Best for seriously experienced riders with a need for speed and cornering control on thrilling rides. Best for riding around the neighborhood with friends or crushing local dirt trails. Best for beginners looking to take their next adventure on the road, gravel, or local dirt trails. And we appreciate how responsive it feels, allowing us to quickly maneuver through twists and turns. Best for beginner and intermediate riders looking to tackle a mix of routes, like local trails, intense climbs, or steep drops. Any of these types of bikes can also be classified as a hardtail or full-suspension bike.
In its early years, Hess recalled that about 600 frames per day were produced at its Chatsworth, Los Angeles location. If you want to google for a term, look for clydesdale / athena riders; bikeforums.net and other places have sections devoted just for them (clydesdale being heavy men, athena heavy women). We found the Massif to be a very capable kids’ bike that turns heads and should encourage youngsters to get off the couch. Used sensibly on flat or rolling, paved bike trails, the Massif is going to provide your youngster with a lot of great memories not soon to be forgotten. The seat top separated from the seat rails any time the bike was lifted by the saddle.
We love how easily we can fine-tune our ride to match the different terrains we ride on. It smooths out rough trails and absorbs bumps effortlessly, providing comfort and control whether we tackle rocky paths or just cruise. As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to mongoose fat tire bike recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. Best for intermediate or advanced riders who want to tackle their whole mountain ride—from uphill climbs to downhill drops—with the highest-end tech. We like that this cross-country bike climbs hills efficiently and can easily take on quick descents.
Consider gearing up with one of these top mountain bikes to conquer all the thrilling routes you love to explore. Take the road less traveled on the Mongoose Temissor 29 in 21-Speed Mountain Bike. The Microshift 21-Speed Shimano EZ-Fire trigger shifters allow for mongoose mountain bikes fast, easy shifting, and the suspension fork absorbs shock for comfort. Huffy’s Stone Mountain Bike has a budget-friendly price but doesn’t compromise on performance or features, making it our favorite option for younger riders looking to get into mountain biking.
Other electric components provide efficient power delivery, so you’re never stuck without a boost. High-performing and adventure-ready, Trek’s Fuel EX takes electric mountain biking to the next level. The seat is adjustable using the dropper post, which allows you to switch your riding position between technical trails and steep descents. Even better, it has a lockout feature that allows you to temporarily lock the bike’s suspension on flat stretches of dirt. Plus, unlike other bikes on our list, the Roscoe 7 comes in six colors and six sizes, making it easy to find the right combination for your height and style.
The low-hanging derailleur is too vulnerable to rocks and roots for serious off-road trails. The most popular type of mountain bike is a full-suspension trail bike, like Specialized’s Stumpjumper Comp Alloy. These bikes are well-developed and can tackle most terrains, making them an excellent all-around option for most riders. We spoke to each of our experts to identify what key features users should look for in a quality mountain bike. We also consulted our experts about what features to avoid when choosing a mountain bike and whether they recommend specific brands or bikes. Best for intermediate and advanced riders looking to rip up steep downhill descents, intense climbs, and straight speed on dirt trails.
There’s even storage built right into the frame—the small compartment can hold tools and other essentials while you focus on the path ahead. The Massif, a word not found in the English language until now, is sold through select Walmart stores and directly from their website for the amazingly low price of $197 (assembly required). The bike weighs 39.7 pounds, has mechanical disc brakes, and a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain with gear selection accomplished by the rotation of a twist shifter. The 4-inch-wide rims are painted yellow to match the graphics of the black frame (that uses steel and aluminum tubing). Mountain biking can be challenging for beginner cyclists, but don’t let that scare you off—look for mountain bike paths that are relatively flat, straight, and smooth to help you get started.
Mountain biking is a fantastic way to stay active while exploring rugged landscapes and new trails off the beaten path. When choosing the right outdoor bike for your adventure, keep in mind that not all models are designed for this style of bike riding. The best mountain bikes are built to handle tough routes, with durable tires that work for various terrains and sturdy frames for more control. For a full-suspension mountain bike, we highly recommend Specialized’s Stumpjumper EVO Elite Alloy. This pick offers top-tier capabilities without the hefty price tag that usually accompanies full-suspension bikes. The alloy frame ensures durability and agility on the trails, allowing you to effortlessly maneuver through technical trails.
When it comes time to select your mountain bike, there are a few key features to consider, like height and weight capacity, seats, materials, brakes, and wheel size. To simplify the process for you, we’ve consulted cycling experts and hit the trails to test dozens of bikes in the real world. We evaluated our top picks based on their ease of assembly, stability, performance, comfort, adjustability, and overall value.