Best Budget Hardtail Mountain Bike | 5 Budget Friendly MTBs under $1000 | Buyers Guide 2022 2023

CLARIFICATION: The Kona comes with a cassette NOT a freewheel. There was a typo on their website which has been corrected.

Bikes are so much better these days! Which one do you like the best?

These are 2022 Models. So they should be available or available soon.

Some of these Suntour forks have warnings on them not to use it for trail riding and only use it for easy XC riding, is that true or they are just required to say that?

All great choices but I feel another bike which is an incredible machine, that is the Canyon Stoic 2 29" 2023, my bike. This bike is a beast out on the trails

Just got a Rangfinder at REI for $599 pre tax. Epic sale going on right now on them

Can someone help me which bike should I get the Marlin 6 gen 2 or the rocky mountain fusion 10? btw Im beginner thankx

I just got my first real mountain bike a 2023 Gt avalanche sport it’s pretty nice I just wish it was a 1x not a 2x but other than that it’s a solid bike

How do this bikes compare to the marlins 6,I'm in the look out for a bike,we have seems the marlin 6,but wondering if theres any other bikes out there for around that price,ill be getting 2 bikes(partner and i) and a bike trailer

Hey im looking to get into trail riding with my wife and im stuck right now between the trek marlin 6 or the salsa rangefinder advent/deore. Theyre both $750 at my local stores. Any insight would be awesome!

Whyte bikes the 800!and 900 series Hardtail models are bang on for the bucks

Coil forks no thanks

Kona doesnt have a freewheel. Kona doesnt use them at all. It is a normal advent cassette

Good job. thx for that. You are Pro.

Marin is my favorite which I just started getting into

Local shop that sells Konas (Ascent Cycles Colo Springs CO) told me the Fire Mountain is NOT freewheel, that it's a cassette?

I'm wanting to get into trail riding with my kids. We would be on rolling, hilly terrain - nothing too crazy - so I'm looking for an entry level bike that's comfortable but capable. I am 6'2", 215 lbs, 38 yrs old, reasonably fit, and my arms are the length of someone 2-3" taller than me (if that makes a difference). Currently, the Marin Bobcat 4 is on sale for $810 (shipping included); the Rocky Mtn Fusion 10 is on sale for $866 (shipping included). Would you recommend one over the other? I'm pretty new to this so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

ragley marley 2.0 might be a good addiion to this list.

I bought my san quentin 2 special edition for 790euros (little over 800$) which was really amazing offer. Love how it works on icy trails on winter.

The polygon xtrada 7 is currently on sale for 849 in the u.s.

the bike that i have now is a trek marlin 5 i bought it new for 750 it suits me and it is a good bike it isa a size small with 27.5 wheels

Rocky Mountain Soul 10 or the Marin Bobcat Trail 4?? Which is the best on this list ?

Is it Assembled

can you do a video on mountain bikes under $100?

You have to be crazy to spend a thousand on a mountain bike, or have more money than brains. What the bastards want $1000 for sold for $150 a year ago.

I am torn between 27.5 qnd 29 I am an older rider who has been riding MTBs over 30 years. I am about 5 9.5 in height

Are treks not good?

Of all the bikes you mentioned, which in your opinion would be the best for a beginner and also bedt value for the money. Looking to purchase a bike soon and saw the marin san quentin and is on my list.

There's not s bike under a thousand that I would own I think 1500 is about the price point for a sufficient entry level hardtail

I don't know any of these bikes, the two I have been considering have been the Trek Marlin 7 and the Giant Talon 1 2022 models. I have a Motobecane Fantom Trail D/S I picked up from Marketplace, but for some reason I despise that thing! On level terrain including asphalt it's a chore to pedal, my strength training bike a Mongoose Vinson fat tire is actually a lot easier to pedal up to and maintain speed!? I've had the Fantom serviced at the shop with new cassette, chain, and full tune up, and it's still a chore to ride. It's pretty bad when I go to the local trails I grab my Mongoose ridged fat tire rather than my duel suspension Motobecane.

Hi I am 5’9’’ and weigh 189lb what size tires and frame you recommend?

What about the giant talon 1?

Hi, I like the look of the San Quentin, what's it like when climbing, I'm 64 years old now and I'm not going to hang my boots up yet. my old GT mtb has seen better days, so looking to up grade, thanks.

Great video... I'm an 47 older noob... looking to get into mtb could you suggest a starting platform for an easy upgradable as skill increases... hardtail looks fun thou I'm not sure if a squishy might be a better option for me... thou budget is a problem under 1000$. Used could be an option... what is your suggestions... thanks for any help.

Would love a video like this for Road bikes.

I just picked up the 2022 Giant Talon 1 with 27.5”, just under the $1k mark with an air fork which is unheard of. I have about 200 miles on it now and I’m loving it.

IMO That Marin San Quentin steals the show! And, for what it's worth, my advice would be: 'Spend as much money as you absolutely can'!

Don't go: 'I have this much money but if I only buy that, I will have this much left in the bank or that much left over for a doo-da'. Or else, you will always know that you do not have the best bike you could have afforded, at the time, and you will always regret what you did. It is is a hellish thing to have just spent a lot of money on pretty expensive new bike and be wishing you had something else. I bought a Ragley Marley 2.0 and, even so, I wish I had spent 300 more on the 1.0, with the 11 gears, dropper post and Marzocchi's.

Also (and this is a good one), check eBay (not just for 'used') for 'New (Other)'; or big retailers who sell reconditioned 'Customer Returns'. They may have one or 2 chips on the frame, that you would probably acquire within a few weeks, anyway, or they may have had other issues checked and rectified but they won't be getting sold, still with a problem existing because the seller doesn't want the hassle or negative feedback of another dissatisfied customer return on a website where sellers depend on positive feedback, like eBay and you usually find that the prices end at 3/4, or less, than the normal price, if it's an auction (and they usually are auctioned because the retailers don't want them lying around, taking up space, waiting for someone to buy them at a 'Buy It Now' price. They want them 'out of the door'.

Again: I was kicking myself over that last one because I found out about it, too late.

I cant help to think 1x drive bikes having that long derailleur and getting it knocked off on trails.I prefer 3x at front or 2x to keep derailleur short in the back

There is a better option for $950 vitus senienter

Great review, short sweet and to the point!

This guy's good...

I'm a complete noob, occasional, path, light trail, family rider who's just looking to upgrade from the department store type of bikes. This review is fantastic.
Thank you very much, from just outside Toronto Canada. Currency converter at the ready. LMAO! Sub'd.

I am looking for information on 18 Speed North Country ATB1000 Mountain bikes main interest is price.Reason for the enquire, I was given two of these bikes, one male one female to put in our Knight's of Columbus fund raising sale. Both bikes are like new I would like some help as to what to ask for them. I live on Cape Breton Island Nova Scotia .ca

$1000+/- no air fork, no thru axle? Really limits build ability.

Hello, I am new to mountain biking and I keep seeing the Co-Op Drt 1.1 pop up as recommended. What do you think about it?

kross level 1..I have one and it's good for the price. racing geometry..

What do you consider a shorter ride or does it depend on the eighth of the person how tall or how short do you have to be to operate a small medium large or extra large frame for any of your bicycles that you are reviewing?

wheres the trek roscoe

I’ve never seen 120 mm of travel out of my suntour xcr… it tops out around 70… this fork is straight garbage

Hi my friend...
I'm Jim from Greece, and i need a new hardtail...and i saw youre suggestion about Marin quentin 1, so my guestion is Marin or Trek Roscue 6?

Bought a RM Fusion 10 last fall. Very nice.

What's up with the Motobacane chainstays? The drive side is higher. Is it ok or does it create a weak spot?