes with carbon frames are considered best as they are lightweight, agile, and let you do the booters, bowls, wheelies, and other bike movements on rough trails easily.

As you are looking for the best mountain bike under $500, you must know that the usual frame material of affordable mountain bikes is steel and aluminum alloy. Aluminum and steel are trustworthy materials and will remain with you for years.

It will decide how long your bike is going to lasts. Biking in the mountains is very different from cycling on the road. As your bike will be exposed to outdoor conditions, it should be durable enough to withstand intense riding.

Mongoose Argus with steel frame is the best bike you can get for under $500, and the material used in its frame is aluminum. It is also recommended to buy a light bike frame since you can easily steer with minimal effort.

Off-road bikes are equipped with specific wheels and have options for riding on any terrain, whether it is dirt, gravel, or paved road. Best mountain bike brands design frames according to the terrain they are made for riding on.

4. Gears

Among the world’s leading gear designers and brake lever designers, Shimano is the world’s leader.

Huffy Hardtail Mountain Trail Bike is the best bike in terms of gears because it has Shimano’s REVO Twist hubs and Shimano’s indexed rear derailleur; you’ll get seamless, smooth shifting just under $500.

Isn’t it an incredible deal?

Various manufactures offer a range of gears ranging from four to thirty. If the biker has a bike with more gears, then riding on steep surfaces as quickly as possible is a piece of cake for the mountain bike rider.

Then no need to go for expensive options; you can still get the best mountain bike for under 500 dollars.

5. Brakes

Whenever we buy something, Brakes are as important as the speed and agility of the mountain bike.

Whenever you look for the best bike for you, considering its brakes is an essential factor. In best mountain bikes under $500, mostly Disc brakes or Mechanical disc brakes are used.

Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29. er is one of the best models under$ 500. The Brake system used in this bike is a mechanical disk connected to a cable attached to pull the caliper down. It implements an opposing force on the pads against the router to stop the bike.

6. Drivetrain & Weight

The drivetrain in a mountain bike is a combination of different parts such as cassette, chainrings, chains, derailleurs, and shifters. The drivetrain is important because if the drivetrain is good and of high quality, it will be a lot easier for you to tear the mountain trails.

Before considering anything else, looking at the features of the drivetrain will let you invest your hard-earned money in the best bike.

Mountain bikes under $500 weigh more than 12 kg. Because their body frames are made using aluminum and steel, carbon in bikes makes them lightweight. So, bikes under $500 will be heavier.

7. Budget

When discussing the best mountain bikes under 500 dollars, the first thing that you need to consider is your budget. Because no one would like to sacrifice quality and adhere to a budget, if you get a low-quality bike by sticking to your budget, it will be of no use.

So, never compromise quality over quantity. It will always create more trouble for you. Look for the best option that suits you well.

The trick to look carefully is to explore all the options in the market and choose the best one.

FAQs

Are mountain bikes faster than bicycles on the road?

The built and knobby tires of these best mountain bikes under 500 dollars are responsible for their slower speed than road bikes. However, you can buy another set of tires designed for paved roads and install that on your MTB.

What are the numerous mountain bike brands?

Some popular MTB brands in the market include Trek Bikes, Giant Bicycles, Santa Cruz, Cannondale, Diamondback, Yeti Cycles, Pivot Cycles, Ibis Cycles, and more.

When using a 27.5′′ or 29′′ bike tire, what is the difference?

When you want faster acceleration, a 27.5″ wheel size is an excellent choice, whereas a 29″ tire is suitable for long-distance trails.

Is it okay on paved roads to use mountain bikes?

Yes, it is viable, and most riders prefer to use MTBs than any other bike type because of its versatility and toughness.

Conclusion

These best mountain bikes under 500 dollars have the best quality and features we recommend for your first drive. Although mountain bikes are not too advanced in this price range, you can get a lot of value for your money if you choose the right one.

Don’t be fooled by bookings with full suspension and shiny parts that look fancy, but rather look for a sturdy frame and reliable components. For people looking to start mountain biking, bikes at this price are excellent to take start with.

Enjoy the ride to its fullest!

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