Mountain biking season is now definitely in full swing and I guess it’s here to stay. If you’ve been caught with the bug, then I’m sure you are now so tempted to cough up the dough and buy one fancy ride.

But let me share a piece of advice. Since you are just new to the sport, I don’t think a high-end model may be worth the cost, especially if you will only be out every so often. If you think spending beyond $1000 is the sole way to get your hands on a good-quality mountain bike, then you might want to think again. As a beginner, all you will ever need is a solid model with excellent adaptability to transition, with quality tires and a $500 budget. Sounds absolutely cool, isn't it?

However, I have to warn you, looking for a reasonable yet sturdy mountain bike under $500 can really be a challenging task, I’m sure you will have to spend countless hours finding the gem. So to make things easier for you, I’ve rounded up seven of the best ones in the market. If you want to know what brands made it to the list, then please continue on reading below.

How To Choose A Good Mountain Bike With $500 Budget?

There are a lot of factors that you have to consider if you want to purchase the best mountain bike. The first thing will be the budget! But since will already have sorted out the price, then keep these following factors in sight before picking your ride.

My Top Choices of Mountain Bikes That Will Suit Your Budget

1. Raleigh Bikes Tekoa Bike

For a comfortable ride that will take you far with so much ease, you should keep an eye on this Raleigh Mountain Bike. This can be the best companion you’ve been longing for, for your fitness goals!

What I Like About This Bike!

This bike features upright geometry that brings so much comfort and will even bring relief to your neck and back so you can now say goodbye to strain after long rides. Also, I like how this bike allows you to have a good view of the road or what’s ahead. I must say this is a well-designed bike since it makes sure that you ride efficient and quick.

Let’s take a closer look to its notable features!

Strong and Durable Hydraulic Disc Brakes

First, let's talk about its frame. I was very impressed with the geometry of the Overdrive. It has a lower riding position compared to most bikes in this category, so you will be nicely stretched out and even well centered over the wheels, this allows you for a quick cornering as well as amazingly nimble handling. However, even though its frame is made from aluminum, you will get a bit hefty bike when you total all the budgeted parts. The bike weighs around 32 pounds.

Well, there's no doubt to that, especially that the disc brakes work excellently in any biking activities compared to traditional rim brakes. This will give you an abundance of confidence to safely navigate all over your neighborhood. This is a good feature that will really make a big impact on your future rides.

In addition to that, even if the disc brakes will eventually get dirty, there's no need to fret as you can effortlessly clean them. All you will ever need are mild detergent, soft brush, and hot water and you're good to go. Whatever the weather condition is, you can easily maintain the brakes.

Superb Fork and All Terrain Wheels

For the bike’s fork, it features 100 mm travel which can smooth out, even flatten the bumps as you are enjoying the ride. It features a more innovative damper that comes in a broader range of adjustment as well as more scope for you to tune in. I must say 100 mm travel is already stiff enough so there’s no doubt that it can increase your ride’s quality.

When it comes to its wheels, it has been designed with 29-inch so you will just be floating over bumps and rocks with efficiency and so much ease. The bike's wheels speed, fender mounts, and gears will keep the ride quick as well as efficient.

I love the design of the wheels since it is strong so it is capable to withstand any abuse you will encounter on the trail. The wheels' size and design will definitely keep you rolling.

Double Wall Rims

It is very impressive how this bike has been mounted well with the double wall rims which are made from a state-of-the-art aluminum frame. Its wall rims are both light and strong enough to hold the rider's weight into a proper position. And I'm sure every rider will be amazed to know that the rims are capable of reducing the biker's rotational weight during the ride, so this means you will be able to go much faster with lesser effort. And for downhill racing, this bike's rims are wide and strong enough to avoid folding.

Overall, I can really say that Tekoa Mountain Bike’s rims are of good quality, making it one of the best if you are just new to biking activities.

Adjustable Suspension

With this bike’s adjustable suspension, the wheels will be able to be rolling up and down at the same time absorbing the small bumps. This means that the tires will be in close contact with the track and will provide you with better control and handling.

With this bike’s adjustable suspension, the wheels will be able to be rolling up and down at the same time absorbing the small bumps. This means that the tires will be in close contact with the track and will provide you with better control and handling.

Overall, this is an excellent mountain bike that can help you keep moving around your neighborhood. For its affordable price, it can give you more control whatever the kind of obstacles you will meet in the terrain. Whether you love the thrilling trails on the mountain or keep moving from one city to another, this bike will make your ride a fun and more enjoyable one

2. Merax Falcon Full Suspension Bike

Merax is known for being a brand that constantly strives to deliver the finest products to their customers. Their products are put into rigorous testing to make sure that you will get the greatest selections from Merax.

And this full suspension mountain bike from the Falcon series is no exception.

What I Like About This Bike!

This mountain bike features a durable aluminum frame as well as a dual suspension design that will let you increase the control and to smooth out any bumps. Thanks to Shimano 21-speed derailleurs and shifters, you will get reliable and smooth shifting. This bike also features linear pull brakes which comes with amazing stopping power.

Well, let’s take a closer look to its other notable features!

Beautiful Design

This bike features a beautiful and sleek frame that makes it appear to be a high-end mountain bike without robbing a bank. It comes with a 26-inch magnesium alloy wheels that help improve your ride quality, specifically over those demanding terrain and bumpy roads; it also makes the bike more lightweight compared to its competitors.

But what's more impressive is its heat-treated aluminum frame that is pretty resilient.

Travel Suspension Fork

The travel suspension fork of this mountain bike enables sturdy expansion that allows it to be used even on the most demanding and toughest terrain. In addition to that, the advanced aluminum mechanical lockout suspension fork of this bike adds an extra layer of your protection and allows you to have a much smoother ride with a lot of control.

Braking System

This mountain bike is equipped with linear press braking system and this is the most-widely used braking-system for bikes all over the world. What made this brake popular is that it is pretty powerful due to its leverage.

Also, it’s worth to mention that the brake pads of this bike are inexpensive and easy to replace.

To sum it up, this mountain bike is among the best ones you will find in the market. It comes with durable, sturdy and lightweight frame and is also ideal for the taller riders. It has been fitted with Shimano 21-speed shifters and derailleurs which we are guaranteed to be of high quality.

3. Vilano Blackjack 3.0 29er Bike

What I Like About This Bike!

The first thing you will notice about this 29er mountain bike is absolutely its handcrafted aluminum frame that makes this bike lightweight, robust and absolutely durable. Since it is lightweight, you will never find yourself struggling whenever you are traveling over bumpy terrain or steep hills.

In addition to that, the frame's geometry of this bike has been designed to conquer hilly terrain, this means that it will be possible to ride over different landscapes with ease.

Suspension Fork, Drive Train, and Brakes

Since this bike uses suspension forking of 80mm travel, we are guaranteed that it can efficiently absorb the shock over bumpy roads. You will be able to feel comfortable all through your ride.

Another amazing feature of this bike is the drive train and brakes that are of high quality. This mountain bike features 21-speed drive train that includes Shimano EZ Fire shifters and these shifters just work magnificently! This means that you will be able to change gears quickly and accurately during your ride. This will give you the freedom to be traveling at whatever speed you like.

Rims, Wheels, and Handlebars

This bike features a strong double wall alloy rims that will give you a smooth and stable ride. Add to that the large 29-inch wheels, you will absolutely have a bike that is capable of handling every terrain with comfort.

Last but not the least, this bike takes advantage of low profile handlebar design that makes it easy to handle and maneuver the bike. This makes sure that you will be able to keep full control of the bike even over a rough terrain.

4. Mongoose Men’s Switchback Comp Bike

The Switchback series by Mongoose offers three bikes to attract new riders and this Comp Mountain Bike sits smack in the middle of the line-up.

What I Like About This Bike!

This mountain bike is a sturdy entry level that has been perfectly designed for a cross-country ride. We know that when it comes with cross-country ride, you have to be technical with your ride especially that you will be climbing or descending on the terrain under rigorous condition.

This where this Mongoose Men’s Switchback comes to work.

Aluminum Mountain Frame

This mountain bike is made up of Mongoose own crafted aluminum frame to make sure that the bike will be lightweight and sturdy and make it possible to ride perfectly over a rigorous condition you will find off road.

The frame also makes the bike more responsive and efficient, allowing you get a good control of the bike whenever you pedal on the terrain.

Front Suspension Fork

Whether you are ascending or descending, this bike’s front suspension fork will keep the comfortability from a side and just absorb the bumps. The suspension fork will also make the bike more controllable, giving you more confidence to go through whatever condition.

5. Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive Hardtail Bike

Overdrive Hardtail by Diamondback is definitely one of the best budget mountain bikes you will find in the market. Diamondback in the first place is a popular brand among bike enthusiast and it’s very easy to see why.

What I Like About This Bike!

This mountain bike is absolutely a beautiful representation of all the classic hardtail mountain bike. Diamondback has spent years just to develop and refine this bike and make sure it performs as beautiful as how it looks. As a matter of fact, this bike tends to outperform some higher priced products.

High-Quality Durability

Thanks to the bike's quality of construction, it provides a lot of strengths. It has a frame constructed from a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy that can hold even the most adverse condition. It has the classic ability to provide composition, strength so we can be sure it will withstand every bumps and twist and turns.

Rugged Wheels

This bike comes in large wheels that will let you traverse through multiple objects, there will nearly be no obstacle that will stand your way. Thanks to its 27.5 inch Kenda Honey Badger tires, you can roll over to almost any surface, making your ride comfortable and smooth

Amazing Gears

I must say there's magic to its gears. It uses a Shimano 9-speed drivetrain that gives up to 27 gears. This means you will get to experience an instant transfer of power for unbelievable speed. You will be able to get where you want to go as fast as you want it to be.

Overall, this is a good bike that will help you traverse through some of the roughest terrains without any difficulty.

6. Gravity FSX 1.0 Dual Full Suspension Bike

This is a good entry level mountain bike for the rookies and is recommended by most mountain bike riders since it is lightweight and of course, affordable.

What I Like About This Bike!

It is Reliable

Even with its affordable price, you can definitely rely on this bike. First of all, it has an amazing stopping power, tiers with good grips and consistent gears.

This bike features Custom Formed TIG welded 6061 aluminum front Triangle with Hydro Formed tubes, so we can be sure that it will be easy to control.

Perfect Control

Very Comfortable

But what impressed me is how comfortable the saddle of this bike is, unlike most cheap bikes. We all know that the comfort of the ride should come first or else we will find ourselves suffering from a stressed elbow, knee pain and so much more.

7. Raleigh Bikes Women’s Eva 3 Bike

This mountain bike has been specifically designed and manufactured for all the women out there. I know the ladies will start to feel giddy, how much more if you get to hear the features that make it perfect for you.

This lightweight bike is made from aluminum frame, which is great as it means that you can have enjoyable rides for a longer period of time and be able to cover the longer trail. Moreover, you can adjust the handlebar and the seat according to how high or low you want it to be during assembly, so we can be sure that it will be comfortable for both your back and neck.

Anyway, let’s see some of the best stuff about this bike.

Saddle and Suspension

The cushy and wide plush saddle of this bike makes sure there will be maximum comfort whatever terrain you want to conquer. While the suspension forks of this bike are steady and even have this nice feel that softens your overall riding experience.

I can't express enough how efficient this mountain bike is. It's definitely in the details! It is on top of the best products out there for ladies who are now ready to face the trails.