Best Mountain Bikes under $300

Most people will recognize the Schwinn brand, which is one of the oldest and possibly even the most trusted bike manufacturer in the U.S.A. Schwinn has created a lightweight and robust mountain bike with the Schwinn Protocol 1.0 men’s dual suspension bike. The aluminum dual suspension frame, coupled with the 26″ wheels and double walled alloy rims provides for a lightweight and smooth ride over any bumps or obstacles. Components are well specced for this budget mountain bike price level.

The Schwinn Protocol 1.0 features Shimano EZ-fire shifters and comes specced as a Shimano Altus 24-speed mountain bike. As an entry level mountain bike, you can’t really fault the components and the specification levels on the bike. At this price point and with competitors like the Mongoose Status and the Diamondback, the Schwinn Protocol shines with its dual suspension and Suntour fork.

There is not much choice for a 29er at this price level but the Mongoose Impasse HD mountain bike easily makes the list of best value for money mountain bikes under $300. Great specifications include an aluminum frame and large 29″ tires allowing for a lightweight yet responsive ride. The Impasse HD comes equipped with dual disc brakes, an Element front suspension fork, SRAM MRX twist shifters, a Shimano TX-35 rear derailleur and of course the massive 29″ wheels and alloy rims.

So the biggest draw card for the Mongoose Impasse HD are those massive 29″ wheels and the element suspension fork. For tough terrain riding, the big tires and the lightweight frame make you feel like you are literally rolling over the bumps. Some riders may not like the SRAM MRX twist shifters, but we found them to be practical on all terrain types.

Another Schwinn mountain bike makes the list of most affordable mountain bikes under $300, and rightly so, as Schwinn have a number of contenders in this category and Schwinn should really be considered as the best mountain bike brand under $300. The Schwinn High Timber 29” bike really is quite impressive for it’s price (similar to the Diamondback Response). Weighing in at 32 pounds, it’s not the lightest of mountain bikes, partly due to it’s steel frame and huge 29” tires and alloy rims.

However, for this budget bike you get a 21 speed Shimano rear derailleur, large alloy wheels and SRAM twist shifters. Available in a choice of either Grey or Matte Black colors, the Schwinn High Timber is one of those resilient yet agile mountain bikes that can be ridden on nearly all terrains. Alloy linear pull brakes ensure stopping the bike is effortless, whilst the Schwinn MTB saddle ensures a comfortable ride.

Surprise … surprise … Yet another Schwinn mountain bike makes the list of best bikes under $300 (Mind you – Giant also produces some great cheap mountain bikes as well. The reason we selected the Schwinn S29 is due to its great component set and reasonable price level. It may be slightly more expensive than the other Schwinn models detailed here, but with an aluminum 29R full suspension frame, SR Suntour suspension forks, SRAM 3.0 rear derailleur and 21 speed trigger shifters, the bike is seriously well specced for its price.

The 29” tires and the full suspension frame ensure an effortless ride, whilst front and rear disc brakes provide rapid stopping power. What sets this bike apart though is the Trigger Shifters, effortlessly allowing you to change through all 21 gears without much fuss.

Not to be confused with it’s more expensive sibling, the Mongoose Stasis Expert, the Stasis Comp 26” mountain bike really packs a punch for this price point (not dissimilar to the Giant Boulder SE). A 21 speed mountain bike that features an aluminium frame and alloy wheels, and weighing in at just 51 pounds this 26” full suspension mountain bike from Mongoose just sneaks in under the $300 budget mountain bike price point.

The Stasis Comp has a 3 piece alloy crank, 26” tires and alloy rims that all contribute to a durable yet lightweight mountain bike. What we quite liked about the Mongoose Stasis Comp is the quick release tires, great for when you are transporting the bike around.

You don’t often find many reviews on the best mountain bikes for women under $300, but we’ve picked our top list of favorites. And one of the better mountain bikes for women under $300 has to be the Schwinn Women’s High Timber mountain bike. Schwinn’s mountain bikes are designed to tackle anything, and the Women’s High Timber can easily be ridden on the trails, around the neighborhood and down to the shops.

This is one of those mountain bikes that IS actually sold in department stores, but we highly recommend it based on its good aesthetic appeal (with its stunning blue coloring), good components and great value for money.

Diamondback’s answer to the best mountain bike for women under $300 has to be the Diamondback 2016 Laurito women’s mountain bike. The 2016 Model has some improvements over the Diamondback 2015 Laurito model, but both models are fantastically well designed for the price. The 2016 Laurito, with its heat-treated aluminum frame, Shimano 7-speed derailleur and shifters, and multi-surface double walled Chaoyang Hornet 27.5” tires, is a bike you can take anywhere.

Designed for women who just want to ride around the neighborhood, as well as take the bike offroad and for getting onto those trails, the Diamondback 2016 Laurito is definitely a strong contender in this price bracket. Design is pleasing with its light blue coloring, but what really sets the bike apart is that it comes ready-to-ride.

Squarely in the value for money mountain bike price bracket is the Polaris 600RR L.1 ladies mountain bike. But do not be deceived by the price point, as this budget friendly mountain bike packs a real punch when it comes to features. The Polaris 600RR L.1 might be a mouthful, but its hydroformed steel frame and Force SCR2 suspension fork allow this mountain bike to sail over rough terrain. The Polaris comes with 26” tires and 21 speed Shimano Revo Twist shifters, as well as a well specced Shimano TX35 rear derailleur.

Braking is handled by front and back alloy v-brakes, but what we really liked on the Polaris was the Promax gear levers, which just seemed easier on the hands for the ladies. If you are looking for a value for money bike, with exceptional ride handling, then the Polaris 600 series mountain bike features a full Shimano drivetrain, and coupled with the steel frame and aluminum rims, you have a bike that is exceptional quality and value for money.

Mongoose have once again produced an exceptional ladies mountain bike, specifically suited to shorter ladies. The Status 2.2 comes with a full suspension aluminum frame, SRAM MRX twist shifters, an Element suspension fork, Shimano TZ-30 rear derailleur and 26” tires couples with alloy rims. What we really liked about the bike was the Shimano rear derailleur coupled with the twist shifters, as it just seems to allow for quick and easy gear changing.

What wasn’t as great was the saddle, it just didn’t seem comfortable on the longer rides. But changing the saddle is a quick fix, and overall we were impressed with this ladies mountain bike, specifically at this price point. As per most other bikes, the bike does come unassembled and some assembly is required, but once you are up and running then the Mongoose Status 2.2 really is a pleasant ride. The bike is probably more suited to shorter ladies, or even teenage kids, and we would not recommend this bike for anyone over 6 feet tall.

What the …. ? A mountain bike made by Kawasaki ? Yip, Kawasaki has branched out from motorbikes and now produces some seriously wicked mountain bikes as well. The Kawasaki 26G ladies mountain bike makes our list as the best hardtail mountain bike under $300, so it’s definitely for a slightly different market as most ladies mountain bikes are full suspension bikes. The K26G comes loaded with front suspension, Shimano index twist shifters and linear pull brakes. It’s an 18 speeder, with Shimano gears and 26” tires, perfect for a starter rider or for the quick commute to school or work.

From a design point of view, it’s one of a few ladies mountain bikes that doesn’t come in light blue! In fact, the mostly white 18” frame with pink detailing is actually quite stunning, and the only negative we had was the weight, mostly due to its steel frame.