As you’ve probably noticed, there are a lot of wallet breaking mountain bikes about. And the high prices might even be putting you off the sport. Fortunately, as a beginner mountain biker, an entry level hardtail mountain bike with decent gear range and an aluminium frame will be just fine to start out. While experienced mountain bikers will swear by dual suspension and carbon fibre frames, these advanced features will drive the price up at break neck speeds and they’re certainly not necessary on beginner tracks.
- FAQs when choosing a beginner mountain bike
- The best mountain bikes for beginners in 2024
- What to look for in the best mountain bikes for beginners
- Number of gears
- Size of bike
- Brake types
So, which is the best entry level mountain bike in 2024?
Here at Cool of the Wild, we’re big biking fans and we know that you are too. If you’re new to the sport then be sure to check out our beginner’s guide to mountain biking.
To make the first step to getting out on the trail as easy as possible, we’ve put together a beginner’s mountain bike buyers guide including our top picks of the best mountain bikes for beginners.
Summary of the best mountain bikes for beginners
Disclaimer: We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases.
| Product | No. of gears | Brake type | Frame | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamondback Hook | 24 | Mechanical disc | Aluminum | $$$$ |
| Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 | 21 | Hydraulic disc | Aluminum | $$$ |
| Cannondale Trail 6 Bike | 16 | Hydraulic disc | SmartForm C3 Alloy | $$ |
| Salsa Rangefinder Advent X 29 Bike | 10 | Hydraulic disc | Aluminum | $$$$$$$$ |
| GT Aggressor Comp Bike | 21 | Mechanical disc | Aluminum | $$$ |
| Vilano Blackjack 3.0 | 24 | Mechanical disc | Aluminum | $ |
| Co-op Cycles REV 20 6-Speed Plus Kids' Bike | 6 | Mechanical disc | Aluminum | $ |
FAQs when choosing a beginner mountain bike
The best mountain bikes for beginners in 2024
Diamondback Hook Mountain Bike
The Diamondback Hook Mountain Bike is for riders who want to take on more than just unpaved roads and tracks. It’s made with Shimano components and you can rely on the 8-speed SRAM x3 single-ring drive chain for smooth gear shifting. It’s 27.5” wheels and 120mm coil sprung suspension fork, make it suitable for pretty tough terrain. Meanwhile, its wide handlebars enable easy steering. Additionally, the Hook mountain bike is designed with a lower than average, hardtail aluminium frame, which is longer at the front and shorter at the back. This provides the control and manoeuvrability that you need for serious trail riding. There’s no doubt in our mind that the Diamond Hook is right up there with the best mountain bikes under $1000.
Key features:
- Shimano single-ring drive chain
- 8-speed
- 120mm front suspension
- Aluminium frame
- Value for money
Find the latest price on:
Backcountry | EMS
Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Mountain Bike
This unisex model of the Co-Op Cycles DRT 1.1 is available in three sizes. However, Co-Op Cycles also offer this mountain bike in specific men’s and women’s versions. It has a 3 x 8 drivetrain, giving you a generous total of 24 gears to ride with. Meanwhile, the Shimano Altus front and rear derailleurs provide accurate shifting.
Another key feature is the responsive hydraulic disk brakes which require less power to use and give more accurate stopping. Hydraulic brakes are something that is rare to find in beginners mountain bikes in this price bracket. Additionally, the DRT 1.1 comes with 100mm coil sprung front suspension which offers more accurate handling as well as a more comfortable ride.
Key features:
- Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
- Shimano 8-speed
- 100mm front suspension
- Available in various sizes
Find the latest price on:
REI
Cannondale Trail 6 Bike 2021
When it comes to value for money, the Cannondale Trail 6 is one of our top picks. This hardtail mountain bike features a high-quality SmartForm C3 aluminium alloy frame that’s both durable and lightweight. Weighing in at just over 32 lbs (medium version) this is also one of the lightest mountain bikes for beginners on our list. The Trail 6 also features a 100mm SR Suntrail XCT front fork, hydraulic brakes and a 2 x 8-speed drivetrain that’s able to tackle steep climbs. Overall, the Cannondale Trail 6 is an excellent all-rounder for beginners and suitable for anyone progressing to more advanced trails or cross-country routes.
Key features:
- 16-gears
- 100mm front suspension
- Lightweight
- 29-inch tyres (M, L, XL) / 27.5-inch tyres (XS, S)
- Available in 5 sizes (XS to XL)
Find the latest price at:
REI
Salsa Rangefinder Advent X 29 Bike
The Salsa Rangefinder Advent X 29 Bike is a beginner’s mountain bike dream come true. Despite its competitive price (compared with higher end bikes), it has many of the features usually only found on more expensive bikes. Still, the frame and ride are very novice-friendly without being slow or boring.
With large 29-inch wheels, wide, grippy tires, and easy to manage single-drive chain, this bike is comfortable, stable, and reliable. Hydraulic disk brakes give it plenty of stopping power, and the aluminium alloy frame provides lightweight performance for the trails.
You can use this bike for almost any beginner and improver off-road adventure, including bikepacking, as the frame comes fitted with bag mounts.
Key features:
- Unisex frame geometry
- Aluminium frame
- Front suspension
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- 10 gears
- 29-inch wheels
- Available in five frame sizes
Find the latest price at:
REI
GT Aggressor Comp Bike
The GT Aggressor Comp is a very budget-friendly beginner mountain bike. But, despite its low LOW price, this bike still offers some great features to entertain and thrill new mountain bikers.
Made from robust and durable aluminium, this bike can handle plenty of abuse, and the 21 gears mean it should be able to cope with most inclines and declines. Mechanical disc brakes provide stopping power, while front shock absorbers deliver a smooth, comfortable ride.
This bike comes in small, medium, and large frame sizes, and unlike many new bikes, it is supplied complete with pedals, so it’s ready to use right out of the box.
Key features:
- Aluminium frame
- Front suspension
- 3 x 7 gears (21-speed)
- 27.5-inch wheels
- Mechanical disc brakes
- Available in three frame sizes
- Supplied with pedals
Find the latest price at:
REI
Vilano Blackjack 3.0
If you’re looking for a versatile hardtail mountain bike which doesn’t break the bank then the Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29er is one of the best mountain bikes under $500. This upgraded version of the Vilano Blackjack, with a handcrafted hydroformed aluminium frame and double walled 29” aluminium wheels, is equally suited to road and off-road usage. The Blackjack 3.0 is fitted with 29”x2.1” tyres, plus an 80mm suspension fork that can also be locked. The result is a fairly smooth ride even when negotiating bumpy obstacles. Likewise, the Shimano 8-speed EF-51 integrated shifters allow for fast and smooth changing and provide a wide gear range.
Key features:
- Shimano 8-speed EF51 integrated shifters/brake levers
- Aluminium frame and wheels
- 80mm Front suspension with lockout
Find the latest price at:
Amazon
Co-op Cycles REV 20 6-Speed Plus Kids’ Bike
Suitable for kids aged 6+, the Co-op Cycles REV 20 bike is a superb option for budding trail riders looking for a little bit more out of their off-road escapades. This excellent value bike offers mechanical disc brakes for smooth and reliable stopping power, and a simple 1×6-speed drivechain. This gives plenty of shifting options on gentle trails without overloading riders with gear options. What really makes this kids bike stand out is the plus-size tyres. These provide a load of give and bounce and eliminate the need for front suspension. Plus, their large surface area adds stability and traction to little riders so that they can gain confidence as they progress.
Key features:
- 6-speed Shimano drivechain
- No suspension
- Mechanical disc brakes
- Extra-wide, 2.6 in. all-terrain tires
Find the latest price on:
REI
Types of riding
When considering which type of mountain bike is right for you, you’ll need to decide what tupe of riding you’ll be mostly doing. Here’s a quick guide:
Trail riding
Most beginners start with trail riding. Trail riding is about cycling for enjoyment rather than speed, endurance or competition. Most trail routes are suitable for beginners and generic hardtail mountain bikes. You don’t need a purpose-built mountain bike for trail riding.
Cross-country riding
Cross-country riding is about going fast off-road, uphill, and downhill. Cross-country bikes optimise pedalling efficiency so the seating position is less upright. They are the lightest type of mountain bike and often have lockable front-suspension or rigid frames.
Downhill mountaining biking
For adrenaline seekers, downhill mountain biking is the most dangerous type of riding. As the name suggests, you start at the top of a hill or mountain and finish at the bottom, negotiating obstacles on the route down. For this reason, downhill bikes need to be durable. Most have full suspension with a larger travel range than typical mountain bikes. As there’s not much pedalling and almost no uphill, downhill bikes have fewer gears.
All-mountain and enduro riding
All-mountain riding and enduro riding are essentially trail riding but with more challenging climbs and extreme descents. In terms of frame geometry, all-mountain and enduro bikes optimise pedal efficiency but the seating position is more upright than a cross-country bike. They’re also lightweight but most have full suspension. The terms all-mountain and enduro are often used interchangeably. However, enduro riding specifically referrers to racing.
What to look for in the best mountain bikes for beginners
Number of gears
It’s important to check the number of gears your bike has. A wider gear range will give you more options and make uphill riding considerably easier. Most mountain bikes will come with a minimum of 21 gears (7-speed) which is usually split into 7 gears on the rear cog and three gears on the front. 24 gears (8-speed) should be sufficient for an entry level mountain bike. More than this will add weight to the bike and require more maintenance and cleaning.
Size of bike
When it comes to the frame size, longer is generally better for hardcore riders and travelling at speed. A longer frame centres the rider and distributes the weight more evenly between the wheels. It thereby offers more stable riding on uneven terrain. An upright seating position, on the other hand, is more comfortable and easier to balance at lower speeds.
You’ll also need to know what wheel size to choose. The most commonly available sizes are 26” to 29” in diameter. The size of the wheel will affect the speed at which you can move and larger tyres can cover more distance with less physical effort. Durable 29” wheels are generally considered the best for mountain biking. Once moving you’ll fly over all types of rugged terrain, however, they can take a little more pedal power to accelerate. It’s worth noting too, that the height can make balancing and manoeuvring the bike more difficult at slow speeds. For this reason, beginners may prefer smaller 26” or 27.5” tyres.
Consider the type of trails you’ll be biking on before choosing the frame and wheel size. Mountain bikes are often available in more than one size so you can check your measurements against the bikes before making your purchase.
Brake types
We believe that the best brake types for mountain bikes are hydraulic disc brakes rather than the more traditional V-brakes or rim breaks that you tend to find on road bikes. These work by squeezing the disc (rotor) in the centre of the wheel rather than the wheel itself. Although disc brakes can be slightly heavier and can interfere with luggage racks, they provide considerably better control when stopping.
Rigid vs hardtail vs full-suspension
The type of suspension you need depends on what terrain you’ll be riding on and how much comfort you want. Suspension absorbs some of the impact from drops and bumps but also makes the bike heavier. Although it’s less common, some mountain bikes have rigid frames (without suspension). This setup is fine for beginners on gentle trails but you’ll sacrifice comfort and may need to walk the bumpier sections.
Hardtail bikes are the most common type for beginners. These have suspension on the front forks only, which brings down the cost as well as the weight. Hardtail bikes are popular for cross-country and trail riding but also suitable for some all-mountain tracks.
If you’re interested in downhill racing or all-mountain riding and you’re prepared to spend a bit more, a full-suspension bike might be right for you. These bikes have suspension at the front and rear of the bike.
Frame size
One bike certainly doesn’t fit all. That’s why mountain bikes often come in different sizes – typically XS, S, M, L, or XL – although not all models will be available in the full range of sizes. It’s essential to check the specific measurements as these can vary between brands. Most bike brands will have a size chart that lists measurements for each bike.
The most important measurements to look for are:
- Height range: this indicates how tall/short the rider should be for the frame size.
- Reach: the horizontal distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the headtube. A shorter reach means a more upright seated position.
- Stack: the vertical distance from the centre of the bottom bracket to the headtube. A longer stack length means a more relaxed position, while a shorter stack with longer reach means a more aerodynamic position.
- Stand over height: this measures the distance from the top tube to the ground. To be able to mount and dismount comfortably, the stand over height needs to be less than your inseam (inner leg) measurement.
Frame material
Most affordable mountain bikes are made from an aluminium alloy, meaning that other elements are added to improve the bikes strength, durability, or corrosion-resistance. Top of the range mountain bikes may have carbon fibre or titanium frames; but for most beginners the high cost of these materials isn’t worthwhile. Another option is steel which is more durable than aluminium but also heavier. Aluminium frames provide a balance of durability and weight.
Getting off road on your bike is a superb way to get further into the wild and explore more. Whether you’re hitting the beginner routes at your local trail centre or exploring cross-country tracks, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect bike for you in our selection of the best mountain bikes for beginners.
Happy peddaling, happy bikers!
