Best Mountain Bikes Under 300 Dollars | You Should Check

Buying a mountain bike can be overwhelming, especially if you have to stick within a budget. You will get mountain bikes in varying prices, models, and type. Various cheap mountain bikes are available in market depending on the features that make them unique. We have prepared a list of some of the best mountain bikes under 300 dollars to guide you as you shop. Keep reading to the end to learn more!

As such, you should consider various factors when buying the best cheap mountain bike as you will see in the guide provided below. You want to go for a less complicated mountain bike that suits your needs.

Things to Con​sider When Choosing a Cheap Mountain Bike

Now that you have decided to get yourself a cheap mountain bike, you need to go online and search for bikes that fit within your budget. Some of the factors to take into account include:

Suspension

You may be looking out bike with the rear and front suspension system. Bikes with a full suspension are better for rough trails as they can absorb shock. You should go for a bike with a full suspension since it is fast and will give you confidence to ride it to wherever you choose. If you have a very low budget, you should go for hardtail bike since the price of hardtail MTBs is lower compared to full suspension bike. 

Wheel size

Mountain bike wheel sizes are either 26", 27.5", or 29". The 29" are heavy but roll much better on rough trails. The 27.5" wheel size is the most common and is the lightest of the wheels. This, however, makes it harder for you to ride on some terrains.

The wheel size you choose will depend on the surface you wish to ride on for your adventures. You can also read our MTB Sizing Guide for learn more about perfect sizing that suits you.

Frame Material used

Mountain bikes may be made from carbon fiber, aluminum, or steel. You should go for aluminum-made mountain bikes because they are lighter and durable than the other materials.

The type of ride you want

Mountain bikes may be used for off-road or on-road adventures. Some mountain bikes are made specifically for cross-country, Trail Mountain, or Enduro Mountain. You first need to determine what you will be using your bike for before going shopping since this will help you narrow your choices down.

Up-gradable options 

Most of mountain bike manufacturers try their best to offer cheap mountain bike using quality parts used in the expensive bike. Not all parts of cheap mountain are not good quality. So, you need to upgrade it's part with good ones for getting the most out of it. So you have to choose a cheap bike with most quality part so that you need to replace less number of parts.

You can also ready our mountain bike buyers guide. This guide will give more information on how to choose a right mountain bike effectively.

Reviews of 5 Best Mountain Bikes Under 300 dollars

1. Schwinn Women's High Timber Mountain Bicycle

You are going to enjoy the shimano twist shifters that come with 21 speeds. The Schwinn Women's High Timber Mountain Bicycle also comes with Shimano rear derailleur that allows you to change the rear fast giving you a smooth ride. The mountain bike also has a wide rear range that gives it the desired speed to handle all types of trails with total control.

It is made with a mountain-style frame of 16 inches for riding comfort, and it comes with a front suspension fork that allows you to ride it even on the rough terrains. With this front suspension fork, you will no longer have to worry about humps and bumps on your path.

The mountain bike also comes with front and rear alloy linear pull brakes that allow you to stop as quickly as you hit them. Their power is amazing as it makes stopping safe for you.

The wheels of this bike are 26 inches in diameter, allowing the bike to support a weight capacity of up to 350 pounds. You should know that it is only available in a light purple shade, which may be a turn off for some users who are keen on style and purple is not their color.

2. Xspec 26" 21-Speed Folding Mountain Trail Bicycle 

This mountain trail bike is one of best mountain bikes under 300 as it comes with a disc brake system that gives it a strong stopping power that lasts longer in comparison to the previous versions. It has a white high tensile frame that is foldable for portability even when on rough trails. This way, you do not have to lock your bike somewhere wherever you are out on an adventure. The foldable nature also makes storing the bike easy as it takes up a limited space.

Besides the alloy double wall rims that make the 26 inch wheels, this bike also comes with multiple shimano products that are durable and reliable. These products are the derailleurs and the shifters. The frame and some other parts like the rim are made from steel, which gives them a long life and makes them sturdy.

The suspension system of this mountain bike features the front and rear shock absorbers that enable you to ride smoothly even on rough terrains. The bike can hold a weight capacity of up to 220 pounds and it is ideal for users who are between 5'3" and 6'0" in height. It comes with various gears for adjustable usage, which suits the needs of most users.

3. Merax Finiss 26" Aluminum 21 Speed Mountain Bike

This mountain bike is sold in parts and you need to set it up before use. To assemble its parts, you need to first rotate the fork to 180° then fix the front wheel with a quick-release pin. The great thing about this bike is that you do not need tools to assemble it.

The frame of this bike is made from treated and heated aluminum, which is not only lightweight but also robust. The rims are double wall and made from aluminum. They are 26 inches in diameter, which makes rolling simple for you. It comes in Shimano 21 speed derailleurs and shifters, which are highly efficient when it comes to shifting.

The bike also comes with rear and front mechanical disc brakes that are quick to stop. The suspension fork 80 mm travel is a great feature since it gives you a smooth ride amid bumps and other factors on rough trails. The brakes are at the front, giving you better control of the bike.

It is available in fashion gray and green shades that give you a wider variety of choices to make as compared to the other mountain bike models in the market.

4. Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29er Mountain Bike

This is the best cheap mountain bike since it has a hand-built butted 6061 alloy 29er hard tail frame that accommodates a wide range of user sizes for a comfortable ride. It also has mechanical disc brakes that allow quick stops even on a rugged trail. Moreover, it comes with a suspension 80mm travel fork that gives it lockout abilities.

The rims are double wall alloy for a smooth ride regardless of the surface you are riding on. The bike comes with Shimano 8 Speed EF-51 integrated shifter that acts as the brake lever. The rear derailleur is Shimano Altus RD-M280 8spd, which is of premium quality. The front derailleur is Shimano TX50, which complements this top standard mountain bike.

Unlike the previous models that come with 20 to 21 speeds, this comes with 24, which make it a must-have mountain bike. You can ride smoothly and fast across bumps and other rough roads without worrying about feeling any shock. The aluminum frame makes the bike strong and suitable to a wide range of user sizes.

5. Northwoods Aluminum Full Suspension Mountain Bike

This mountain bike model has an alloy seat clamp that makes it firm, durable, and capable of supporting a wide weight capacity range. Its alloy rims are 24 inch in diameter, which makes riding smooth and comfortable for you. The twist shifters come in 21 speeds that are efficient and highly reliable.

Northwoods mountain bike is designed with a full suspension aluminum frame that comes with a 50 mm steel crown fork. The aluminum make renders the bike strong enough to hold a wide range of weight capacities. The front wheel does not have a quick release feature. You, therefore, need adjustable and Allen wrenches to assemble this bike effectively.

This mountain bike has a Shimano rear derailleur that is of high quality and durable. It also comes with a Crank- Steel Triple that enhances its efficiency. It is designed in both gray and green hues that make it stylish enough for a wide range of users.

Northwoods mountain bike is a great option for users looking to ride on rugged terrains, desert terrains, or street surface. Get a Northwoods Aluminum Full Suspension Mountain Bike today and enjoy your riding adventure.

Our #1 Recommendation

​Finally, we have completed our listed 5 reviews. By considering all reviewing categories, our #1 recommendation goes to Merax Finiss 26" Aluminum 21 Speed Mountain Bike. You can buy it here.

Wrapping Up

The best mountain bikes under 300 make outdoor adventures more interesting be it on-road or off-road. However, when choosing a cheap mountain bike, you should pick one that fully meets your needs. You should consider the wheel size, suspension, construction material, and what you will be using the bike for.

Having said that, we hope that the above list of the best cheap mountain bikes will help you find the best bike for your lifestyle. What are your thoughts about the list? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments with us! Share the article with your friends to help them understand more about mountain bikes too.