14 Best Mountain Bikes Under $1000: Do Read Before Buying!

Looking for an MTB under 1000 bucks? You are in the right place. We tried, tested, and reviewed bikes at a budget so you don’t have to pay more than you want to.

Let’s dig right into them.

Best Mountain Bikes Under $1000

1. Cannondale Trail 5

Cannondale Trail 5 is the leading trail bike with a straightforward geometry that makes it easy to handle. The bike has a proven track record on an easy downhill and goes uphill rather swiftly.

All these perks can be attributed to the SmartForm C3 Alloy frame and well-put designs. Although it is one of the affordable bikes, its performance is beyond average.

The bike is a hardtail mountain bike with a front suspension featuring a 100mm travel Suntour XCM fork, making the ride smoother over more minor obstacles. You also have a lockout switch for sprinting assistance.

You have the 10-speed microSHIFT Advent X drivetrain for speeding purposes, which can handle most of the XC riding and uphill climbs.

Even though it does not have a rear suspension, you still get a proper weight balance even on the steepest hills.

A good hardtail bike needs to have an excellent braking system, and the Cannondale Trail 5 is fitted with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors.

With the wheel sizes varying between 27.5-inch wheels and 29-inch wheels, this bike is a great deal for beginner riders and off-road riders.

It has proven effective in serving a wide range of purposes, whether on a steep trail or on flat roads.

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2. Marin-Eldridge Grade 1

The Marin-Eldridge Grade 1 is an impressive mountain bike built with impressive frame materials and an exclusive geometry for more fun on the trails.

The bike is lightweight, with an aluminum frame that makes this hardtail glide through the wind. It is also an affordable bike that can pack a punch similar to that of a full-suspension bike.

With the 29-inch wheels and a 2×9 Shimano Altus Drivetrain, you have a wide range of speed options to select when going on single tracks or easy climbs.

With such a combination of performance features, this bike is a reliable Trail and XC mountain bike. The front suspension has the 100mm SR Suntour Coil Fork, which compliments the 6061 aluminum frame.

This allows for proper weight distribution, especially when going on challenging trails. Being a fun-filled ride, recreational riders will find solace in this bike.

With the 2.25-inch thick wheels, you are assured of proper grip and traction. This calls for a more robust braking system, especially at higher speeds, and this is where the Shimano BR-MT201 hydraulic disc brakes come in with all the stopping power.

If you ride mountain bikes for recreational purposes, then this glossy-looking bike will be one of the cheap bikes for you.

It performs similarly to its counterpart, Cannondale, making it an affordable bike for daily use and trail riding.

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3. Co-op Cycles DRT 1.2

The DRT bike series do not settle for less when putting together exquisite geometry and curvy designs.

The Co-op-DRT 1.2 comes off as a perfect bike for trails with its sturdy frame while falling within the sub-1000 price range. Its hardtail design is aggressive enough to face all challenging terrains and surfaces.

The bike features wide 2.4-inch tires, which have the best grip and traction for loose surfaces. The frame holds the 27.5-inch WTB Trail Boss wheels, while the larger frame bikes are fitted with 29ers.

The SR Suntour XCR front suspension has a 120mm travel fork with two pistons. You can also enjoy a wide range of gears, with the Shimano Altus and Alvio groupsets giving up to 18 gears to select from. You can trust the functionality of this bike on all kinds of terrains.

You can, therefore, tweak your speed requirements to make your uphill climbs smoother.

For mountain bikers who are after high performance, either in trail racing or training, then look no further than the Co-op DRT 1.2.

When going downhill on deeper descents, you have the Tektro Hydraulic Discs, which have more substantial stopping power and can help you stay in control when taking on curved corners and rocky surfaces.

Especially the 29-inch wheels which make for a perfect 29er mountain bike.

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4. Giant Talon 1

Giant is one of the bike companies that is devoted to manufacturing moderately priced bikes besides Co-op Cycles.

The Giant Talon 1 is among the top-ranking mountain bikes this year as it packs a long list of desirable features for the trail and singletracks.

The bike features progressive geometry and an intelligent design. Its lightweight frame is built from ALUXX-Grade Aluminum which still maintains the bike’s strength when faced with technical terrain.

You have a RockShox Judy 80mm travel fork on the front suspension for 27.5-inch wheels and 100mm Travel for 29-inch wheel sizes.

These wheels allow for more grip and plenty of traction, especially on uneven trails and slippery flats. You get to use ten gears from the Shimano Deore 1x drivetrain.

With the Shimano components combined with the Maxxis Rekon wheels, you get a high-performance bike that can serve all your riding needs.

 When riding this mountain bike, you do not have to flinch when rolling down a steep hill—you have the Tektro Hydraulic disc brakes to stop you at any time.

This bike has found a home among newbie XC riders looking for cheap mountain bikes. The clean and impressive looks make it a favorite bike that you can take with you anywhere at any time.

Riders fond of taking their bikes on slippery trails will find this bike outstanding in its performance.

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5. Norco Storm 4

The Norco brand is one of the best bike manufacturers with the most elaborate bike designs. The Norco-Storm 4 is one of the bikes with a more strict geometry, which appears to be more old-school.

The bike is built from the Storm 6061 Lightweight Aluminum Frame, which can take you through all terrains, whether smooth or challenging. The Storm-4 series are available in 27.5-inch wheels and 29-inch wheels.

The bike is a classic example of a hardtail mountain bike, and the front suspension features a 100mm Travel SR Suntour XCE28 for better wheel balancing.

The Shimano Tourney and Shimano Altus derailleurs have a speed option of 3×7, which is suitable for handling smooth uphill races.

It also does an excellent job regularly, primarily when you use it for daily commuting services.

With the inclusion of the Tektro HD-M275 Hydraulic Brakes with 160mm rotors, you have excellent braking power for all your riding activities.

If you are a bike enthusiast and looking for an all-around bike for your commuting and trail riding purposes, the Norco-Storm 4 has all the features you would need to consider.

When you visit any bike shop, you will find out that it is sold at less than $1000. This is also one of the best-selling hardtail mountain bikes that serve as a good bike for recreation as well.

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6. Devinci Riff Deore ’21

Every bike rider knows that coming across cheap Devinci bikes is very rare. For this reason, Devinci introduced the Deore, which is an impressive bike meant for women only.

Featuring an Aluminum Optimum G02 frame, the Riff Deore is a lightweight bike suitable for XC racing. The front suspension is an SR Suntour XCR Air 100mm fork travel for smooth rides.

This bike is a complete package, and you do not need to make any additions or subtractions to get more performance. It can be used for off-road riding and handle even the most challenging trails, hills, ascents, and descents.

The air-sprung forks have a better trail performance than the coil forks, which is a plus for this bike.

With the Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, you get a lot of speed options for going uphill. The 29-inch wheels are 2.4 inches wide which allows for more grip on the surfaces.

You are assured of speed and smooth rides all around. This is why you have the. Shimano MT200 Hydro disc brakes to manage your speeds when going faster downhill.

This is the best bike selection for female riders who prefer riding mountain bikes for recreation or commuting purposes since it is a budget bike.

It has improved shock absorption which is suitable for riding on pavements and raised surfaces.

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7. Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29

Specialized bikes never miss appearing among the best in all bike categories. The Rockhopper Comp 29 is one of their affordable mountain bikes that can serve a wide range of riders.

The clean and comfortable geometry and the exterior painting make this bike attractive from the first look.

It is built from a strong aluminum material, the Spesh A1, which makes for a lightweight and strong bike.

Specialized added a Suntour XCM fork with coils, and the RX tune can allow for 90mm or 100mm Fork Travel.

You also get a 9-speed drivetrain and shifter, the Shimano Acera Range, for low-budget purposes.

This combination is excellent for smooth XC trails, and with the 29-inch fast-rolling wheels, the bike covers more ground quickly and effortlessly.

Faster bikes need stronger brakes, and that is where the effectiveness of the Shimano MT200 comes in with 180mm rotors.

If you are a rider who lives in areas with less aggressive terrains, your great XC choice will be the Rockhopper Comp 29.

It might appear flaky on challenging terrains, but with the classic and well-cut design, you will get yourself an affordable bike to take on your daily strolls around town. Besides, you can take it for a ride on terrains with fewer obstacles.

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8. Marin San Quentin 1

Most bikes under $1000 have conservative designs, and bike sizes mainly focused on on-road riding. The San Quentin goes out the way to introduce a bike with a muscular build and an expensive geometry.

The most notable features of the design are the beefy 2.6-inch wide tires and broadened handlebars that ensure adequate control.

Like other bikes within the same price range, this too is built from aluminum, 6061 Alloy. From its geometry, this bike was designed with thrill-seekers in mind.

You get multiple gears supplied by the 1×9 Shimano Altus-based drivetrain fitted with a chain guide to hold the chain in position.

On the front, you have the coil fitted 120mm Travel SR Suntour XCM32 Forks. You also have a pre-added dial that allows you to tweak your bike to manage different weights.

The bike might not be versatile enough, but this bike is the best option for riders who are after a long-term investment.

It will not drain your energy when going through the most technical terrains. It also comes at special pricing, which is cheaper than what you would have to pay for a full-suspension mountain bike.

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9. Trek Marlin 5

One outstanding feature about the Trek Marlin 5 is that it is built from Alpha Silver Aluminum, the signature material primarily used to build trek bike lines.

The sleek design and the comfortable geometry make the bike a favorite among a wide range of riders. The frame has an internal cable routing that guards your cables against objects, making the bike a comfortable ride.

You have the SR Suntour XCE 28 at 100mm travel on the front suspension, which is more than fundamental.

The fork is fitted with a coil spring that serves as a preload despite making it heavier. Depending on your height and preferred frame size, you can get a Trek Marlin 5 running on 27.5-inch or 29-inch wheels.

The 29-inch option is much better since it reduces the bike’s standover height making it a bike that serves both tall and shorter riders.

For gearing purposes, the Trek Marlin 5 serves a 3×7 Shimano Tourney derailleurs giving 21 gears, with Shimano Altus.

These offer far more than what you ask for in terms of performance, especially for beginners. This is the most dependable and cheap bike you would get for both commuting and trail riding for a beginner mountain biker or an experienced one.

Additionally, it adequately serves the shorter bikers looking for a thrilling experience.

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10. Diamond Atroz 1

It is a rare occasion to come across a full-suspension mountain bike retailing for less than $1000, especially from a big brand.

Diamondback defied the odds and introduced a cheaper full-suspension bike to cater to many enthusiasts who could not afford the expensive bikes. The frame is built from Atroz 6061 T-6 Aluminum, which makes it a sturdy and compact bike.

The full-suspension frame features an SR Suntour XCM 120MM Travel fork and a 184mm Travel Kindshock, Coil Shock for the rear suspension.

This is crucial for maintaining the rider’s comfort by distributing weight from the rear to the front, significantly steeper climbs.

The drivetrain is supplied by Shimano, meaning that you get value for money even with the cheaper options. You have the Shimano Alivio M4020 on the front and the Shimano Altus M370 on the rear.

For riders who would like to explore full-suspension mountain bikes, the Diamondback Atroz 1 is a great entry-level bike. It offers durability for a minimal price.

With the Tektro Mechanical Disc brakes, you are supplied with all the stopping power you need. The brakes have 180mm rotors in the front and 160mm rear disc brakes rotors.

You can trust this bike to perform well, especially when rolling fast and going downhill. If you want something even better and have a higher budget, you should also check out the Atroz 2.

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11. Felt Dispatch 9/80

Felt Dispatch 9/80 is one of the most versatile bikes on this list. It features a strong build from Felt’s F-Lite Aluminum, which makes it a lightweight mountain bike.

The frame comes with IS disc mounts and a replaceable derailleur hanger, which is not all it offers.

The fork on this bike is the SR Suntour XCT-HLO 100mm, which is relatively common among such hardtail bikes.

One outstanding feature about this fork is the hydraulic lockout and preload, which gives it more stability.

On the frame sits two 29-inch Kenda Kadre tires. These mountain bike tires are slightly narrow at 2.1-inches making the bike look sharper and speedier.

Such fast-rolling wheels complement the Tektro Hydraulic Disc brakes, which have an impressive stopping ability.

You can also maintain and control your bike on the trails and sharp bends. This is most effective when taking on descents with multiple corners.

With its lightweight form, the 1×8 drivetrain lowers the weight, raising the range for faster climbs, rail trails, and faster riding on singletracks.

For riders who are after impressive 29er wheels that cost less than most of the high-rated bikes, the Felt Dispatch 9/80 is the best choice to go for. The bike delivers high-performance and can be easily upgraded when necessary.

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12. Rocky Mountain-Growler

Rocky Mountains Growler features all the impressive modern components you would expect in a performance mountain bike; 29ers, extra-wide tires, more extended travels, and many more.

The bike’s slacker geometry gives it more power when you want to humble the most technical trails and even go harder on unleveled grounds.

From its rock-solid 6060 Aluminum frame material, you can easily customize and upgrade this bike to your freedom.

The most exquisite feature of this bike is the 130mm Suntour XCM34 DS fork, which can handle rough terrain rides and run faster on bumpy flats.

You have the Shimano Altus derailleur at the rear wheel, running on a 1×9 drivetrain giving you more gears to handle challenging climbs and faster rides on even grounds.

Your stopping power is supplied by the Shimano Dual-piston MT201 hydraulic disc brakes, which always waste no time getting the job done.

If you are a serious rider who needs more control when going faster downhill, the Rocky Mountain Growler is the best choice for you.

The bike is one of the affordable bikes under $1000 that stay ruthless on all kinds of terrains. Most of the mentioned features on this bike are performance-oriented and can serve all kinds of riders.

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13. Trek-Marlin 7

Trek is a massive bike brand and for its name to appear twice on the list is a considerable development.

It comes with an array of impressive features which will see you win all the races against your friends on the trails.

The Alpha Silver Aluminum frame material on this bike can only be found on high-end bikes since it is light and durable. With its strong frame, you can easily upgrade your bike if you want to, giving you a longer lifespan.

The bike has gained so much popularity among riders due to its simplicity and affordability. You have the 100mm Travel RockShox XC 30 fork on the front, which gives you more leverage on the rough trails, singletracks, and Cross-Country Riding.

Depending on your frame size, you can get the 27.5 or 29-inch Bontrager XR2 comp tires. The sizes make the bike more agile with responsive steering and cornering with more grip.

This is why you have the Hydraulic disc brakes set up to maintain your control of the bike when rolling fast downhill.

2×9 Shimano Altus and Shimano Acera groupsets are providing 18 gears for a more traditional shifting.

If you are a beginner rider or a bike enthusiast who wants a bike they will use for a longer time, the Trek Marlin 7 should be on your to-do list when you visit a bike shop.

At only $800, you get a high-quality bike with a strong frame, good looks, and reliable components.  

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14. Ghost Lanao 4.7

Ghost Lanao 4.7 is a straightforward combination of a hardtail trail and dirt jump bike. The bike is suitable for women riders who want to get more involved in mountain riding.

The Ghost Lanao 4.7 is a women’s exclusive all-mountain bike with an agile geometry and a design that allows for upgrades.

It is built from a solid and compact Aluminum frame that gives it a rider-oriented design, ready to tackle challenging trails and tracks.

The head tube angle has plenty of clearance which helps you maintain your control in sharp corners. Combined with the 100mm Travel SR Suntour XCM fork, you have an enhanced elevation to tackle all kinds of obstacles.

The bike wheels are standard Continental X-King SL tires with a diameter of 27.5-inches and 2.2-inches wide. You are therefore assured of proper traction and quality handling.

The clearance on the frame can accommodate even wider tires, giving you unlimited trail action and a fat bike. For gearing purposes, you have the Shimano 2×9 drivetrain with Shimano Acera and Shimano Deore derailleurs.

Finishing off the features section is the Shimano Hydraulic Discs, which have been proven effective for low-budget and premium mountain bikes alike.

If you are after more cycling versatility and endless fun, then you need to consider spending your money on a Ghost Lanao 4.7. The bike comes along with impressive trail-oriented features for extraordinary performance.

Wrapping Up

Mountain bikes have been part of everyday life for some people. Even as companies improve their bike components, making them costly, a few brands still focus on customer satisfaction, releasing a few models to cater to low-budget riders.

Most of these bikes are beginner-friendly, affordable, and reliable, making them suitable for well-equipped riders.

Nevertheless, you can always find the right bike for yourself, and finding one at $1000 should not worry you. If you have any questions, kindly engage us.