The 3 Best Mountain Bikes for Beginners in 2024

Fresh off your first few trail rides, and hopelessly hooked on mountain biking? We get it! You're starting down a path that can lead to a lifelong hobby. Now it's time to find the best mountain bikes for beginners!

If you've done your first few rides, you'll know that you can't just bring any bike to the trail. When you’re looking for your first mountain bike, you need to find a bike that will hold up to the high demands that trail riding places on it. There’s a lot to consider- price point, riding style, and key features like suspension all make a big difference to how well your bike will fit your needs. If you are unsure what bike to go with, this guide will help you make the right choice when you head to your local bike shop or search online for a bike. There will even be a few recommended models at the end!

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For beginners, choosing a mountain bike can be overwhelming. To make the process easier, consider your budget and the type of riding you'll be doing. A bike that fits you properly is also crucial for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Finding the right mountain bike for you will take some time, and there are different ways to go about it. The easiest way to secure a great bike is to visit your local bike shop- they'll have an experienced employee that can guide you to the best bike for you. This is a great option since you'll be able to test different sizes and different models quickly to find your first bike. However, you'll be paying a premium for a brand-new bike, as well as the markup for the shop's cut.

Shopping online or at a used bike store is a great way to lower the price range of entry-level bikes, but you'll need some basic knowledge to understand what type of mountain bike will work for your needs. Here are some guiding factors that you can use to determine what's worth your money or not. Don't get discouraged if you don't find the right bike at first, especially if you're shopping secondhand. Great deals on bikes pop up all the time- slow and steady wins the race!

If this is your first mountain bike purchase, one way to know that you're going to get a good value is to choose a brand that has made a name for itself in the industry already. Brands like Santa Cruz, Marin, Specialized, and Trek are all well-known for their contributions to mountain biking and will have perfectly good entry-level mountain bikes.

The amount that you spend on your bike can directly correlate to the level of quality and components of your mountain bike. Check out the table below to get a better idea of the different range of specs you can expect depending on your budget, as well as some of the brands to go for.

If you're shopping secondhand, one of your best guideposts to getting great value for the price is to stick with these brands. While it's always nice to have the latest and greatest, iconic bikes like the Specialized Rockhopper have been a solid choice for mountain bikers for decades. Even if you can't find something made in recent years, it's worth serious consideration to go with one of these brands.

Generally, a smaller wheel will accelerate faster but needs more active stabilizing in order to keep your balance. A larger wheel will absorb more of the trail but will be slow to get going. For more information on this, you can check out our guide to mountain bike wheel sizes.

Trek has been a major player in the US bike industry for decades, and their entry-level mount bike, the Trek Marlin 4, has everything you need to get out on the trail, and plenty of capability to serve as a daily commuter.

With a 100 mm front fork, mechanical disc brakes, and a 3X7 drivetrain, the Marlin 4 delivers comfort, safety, and the ability to handle steep climbs at a remarkable $530 price point. With mounts for a back rack and fenders, you can easily upgrade this bike into a commuter and make use of it off the trail. Still, Trek has designed a bike that is ready to ride tough, technical terrain without skipping a beat.

Since the release of the iconic Stumpjumper, Specialized has been known as a company at the forefront of mountain bike development. The Rockhopper has a decades-old history as one of Specialized's premier trail riding bikes, making it a great choice for first-time buyers who want to know what quality feels like. With a 2X8 Shimano MicroSHIFT drivetrain, you'll have plenty of gear range to tackle tough hills and make the most of steep downhills.

A custom Suntour front fork gives you the perfect amount of suspension. With Radius mechanical disc brakes rounding out the build, you have everything you need to have a good time on the trail. Retailing at $650, this bike is a great starter bike for any rider.

​For those willing to spend a bit more, the Marin Bobcat Trail delivers some nice upgrades that you'll thank yourself for as you get more seriously into mountain biking. Marin's name is based on Marin County, one of the birthplaces of mountain biking, and since 1986 they've been pioneers in the sport.

The Bobcat Trail is their entry-level offering and is perfectly set up to get you on the trail and keep you riding happily for years to come. Their Suntour front fork has 120mm of travel, more than any bike on this list. The Shimano Altus 2X8 drivetrain is sturdy and gives you plenty of options. Impressively, the Bobcat Trail 3 comes with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, which offer superior braking power and durability as compared to mechanical disc brakes. At a $699 price tag, sometimes it pays to splurge a little!

If you're buying mountain bikes for beginners, you're just at the beginning of your journey- get started on the right foot by investing in a bike that will serve your needs for years to come. It may be tempting to spend less at first, but striking the right balance between price and quality will serve you better than going for the cheapest option.

Planning your next big mountain biking trip? Let ROKFORM help! Check out our essential packing guide to make sure you don’t forget anything on your next ride. If you’re dreaming up new locations to push your limits, you can pick from our list of mountain bike destinations that will be sure to deliver on a good trip!

Have questions about our products or which case is right for your smartphone? We are available for online chat or in-person at our Irvine, California showroom. Call us toll-free at 855-765-3676, or email us at info@rokform.com, or visit us at www.rokform.com