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Mountain Bikes Reviews
Updated March 2006
Because of the wide variety of mountain bicycles on the market, comprehensive wheel-to-wheel testing by reputable publications is a scarce occurrence. However, we found a large number of reviews for individual mountain bikes, many of which are written by seasoned enthusiasts. Though it takes a long time to read so many individual reviews, they do allow you to compare bicycles based on price-range and comparable components. We found a handful of comparative tests as well. Mountain Bike Magazine's survey focuses on only five models rated as the best bargains in the 2005 model year. Two roundups from Outside Magazine list several top mountain bicycles, but fail to mention how many bikes were in contention. A write-up for Money magazine by veteran reviewer Ben Hewitt contends that 20 un-named mountain bikes were tested, but Hewitt lists only two as favorites. Due to the huge number of bicycles on the market, we didn't find much overlap between expert and enthusiast reviews. Consumer Reports has a very general article that dates back to 2004 covering low-cost mountain bikes, and we also found decent coverage in Mountain Bike Magazine, which divides its picks into categories such as "New Rider" and "Average Joe." Most other expert-written mountain-bike reviews we found are outdated, and more current articles stop short of making direct model-to-model comparisons. An alternative to expert reviews are the consumer-written mountain-bike reviews found on sites like MTB Review.com or Dirtworld.com, where owners confer in a blog-like setting to examine 2005/2006 mountain-bike models in detail (in addition to frames and components). While it is true that amateur reviewers can sometimes display over-enthusiasm and lack of experience, this kind of grass-roots survey exceeds the range of any single publication's more focused analysis. At MTB Review.com, mountain bikes with the highest rating and a sufficient number of reviews are given a "Choice Award." These awards reflect the input of between 35 to 75 separate entries, and measure consumer interest and confidence in a way that the other publications can't. At one time, the term "mountain bike" described
a generalized bicycle style that meant more or less the same thing to everyone
-- a bicycle that could travel beyond the confines of smooth pavement. Eventually
the combination of a compact frame, oversized tires, and very wide range of
gears became incredibly successful, influencing bike design in every class
-- all the way up to high end road racers used by competitors in the Tour
de France. One of the principle differences between the various styles of
mountain-bike hardware centers on suspension setup: None at all (which is
commonly called a rigid frame), front-suspension (these are also called hardtails)
and full-suspension (also known as dual-suspension). The second major difference
between mountain bikes is the assembled bicycle's overall weight; some mountain-bike
disciplines rely heavily upon the rider's ability to pedal long distances
over a wide variety of terrain while others use the aid of gravity (downhill)
for speed and momentum, so overall weight is less of a factor.
Manufacturers compete in a fast-paced market
to meet the needs of riders within the sport's multiple sub-categories by
offering ever greater refinement and technical improvements that spread rapidly
from high to lower-end mountain bicycles. A proliferation of types now exists,
so everyone from casual riders to enthusiasts and professionals can find bicycles
that fit their riding habits and type of terrain. There is some apparent debate among journalists
as to the relationship between money spent and capacity to enjoy the sport.
While there is inherent logic in the reasoning that pricier products come
equipped with higher quality components and perhaps better engineering and
advanced metals, the fact remains that bicycling is a recreational activity
regardless. The ability to have fun, to enjoy nature, and to get exercise
comes standard with the purchase of any bicycle from department store cheapies
to cutting-edge headliners. The biggest difference between low-end, mid-range
and high-end bikes tends to be in weight, since on cheaper mountain bikes,
steel is often used in place of lighter aluminum or titanium. Weight effects everything
from downhill agility to uphill pedaling and durability.
... Continued
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
We found almost no consensus among professional reviewers, due in no small part to the huge number of mountain bikes and variants on the market. However, we were able to cross reference experts' picks with those of insightful owner-written reviews that we read at MTB Review.com and other opinion Web sites to produce the models in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers. Advertisement
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ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
