There’s never been a better time to start riding a mountain bike – technology that used to be the preserve of downhill race teams is now available to buy in the shops and at a price that might surprise you, plus with new bike parks and trail centres opening all the time, there’s plenty of places to test out your new pride and joy.
It’s also a great boost to your physical health. All the cardiovascular benefits of riding a road bike but without the stress of keeping an eye out for traffic or finding routes long enough to wear you out. Spending all day in the woods away from other people and with nothing but the sounds and sights of nature can also be really positive for your mental health too.
Walking into your local bike shop can feel like quite an intimidating thing though, and there’ll be more than one way to part with a lot of cash with the wide choice of accessories, helmets, safety lights and much more. The good news is with a bit of research you’ll find plenty of bikes well within three figures, with some really excellent value for money in the sub-£500 category.
That’s because mountain bikes used to be little more than road bikes with fat tyres. Getting decent performance from an unsuitable chassis was hard work and meant you either needed a lot of skill or money to ride down what would be considered quite a modest trail these days. Modern mountain bikes have off-road specific geometry – things like a long wheelbase and slack head angle (where the front wheel sticks way out in front) make them inherently stable.
You don’t really need to know what all of that means, but the benefit passed on to you a new rider is that you can spend a realistic amount on money on a first bike that is way more capable out of the box than one twice its price not even 10 years ago. Let the good times roll!
The best mountain bikes for less than £500
Best value for money (27.5-inch)
www.halfords.com
The fact is not everyone gets on with 29-inch wheels – shorter riders in particular, or those who like riding tight trails with sharp corners, might be better suited with 27.5-inch wheels. If that's you then the Carrera Vulcan is a solid choice with quality components and a progressive frame design.
2.
Voodoo Bantu
Best for aggressive cross country
The Voodoo Bantu's standout feature is its super low standover height – the measurement from the ground to the lowest point of the top tube – which means you can slam the seat down super low for steep, aggressive trails. Having more room to manoeuvre the bike below you is great for building confidence, as are the fat tyres, short stem and wide bars. You also get 120mm of fork travel, which might not sound a lot extra, but that 20mm is a great get out of jail card for soaking up your mistakes.
Best equipment
At this price it's quite common for corners to be cut – with components like the gears and brakes a compromise between price and performance. The Pinnacle Kapur 2 features quality Shimano parts and a decent coil fork for a more supple ride than some of its rivals. While not a deal breaker for all riders, the Pinnacle's quick and reliable gearshifts will be enough to convince some.
Best bikes for stretching the budget
If your budget is not strictly limited to £500 then there are some very tempting bikes costing less than a tank of fuel extra.
winstanleysbikes.co.uk
First up is the Marin Bobcat Trail 3, which comes with a retro styled frame that is anything but old-school when it comes to its geometry. You also get 27.5-inch wheels on the smaller versions and 29ers on the largest, making it super flexible no matter how tall you are.
www.wiggle.com
Finally thereu2019s arguably the best all-rounder in this group, the Vitus Nucleus 29 VR. We reckon this is well worth the extra £50, not least for its 1x (one-by) gearing, which does away with the front derailleur. This is not only simpler to use and easier to set up and maintain, but makes the bike look cleaner and more visually appealing too. This is paired to a clutch rear mech, which adds tension to the chain to stop it falling off on rough terrain. Currently out of stock, stock is normally available in 2-4 weeks.
Have you signed up for Amazon Prime yet? If not, why not! It makes life a whole lot easier, with next-day delivery on thousands of products, not to mention access to Prime Video and loads of other extras too. Check it out today (you can even sign up for 30 days for free).
What to read next:
The best cycling water bottles to stay hydrated on your ride
Adam Binnie is the Commercial Content Editor and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in bikes, fitness, cars, parenting and cooking.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the What’s The Best team.