Top 5 Mountain Bikes for Beginners in 2022

Many people make the mistake of not choosing a bike responsibly enough. In reality, you should not rely only on good comments on the Internet about the model or someone’s advice. It is important to approach the choice of bicycle objectively as it is one of the most important things in mountain trips. Rely only on your interests and the purposes for which you will need a bicycle. If you choose the right bike according to this, it will provide you with the most comfortable and safe ride. In addition, you can take a look at travel blogs for more advice on how to pick a bike.

Also keep in mind that mountain bikes, in a case of proper selection, can be a perfect option for everyday use. Take a look at the comparison table and 5 do’s and 5 don’ts while choosing a mountain bike to find out more about which models are suitable for driving on any road type.

We believe that this article will make your choice easier and you will be able to find the ideal model, which will suit you in all possible characteristics. So, let’s get started from the comparison table.

Comparison table: 5 best models of mountain bikes for beginners

	
Model
Characteristics


	
The best functionality

 Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike

Wheels: 26 Inches

Vehicle weight: 52 Pounds

Frame size: 17-Inch

Material: Steel

Suspension type: Rigid

Number of speeds: 7

Benefits
The best functionality of every component due to clever construction;
The best stability of construction due to fat tires;
Easy to drive on any kind of road thanks to the design of the wheels;
Good on hills;
The most comfortable for overweight people due to strong construction


	
The most comfortable ride

Mongoose Status Mountain Bike
Wheels: 26 Inches 

Vehicle weight: 42 Pounds

Frame size: 16-Inch

Material: Aluminum

Suspension type: Dual

Number of speeds: 21

Benefits
The most comfortable and smooth ride due to dual-suspension construction;
The easiest and the fastest assembly because many parts have already been assembled;
Perfect for children due to the small size of the frame;
Smooth gear shift;
Effective brake system


	
The best on every kind of road

 Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike
Wheels: 29 Inches 

Vehicle weight: 49 Pounds

Frame size: 18-Inch

Material: ‎Aluminum

Suspension type: Dual

Number of speeds: 24

Benefits
The best on every kind of road thanks to big 29-inches tires;
Smooth-shifting;
The most comfortable for tall people due to the big size of the frame;
The stylish color combination in the design


	
The highest quality of materials

 Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle
Wheels: 27.5 Inches

Vehicle weight: 32 Pounds

Frame size: 17-Inch

Material: Aluminum

Suspension type: Front

Number of speeds: 21

Benefits
The highest quality of materials due to strong aluminum and magnesium components;
The most lightweight due to aluminum frame;
Innovative brake system and shocks;
Easy and fast shifting;
The most stable on the slippery road due to wheels’ resin construction


	
The most optimal design

OBK Mountain Bike
Wheels: 27.5 Inches

Vehicle weight: 35 Pounds

Frame size: 17-Inch

Material: Steel

Suspension type: Front

Number of speeds: 21

Benefits


The most optimal design due to the comfortable placement of every component;
The suspension fork smoothes the bumps and is easy to control;
The most effective work of the system due to strong aluminum rims and magnesium wheels;
Fast and smooth shifting

5 do’s while choosing the best mountain bike

1. Decide which roads you will take. Mountain roads can be both asphalted and rough, paved with stones, or even without trails at all. When choosing a bike, you need to choose the right design and size of the wheel. For example, if it is an asphalt road, it is important to choose a model whose wheels do not slip if the road is wet (for example Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle). 

If it is a rough road — the best choice is wide wheels as Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike has, that can easily overcome small obstacles and make the ride as smooth as possible. This will help make the trip easier and the most comfortable.

2. The length of the trip. If you are going to the mountains for a long period, you need to take care of the bike model in advance. You will probably take a lot of things with you, so you will need to be able to secure them to the bike itself. It is important to be sure that you can attach a backpack, water holder, or phone holder. This will make the trip much more comfortable and help you get less tired while driving.

3. Whether you will travel alone. If you are going to travel on your own, it is important to pay attention to the weight of the bike. In the mountains, there will often be situations when it will not be possible to ride, and you will have to carry a bicycle in your hands. 

If you understand that you can’t lift too heavy things on your own and there is no one with you who can help, choose the most lightweight model. For example, Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle weights only 32 pounds while Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike weights 49 pounds. This is a big difference.

4. Whether you will ride on a steep road. If you are riding on a road where the angle of ascent or descent is very large, you should choose a bike with as many gears as possible. This will make it easier to adjust the bike to the type of road you will be riding. For example, OBK Mountain Bike has 21 gears while Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike has only 7. As a result, you will not get tired so quickly and will be able to continue driving as long as possible.

5. Design comfort. Even though the design of mountain bikes is very similar, it still has their differences. Pay attention to the size of the frame, the position of the components, and the ease of shifting gears such as Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle has. These components can vary greatly, so when choosing a bike, pay attention to the design.

5 don’ts while choosing the best mountain bike

1. Ignoring how often you will ride a bike. A bicycle is a valuable thing and can often be expensive. But if you are going to have long trips, even if they will be only one time per year, you shouldn’t save on that purchase. Every component of the bike is very significant when we talk about this kind of traveling. You need to provide yourself with the best vehicle to avoid any problems during this time.

But if you plan to have less serious trips, such as spending a weekend in the mountains with friends or just going cycling with the family for a few hours, you should not care about these components too much. Then you should choose a less professional model. This will significantly change the purchase price. 

2. Buying a professional bike as a beginner. Many people make the mistake of choosing a professional bicycle when they rode a bike only a few times or never rode at all. This not only makes the purchase very expensive but also useless. 

It is difficult for a beginner to understand how everything works, so it is better to start with simpler and cheaper models. For example, Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike has only 7 speeds. It makes the use of it much easier. But on the other hand, it will be more difficult for you to adjust the gears to the slope of the mountain. That is, you may need to use more energy to drive up a steep mountain. 

So when you start to feel that the functionality does not suit you and you want to have more opportunities, then choose a professional model.

3. Ignoring the suspension type. How smooth the ride will depend on the suspension. That is, if you plan to ride on an asphalt road, the bike may not even have a suspension. But if we are talking about mountain roads, where the bike will bounce even on a small stone, it is worth providing yourself with a dual-suspension to reduce the risk of falling and inconvenient trips. 

In general, bicycles with only front suspension are referred to as hardtails (for example, OBK Mountain Bike or Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle), and bicycles with suspension in both the front and rear are referred to as dual (for example, Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike and ) or full suspension bikes. When a bicycle has no suspension it is called rigid (such as Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike).

4. Not paying attention to the design and the color of the bike. Many people make the mistake of choosing a bicycle model based only on technical characteristics. The design also plays an important role. The model must have a wide selection of colors so that you can choose the most suitable. For example, Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike has 3 available colors, so you probably will choose the best for you.

5. Ignoring frame size. Many people do not pay attention to this fact, being sure that they will be able to simply adjust the height of the seat and it will solve everything. But in fact, the size of the frame matters a lot. And there are generally accepted standards that a person’s height should match the size of the frame.

In our article we have models of different sizes, so you probably will able to choose one for you. Here is the table where you can compare models and choose the best one according to your height.

Comparison table of the perfect models for a certain  height

	
Perfect model
Characteristics


	
Mongoose Status Mountain Bike

Person’s height 5'3" - 5'7"

Frame size 15 - 16 inches (S)


	
Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle



Person’s height 5'7" - 5'11"

Frame size 16 - 17 inches (M)


	
Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike

Person’s height 5'11" - 6'2"

Frame size 17-19 inches (M-L)

How did we choose

We conducted an in-depth market analysis and studied comments from more than a hundred buyers. Based on user comments and characteristics of the models, we have identified the most important criteria that must meet the best beginner mountain bikes and chose the top-5 models with the best functionality. To save your money and time, we present this analysis of each of the models to make your choice easier.

A detailed review of each model

Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike — the best functionality

Pros

• The best functionality of every component, which makes the ride as comfortable as possible
• The easiest ride on a rough and solid road due to fat tires
• The form of tires makes the construction very stable

Cons

• Uncomfortable seat, so you will need to buy another one

If you are tired of similar bicycle designs and are not satisfied with their functionality, then this model is for you. Thanks to the fat tire, it is easy to ride on mountain roads and pass any obstacles. 

Moreover, many buyers note that this bike is very stable, which is also a very important aspect of safety. This stability is ensured by the weight of the bike. it weighs 52 pounds when such Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle only 32. For someone, it can be both a plus and a minus. Therefore, pay attention to whether it will be convenient for you to have a model with this weight.

Also, it is important to mention brakes and gears. The system responds very quickly to any command. Therefore, if you need to stop quickly, this model will do it very fast. A small number of gears can also be considered a plus. Since number there are only 7 of them, it is easier for a beginner to navigate in functionality. For example, the Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike has 24 gears, so if you’ve never ridden a bike before, you may find it difficult to understand how the system works.

A big plus in the design can also be considered a large selection of bike colors. You can choose from three different colors and find the best one. For example, if we talk about , it has only one available color.

Mongoose Status Mountain Bike — the most comfortable ride

Pros

• The most smooth and comfortable ride due to dual suspension
• The best model for children due to the small size of the frame
• Effective brake system

Cons

• The color in reality may be a bit different (red looks like orange)

If you want to ensure the most comfortable and smooth ride during mountain trips, this bike is for you. This bike has dual suspension (with suspension in both the front and rear). Dual suspension design is now the best option in mountain models because these bikes have improved stability while descending and on bumps. 

A dual suspension will absorb most of the sharp blows that would otherwise be aimed at your body or in some cases even throw you off the bike. It can help not only have a more long and comfortable trip, but also reduce fatigue, so it will allow you to drive faster. For example, Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike has a rigid suspension. It means that he doesn’t have a suspension at all. This can make your trip much more difficult and exhausting.
It is also worth mentioning the size of the frame. Its size is 16 inches, which makes it very comfortable for not tall people or children. To see if it suits you best, you can take a look at the comparison table of the ideal model for a certain height.

Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike — the best on every kind of road

Pros

• The best on every kind of road due to big 29-inches tires 
• The most comfortable model for tall people (5’11” – 6’2″) due to the big size of the frame
• Stylish design due to good color combination

Cons

• Front forks may be not aligned at first, so you will have to fix it by yourself

This mountain bike boasts high functionality not only on mountain roads but also on any road. Due to the large size of its wheels and good traction, it can easily overcome any path. Thanks to the thin 29-inch wheels, this mountain bike is very maneuverable and easy to ride.

Despite its aluminum construction, it is quite heavy, which provides much better stability. But note that this bike is designed for people with a fairly large physical strength. During a mountain trip, there may be a situation where the road breaks off and the bike has to be carried in your hands. Because it weighs 49 inches (while, for example, a Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle with the same aluminum design is only 32 pounds), for many people to lift it will be a difficult task. So rely on your strength.
It is also important to note that the frame size of this bike is quite large (18-Inch), which means that it is suitable for tall people (5’11” – 6’2″). To see if this model is right for you, take a look at this comparison table.

Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bicycle — the highest quality of materials

Pros

• The highest quality of materials due to strong aluminum and magnesium components
• The most lightweight due to aluminum frame
• Innovative brake system and shocks

Cons

• Not clear instructions, you will have to use video instruction to assemble

If you put quality materials in the first place when choosing a mountain bike, then this model is for you. Of course, this article presents only the models that have the most positive reviews from users and are all made of quality material. And it does not matter whether it is aluminum () or steel (Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike) construction.

This bike is very well-made due to strong aluminum and magnesium components which improve its functionality (OBK Mountain Bike consists of the same durable materials). Also this bike has an alloy crank, which provides steady gearing and less maintenance. At the same time, this model is extremely light (only 32 pounds), which makes it very portable and easy to use. This lightweight has been achieved thanks to the aluminum frame. Actually, steel is heavier than aluminum, so if we talk about steel models, they are usually heavier. 

Some people believe that if the frame is not made of steel, it loses its strength. But in reality, this is not the case. If we talk about this model, the balance of components in the design allows this model to be as light as possible without losing strength.
Also, it is important to mention that the effective and fast work of the front and rear disk breaks make it very easy to control the bike on the slippery road. So if you are a beginner in mountain trips and are afraid of difficult weather conditions, this bike will make you feel confident in your safety. To increase safety, we also advise you to buy a helmet.

OBK Mountain Bike — the most optimal design

Pros

• The most optimal design due to the comfortable placement of every component
• The best and the fastest work of brakes and gears
• The suspension fork smoothes the bumps and is easy to control

Cons

• To tighten the seat, you need to apply a lot of physical force, so maybe you will need someone’s help

Of course, for every trip, one of the most important components is the ease of use of the bike. This model brings together the best design qualities that a mountain bike can have. When we talk about the most optimal design, we mean not only the functionality and convenient position of each component but also about the balance of colors in the model and their variety. 

Let’s start with functionality. Although it has front suspension, which means that it softens the ride on the arms making the ride more comfortable (it is also referred to as hardtail). This means that it provides the smoothest ride to the front of the bike. The dual suspension (as Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike and have) is considered the most convenient. But despite this, driving on any road, you will not feel this difference because even with front suspension this bike provides the softest ride and smoothes out any bumps when riding.

This model is special not only because it has 2 colors to choose from, but also can have different wheel designs. One has the look we’re all used to — just metal forks. But there is a second. Instead of all the usual metal spokes in the wheels of this model are made plastic inserts, slightly imitating them. This detail makes the design very unusual. 

Accessories to improve the use of your bike

Phone holder

Many people have situations when they are driving on an unfamiliar road and need a navigator to pave the right route. Holding the phone while cycling is not only inconvenient but also dangerous. Therefore, a phone holder is an ideal option.

	
Model
Characteristics


	
Roam Universal Bike Phone Mount

Size 2.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches

Weight 3.36 ounces

Mounting Type Handlebar

Available color Matte Black

Benefits
Is very comfortable in use due to great versatility;
Fits any size handlebar due to special handlebar clamp
The phone is held securely due to six points of contact;
Thanks to the silicone net, unlike rubber, it is extremely strong and durable.


	
TruActive Premium Bike Phone Mount Holder

Size 1.57 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches

Weight 7.4 ounces

Mounting Type Handlebar

Available color Black+red, green, black, blue, pink, and orange secure bands

Benefits
Comes with 2 bolt sizes for a tight fit on any handlebar;
No tools are required for installation;
Has a custom locking security grip and nonslip, anti-vibration padding;
Fully assembled with a security fitting that locks the cradle to the handlebar grip.


	
Bike Phone Mount

Size 5.86 x 3.58 x 1.71 inches

Weight 8.8 ounces

Mounting Type Handlebar

Available color Black

Benefits
Made of high-quality silicone and plastic;
Has four retractable protection conners;
No shaking and sliding on bumpy roads thanks to clever design;
The phone mount to be adjusted at almost any angle due to a special joint ball.

Bicycle light

Sometimes your travels can take place not only during the daytime but also at night. In this case, it is important to take care of your safety and make yourself visible to other vehicles. A bicycle light can help you with this.

Bicycle portable pump

Also, one of the most important aspects is to ensure your safety, especially if the trip is long. If you plan to travel on an unpaved road, the tire can easily puncture. As a result, you will need a pump to be able to inflate the tires for at least a short time and be able to get to where the wheels will be replaced.

In addition, we advise you to buy the necessary materials for ridings, such as a water holder, helmet, and a set of tools for the bike. Moreover, often the <seat that comes with the bike can be uncomfortable, so it is good to buy one that is more suitable for you. With all these accessories, your trip will be much more comfortable and will be able to provide you with a wonderful travel experience without any problems and inconveniences.

Summary

Although this article was written specifically for beginners on mountain trips, it can also be useful for any cyclist. And it doesn’t matter if you do it as a hobby or if you are a professional in this sport. We hope that our recommendations and tips were useful to you and you will be able to choose the best bike model for you. Recall what are the most important criteria when choosing a model: frame size, height, wheel size, type of suspension, bicycle material, number of gears, the functionality of components and design, suitability for beginners, a certain size of the frame for the height of the person. 

Take the choice of bicycle seriously, because it is the vehicle on which you will spend all your time traveling. Pay special attention to 5 do’s and 5 don’ts when choosing a bike. We are sure that this article will help you choose a bike that can provide you with an unforgettable travel experience. 

So let’s take another look at the list of the top 5 mountain bikes for beginners, taking into account all the above characteristics:

FAQ