Mountain Bikes: Reviews

It's not the most rugged mountain bike, but reviewers say it's hard to beat the Trek 3900 for beginners on a budget. This aluminum-framed mountain bike is a hardtail bike, so there is no suspension in the rear, and only a… small amount of travel (just over 3 inches) in the front. The Trek 3900 is designed for light off-road use on dirt and gravel trails, and reviewers say you shouldn't expect to take this bike off jumps or over rugged and technical terrain. This mountain bike earns high marks for a rigid frame and smooth shifting, but experts recommend spending a little extra to upgrade to disc brakes, which offer more reliable braking in dirt and mud, on the Trek 3900 Disc (MSRP: $480). Overall, reviewers say this bike is a great value and a good fit for new riders looking to escape the confines of smooth pavement.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Kona has a reputation for building quality mountain bikes, and experts say the Kona Kula is a prime example. Although serious XC racers spend thousands of dollars on their pro-level bikes, the Kona Kula provides solid… performance -- at a great price -- for new and aspiring racers. In fact, it wins a head-to-head test against three comparable mountain bikes, with testers saying the lightweight, 26-pound frame and stable handling make it fly over the dirt. The Kula, which was first introduced almost 10 years ago, is a hardtail bike that is widely praised for offering great value. Reviewers say the Kona Kula sports several quality components for this price point, including hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano XT derailleurs.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

If you frequently tackle rugged or technical terrain, the all-mountain Specialized Pitch Comp is a well-reviewed option. All-mountain bikes are sturdier and more rugged than traditional mountain bikes, and the Specialized… Pitch Comp is no exception. With a frame platform based on the top-end Specialized Enduro SL, 6 inches of travel and 2.3-inch-wide tires, this bike is designed to handle everything from steep hills to rugged descents. Although reviewers praise the performance, the Specialized Pitch Comp also gets high marks for value. Multiple reviewers say it's hard to find a mountain bike with this level of performance at this price. Their biggest complaint? There's no shock lockout to fine-tune the ride for level terrain.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Trail bikes are becoming an increasingly popular option, and many experts say they are great all-around bikes for riders who do a little bit of everything. The full-suspension Giant Trance X2 gets rave reviews in this… category, with multiple experts praising its versatility and performance over everything from smooth to rough terrain. It beats out several comparable bikes in a head-to-head test conducted by Mountain Bike Action, where its precise handling and a comfortable ride set it apart from the competition. The Giant Trance X2 has 5 inches of travel and uses a Shimano XT rear derailleur and shifters. Some reviewers say a few components could use an upgrade, including the grips, which take a few hits for being uncomfortable. Overall, though, reviewers find few downsides for the Giant Trance X2. As an alternative, the Trek Fuel EX 8 (MSRP: $2,640) also gets rave reviews in this category.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

When Gary Fisher, one of the legends of mountain biking, announced that his new Roscoe bikes were the best he'd ever made, bike reviewers took notice. As a result, few bikes received more buzz in 2009 than the Gary Fisher… Roscoe. The bike falls somewhere between the trail and all-mountain category; it's lighter than all-mountain bikes, but has more travel (5.5 inches in total) than trail bikes. Reviews say the buzz was warranted, especially in the case of the Gary Fisher Roscoe 3. Testers say the Gary Fisher Roscoe 3 tackles both steep climbs and rugged descents, and easily absorbs hits and obstacles on the trail. If you like the Roscoe but can't handle the price tag, the Gary Fisher Roscoe 1 (MSRP: $2,970) also gets good reviews and it costs $2,000 less.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse