Initially, entry-level mountain bikes were expensive, but now the major brands in the field of entry-level mountain bikes can be described as fancy, technology continues to iterate, but you can buy entry-level mountain bikes that meet your needs at a reasonable price.
Today is also for everyone from the e-commerce platform selected some of the best budget mountain bikes under $500, including well-known brands and non-local mountain bikes.
Are all mountain bikes under $500 worthless?
If you separate mountain bikes by price and the minimum budget is under $500, a budget of less than $500 can buy a proper entry-level mountain bike!
The challenge of riding your beloved mountain bike through the mountains, crossing one gravel after another, sliding across the wet fallen leafy ground, the pulling shape, the exquisite riding process is captivating.
So, in the hopes of assisting more entry-level riders, I will review the following best mountain bikes under $500 for you today.
Best men’s hardtail mountain bikes under $500
1. Eurobike Bikes HYX1
Best personalized mountain bike
A small budget that appeals to young people’s sense of individuality. Incredible value for a mountain bike with personality!
There are up to four different sizes to choose from.
Main specifications
| Size | 27.5 inch bike |
| Color | Muti Spoke wheel Black-Yellow/3 Spoke wheel Black-Red |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Wheel Size | 27.5 Inches |
| Brake Style | Disc |
| Number of Speeds | 21 |
| Suspension Type | Front |
| Item Weight | 21 Kilograms |
The overall frame is made of high carbon steel and has a weight capacity of 330 lbs. It is strong and long-lasting while remaining lightweight.
The multi-spoke wheel bike weighs about 16.5 kg, and the three-spoke wheel bike weighs about 17.5 kg.
The discounted price doesn’t lower the rider’s expectations. The forks have enough travel to ride in the mountains at will.
The shifting and derailers are Shimano and utilize thumb triggers. The 27.5″ steel frame, with 27.5″ mountain tires, will fit riders from 5’4″ to 6′. The three-spoke wheel size is the choice of many riders.
One of the easy-to-assemble features makes it easy for many moms who buy for their kids to assemble as well. After all, up to 85% of the assembly work is already done at the factory.
This is a great value entry-level mountain bike that’s sturdy and stylish enough for men of all ages to feel the joy of riding!
2. Hiland 26-inch mountain bike
Best DIY Mountain Bike
Hiland, a newcomer to the mountain bike DIY scene, takes full advantage of what to do on a budget with a sturdy frame that matches the majority of accessory brands. Men over 5’1″ tall can ride at a height of 26″.
Main specifications
| Brand | HILAND |
| Size | Multi-spoke |
| Color | Black |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel size | 26 inches |
| Brake Style | disc |
| Product weight | 32.8 lbs |
For novice mountain bikers who can only occasionally mountain ride, an entry-level mountain bike is adequate.
But for teenagers seeking individuality who also need a cool look, the Hiland 26-inch mountain bike has an aluminum 17-inch frame with 26-inch wheels that are more flattering to men’s heights of 5′-6′ and correspondingly improved at the wheels, with 6-shift wheels that also distinguish it from the average mountain bike when it comes to everyday riding.
Shimano gearing/drivetrain, with over 21-speed gearboxes to handle different road tests with ease.
It is ideal for riding to school, work, or off-road touring. A front GOOD suspension fork travels up to 100mm, in high-intensity mountain riding.
Such fork formation performance is excellent enough. The bumpy road can also be easily damped. The fork is not easy to bottom out. Guarantee enough comfort and safety. The same is the front and rear disc brakes, with high sensitivity.
We ride on slippery roads, but also accurate braking.
All in all, the simple and good-looking shape and sturdy body make it a good choice for entry-level riders.
3. Mongoose fold back adult mountain bike
Best Budget Mountain Bike
When looking for mountain bikes under $500, the Mongoose brand occasionally comes to the forefront. With its aluminum frame and nice accessories, it is the best cheap mountain bike to buy for a variety of budgets.
If you like this brand of bike, you can upgrade the accessories at various price points. But we believe that what you like is the most important factor!
Main specifications
| Brand | Mongoose |
| Size | Medium frame |
| Color | White |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel size | 27.5 inches |
| Brake Style | Disc |
| Number of Speeds | 21 |
| Suspension Type | Front |
| Product weight | 17.6 kg |
A mountain bike that can be purchased for both high school and low budget, suitable for all height stages.
New riders or some of the female riders (there are women’s models may choose), the most worried about the quality and comfort of this bike, then the mongoose fold back certainly gives us more options.
With different sizes of frames and a variety of mid-to high-grade accessories to choose from, and young people like the shape of particular attention.
Among the $500 or less, one can choose the mongoose cut diameter. The front 3 and rear 7 of the Shimano shifting front and rear also use mechanical disc brakes, engaging strong, agile, and efficient braking.
High-speed braking can also quickly reduce inertia and is not affected by weather factors, providing an all-weather braking guarantee. SR Shantu XC-E28 shock fork has 100 mm travel. It is difficult to bottom out in the gravel section of the deserted beach.
The wheel height of 27.5″ and the 2.1″ wide tires of the Mongoose are suitable for riders from 5’4″ to 6’2″ tall.
Manual is in its easy to assemble, the same is factory finished 85% of the assembly, get your hands on it, 30-60 minutes to complete the assembly and commissioning.
For entry-level riders, both the speed and the configuration of each part, both the usual ride or mountain riding is more than enough.
4. Hiland 26-inch aluminum mountain bike
Best Comfortable Mountain Bike
If all mountain bikes under 500 budget are treated as garbage, then the features of this bike will hit those smug people hard in the face.
Similar to the Hiland mountain bike introduced earlier, but tweaked in individual details.
The mountain bike we introduced from just now has of course always been for riders who want to buy their first mountain bike, or who are on a tight budget.
So how to achieve a balance between performance and comfort. This question has also been bothering us at first, when we came across the Hiland 26” Aluminum Mountain Bike.
| Brand | HILAND |
| Size | Medium frame |
| Color | Black |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel size | 26 inches |
| Brake Style | Disc |
| Number of Speeds | 24 |
| Product weight | 32.8 lbs |
Of course, before that, we also have to be prepared for certain psychological, and then some disadvantages can not be avoided in a low-budget situation.
But for a budget of less than $400, you can have a full aluminum frame and a suspension fork with up to 100mm of travel, a SHIMANO EF500 24-speed shifter, front and rear disc brakes, and a good quality mountain bike.
Can meet most of the road conditions, mountain riding is not a problem. Seemingly bulky body weight is only 32.8 pounds. The 26-inch wheels are suitable for men who are 5’1” tall.
Hiland 26-inch aluminum mountain bike is equipped with a mechanical disc brake, which is considered standard in mountain bikes at this price point.
Still, the advantages of disc braking cannot be ignored, and safe and efficient braking is also a guarantee for mountain sports.
And the use of SHIMANO EF500 3 * 8 transmission system, smooth shifting, no less than the $ 1000 mountain bike configuration. Distance riding.
For a mountain bike configuration at this price, I like the cost-effectiveness of this bike and the comfort of the riding experience that this bike brings.
So suitable for daily use and cross-country travel for young people.
5.Diamondback overdrive 29er
Best rated mountain bikes
They introduced this mountain bike for around $500, which is really amazing to another brand manufacturer.
If you talk to your friends about wanting to buy a mountain bike, there’s a good chance they’ll recommend the Diamondback Overdrive 29er.
With an affordable price, beautiful styling, and trusted brand influence, it’s really one of the top mountain bikes for many entry-level riders.
Main specifications
| Brand | Rattlesnake Bicycle |
| Size | Medium/ 5’7″ -5’10” |
| Color | Black |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel size | 29 inches |
| Brake Style | Disc |
| Number of Speeds | 24 |
| Suspension Type | Front |
| Product weight | 39 pounds |
Even though the Diamondback Overdrive 29er is an entry-level model, it is still impeccably made. Although the model is relatively old, the classic is still a classic.
The whole bike is made of aluminum frame. 29-inch wheels, suitable for riding above 5’4″ in height. But for people who like big bikes, the height requirement doesn’t have to be so strictly observed.
Despite being slightly more than $500, it still includes a Shimano Tourney front derailleur and a Shimano Acera rear derailleur with a thumb toggle motivated shifter. The entire drivetrain is very smooth, and you can experience various levels of comfort while mountain biking.
Furthermore, the Overdrive 29er features an SR Suntour XCT fork with 80mm of travel, allowing it to navigate normal obstacles easily. It also has coil springs at the fork to absorb vibration from bumpy roads, allowing you to enjoy the thrill of riding on deserted beaches, dirt roads, and mountain roads.
The Diamondback Overdrive 29er uses mechanical disc brakes front and rear to provide a strong braking force. It also transmits the power of your pedaling to the wheels well, and with 2.25-inch wide tires, you can go uphill more comfortably.
Although not the latest model in 21 years, but super cost-effective is also a dream mountain bike model for new riders.
6. Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29er
High quality and inexpensive mountain bikes
Vilano Bikes has been committed to the field of quality mountain bikes at a reasonable price, achieving the same configuration in parts and accessories as well-known brands at a lower cost.
As a result, the Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29er is one of the models to consider if you’re looking for a mountain bike under $500.
Main specifications
| Brand | Vilano |
| Size | 17″ |
| Color | Black & Red |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel size | 29 inches |
| Brake Style | Discs |
| Number of Speeds | 24 |
| Suspension Type | Front |
| Product weight | 30 lbs |
It claims that the hand-crafted aluminum frame is strong and long-lasting. The sales rating is quite high.
The author cannot give a positive evaluation based on the production process, but it does show that the after-sales service on the e-commerce platform is doing well, not only based on the reviews, the customer encountered scratches on the vehicle treatment, or encounter other minor problems can be properly handled.
Following that are the specifics on the accessories, which were also mentioned earlier. The drivetrain remains the Shimano components that mountain bikes in the $500-$2000 price range adore.
Shimano TX50 and Shimano Altus RD-M280 8-speed rear derailleurs and a Shimano 8-speed EF-51 integrated shifter/brake lever are used on the front derailleur. The front fork with the locking feature has 80mm of travel as well.
This means that the suspension locking position can be changed on the fly to suit the actual conditions on different roads, such as riding on rocky hills with the suspension set to maximum.
7.Schwinn Mesa Mountain Bike
Best protection for novice mountain bikes
This is our favorite Schwinn mountain bike model, owing in part to the fact that Schwinn is a local brand in the United States.
There are three sizes in the Schwinn Mesa series: Schwinn Mesa 1, Schwinn Mesa 2, and Schwinn Mesa 3. This vehicle has also been thoroughly reviewed by us.
A full review can be found at Schwinn Mesa Adult Mountain Bike Review
Main specifications
| Brand | Schwinn |
| Size | Small Frame/Medium Frame/Extra Large Frame/Large Frame |
| Color | Black |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel Size | 27.5 Inches |
| Brake Style | Linear Pull |
| Number of Speeds | 21 |
| Suspension Type | Front |
If this is your first time shopping for a mountain bike and you want an entry-level basic mountain bike with sales, brand recognition, and guaranteed after-sales service, the Schwinn Mesa is a classic mountain bike to consider purchasing.
The first step is to select a frame size that corresponds to your height. Any of these mountain bikes here has an aluminum frame with a frosted texture finish and a light weight.
At the same time, it is outfitted with Shimano Tourney 21-speed drivetrain and Shimano EZ-FIRE shifter, which provides riders with enough shifting range, lower pedaling frequency required for high-speed travel, and less effort when climbing hills and complex roads.
Schwinn MTB 27.5″ wheels are another selling point for the company. They are suitable for riders ranging in height from 5’10” to 6’1″.
During our test ride, the grip was excellent, and muddy trails were easily navigated.
For exploring dirt trails and gravel roads, the SR Suntour XCT30 D shock fork was ideal. Shimano BR-MT200 hydraulic disc brakes on the front and rear are adequate for stopping, allowing you to enjoy your ride safely.
Whether it is the brand of the mountain bike itself, or the configuration of various well-known manufacturers’ accessories, in less than $ 500, the mountain bike model is completely taken. $ 500 class must choose one of the models!
8. Mongoose Impasse 29 Men Mountain Bike
Best leisure mountain bike
Despite being a low-cost mountain bike, the Mongoose Impasse 29 Men Mountain Bike has gone through several iterations of updates to fully understand the needs of users.
The Amazon platform has good sales as well, and this bike is also after a large number of rider verification.
Main specifications
| Brand | Mongoose |
| Size | 18 inch Frame |
| Color | Charcoal |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel Size | 29 Inches |
| Brake Style | Disc |
| Number of Speeds | 21 |
| Suspension Type | Front |
When looking for mountain bikes under $500 on e-commerce platforms, the relatively high sales of this bike will undoubtedly take your breath away.
Of course, there are two versions of this one, known as the high and low versions. Because the budget is limited, the only option is the Mongoose Impasse.
Riders who prefer big bikes will appreciate this mountain bike with 29-inch wheels, and the configuration isn’t bad either, with an all-aluminum R2780 Impasse frame.
2.35-inch tires (a market rarity), a 21-speed drivetrain, and SRAM twist shifters for quick gear changes round out the package. Front and rear mechanical disc brakes, as well as well-hidden brake lines and gear shifter cables, allow novices to ride more permanently.
Turning is easy, the structure is simple, so maintenance costs are low, and accessories are a common configuration on the market.
It also has a high retention rate and is known for selling used mountain bikes when you need to replace yours. In meerkat mountain bikes, this is a very worthy mountain bike model for under $500.
9. Schwinn Bonafide Mens Mountain Bike
Best Low Maintenance Mountain Bike
The basic function of a mountain bike is to be able to ride better on rough roads or mountains, and the Schwinn Bonafide makes a relative strengthening of this skill in mountain climbing, which is more suitable for some newbies and riders who enjoy riding in the mountains. We also conducted a thorough examination of this.
A full review can be found at Schwinn Taff Mountain Bike Review
Main specifications
| Brand | Schwinn |
| Size | 29″ wheels |
| Color | Matte Black/Red |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel Size | 29 Inches |
| Brake Style | Disc |
| Number of Speeds | 24 |
| Suspension Type | Front |
| Item Weight | 39 Pounds |
With an estimated frame weight of 39 lbs, a strong shock fork is essential for reducing road bumps on a mountain bike.
The Schwinn Bonafide has their own brand of Schwinn shock fork that absorbs a lot of impact and bumps from gravel roads.
The level of stability is adequate. With a 3*8 24-speed Shimano drivetrain, including a 24-speed Shimano EZ Fire trigger switch and Shimano chainstays front and rear, gear changes are simple and smooth.
Together with 2.25-inch knobby mountain tires, it can make more novices enjoy super-grippy mountain riding. Front and rear disc brakes provide precise stopping power.
Not only these double-walled alloy rims, but Schwinn alloy cranks are also light and strong. And the brand is so confident in its products that it offers a 5-year limited warranty.
All in all, one of the best mountain bike brands to buy under $500.
10. Neffice New 27.5 2.1″ Mountain Bike
This new ’21 mountain bike has all the right features, but with a 27.5-inch aluminum body and 24-speed drivetrain, it meets our expectations for a good-value mountain bike.
But the weight 40 pounds body weight is a bit heavier than expected. But the weight capacity of 330 pounds, suitable for the height of 5’5″-6′ 2″ overweight riders can ride smoothly.
It can be ridden with a simple manual because it has 85 percent of the factory pre-installed. A lockable fork with up to 100mm of travel and trail tires provides adequate riding comfort.
The affordable, rugged body is one of the better and available mountain bikes at this price.
Main specifications
| Brand | Neffice |
| Color | Purple |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel Size | 27.5 Inches |
| Brake Style | Disc |
| Number of Speeds | 24 |
The above-mentioned mountain bikes are generally priced between $200 and $500, with prices fluctuating depending on platform activity. If you want to see the most recent price, the recommended platform sales price will take precedence in accordance with our purchasing recommendations. We hope to see more riders like us!
You will find cross-country mountain bikes with a weight of around 10.8kg or 24lbs. It is the lightest type in the market today. The frame of a cross-country mountain bike is extremely lightweight and made of aluminum or carbon fiber. The lightest type is made of carbon fiber bike frame but can be more expensive.