Buying a top rated best mountain bikes under $400 can be a difficult task to do. And, let’s be real- No one has 3000 bucks to spend on a mountain bike just for leisure and fun. But, you also do not want to compromise on the features and looks. If that’s your case, then, in this article you can find a chunk of the most incredible mountain companion in less than 400 bucks… Cool? Right?! These amazing bikes are not only affordable but possess marvelous features and equipment like dope tires, cool gears and, a solid-unbreakable frame. So, Let’s get started!
| Related and Must Read : Mountain Bike Buyers Guide |
List of Best Mountain Bikes Under $400
The list below shows some of the best low budgeted mountain bikes that will have most of the features of a professional championship cycle but will be easy on your pocket. It of course won’t be exactly as good as a $2000 mountain bike but will definitely be good for your first few mountain rides.
1. Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike
What’s better – than to start with the most robust bike of all. This impressive-looking bike by Schwinn is a good addition to the market’s low-budget-good-quality bikes. This bike is designed to cater to the needs of adults and kids. It has multiple features that combine to provide a wholesome riding experience to its riders.
Frame: It is constructed with a steel frame which is not usually available in most bikes of this price range. Steel is undoubtedly more strong and sturdy than an aluminum frame. Despite being made up of steel this bike is not-too-heavy to handle as it was around 40lbs. which is pretty manageable.
Gears: The 21-speed gears allow the rider to have the best speed and experience while reading. This is also supported by a grip shifter which helps with seamless shifting.
Tires: This bike comes with 4 tire-size options of 24 to 29 inches so you get to choose the one that suits you best. The knobby tires make it suitable for a hard-core mountain experience due to its deep threads.
Braking system: The linear-pull braking system is not too satisfactory but they work well for small mountain ranges.
Pros
- Easy to assemble with height adjusting options.
- Robust steel frame that provide durability to the bike.
Cons
- May require maintenance and parts replacement in a while.
- Plastic paddles are not that durable and can break if aggressively used.
2. Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Bikes
This unique bike is designed for riders of all ages. It might look similar to most mountain trail bikes but has features that almost none other mountain bikes of this price range has.
Frame: It is structured with a lightweight alloy frame is with a headset. This headset allows height adjustment that allows riders of all heights to have a comfortable ride. Height adjustment also provide
comfort for long mountain rides.
Tires: What makes this bike stand out is its tires. It has huge-sized fat knobby tires. These tires are not only bigger but have a deeply engraved thread that makes them the most appropriate bike for mountain traveling. These bikes can function well on bumpy, sloppy, or rocky roads.
Dual Braking System: Unlike most bikes, this bike has front and back disc brakes which enable the rider to get optimum braking power without applying high pressure.
7-Speed-system: These bikes only have 7 speeds changing system with a twist-shifter that can work in most situations.
Pros
- Quick release option for front tire for ease in storage.
- Affordable, light-weight and great stopping power.
- Equipped with the best tires for mountain ranges.
Cons
- A bit too heavy due to the tires.
3. Huffy Mountain Trail-Bike
This mountain bike is an ideal option for teenagers who strive to become mountain bikers soon. It is designed to provide maximum safety and comfort to the rider through all the terrains due to its amazing features. It is highly affordable and comes with a 10-year warranty that reassures that this bike belongs to the top rated best mountain bikes under 400’s list, it also implies that Huffy ensure customers of the amazing quality.
Frame: It is built with aluminum which is quite easy to carry, move and ride as it is designed for 12-18-year-old kids. The frame weighs around 41 lbs. which is quite light but is not heat-treated like Merax which does not provide the strength and shock-absorbency of a steel frame.
Wheel: The best part about these bikes is the wheel size options. Its wheels are slightly bigger for the frame but this feature allows the bike to maintain its speed and levelness in the uneven mountain spaces. The wheel size for this bike is 20-24-26mm depending on the age and rider’s comfort.
Braking system: The alloy rims and linear-pull brakes provide the best stopping power for bumpy and patchy mountain grounds.
Gearing system: This bike is designed with the Shimano back-wheel derailleur that works with a micro-shift-spin shifter which helps with the jumps and assists in fast pedaling. The 21-speed gear shifting system allows the rider to have the best experience on the terrains.
Pros
- Resin made pedals with durable sewn saddles to provides ease while riding.
- Slightly risen handles to provide back support and comfort.
- Flexible yet strong tires that helps in conquering the highs and lows of mountains.
Cons
- Frame strength is questionable.
- Designed only for kids – Can be small for some riders.
4. Sirdar S-900 27 Speed 27.5-inch Mountain Bike
Sirdar S-900 is one of our favorite top rated best mountain bike under $400 from the list due to its outstanding price to performance ratio. This bike can be your best choice due to a lot of reasons, including the gear shifting system, construction, and assembly details.
Frame: This bike is constructed with an aluminum alloy frame that provides the strength and sturdiness of a trail bike. Most of the components, including the handlebar, gears, and chain are manufactured with carbon steel that makes it good for any type of trial and environment. Carbon steel is strong enough to withstand harsh weather changes during the ride.
27-speed-system: The three derailleur at the front and 9 derailleur provide 27 speeds with the finest shifting mechanism. This feature provides the optimum comfort and amazing experience to the rider.
Braking system: It is equipped with a dual-disc braking system to provide instant stoppage in the middle of the mountain if required. The braking system is indeed reliable and safe.
Saddle and suspension system: To provide the rider with the best experience, this bike comes with 2 replaceable saddles. A stiff sturdy one to ensure performance and a soft comfortable one. The suspension fork also ensures a comfortable ride by its powerful shock absorbency.
Pros
- It has a 27 speed gearing system which is not available in most bikes.
- 2 different saddle options.
- Easy and hustle free assembling process.
Cons
- Disc brakes doesn’t function well. Requires maintenance.
- Some of the parts are low-end and may require changing.
5. Gravity FSX 1.0 – 26”
This is one of the most popular mountain trail bikes under the 400 dollars category. This bike is unbelievably cheap for the features it possesses. It comes in many different looks and has adjustable sizes for both genders and bikers of almost all ages.
Frame: This bicycle is manufactured with hydro-formed aluminum. Aluminum makes the structure light and easy to handle and hydroforming provides it the strength it requires to cope with the mountain ranges. This structure helps the bike to sway less in pressure and allows it to accelerate better.This feature doesn’t really exist in any other top rated mountain bike under $400, because most of them are made up of untreated aluminum or steel.
Gearing system: Its gearing system consists of EFT shifters by Shimano which provides the best pedaling and wheel-turning-speed. The crank is manufactured by Suntour with the 24 gear shifting system that provides the finest control and speed
Tires: These bikes come equipped with 26 inches’ double wheel alloy with average-quality tires. This rim provides tires the stability to keep the balance at the mountain trails. Rims are manufactured with aluminum to provide frame strength and control.
Braking system: The braking system is made up of disc brakes by Tektro Novelo. The stopping power of these brakes is awesome. You just need to twitch the brakes and the bike will stop instantly.
Suspension Fork: Suspension fork in any bike ensures an enthralling mountain experience because this suspension fork allows the bikes to stay stable on bumpy, rough, and rocky terrains.
Pros
- Cozy yet strong Seat-post and saddle.
- Wheel equipped with quick release feature to help clean the cycle or change tires.
- Weather resistant rims with 24-gear shifting system.
Cons
- Handle bars and handle does not provide optimum comfort and ease.
- Tires are not up to the mark.
6. Merax 26″ Mountain Bicycle with Suspension Fork
On a tight budget, Merax 26” mountain bike is one of the best options available for beginner bikers. They are not only good for hard trail rides but also are decent looking and easy-to-drive on roads. Merax has designed these bikes in a way that caters to all the needs of a mountain-rider.
Frame: These bikes are manufactured with a heat-treated aluminum frame which makes it extremely light-weight and sturdy. Heat treatment provides the strength a frame needs to cope with uneven grounds. Weighs around 35 lbs. which is quite easy to carry.
Dual-suspension system: It is equipped with a dual suspension system on both forks. This system allows the bike to take the much lesser impact of any holes, bumps, or shocks on the way. By absorbing the maximum shocks, it makes the rider feel comfortable.
24-speed gear shift: To ensure quality, this bike comes with a 24-speed gear shifting system which is there to help the bike maintain its speed and performance in every landscape and situation.
Braking system: The linear-pull braking system is also a pretty decent one. It provides good stopping power and is quite easy to maintain and fix.
Molded rubber handle: Another amazing feature is its high-quality rubber handles, which are of course essential for a biker. It provides a comfortable and strong grip to help control the bike.
Pros
- High-quality and durable structure – Wheels and frame.
- Equipped with 24-gear shifts and suspension forks for the best riding experience.
- Available in 5+ different colors and looks.
- Quite affordable and easy to carry.
Cons
- Not really easy to assemble or repair.
- A bit noisy bike hubs.
7. Hiland 27.5 Inch Mountain Bike
Hiland is popular for creating the best mountain trail bikes in town. These Hiland 27.5-inch bikes are quite highly rated for their exclusive features like hydraulic brakes, which none of its competitors has! Apart from this, its affordability, looks, and matchlessness make it stand out from the crowd.
Frame: This bike is manufactured with an ultra-light aluminum structure with internal wiring and cords to provide maximum strength. Light-weighted bikes are much easier to handle and drive as compared to steel frame bikes.
Hydraulic disc brakes: This structure is equipped with a dual hydraulic disc brake system. These systems are way more efficient than conventional mechanical systems because they require less energy to apply similar power as that of other disc brakes.
Lockout suspension fork: This amazing feature allows one to lock the suspension fork to make it inoperable. This saves a lot of energy and power while riding on a smooth road where a suspension fork is not required. This is why this mountain bike can also be used on roads and streets.
Speed shifters and wheel: Fortified with 27 speed changing systems with 27.5-inch tires which allows one to have the optimum riding experience on high and low-lands
Pros
- Suitable for all kinds of commute.
- Hydraulic brakes with lock-out suspension fork system.
- Best value for money.
Cons
- May seem heavy as compared to other bikes.
Conclusion and Recommendations :
In our opinion, it is not necessary to spend a hand full of money on buying a trail bike. All you need is a sophisticated bike that helps you enjoy the mountains in the best possible way. Buying a top rated mountain bike under $400 may not seem like a good plan, but it surely works! Still not sure which one to invest in? well, we don’t blame you. All these bikes are designed to provide the best mountain riding experience on a low budget. According to us:
The best overall bike:
Sirdar S-900: It is pretty much evident that this bike if compared to others provides the best features at an affordable price. The carbon-steel components, saddle options, and gearing system make it too good to be true!!
Best Features product:
Gravity SFX 1.0: The best features product undoubtedly has to be the gravity 1.0 version. Its weather-resistant alloy rims, hydro-formed structure, and gearing system make it stand out.
Best Value Product:
Schwinn High Timber: High timber has to be the best value product because of its robust steel frame, tires, gearing system, and affordability.
