Best Mountain Bikes Under $500

The Raleigh Talus 2 is manufactured with a lightweight aluminum frame and can easily deal with any track bumps with its large Kenda 27.5” wheels and 2” wide tires. A 21 speed bike, coupled to Shimano EZ Fire shifters allows seamless gear changes and the reliable Promax Alloy V-brakes make this bike one of the easiest to handle mountain bikes, and that’s for both cranking up a steep trail or cruising down the road. Fitted with the Raleigh Plush Saddle, this is a mountain bike you will enjoy riding

Specced with mostly Shimano entry level components like it’s Shimano Altus 7-speed derailleurs and Shimano EZ-Fire shifters, the Diamondback Sorrento is a well built and sturdy bike that is pitched at riders looking for a truly all round bike.

With its SR Suntour suspension fork with lockout (offering 63mm of travel) and the rigid aluminum frame, the Switchback Sport handles most rough terrain with ease. Shimano EF51 shifters coupled with 21 speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain allow for quick and seamless gear changes, and for this price point, the Mongoose Switchback Sport is a fantastic mountain bike for casual and serious riders alike.

Featuring powerful Tektro disc brakes and a wide range Shimano 24 speed drivetrain, Suntour suspension fork and a Lockout Suspension form round out a well-specced mountain bike. Shimano components abound on this bike, with Shimano Acera rear derailleur and Shimano front derailleur, for the price you are getting some pretty nifty gear.

The Nashbar AT29 is also well specced in terms of components with both Shimano front and rear derailleurs as well as Shimano Altus Rapid Fire trigger shifters coupled to a 24 speed drivetrain. What we really liked about the Nashbar AT29 is the crankset (SR Suntour XCR SIX) and its wide range 11-32t cassette. Enough of a selection there to allow you to power up the steepest of hills and provide enough juice and gear selection for a speedy descent.

With SRAM X4 trigger shifters, the large 29inch tires and a very responsive dual suspension make this MTB great for riding even the roughest trails. Front and rear disc brakes provide acceptable stopping power but nothing that matches bikes fitted with hydraulic brakes. What we really liked about the 29” Mongoose XR PRO was how it was ready to go out of the box (minimal assembly required). Also, there is not much that you need to upgrade on this bike, except maybe the saddle and the seat tube (especially for taller riders).