Best Mountain Bikes Ranking

A mountain bike is a real dream for a person who cannot imagine his life without a two-wheeled pedal transport. This will come in handy even in the city: it is not forever to ride on perfectly flat sidewalks - sometimes you want to ride along a park path or even fully get out into the village. At the same time, both the durability and comfort of the vehicle strongly depend on how thoughtful and responsible the choice of the owner was. Before such a purchase, you should delve into the topic and figure out how to choose the right model.

Millions of consumers around the world have adopted specific tactics of choosing any goods - they do not so much delve into the technical characteristics of a particular model as they trust a well-known manufacturer. On the one hand, this approach certainly has a right to exist, because the leading brands have become famous for a reason - they care about their own reputation and produce high quality products, which is confirmed by millions of users.

On the other hand, blindly trusting only this criterion is pure madness, because even top brands produce relatively weak models. In addition, when choosing a bike, you need to focus not only on the good name of the manufacturer, but also on the characteristics that you personally need - you never know, if the company does not produce bicycles of a specific type at all or simply does not specialize in them.

Therefore, we urge the consumer not to focus only on the company, but at the same time we recognize that other things being equal, it may well turn out to be a powerful argument for making a purchase. Our list has no allocated places, because in this case there is no point in the rating - too much depends on the needs of the buyer and the specific model, therefore we would not be able to achieve objectivity.

It should be noted that the world's leading manufacturers of mountain bikes are located in only three countries and do not need much introduction - if the model is released by any of these companies and suits you in all respects, you can safely buy it. Let's name these countries and the brands that represent them:

• american bicycles Cannondale, Felt, Specialized;
• German firms Wheeler, Cube, BMW M Bike;
• Taiwanese company Giant.

The above manufacturers have existed for many years and have long been represented even on the domestic market, therefore they do not need special recommendations. At the same time, there are several brands that are in the status of promising, but so far not so recognizable. Curious that all of them also represent the three countries listed above and should be considered more closely: it is possible that in the coming years they will be officially accepted into the list of unambiguous leaders.

European athletes have already fallen in love with a German company Bergamont, although its history is relatively short. Cyclists could hear about the brand's products due to the fact that Western European professionals actively use such transport. But recently the company has been expanding its range and its presence in our country. This means that now you can also try yourself in serious sports, first by purchasing a decent training bike.

American GT brand You cannot call him young, but in our country he is known relatively little. Apparently, the long and difficult delivery affects, because such a unit does not have any design flaws - the manufacturer is so confident in his brainchild that it gives him a lifetime warranty. Needless to say that the frame and the entire structure have increased strength and durability, and such a vehicle is able to withstand any test.

Taiwan is also expanding its presence in the global bicycle market, and one of the main trump cards of the country's bicycle industry is a young company with a Spanish name. Merida. It is very likely that in Russia bicycles of this brand are waiting for a resounding success - the reason is the price, which can be considered divine even by our standards, because the typical price range is in the range of 350-1600 dollars.

Low cost is not the only reason for the rapid growth in sales. - numerous bike enthusiasts around the world note that Taiwanese mountain bikes, even if they do not reach the level of top-end ones, still they are distinguished by very decent rigidity and reliability, delighting the owners for many years.

It should be noted also more budget brands, because even a modest $ 350 is not the limit of cheapness for a mountain bike. Of course, the question arises whether a quality mountain bike can be worth a penny and the answer is obvious - there is nothing to hope for outstanding performance if you voluntarily saved on them.

At the same time, even in the lower price segment, several manufacturers are singled out for the better, who, with significant cost savings, managed not to completely ignore the quality of products. These include firms located near the Russian consumer, and therefore managed to save on logistics - First of all, we are talking about the domestic manufacturer Stels and the Ukrainian Azimut.

When choosing a bike, the cost of transport is a significant factor. The concept of an inexpensive bike is different for everyone - it all depends on what you want to get and how much mountain bikes with such characteristics cost on average.Nevertheless, let's try to highlight worthy models by price category.

Let's clarify right away: if you expect to find a good mountain bike within 10,000 rubles, then you are most likely an avid optimist. A mountain bike is designed to withstand serious loads, in principle, it cannot be too cheap, since it must be of high quality. Such a cheap purchase is possible only if we are not talking about decent quality or if you are not buying a new bike.

An adequate budget mountain bike within 15,000 rubles is another story. In most cases, it will be Russian or Chinese production, but in these two countries there are good models like the same Forward Sporting 1.0.

If your financial capabilities are a little wider, and you are ready to spend up to 20,000 rubles, pay attention to Stels Navigator 800. On the one hand, there are no particularly cool opportunities and professional technical equipment here, on the other hand, everything that is here is made in accordance with decent quality standards. It suffices to note that the frame here is no longer made of steel, but of aluminum and this is not a rigid.

With a budget of up to 30,000 rubles, you can count on an even higher class product like a Czech mountain bike Author Unica Disc. As in the case of the previous model, the attachments here do not impress with professional capabilities, but in terms of construction, the bike is carefully thought out - there is no doubt about the comfort of the trip and the reliability of the vehicle itself. Besides, it is lightweight, which is also a plus.

Having 40,000 rubles to buy a bicycle, you can seriously consider buying a middle class mountain bike from a manufacturer with a worldwide reputation. Choosing, say, Giant rincon disc from a Taiwanese firm, you can count on a lifetime warranty for its frame, and this already suggests that the manufacturer himself does not doubt his brainchild. Braking here is provided not by primitive mechanical vibrating racks, but by their opposite - reliable disc hydraulics.

If more than 50,000 rubles have been postponed for the purchase, then they no longer talk about any financial restrictions. In a situation where you have stored exactly the same amount or a little less, you should pay attention to the class models Merida Big. Nine 300 - this vehicle is considered the best among the fast mountain models.

Even such a bike, although not too expensive, is already equipped with professional equipment worthy of a real inveterate athlete. The bike is an amazing combination of speed when riding on a flat road and endurance when it really isn't.

When choosing a bike, and even for serious sports activities, it is better not to be guided by the opinion of the masses, but to choose on your own. However, if you do not have a lot of riding experience and even less choice, it makes sense to consider the most popular mountain bikes - at least in order to understand what a good example might look like. Our review, of course, is not devoid of a certain subjectivity, but still it includes only reliable and high-quality mountain bikes, which should not let their owner down even in the most difficult situation.

One of the best inexpensive mountain bikes. This is not a bike from which to expect outstanding performance worthy of international competition. but for a beginner, it will be just right, because it is surprisingly light for its price range. This model, more precisely, its modification with a frame of 21.5 inches, will be especially interesting for men with a height of 185 cm. stupid tires - a replacement for them should be bought in the store in advance.

A model that a few years ago would have caused real bewilderment among cyclists. The fact is that folding mountain bikes appeared relatively recently, and this little one, compact even when unfolded, folds down to a minimum size, thanks to which it is easily transported in public transport and does not create any problems during home storage. Of the pleasant bonuses - disc hydraulics as a brake, 27-speed transmission, adjustable suspension fork and surprisingly low cost.

An excellent choice for those who have not got acquainted with cycling in the mountains for a long time, because the acquaintance has grown into a deep feeling, and now the relationship with the bike and rough terrain needs to be brought to a whole new level. The Taiwanese company has gained popularity largely for the reason that it manages to put high-quality and technological equipment on bikes of average value, which cannot but attract buyers.

The rig does not raise the slightest question the obvious plus is the frame range, which makes this model suitable for riders of all sizes. It is significant that such a bike has only one drawback, and even then not so important - the lack of fenders and a pump in the package.

One of the top representatives of fat bikes, which appeared relatively recently and still haven't really conquered the market, although it's high time. A feature of this model and the entire class is the increased width of the tires with a normal reduced pressure inside them - this gives the rider the opportunity get through virtually any previously "impassable" obstacles such as sand, snow, tall grass, and so on.

While fellow cyclists swearingly carry their two-wheeled horses across sections of the road where it is difficult even to walk and empty-handed, you can quickly overcome an obstacle on such a mountain bike without getting out of the saddle.

It may seem very expensive (approximately 140-150 thousand rubles), but it is also intended for freeriding with downhill... These disciplines assume the maximum load on the bike's structure, and of course he is ready for this, for example, even jumping from a springboard will not harm such transport in any way.

Competitors that can withstand regular hard landings during operation are usually much more expensive, and here, with a low price and tremendous strength, there is also decent equipment. Wherein on a flat road, this specific model loses to many much cheaper ones.

Choosing a good mountain bike anyway depends not so much on the preferences of most buyers as on your personal needs. This means that you must at least superficially navigate the principles of choice in order to choose the right model for yourself.

To begin with, it is worth clarifying that mountain bikes, being just one of the varieties of bicycles, are also divided into several types.

• Hardtail It has a lightweight aluminum or carbon fiber construction, while its frame is decently rigid, and the front fork is made of shock absorbers. This is the best option for both leisurely walks outside the city and full-fledged cross-country.At the start, this is not the fastest of all possible bicycles (due to the increased rigidity of the frame), but, having accelerated, it holds a decent speed longer than many competitors.

• Full Suspension Mountain Bike differs at once by two shock absorbers - front and rear. What kind of bike can fly at full speed without taking apart the road, it is the double suspension - its design provides the rider with maximum comfort even on a very difficult road profile. The main directions of using such transport are fast downhill and freeride.

• Rigid - a mountain bike option for a cyclist who perfectly copes with delicate vehicle control and who values ​​handling above all else. This model is devoid of suspension forks, so riding on uneven roads can turn into real hell. The use of rigids is relevant in trial and dert, where the ability to find the best way is not so much appreciated as all-terrain vehicle. This type of bike benefits from its lightness.

Mountain biking constantly faces serious physical stress, therefore, it is important to take a responsible approach to the choice of frame material.

• If steel is considered one of the best solutions in all other industries, then for a bicycle this is the cheapest and least sensible solution, because with all its advantages such as impressive strength and durability, it gives the bike a significant weight, which means that it greatly limits its potential use.
• Aluminum strength is not inferior to steel, but weighs less, which makes it easier to transport the bike and climb the slope, but the aluminum frame is more expensive, has a relatively weak roll, and on bad roads strong vibration can become an unpleasant opening.
• The titanium frame is the optimal solution combining all the best properties of the two above, but, as often happens in such situations, the price becomes a serious problem.
• Carbon durable, reliable and lightweight, but the consumer should be vigilant - really good material is quite expensive, and the cheaper versions do not even approximately have the properties that are expected of them.

You should also pay attention to the characteristics of the plug. The hard option - the rigid - gave the name to the whole class of mountain bikes. It is devoid of any shock absorbers and is most often found in other types of bicycles, but not in mountain bikes, since the rider's comfort is questionable even on a relatively flat road.

Moreover, it is this design that provides the highest quality roll-off, which is optimal for long journeys. The classic suspension fork, due to springs, cartridges and dampers, neutralizes shaking on pits and bumps, but at the same time, for obvious reasons, it weighs more and costs more.

For obvious reasons, the brakes are the most important part of a mountain bike. They are of four types.

• Mechanical vibrating racks installed on most inexpensive models. The simple design makes the mechanism cheaper, but the owner will have to deal with the maintenance of the rim and pads.
• Hydraulic vibrators for mountain bikes are rare, but sometimes they come across. In fact, braking, as in the previous case, is carried out by compressing the rim with pads, however, the force from the lever to the wheel is transmitted not by a cable, but by oil - it turns out more efficiently.
• Mechanical disc brakes similar to motorcycle ones, they can be found both on cheap models and on samples of the middle price range. Here, too, there are brake pads, only they are compressed not by the rim, but by a special brake disc. The result is smoother braking without the need for rim maintenance.
• Disc hydraulics - the best of all options, such brakes are usually found only on expensive bikes. The difference in relation to mechanical disc brakes is the same as between vibracks of the two types - disc hydraulics also compresses the brake disc with pads, but not with a cable, but with oil pressure. Freeride, downhill and trial models are usually equipped with just such a system.

Finally, the last fundamental point - wheels... Their diameter is usually slightly smaller than that of urban counterparts and is 24-26 inches, although hybrid models can have all 28. Typical tires for such vehicles are quite aggressive, with well-visible tread to cling to uneven roads. At the same time, on smooth asphalt surfaces, such rubber not only does not help, but also interferes, therefore the owner should take care of purchasing a spare kit.

How to choose a mountain bike up to 20,000 rubles, see the next video.