Best mountain bikes according to user reviews
The “bike” has long been known as a convenient and useful form of transport. For some, it is a simple entertainment, for others it is a way to travel, including over long distances off-road. Either way, the very best mountain bikes on the market will provide it all. And it doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman, in our rating you will find a very decent option for yourself for any wallet.

Content
Mountain bike - which company is better to buy
It is obvious that cheaper transport can be bought from domestic or Asian manufacturers. Europe, North America and Australia prices are too "bulging", basically, such options are suitable for those who are looking for luxury products.
Let's take a look at each manufacturer separately:
- Trek Is a popular international premium bike brand. He attracts attention by using environmentally friendly materials to create his products.
- STELS Is a fairly good bicycle company based in Russia, since 2015 its products have already been appreciated by residents of Western Europe. It differs from competitors by the fact that a large number of parts are produced at the company's own factories.
- Merida Is a Taiwanese bike manufacturer. Most of them are budget models, the rest is premium.
- Stern - the main production is located in China, the very same trade mark belongs to the Sportmaster company. To create its products, the company uses frames from the Trek and Kona brands. There is a lineup for teenagers and adults, both women and men.
- Giant Is one of the largest bike manufacturers in the world, based in Taiwan. In 2006, it has created more than 5.2 million units of goods classified as medium-budget.
- Cube Is a German company founded in 1997. The prices for its products are quite high and can go up to 2000 euros. In addition to the main type of product, she also creates special clothing and accessories needed on the road.
Best Mountain Bikes Ranking
As always, the positive and negative reviews about the “candidates” helped to compile this rating. We tried to take into account all the most important details, from the price to the detailed characteristics:
- Type (male or female);
- Purpose;
- Frame material and dimensions;
- The weight;
- Design;
- Quality and manufacturer of components (cassettes, chains, pedals, etc.);
- The number of speeds and the convenience of switching between them.
Price, brand, versatility, practicality, and durability also influenced our choice of leaders.
The division of the rating was done according to the diameter of the wheels, since this factor is largely responsible for the convenience of movement.
The best mountain bikes with 26-inch wheels
This is the smallest size for adult cyclists and yet the most common for its affordable price. The angle of passage of bumps and obstacles in these models is significantly less than those with 27.5 and 29-inch wheels. But for those who do not plan to develop maximum speed, this is just the right option.
Trek 820 Womens
This is an exclusively female model, certainly not deprived of speeds, of which there are twenty-one - there are 7 sprockets on the rear hub.It is very convenient that in different situations you can quickly switch between gears. The bad news is that the manufacturer limited the fork travel to 63 millimeters. He also clearly did not consider that the steel product would be too heavy for women. The single design of the rim is unlikely to please, as it forces you to a very accurate ride ("eight" is a common thing here).
Advantages
- Lowered top frame;
- Smooth running;
- Soft saddle;
- Low price.
Disadvantages:
- Heavy;
- Slow fork travel;
- Plastic pedals break quickly;
- All-weather braking system (V-Brake).
STELS Navigator 500 V 26
It is an inexpensive bike that will satisfy both men and women thanks to three available steel frame sizes - 16, 18 or 20 inches. It is adapted for accurate driving on rough terrain or in the city, it can be used in the "cross-country" style. Despite the heavy metal, the product weighs only 15.9 kg. Braking is pretty good here thanks to the v-brake rubber pads. The proposed 21-speed gearshift and classic star distribution allow you to choose a comfortable riding mode with less physical effort.
Advantages
- Comfortable branded saddle;
- Simple gear shifting;
- Sturdy frame;
- Adequate weight;
- Excellent shock absorption.
Disadvantages:
- Brakes poorly in mud;
- Not suitable for difficult road sections;
- Unreliable chain, wears out quickly.
This video is about mountain biking for the whole family:
The STELS Navigator 500 V 26 is the best mountain bike in our ranking in terms of versatility, popularity and price.
Best mountain bikes 27.5 ″
This is the sweet spot between 26-inch and 29-inch models. They are great for both men and women. Both beginners and experienced athletes feel comfortable on them.
Merida Big.Seven 20-MD
It is a 24-speed aluminum men's hardtail with disc brakes, popular crankset, sprockets, derailleurs and cassette from the renowned Shimano brand. The bike is quite maneuverable for driving on dirt roads and is not very heavy (13.9 kg). There are only 8 cassette stars here, but they are quite enough for a professional. The frame is available in several sizes, from 13.5 ″ to 23 ″. The saddle is ergonomic, but thin; not everyone will be comfortable sitting on it. But the straight handlebars make it easier to control the bike.
Advantages
- Lots of speeds;
- Comfortable steering wheel;
- Low weight;
- Aluminum frame;
- Quality components from a reliable company.
disadvantages
- Not the most successful saddle model.
Stern Electra 1.0 27.5 ″ for women
An option for women who want to feel comfortable on the road and make a minimum of effort. All this is provided by a lightweight frame, a shock-absorbing fork with 80 mm travel, excellent saddle ergonomics and acceptable quality of other components. The ride is smooth and safe due to simple controls and the ability to choose between 21 speeds. The maximum user weight should not exceed 95 kg, so this model is designed for a wide range of customers.
Advantages
- High threshold of maximum load;
- Sufficiently wide range of speeds;
- Lightweight frame;
- Ergonomic saddle.
disadvantages
- The fork is on the verge of a foul.
The best mountain bikes with 29-inch wheels
This wheel size provides the bike with stability and a smooth ride, allows you to ignore shallow pits and more easily overcome obstacles on the way. Thanks to this, when crossing unpaved areas, fatigue will be less disturbing.
Giant Revel 29'er 2 2015 male
It is a quality hardtail with rim brakes, a robust aluminum frame and a spring-loaded suspension fork, which is relevant for difficult sections of the track. The material is resistant to corrosion, so it is not afraid of wet weather conditions. Depending on the terrain and terrain, you can choose one of 21 speeds, which makes it very easy for even beginners to ride. Switching between them is effortless. The bike is easy to control and quite maneuverable, but the seat is not very comfortable here due to the small width and height.It can be safely attributed to professional models that are suitable for driving in the "cross-country" style.
Advantages
- Easily "rolls" both on the primer and on the track;
- Easy change of position of the seat and steering wheel;
- Several frame sizes available;
- Convenient steering wheel on which you can safely place additional equipment;
- Hard plastic pedals.
disadvantages
- Quite difficult;
- The seat is too flat and unreliable.
Cube ACCESS WLS 29 berry-pink ladies
The model is designed specifically for women, taking into account their physique, but its geometry remains classic. The technical filling is at a height - a lightweight frame that allows you to reduce the weight of the product to 13.5 kg, a suspension fork of 100 mm, a durable and well-proven Shimano 3 drivetrain, ideal for quick shifting between speeds. One of the main drawbacks is rim brakes of not the best Promax V-Brake brand, they can fail in mud and snow. The fact of possible problems with lowering the saddle is also unpleasant.
Advantages
- High-quality layout;
- Aluminum frame;
- Low weight;
- Low landing;
- The handlebars do not rub your hands.
Disadvantages:
- Poor braking;
- The seatpost clamp is difficult to unscrew.
Which mountain bike is better to buy
The minimum wheel diameter for an adult is 26.5 inches and the frame size is 16, depending on the person's height and weight. It is better for women to take products designed specifically for them, and for men, both special and “unisex” are suitable.
In the end, take on a few tips:
- Experienced male users with a lot of dirt road riding will appreciate the 2015 Giant Revel 29'er 2.
- For women who often ride a bike off-road and already have certain skills, the Cube ACCESS WLS 29 berry-pink is suitable.
- Men looking for light weight and a wide range of speeds should pay attention to the Merida Big.Seven 20-MD.
- If both a man and a woman share the same bike in the family, then it is better to choose the STELS Navigator 500 V 26 option.
- Of the inexpensive models created especially for women, Trek 820 Womens is worthy of attention.
This video will show you how to choose a mountain bike:
The best mountain bikes collected in this rating can be called quite affordable, among them only a few have a cost above average. Choose the one that suits you and your ride will be easy!
Comments