The 8 Best Cheap Mountain Bikes You Can Buy in 2022 | The Sun UK

Publish date: 2024-08-08

IF YOU LOVE nothing more than leaving the city streets behind for an off-road adventure, you'll appreciate the importance of a mountain bike with quality components and durability.

Mountain bikes can range from £100 to £10,000, but we’ve scoured the internet to find 8 of the best cheap mountain bikes available to buy now.

Although it’s sometimes possible to pick up an inexpensive mountain bike with your shopping at the supermarket, it’s probably best to avoid doing that if you're expecting a bike that will last you more than one heavy fall. Just because you're not paying top dollar, doesn't mean you should have to compromise on safety or style.

What should I look for in a mountain bike?

In the £500-£1,000 price category, most bikes are hardtails (meaning they only have front suspension) and have an aluminium frame, but you will get hydraulic disc brakes for your money.

Other things to look out for include the number of gears – more isn’t always better and a 1x set-up, where you only have one front chainring, can often leave you with a lighter, more efficient drivetrain.

Also, the inclusion of dropper post routing is great if you plan to have the bike for the long haul and upgrade as you progress.

1. Pinnacle Kapur 1 2022 Mountain Bike

Evans Cycles’ in-house bike brand has a few different mountain ranges, and the Kapur is its entry-level offering.

If you're new to mountain biking, the Kapur 1 has a long reach, slack head angle and wide bars to give you lots of stability over rough terrain.

Shimano front and rear breaks will also help you to feel confident and in control on rugged trails.

However, this bike is suited to beginner trails so if you're more experienced and looking to tackle more adventurous routes with steep descents, this might not be the one for you.

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2. Voodoo Braag Mens Mountain Bike

Voodoo has teamed up with Halfords to produce top-spec bikes at affordable prices, including this Voodoo Bragg budget hardtail.

This entry-level bike has great geometry and a range of sizes as well as good component choices.

The Braag has dependable Clarks Clout Hydraulic Disc Brakes and a robust Thru-Axle Suntour coil fork.

Plus, it has the same frame as other more expensive Voodoo bikes such as the  Bizango and Horde as Voodoo has reworked its whole range of hardtails for 2022.

The Braag has also been designed to easily upgrade as your riding progresses so it's a great investment if you're just starting out.

3. Cannondale Trail 7 2022 Mountain Bike

Another great-priced option from Halfords, the Cannondale Trail 7 has received glowing reviews for its 'smooth-shifting gears', 'beautiful frame' and 'great price'.

If you want to step your off-roading up a gear, the Trail 7 is built with a SmartForm C3 Alloy frame that provides strength and durability.

Whatever the terrain, you can expect a comfortable ride with the SAVE Micro-Suspension giving you a smoother, more controlled ride.

Plus, the 68° head angle creates stable handling so you can feel safe and confident on any steep descents.

4. Specialized Rockhopper 2022 Mountain Bike

The team at Specialized claim that with the 2022 Rockhopper, they have achieved better performance than ever before, without hiking up the price.

The Rockhopper has a lightweight A1 Premium Aluminium frame with 27.5 wheels for sizes XS and S and 29 for M, L, XL and XXL so you can get your ideal match for wheel size and suspension that works for you.

The Shimano Tourney 16-speed drivetrain allows a wide range of gears and the Radius CX7 Mechanical disc brakes mean you don't have to worry about braking, whatever the conditions.

Plus, the Ground Control Sport Tyres have an aggressive tread for improved grip and control no matter the terrain.

The Rockhopper is available in three colours: Tarmac Black, Flo Red or Blue Metallic.

5. Trek X-Caliber 7 Mountain Bike

It's of the pricier entries on our list but with the Trek X-Caliber, you're investing in the hi-tech parts found on more expensive models such as internal cable routing, dropper post compatibility, a tapered head tube and Boost hub spacing.

The X-Caliber is a hardtail with a lightweight, durable alloy frame, RockShox fork, Shimano drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes.

It also claims to be a bike that will grow with you, so it's ideal if you're a beginner and don't want to buy a new bike as you progress to more difficult rides.

6. Marin Bobcat Trail 3 Hardtail Mountain Bike

There are newer models of the Marin Bobcat Trail, but we're bargain-hunting, and you can often find the Trail 3 Hardtail on sale.

Perfect for a recreational rider who wants to take things up a notch, this mountain bike has a Series 2 6061 butted and hydroformed aluminium frame with a 120mm travel suspension fork.

Choose from 27.5” or 29” wheels for the best fit and performance; 27.5” wheels on sizes XS and S, and 29” wheels on sizes L, XL, and XXL.

All Bobcat Trail bikes use Marin Trail geometry, which includes a long reach, low standover, slack head tube, and steep seat tube angles to give rider confidence and predictable handling, even with unpredictable off-road terrain or weather conditions.

7. Rockrider ST530 Mountain Bike

The Rockrider is Decathlon's in-house mountain bike brand, and this versatile full-suspension bike is one of the cheapest on our list.

Designed for recreational use on any type of trail, you can enjoy the comfort of the 120mm front and rear suspension, and change gears easily with nine-speed single chainring drivetrain.

This mountain bike tyre will hold up to the test of any type of trail while the hydraulic disc brakes give you extra confidence and comfort.

Reviewers praise the bike, saying that it's "well-built and comfortable" as well as "great value".

8. Grand Canyon 5 Mountain Bike

This German manufacturer-to-consumer brand is renowned for being able to offer up amazing value thanks to cutting out the middleman.

It's one of the more expensive bikes on this list, but it holds up against much pricier bikes with its robust but lightweight aluminium frame, balanced geometry and outstanding components.

Complete with a suspension fork and powerful disc brakes, you can feel safe and confident as you set out for the trails.

The trail-proven Grand Canyon 5 is affordable but by no means an "entry-level" bike.

How much does a decent mountain bike cost?

Spending between £450-£700 will get you something that is not only good value but will help you to develop your skills as a mountain biker.

The quality of the main components (frame, fork, drivetrain, brakes) improve the closer you get to the £1,000 marker, providing you with a solid skeleton that can be upgraded as your riding improves.

This price range means that all will qualify for the cycle-to-work scheme allowance too, with mountain bikes making a comfortable choice for a short or scenic commute.

Can a mountain bike be used on the road?

There’s nothing stopping you from using a mountain bike on the road, and many who don’t have the luxury of owning different bikes for different types of riding will use a mountain bike for all sorts – be it commuting, getting from A-to-B or long-distance touring.

If you’re only going to be riding on the road though, a hybrid or road bike might be better suited to your needs as they will generally be faster on tarmac than a mountain bike thanks to tyres with better rolling resistance and road-specific gearing.

What size mountain bike is right for me?

To make sure you get the right-size bike for you, you've got to measure yourself using a tape measure and, ideally, a spirit level and apply that data to a sizing chart.

Tredz has a very useful sizing guide which you can use to make sure you get the perfect fit.

How can I improve my cheap mountain bike?

While all of the above bikes are a solid starting point, there is a reason why they are the price they are. Brands will generally focus on the big-ticket items (frame, fork, wheels, drivetrain) and keep the cost down by finishing the bike with lower-spec or own-brand kit.

The first thing to change that will make the biggest difference is the bike's tyres. If sold as tubeless-ready, that could be as simple as setting them up as tubeless with a conversion kit, which allows you to run lower tyre pressures, improving grip and reducing the risk of punctures in the process.

Other cost-effective ways of instantly improving your stock mountain bike include replacing the grips, installing a set of clipless pedals and getting your suspension tuned and serviced, while slightly more expensive changes include new handlebars, saddle and even installing a dropper seat post.

More from Sun Selects Health and Fitness

Enjoyed our roundup of the best cheap mountain bikes for 2022? Then you might like our review of the Echelon's Smart Connect EX-3 Max fitness bike.

Plus, find out if you'd be happy to give up your gym membership with our review of the TRX Training Club.

If you want to check out more of our sport-related reviews and recommendations, visit Sun Selects' health and fitness page.

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