10 Best Mountain Bikes Under $300 For Men 2021

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Physical fitness is a staple part of our daily lives, and this is evident in the many different sports we play, from swimming to football to yoga and other adrenaline-inducing activities that help us work out while having fun.

Take mountain biking, for example. It’s challenging, it’s a good workout, and it helps us improve many different skills. However, it can be quite difficult to find good mountain bikes if you’re on a tight budget.

That’s why we’re here to help. We scoured the market and reviewed hundreds of options so you don’t have to. The result? Comprehensive mountain bike reviews of the best mountain bikes under 300 dollars that are sure to get you exercising and exploring the wilderness in no time.

What To Expect At This Price Range

One of the first things you need to understand is that mountain bikes, in general, can be quite expensive. In fact, most entry-level options start at around 500 dollars. That said, it’s not impossible to find cheap but quality bikes that will serve you well.

Now, you shouldn’t expect anything more than basic gear and component quality. The frame will also be heavier than, say, carbon fiber or even aluminum since these materials really drive up the cost of a bicycle.

But as long as you focus on top mountain bike brands, you’ll be able to find a quality mountain bike for under $300. Let’s get started!

Top 10 Affordable Mountain Bikes

Without further ado, here are the eight best mountain bikes under 300 dollars:

How To Find The Best Mountain Bike Under $300

Mountain bikes are complicated rides with many different parts and components to make for a versatile, high functioning ride. As such, there are just as many things you need to consider in order to find the most suitable bicycle for yourself.

It’s even made harder by the sheer number of options on the market for good quality mountain bikes. So, to make your decision process easier, focus on the most important aspects of riding a mountain bike, especially on the things that directly influence meeting your needs and demands on the road and trail.

Most importantly, base your decision on how you want to use the mountain bike, such as where and what kind of terrain you want to ride on, as well as of course your budget.

Why Ride A Mountain Bike?

If you like to ride on mountain trails and take on the challenge of ridges and hills, mountain bikes are what you need. It’s the best kind of bicycle that lets you overcome tough hilly conditions and bumpy road and off-road surfaces.

A mountain bike is lightweight and excellently balanced. It’s outfitted with outstanding gears to offer you the versatility of different riding modes and functions. It also helps you improve your skill and capacity in riding a bike.

If you have the right bike that meets your needs, you’ll be able to enjoy an incredibly fun and satisfying activity where you can learn new skills, explore trails, understand and appreciate movement, and spend quality time with your fellow cyclists.

What you have to understand is there are different kinds of mountain bikes designed for different purposes. Some mountain bikes can be used on smooth dirt paths, some on extremely precipitous terrain, and some on both. Think of it this way- not all terrains have the same intensity, and any kind of ride must be able to match that intensity level.

Terrain

Perhaps the first thing you need to decide on is whether you actually need a mountain bike. For example, if you plan on riding on rugged terrain, you’ll need a mountain bike that comes with an aggressive frame geometry, larger tires, and a full suspension.

Meanwhile, if you’ll likely be riding on relatively smooth and easy dirt paths, a more affordable and lighter bicycle with an upright and comfortable frame geometry, fast-rolling tires, and limited suspension may be more suitable.

That said, if you will only be riding on paved roads and city streets or around the neighborhood, you may not need a mountain bike altogether.

Looking for a different type of bike? How about a multi-use hybrid bike?

Frame Material

One of the most important things that determine a bike’s price, quality, durability, and weight is the frame material. It also affects the bicycle’s gear functions, speed, strength, and longevity. To put it simply, the bike frame is of utmost importance.

There are many different materials that bike frames are made of, ranging from cheap plastics on kids’ bikes to ultra-expensive titanium on the top-of-the-line bicycles that you’ll see in custom bike shops and on the pro race track.

However, when it comes to mountain bikes under 300 dollars, your choice is largely limited to steel and aluminum. Steel is very affordable. It’s also tough, durable, long-lasting, and can withstand a lot of abuse. But, it’s also heavy and has difficulty holding gears.

Meanwhile, aluminum is a lot more lightweight and flexible, but it comes with a slight increase in price when compared to steel frames.

Suspension

The suspension is a must-have on bicycles that want to be able to offer a smooth and comfortable ride on rough and bumpy terrain. When it comes to mountain bikes, you generally have three options to choose from in terms of suspension:

Rigid / No Suspension

Rigid mountain bikes are made with zero suspension on the bike frame, hence the rigid front fork. These bicycles are intended for smooth terrain, including paved roads, gravel, and light trails. A bike with no suspension is lighter and cheaper but feels very bumpy on rough terrain.

This no-suspension feature is not as common on mountain bikes, since they are primarily designed for trail use. You’ll find a lot more options for rigid bikes among other bicycle types that are intended for use on smooth, paved roads.

Hardtail / Front Suspension

Mountain bikes that have a suspension on the front fork but not on the bike frame are called hardtail mountain bikes. These cycles are made for riding variable terrain, so you can go really fast on a smooth surface, and be able to enjoy a comfortable ride on moderately rugged terrain.

For instance, let’s say a mountain bike has a 90mm front suspension, along with 3×8 gears, 29” wheels, and rim brakes. This bike will be ideal for smooth trails, while offering a bit of comfort on dirt paths, and to a lesser extent, on somewhat rugged terrain.

Full Suspension

Finally, there are mountain bikes with full suspension, meaning, the bike has a suspension on the front fork, along with a rear suspension on the bike frame. These bicycles come in a wide variety of options, from 50mm front and rear suspension for mildly bumpy terrains to 200mm suspension, which are the largest of all full-suspension bikes and are made for downhill racing.

For example, a mountain bike with a full suspension of 120mm suspension in the front fork and the rear of the frame, along with 27.5” wheels, a 1×9 gear setup, and disc brakes will do perfectly well on a moderately steep downhill trail. It can perform better on a steeper trail if the suspension is increased.

Gearing

You also need to account for the gearing ratio of the mountain bike. To give you an idea, the common gear setup of mountain bikes is to use two to three gears in the front along with eight gear options in the rear. This means you get 24 different speed gear choices. Also, most, if not all mountain bikes come with both front and rear derailleurs.

The thing is, while more gears sound better, it actually just makes things more complicated since there’s a lot of considerable overlap in the gear ratio, and the gears may not even correlate with their supposed range. For instance, a small gear on a 1×12 gear setup may be easier and better for challenging climbs on steep hills, as compared to that of a 3×8 gear setup.

To make things simpler, just think of the terrain and incline you’re planning to ride on. Flat terrains don’t really require the use of gearing, so you’ll do fine with a single-speed bike, but multi-speeds are a must on steep hills and difficult terrain.

Remember, it’s always best to stay on the safe side, and that means gearing up with the best mountain bike helmet for heady protection.

Brakes

Don’t forget to factor in the bike’s braking system, as this is what determines your stopping power and your overall safety while riding. When it comes to mountain bikes, there are two general types of braking systems: disc brakes and rim brakes.

Disc brakes use extra discs near the wheel’s center where you’ll find the brake caliper attached to, whereas rim brakes use a caliper to squeeze down on the wheel’s rim in order to physically stop if from rolling.

That said, disc brakes are safer and more powerful, and therefore more ideal for mountain biking, since rim brakes don’t really offer sufficient braking power when it comes to riding on rugged trails and steep descents. Though, they’re good for flat and mild terrains.

Wheel Size

The size of a bicycle’s wheels matter. This highly influences how your ride feels and how the bicycle handles on the road and trail. Plus, the wheel size affects the bike’s fit and comfort on your physical build.

With adult mountain bikes, you typically have a choice between 26”, 27.5”, and 29” wheels. Here’s how each one differs apart from their physical dimensions:

• 26” wheels can be found on children’s mountain bikes and older MTBs for adults. These used to be the standard, but nowadays, bigger tires are preferred for mountain biking
• 27.5” wheels are fast, smooth, comfortable, and snappy. They also make for a better fitting and plushier ride, hence their newfound popularity.
• 29” wheels are made for speed and performance, especially when it comes to rolling over rugged terrain, as well as climbing and descending steep hills

 Want to know how a different sized, the wider wheel feels like? Check out this review of the best fat bikes in 2021!

Frame Size

Along with the wheel size, you also have to account for the frame size of the mountain bike, as this is what really determines whether the bike fits you well, meaning, whether you can ride comfortably without straining yourself or causing danger to yourself. Remember, choosing the right size bike is important no matter what type of bicycle you want to ride.

When it comes to adult mountain bikes, the sizes typically range from small to extra large. You can use the sizing guide below to give you an idea, but it’s always best to base your decision on the manufacturer’s size chart. 

Cyclist height	Frame size in inches	Frame size (S-XL)
5’2” to 5’6”	15 to 16 inches	Small
5’6” to 5’10”	17 to 18 inches	Medium
5’10” to 6’1”	19 to 20 inches	Large
6’1” to 6’2”	23 to 24 inches	Extra large

Keep in mind that this is just a simple guide for reference. Riders still have final say on what size bike they prefer. For example, if you’re in between sizes, you can base your decision on the length of your legs or your inseam, aka, if you have longer legs, it’s ideal to size down, and if your torso is longer, it’s more preferable to size up.

Other Factors

There are a few other key elements to take into account if you really want to find the best mountain bikes under 300 dollars. Factoring in as many things as you can in your buying decision helps ensure that you get the best possible bike for your money.

Bike Style

What bicycle-style do you want? What kind of riding do you want to achieve? Are you planning on going on bike paths and taking long-distance rides? Remember, your bicycle is your only friend on the road, so you and the bike need to be on good terms with each other.

This means choosing the right style of bike for your specific needs, preferences, and riding style. Make sure to choose a bicycle-style that really fits who you are as a rider so you can make the most out of your buying decision.

Key Fixtures

Aside from the things we already talked about earlier, such as the gears, brakes, and suspension, there are other key features that you need to check before you make a purchase. For one thing, do they perform well? What you want here are high performing elements that really give you the best value for your money.

For instance, what brand are the components, such as the drivetrain? Are the pedals great, or do they suck? Is the seat comfortable for rigorous and long-distance rides? How about the chain? What is it made of? Does the bike come with accessories, like chain guards and fenders?

Conclusion

To reiterate, buying the best mountain bike for under 300 dollars means being keen and smart in your buying decision. In other words, you have to factor in every single thing, both big and small, so you can really make sure that the bike performs well and lasts long, especially considering its price.

For one thing, not all riders have the same biking needs. Maybe you want a fast bike, while others prefer to go on long rides. Some cyclists like to engage in downhill racing, while others fancy the test of stamina that uphill climbs come with.

Our review of the best bikes above offer plenty of options for these unique riding styles. You just need to decide which one is best for you depending on your specific needs as a rider. And even if you choose something that’s not on this list, make sure to keep in mind the important factors we talked about in our buying guide you can find a great bicycle even with a limited budget.

• Category: Buying Guide