Discover the Best Mountain Bike Under $200 in 2020

Mountain Bike Under $200
Table of Contents

Mountain bikes are an excellent addition to remaining fit and help you to encounter some of the toughest terrains with ease. Whether you’re on a budget or new to cycling, a low budget of $200 is completely respectable and there are many high-quality bikes available with this price point.

We’ve found eight of the best mountain bikes under $200, which all offer something a little unique. But, if we could only recommend one model, it’d be the Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike. This bike features a suspension fork that dampens the impact from bumps, tree trunks. It also comes equipped with a high-quality, reliable brake system.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  rating price
Best OverallHuffy Hardtail Mountain Bike Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike
  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike
  • Frame Materials: Steel
10
Runner UpMongoose Status 2.2 Mountain Bike Mongoose Status 2.2 Mountain Bike
  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike
  • Frame Materials: Aluminum
10
Roadmaster Granite Peak Men's Mountain Bike Roadmaster Granite Peak Men’s Mountain Bike
  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike
  • Frame Materials: Steel
9
Northwoods Aluminum Full-Suspension Mountain Bike Northwoods Aluminum Full-Suspension Mountain Bike
  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike
  • Frame Materials: Aluminum
9
Kent KZ2600 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike Kent KZ2600 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike
  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike
  • Frame Materials: Aluminum
9
Aonember Men's Mountain Bike Aonember Men’s Mountain Bike
  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike
  • Frame Materials: Aluminum
9
Roadmaster 24" Granite Peak Girls' Mountain Bike Roadmaster 24″ Granite Peak Girls’ Mountain Bike
  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike
  • Frame Materials: Steel
8
Generic 26-inch Hyper Havoc Full-Suspension Men's Mountain Bike Generic 26-inch Hyper Havoc Full-Suspension Men’s Mountain Bike
  • Bike Type: Mountain Bike
  • Frame Materials: Aluminum
8

Review of Best Mountain Bike Under $200

To discover the best mountain bikes under $200, we narrowed down our list by looking at the market’s best brands. It was then important to choose only high-quality, reliable frame materials, along with some type of cushioning to add suspension to the bike and provide a smoother ride for when you’re cycling on tough terrain. 

Below are our top eight selections based on these criteria. We also followed a strict set of features, which we’ve included in the buying guide further down in the article.

Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike—Best Overall

Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike

This Huffy mountain bike features a steel frame that’s strong and durable, making the bike less susceptible to damage and easier to maintain. With a 26-inch frame, this mountain bike is ideal for ages 13 and up, with a minimum height of 5 feet. 

The bike provides a smooth ride, thanks to the suspension fork that can handle bumps, dips, and difficult terrain to offer a smoother ride. It also comes with knobby tears that tear through dirt, mud, and snow with ease. Therefore, this mountain bike helps to reduce any restrictions and provides ample confidence in off-road trails.

Furthermore, it comes with linear-pull hand brakes that deliver a consistent, powerful stopping action. This is great for times when you’re heading downhills at full speed and need optimum brakes. 

This Huffy model also features a premium padded ATB saddle that features stitched sides for premium quality and to ensure the overall comfort while you’re riding for hours. Plus, the seat easily and conveniently adjusts to suit your height, so you can share this mountain bike amongst several rides.

Finally, it comes with 21 speeds, which is great for downhill riding, pure acceleration, and intense uphill climbs. With an extensive range of speeds, you’ll never feel limited or like you’re restricted when riding this mountain bike. Furthermore, the micro shift twist shifter delivers smooth and reliable changes between gears.

Pros

  • 21 speeds for versatility
  • Comfortable padded seat
  • Tires can handle tough terrain and rain, mud, and snow

Cons

  • An aluminum frame would make the bike lighter

Mongoose Status 2.2 Mountain Bike—Best Runner-Up

Mongoose Status 2.2 Mountain Bike

This Mongoose Status 2.2 model is another great contender of the best mountain bikes under $200. It’s equipped with an aluminum frame that makes it lightweight and durable while surviving a range of terrain—even some of the roughest. 

Most impressively, the bike features a full suspension rig to smooth out any bumps that lie ahead of you. This feature can also absorb any vibrations that present themselves on rocky terrain. By providing you with a high level of support, you won’t have to exert as much energy when riding. 

This mountain bike also provides excellent stopping power, which is provided by the linear pull brakes. This makes it possible to bring the bike to a stop with minimal pressure on the bike. In fact, this brake system is also excellent at sustaining severe wear and tear and is capable of bringing you to a stop when riding downhill in tough trails.

Furthermore, the Status 2.2 features knobby tires that are 2.125 inches in diameter. Therefore, you can roll over almost anything in a range of conditions, including dirt and mud. With greater traction in road conditions, you won’t feel limited by the routes that lie ahead of you.

Finally, this model is equipped with 21 speeds, making it an excellent contender for the best mountain bikes under $200. The speed is powered by a Shimano rear derailleur and SRAM twist shifters. Together, these features allow you to experience smooth gear changes, and makes the bike easier to adapt to severe road conditions.

Pros

  • 21 speed levels
  • Full suspension system smooths out any bumps
  • Bike can roll over dirt, mud, and other difficult terrains

Cons

  • Seat isn’t padded and can become uncomfortable

Roadmaster Granite Peak Men’s Mountain Bike—Best for a Smooth Ride

Roadmaster Granite Peak Men's Mountain Bike

This Roadmaster mountain bike is versatile for switching between on- and off-road conditions. In particular, it’s just as comfortable cycling on gravel and dirt paths as it is on asphalt roads. And with a combination of helpful, high-quality features, this mountain bike offers an enjoyable, smooth ride.

For example, this Roadmaster bike features a front fork suspension that helps to provide a smooth ride. This suspension fork can comfortably handle conditions filled with gravel and dirt, while being able to deal with bumps and cracks along the way.

Furthermore, the bike comes equipped with 18 speeds, which is the perfect amount for the average rider and provides you with plenty of power to combat inclines effortlessly. Plus, the Shimano components are the perfect addition for swiftly and conveniently shifting gears up and down. 

In addition, this Roadmaster mountain bike features front and rear linear-pull brakes for quick, crisp stopping. Therefore, you never have to worry about comfortably coming to a stop when you’re riding downhill at high speed. Even during these scenarios, the bike remains comfortable and practical to steer, thanks to the handlebars’ comfortable grip.

Pros

  • Front fork suspension absorbs shocks
  • 18 speeds provides plenty of power
  • High-performing linear-pull brakes

Cons

  • Some reported that the tires aren’t tough for intense conditions

Northwoods Aluminum Full-Suspension Mountain Bike—Best for Rugged Use

Northwoods Aluminum Full-Suspension Mountain Bike

This Northwoods model is another of the best mountain bikes under $200. It comes with 21 speeds, allowing you to comfortably ride in your desired location and environment without anything holding you back. In fact, the micro shift twist shifter ensures that you receive the right gear for your climb. Meanwhile, the linear pull brakes ensure you can stop at the end of your excursion when traveling downhill at high speed.

This mountain bike is designed for the tough outdoors. Its lightweight aluminum alloy frame, 26-inch tires, and 36-spoke alloy rims allow it to hold up well, even during a tough terrain adventure. 

Most impressively, this Northwoods mountain bike features a full suspension system, so you can enjoy a smoother ride when cycling. In fact, this suspension system reduces the impact of vibrations and the bike can smoothly travel over tree trunks, cracks in the road, and bumps, without you having to endure the impact.

Finally, the bike is available in two colors: grey and green, and grey and orange, so there’s a design suitable for everyone. The orange shade is striking and allows the mountain bike to stand out in muddy, off-road conditions.

Pros

  • Full suspension system provides comfort
  • Two various shades available
  • 26-inch tires are great for shorter riders

Cons

  • Some reported difficulties with the shifters

Kent KZ2600 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike—Best for Design

Kent KZ2600 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

If you’re on a low budget, but still looking for one of the best mountain bikes under $200, this Kent model might be the one for you. It comes with an aluminum frame that has the perfect combination of weight and durability. It’s also resistant to prolonged water exposure, allowing you to ride it when it’s raining, or the weather is poor.

Another great design of this mountain bike is its suspension system. It features a full suspension system with its weight evenly distributed across the frame, while utilizing a 65 mm suspension foil fork that comes into play when you’re on tough terrain. The combination of these features provides comfort and cushion to any tough terrain beneath the bike. 

The bike’s also equipped with an excellent braking system that provides incredible stopping power and performs at its best on pavement and tough terrain. Another positive reason to consider this mountain bike is its stunning design. Although you don’t always make a purchase based on appearance, it helps that this Kent mountain bike has a striking finish. For example, its coil spring suspension system on display creates an adventurous look, along with a bright blue shade to make you stand out on trails.

Pros

  • Striking design that stands out
  • Durable and lightweight aluminum frame
  • 65mm suspension foil fork for comfort and cushioning 

Cons

  • Tires aren’t knobby, so it can be difficult in some terrain

Aonember Men’s Mountain Bike—Best for Speed

Aonember Men's Mountain Bike

If you love riding on rocky roads, the Aonember mountain bike might be everything you need. First, it features an aluminum and steel frame combined with a powerful suspension fork. Together, these features enable the cycle to soak up bumps and thumps to offer a more durable riding experience for you. This benefit also means that you can ride farther and in more intense scenarios. 

In addition, the bike comes with durable alloy cranks that provide steady gearing, as well as offering less maintenance on your bike, so you can chill after a long session of biking. This is also ideal if you’re on a budget or don’t tend to have much free time.

This Aonember mountain bike comes equipped with 21 speeds, so you can explore more environments and ride up and down hills with ease. Also, the bike’s 26-inch stylish frame is safe and firm, which also makes it great for shorter and younger riders.

Overall, you can use this mountain bike for smooth pavements, but it also works just as well on rough terrain and for riding over rocks and bumps, allowing you to use this bike for commuting and adventurous routes.

Pros

  • 21 speeds for versatility
  • Alloy cranks are durable and low maintenance
  • Powerful suspension fork to provide a smoother, cushioned ride

Cons

  • Some riders might not be a fan of the bike’s bold design

Roadmaster 24″ Granite Peak Girls’ Mountain Bike—Best for Kids

Roadmaster 24 Granite Peak Girls' Mountain Bike

Looking for a mountain bike for kids? This 24-inch Granite Peak for girls makes an excellent contender. With its 24-inch wheel, it’s a great purchase for girls aged 8 to 12, measuring 4’8″ to 5’6″. This great versatility is ideal for growing kids, while also not being too intimidating for beginners.

The bike features a comfortable front suspension fork that allows youngsters to travel up steep hills with ease, while the suspension system puts in the work for them. The bike’s knobby tires provide an array of security and stability when riding on pavements or dirt roads, while the alloy rims enhance control.

This mountain bike is also fitted with front and rear linear pull brakes to provide quick, crisp stops when needed. This feature is ideal for increasing stopping power when traveling downhill at fast speeds or when you’re riding in mud, snow, or rain and need further stability.

Pros

  • Reliable front and rear linear pull brakes
  • Suspension fork for comfort and absorbing shocks
  • 24-inch wheels aren’t intimidating for younger, smaller riders

Cons

  • Steel frame contributes some heavier weight to the bike

Generic 26-inch Hyper Havoc Full-Suspension Men’s Mountain Bike—Best for Brakes

Generic 26-inch Hyper Havoc Full-Suspension Men's Mountain Bike

This 26-inch mountain bike is ideal for men. It features 26-inch wheels, a full suspension system, 21-speed twist grip gearing, three-piece high-performance crank, Shimano pull brake, and an aluminum frame. The combination of these features works well to create a high-performing, reliable mountain bike.

In particular, the bike’s frame and suspension fork determine this mountain bike’s quality and performance. Its frame is light, strong, and durable, helping to support you on difficult terrain and adjusting well when transferring from smooth surfaces to rocky trails. The smooth fork also absorbs shocks and vibrations from rough trails, allowing you to handle the bike easier and remain more in control en route.

We recommend this Generic mountain bike if you’re searching for a model with a reliable stopping system. Thankfully, the bike comes with front and rear pull brakes from Shimano to provide reliable stopping power. Therefore, you can bring the bike to a stop, without putting your safety at risk.

Furthermore, this Generic mountain bike is comfortable and durable, making it enjoyable to ride and great for a long-lasting unit. In particular, the padded gel seat provides increased comfort, while the rugged frame ensures that the bike won’t damage easily. Plus, the full-suspension system offers increased comfort, so you can take the mountain bike on rough trails and smooth pavements, while hardly feeling the impact of both.

Pros

  • Comfortable padded gel seat
  • Full suspension system for increased comfort against shocks
  • Reliable brakes that come to a stop easily

Cons

  • Doesn’t feature knobby tires for really tough terrain

Buying Guide: What Should I Look For in the Best Mountain Bike for My Money? 

Not sure which mountain bike is for you? These robust, exciting machines can make your cycling experience more fun and enable you to ride in areas you’d never ordinarily consider. Below are some important factors to consider throughout your search. It’s important that you carefully bear in mind each feature’s components to help you choose the best mountain bike for your money.

More: Find the Best Mountain Bike under $300 [Review and Buying Guide]

Wheel Size

There are a few common wheel sizes for mountain bikes, including 26, 27.5, and 29 inches. Firstly, the more tire that comes in contact with the ground, the more grip and stability you’ll receive. Therefore, you’ll feel more secure when riding in wet conditions. 

A bigger wheel equates to more weight on the bike that you have to put in more effort to move the bike. Therefore, a 29-inch wheel is more challenging to ride compared to a 26-inch wheel. Also, because of a bigger wheel’s extra weight and size, these wheels can’t accelerate as quickly. Although the start between a 29- and 26-inch wheel might only be a fraction, this can make a big difference if you’re competing.

In a nutshell, opt for a 26-inch wheel so the bike has a more agile feeling and offers faster acceleration on smooth surfaces. However, this wheel size can drop into holes easily, due to the small size, as well as losing speed quicker than bigger wheels.

Alternatively, 27.5-inch wheels accelerate easier and offer a more balanced and responsive ride in comparison to 26-inch wheels. This wheel size also works well with long-travel suspension frames and forks.

Finally, 29-inch wheels are the most difficult size to accelerate quickly, but can maintain a top speed easier. They also have a higher rolling resistance and have more momentum when riding over rocks, bumps, and cracks.

Suspension

There are two types of suspension system to consider: hardtail and full suspension. Deciding between the two can be challenging as there are benefits to both, but overall, your riding style and budget will dictate the best suspension system for you.

First, a hardtail suspension system will make the mountain bike cheaper and lighter, since fewer components are connected to the bike. This is beneficial for riding uphill, as you’ll have less weight to carry with uphill climbs. Plus, you’ll be able to accelerate quicker than a hardtail suspension system. Some riders also prefer that the bike doesn’t put in all of the work for you to experience a more adventurous ride.

On the other hand, a full suspension system is more expensive and heavier, since it has double the suspension. But there are more benefits to a full-suspension bike than a hardtail one, such as feeling more comfortable and smoother. If you’ll spend a lot of your time on off-road trails and riding over bumps, cracks, and more tough conditions. 

By absorbing these shocks and vibrations, the mountain bike helps provide a smooth ride cushioned. But with all of these features, you’ll need some experience with riding a mountain bike or it might come as a shock (pun intended).

More: Trek Marlin 6 Review: Is it A good bike To Have

Frame Material

There are several materials to consider for your mountain bike’s frame, with the most popular being aluminum and steel. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these two credible materials.

Aluminum

This material is ideal because it’s lightweight and durable, ensuring that the bike lasts for a long time. It’s easier to accelerate and maintain a top speed with an aluminum bike frame by remaining a lightweight. This makes it a great choice for racing.

In addition, aluminum isn’t prone to rust, allowing you to ride regularly in wet conditions and expose the bike to environments near open waters. Aluminum is a stiff material that benefits durability, but it can offer an uncomfortable ride if you’re in rough conditions, as the material has less give on bumpy terrain. Therefore, you may need to consider a full suspension system if you have an aluminum frame.

Steel

Alternatively, steel is ideal if you’re searching for a mountain bike, and you’re on a budget. This material is cheaper to produce, which reduces the cost of the entire cycle. Also, steel’s lack of stiffness increases your comfort when riding the bike. The thinner tubes flex more, adding to the comfort and adding some cushioning to rides on tough terrain.

More: Diamondback Bicycles Lux 3 review: Is It a Good Hardtail Mountain Bike To have

Gears

Not sure how many gears you need on your mountain bike? You can determine this answer by looking at the conditions you typically ride on. For example, if you ride on flat pavements, smooth roads, and with minimal slops, you can opt for a mountain bike with speeds up to seven.

However, if you want to overcome steep climbs and obtain a high speed on flat surfaces, you’ll need a mountain bike with a larger range of gears. Instead, consider a bike with speeds up to 21, so you can cycle up and down hills with minimal challenges.

Brake Type 

Another consideration to make is the brake type, with two options available: mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical disc brakes are inexpensive, making them a great consideration if you’re on a budget. Plus, they have a simple design, making them easy to use, especially if you’re an inexperienced rider.

However, mechanical disc brakes are heavy, which makes the bike more challenging to ride. They’re also more difficult to maintain than hydraulic disc brakes and family easily, so you’ll need to be prepared to maintain the bike. You also need to apply more pressure to bring the bike to a stop.

On the other hand, hydraulic disc brakes are a more ideal choice because they’re smoother and more responsive, allowing you to obtain more stopping power. This is ideal if you plan to ride your bike down steep hills and need brakes that can perform well in this situation. Also, hydraulic disc brakes provide you with an array of control and stability with less pressure from the brake levers, which is ideal for easy use, as well as perfect if you experience pain or difficulties in your hand.

More: Diamondback Atroz 3 Review: is It Good Entry-Level Mountain bike

Weight 

Finally, the lighter the bike, the easier it’ll be to steer and accelerate. This is particularly essential if you’re a newbie and don’t have the experience of cycling at high speeds and don’t want to put in as much effort when cycling. Furthermore, a lighter bike is ideal for cycling uphills.

Alternatively, a heavier bike provides more traction and stability when you’re riding in muddy conditions and on tough terrain. Although a lighter bike is ideal if you want to maximize your pedal performance when riding on smooth pavements and obtaining a higher speed and better acceleration when starting off.

The materials and components have an impact on the mountain bike’s weight. For example, a full suspension system weighs more than a hardtail bike because there’s an additional suspension type.

Who is a Mountain Bike Designed For?

There are many people that a mountain bike is designed for as well as individuals and scenarios it isn’t designed for. For example, you shouldn’t consider buying a mountain bike if you’re looking for a new form of transportation for your daily commutes: this type of bike isn’t designed to travel at high speeds like a road bike.

Instead, a mountain bike is aimed at those looking for an adventurous ride. You should be excited about spending your cycling time in woods, mud, rain, snow, and off-road trails. Although you can certainly ride a mountain bike on smooth pavements, this isn’t an environment where you’ll get to enjoy its top features. 

To cater for riding over bumps, cracks in the road, and over rocks and tree trunks, a mountain bike will have slightly thicker tires than other bikes. This feature provides stability and control when riding in off-road trails. Furthermore, a mountain bike will feature some type of suspension system—whether that’s hardtail or full. It’s necessary to have this feature to absorb the impact from harsh conditions, thus improving your ride, while making the bike more durable. 

The Best Mountain Bikes Under $200

We hope you enjoyed these mountain bikes under $200 review and have more education about the essential factors to consider for making your purchase. We declared the Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike as the winner for this price range, but if we could only include two other runner-up bikes, it’d be the Mongoose Status 2.2 and Roadmaster Granite Peak bikes. 

The Mongoose bike has an aluminum frame that’s lightweight, durable, and rugged, enabling you to cycle on a range of terrain. Plus, the bike’s full suspension system smooths out any bumps on the road, so you can ride farther and faster, while remaining comfortable on the bike. 

Furthermore, this Mongoose model features knobby tires with a 2.125-inch diameter, making it easier to roll over rocks and cracks in the road, so you can use this bike on a range of road conditions. It’s also equipped with 21 speeds for excellent versatility.

Alternatively, the Roadmaster Granite Peak Mountain Bike makes another great purchase for bikers. Its suspension fork cushions the impact from cycling on gravel and dirt and overall making the ride smoother and more comfortable. Also, the front and rear linear-pull brakes provide a quick and reliable stopping power, so you needn’t worry about bringing the bike to a stop when you’re traveling at high speeds. Plus, the grip on the handlebars provides plenty of comfort and security during these challenging routes.

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daniel in queenstown with mountain bike

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