What is the best mountain bike brand? Hard one! When it comes to mountain biking, there are many brands to choose from for that trailblazing bike you might be looking for. Many brands are rich in history, and some newcomers are driving technology forward. It is a fantastic time to be a mountain biker.
Knowing where to start picking and what to look for can be challenging with so many choices. This article will discuss some of the best mountain bike brands where you might want to invest your money. Here we go!
The best mountain bike brands you need to know about!
How we chose the Top 10 mountain bike brands
This top 10 list is based on the popularity of these mountain bike brands in the United States. We determined this by analyzing monthly searches for each brand and their mountain bikes on various search engines.
Your favorite mountain bike brands, our top picks
So, this top 10 is essentially yours, but that is great because we love these top mountain bike brands too! These brands top the search charts and hold a special place in our hearts. Here is what you need.
The 10 best mountain bike brands
- Founded: 1974
- Location: California, USA
- Notable Models: Stumpjumper, Enduro, Epic
- Pros: Constantly advancing technology, wide range of models, high quality
- Cons: Higher prices, overwhelming selection of specifications
- Founded: 1974
- Location: California, USA
- Notable Models: Dolomite, Malus, Boot’r
- Pros: Affordable, strong construction, good BMX and MTB range
- Cons: Limited high-performance models, fewer selections than others
- Founded: 1976
- Location: Wisconsin, USA
- Notable Models: Fuel EX, Marlin, Remedy
- Pros: Wide range of bikes, excellent build quality, advanced technology
- Cons: High-end models can be expensive, extensive selection
- Founded: 1971
- Location: Connecticut, USA
- Notable Models: Scalpel, Habit, Jekyll
- Pros: Popular, innovative, high performance
- Cons: Can be pricey, and some models may not suit beginners
- Founded: 1895
- Location: Illinois, USA
- Notable Models: Traxion, Bonafide, High Timber
- Pros: Iconic brand, reasonably priced, great for beginners
- Cons: Limited high-end options, less modern technology
- Founded: 1972
- Location: Taiwan
- Notable Models: Trance, Anthem, Talon
- Pros: Mass production, good value, excellent performance
- Cons: May lack exclusivity; some models overlap with other brands
- Founded: 1892
- Location: Ohio, USA
- Notable Models: Nighthawk, Scout
- Pros: Affordable, beginner-friendly
- Cons: Basic models, less suitable for advanced riders
- Founded: 1986
- Location: USA
- Notable Models: 24” bike, 26” bike, 29” bike
- Pros: Budget-friendly, good for entry-level
- Cons: Limited high-performance options, newer brand
- Founded: 1977
- Location: USA
- Notable Models: Release, Overdrive, Atroz
- Pros: High-quality, excellent value, versatile
- Cons: Not as high-end as some competitors, smaller range
- Founded: 1970s
- Location: USA
- Notable Models: X-Caliber, Superfly
- Pros: Pioneer in mountain biking, high performance
- Cons: Limited availability, now a subset of Trek
Best mountain bike brand #1: Specialized
Specialized was founded in California in 1974 by Mike Sinyard. Initially called Specialized Bicycle Components, the company focused on importing Italian bicycle components, which were not always easy to obtain in America.
As it grew, Specialized began manufacturing its products, and in 1981, the Stumpjumper was introduced. This was the first mass-produced mountain bike and played a significant role in mountain biking and the sport's increasing popularity.
Some of the most famous bikes they make are the Stumpjumper, the Enduro, and the Epic. They are renowned for incredible performance, reasonable pricing, and high quality. Specialized bikes are often used in professional racing under S-Works.
Best mountain bike brand #2: Mongoose
Mongoose was started in 1974 by Skip Hess in Simi Valley, California. Initially, they were best known for making excellent BMX bikes. Later, it expanded into mountain bikes and became well-established in both markets.
Mongoose introduced cast-magnesium wheels on BMX bikes, a big part of their early success. They were incredibly unique, and it put them on the map quickly. Still, to this day, they are a very sought-after brand.
One of Mongoose's most famous bikes is the Dolomite, a budget fat bike. The Malus is another fat bike for rougher terrain, and the Boot’r is a downhill mountain bike for aggressive riding.
Best mountain bike brand #3: Trek
Richard Burke and Bevil Hogg started the Trek Bicycle Corporation in 1976 in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Initially, they produced steel touring frames but then expanded to a wide range of other types of bicycles.
In modern times, they make road, gravel, and mountain bikes, with mountain bikes being one of their biggest sellers. They are great at producing new technology and is often known to take a different approach than other brands. They were among the first companies to use carbon fiber on bike frames. - Alice Huot @ buycycle.
Some of Trek's most popular mountain bikes are the Fuel EX for mixed trails, the Marlin, an entry-level bike offering excellent performance for beginners, and the Remedy for tough enduro riding.
Best mountain bike brand #4: Cannondale
Cannondale was founded in 1971 in Connecticut. Originally a manufacturer of camping gear and backpacks, it wasn't until around 1980 that they started using aluminum to make bicycle frames. They were known for using oversized tubing, which became increasingly popular among the best mountain bike brands.
Some of the bikes released by Cannondale are the Scalpel, a lightweight cross-country bike; the Habit, a trail bike for all-around off-road riding; and the Jekyll, an off-road monster created for technical trails and challenging terrain. Cannondale makes excellent mountain bikes that are extremely popular.
Best mountain bike brand #5: Schwinn
If you are from the US or many other places worldwide, Schwinn is a bike brand you might have encountered before. It was created in Chicago in 1985 by Ignaz Schwinn. It is one of the most iconic American bike brands and has a long history of making many excellent models.
The Schwinn Sting-Ray was one of the most iconic bikes ever made, opening up many new riders to trick bikes. Regarding mountain bikes, you have the Traxion, a budget mountain bike with dual suspension. The Bonafide is a reasonably priced hardtail, and the High Timber is for mixed off-road riding. Although budgeted, Schwinn still makes a great bike.
Best mountain bike brand #6: Giant
Giant is one of the biggest bicycle manufacturers in modern times. Many people don’t know that they also currently make bikes for many other brands in their factories and did before they were Giant. It was founded in 1972 in Taiwan, and they took all their knowledge of frame-building expertise and eventually started their brand later.
They were one of the first companies, like Trek, to start mass-producing carbon fiber bikes, quickly bringing the price down in the industry. Some of Giant's mountain bikes are the Trance, a versatile trail bike, and the Anthem, a speedy cross-country bike. The Talon is an entry-level mountain bike that is excellent value and brings great performance.
Best mountain bike brand #7: Huffy
Years ago, Huffy was a big name in mountain biking and took a very different route than many other brands. Founded in 1892 in Dayton, Ohio, Huffy made affordable bikes for a mass market and has continued to do so recently.
You can find Huffy bikes online and in shops such as Walmart and Target. Although essential, they are affordable, and many people start mountain bike journeys with them. Some popular bikes available are the Nighthawk, a budget-friendly bike, and the Scout, again budget-friendly but for more of a performance rider.
Best mountain bike brand #8: Ozark
Another brand affiliated with Walmart is Ozark. Again, they are great for providing budget bikes to the market, which have become increasingly expensive. Ozark has been creating outdoor gear for 36 years but is fairly new to bikes.
Initially, they offered a 24” bike for children or younger adults and a 26” bike for adults, but their recent offerings are now a 27.5” bike and a 29” bike, which is more in line with modern standards. If not already, the Ozark bikes will be on the shelves and ready for purchase.
Best mountain bike brand #9: Diamondback
Diamondback was founded in 1977 and, like many brands, originally started making BMX bikes. They are well known for making high-quality bikes that perform well and are excellent value for money. Over the years, they have expanded to many other types of bikes, including gravel and mountain bikes.
Diamondback offers a wide range of mountain bikes. The Release is a versatile full-suspension bike perfect for all-mountain riding and racing. The Overdrive is a hardtail that is excellent value for money, and the Atroz is another full-suspension bike designed for more technical riding.
Best mountain bike brand #10: Gary Fisher
Gary Fisher was founded in the 1970s and was one of the first companies to start mass-producing mountain bikes. He is considered one of the inventors of mountain biking and is a legend in the sport today. Trek later acquired Gary Fisher and still adds to its collection.
Some of the noticeable bikes from Gary Fisher are the X-Caliber, designed for cross-country racing, and the Superfly, a high-performance bike. You will find many more designs available under the Gary Fisher brand. Gary Fisher has always been renowned as one of the best mountain bike brands.
A final note on the best mountain bike brands
There are some fantastic mountain bikes to be found, which are listed on buycyle. You will find many for sale and will also get the opportunity to sell bikes of your own. It is a safe and secure way to give a bike a new home.
And if you want to sell your mountain bike on buycycle, that's possible too! Sell your mountain bike easily online, starting now.
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