If you’re one of those who loves to ride on off-roads and mountain trails, you should definitely go for a mountain bike. Mountain bikes are specially made for those who love adventures and off-road trails. Besides, riding a mountain bike has some added advantages as well!
But it really gets difficult when it comes to choosing a mountain bike. There are mainly 4 types of mountain bikes, and each of these has its individual purpose as well. Besides, these models also differ according to users, price, and structure as well.
So before it gets too confusing, let us handle this matter. To clear out your queries, we’ve handpicked the top 3 mountain bikes considering all the factors. So which Bike is Best for Mountain and Why? Let’s find out….
Top 3 Mountain Bikes
Our top 3 mountain bikes are-
- Yeti SB130 TURQ X01 (best overall)
- Santa Cruz 5010 CC XO1 RSV (Best for stunts and playful activities)
- Giant Stance 29 2 (Budget)
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Yeti SB130 TURQ X01
Starting with a mid-travel trail bike which is the Yeti SB130. This is one of the best mountain bikes you can ever get. Alongside using it on off-trails, you can use this bike as a daily driver as well!
The Yeti SB130 is a 29er. That means the wheel size is 29 inches or 130 mm. trust me; riders just go crazy for a 29er. And if you’re one of them, this Yeti is just for you! Moreover, this Yeti is an overall balanced bike with all the safety harnesses as well. This lightweight bike will make you feel like a bird when you are moving through rocks and mountains. Even if you’re riding for hours, you won’t feel anything!
Talking about efficiency and performance, the Yeti SB130 is the number 1 when it comes to providing climbing position and performance. Even in rough conditions, you’ll get very good climbing traction from both wheels. Adding to this, the downward traction and the grips are solid. So there’s no chance of falling over with this bike.
Don’t let its price distract you from the fact that the Yeti SB130 is the overall best mountain bike for you. Trust me, with this lightweight and well-balanced bike; you’ll never feel any obstacles!
Pros:
- Top-notch Climbing Performance
- Lightweight and well-balanced
- Superb uphill and downhill traction
Cons
- Expensive
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Santa Cruz 5010 CC XO1 RSV
In case you’re not a fan of a 27er, the Santa Cruz 5010 will make you one! Among the 29ers, this 5010 is an outstanding mountain bike that comes with a 27.5 inches wheel. Santa Cruz rolled out this model recently, and guess what? It took the market by surprise!
The real travel of this bike is 10 mm, matching with a 140 mm travel fork. This whole new construction and shape really make it good-looking and give a playful vibe. Due to its wide and smaller rear wheel, you can easily do wheelies by taking the front wheel off the road. So if you’re one of those who loves to do stunts, this bike is for you!
The Santa Cruz 5010 also comes with a VPP suspension, handy for balancing the bike when the front wheel is flying in the air. Due to the solid deep stroke performance of this bike, you’ll feel this has more travel. Not to mention, the 5010 also comes with steady pedals and comfortable seats. As a result, you’ll get extra benefits while driving on inclined roads.
Among all the positives, there are a few downsides that we should mention too. As said earlier, the majority of the people prefer a 29er due to wide wheels and proper balancing. So, a few people may find it difficult to ride 27.5er. Besides, it can also be challenging to properly access the flip-chips as well. But it all comes down to user preference!
Pros:
- Perfect for playful riding and doing stunts
- Solid Build Quality
- Good balance and performance
Cons:
- Accessing the flip-chip is difficult
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Giant Stance 29 2
If you’re looking for a mountain bike in your budget, the Giant Stance 29 2 will be an alternative to one. Giant is famous for making budget-friendly bikes, and this model is the perfect example of it.
This 29er comes in almost half of those carbon fiber ones. The structure and build quality have a rear suspension of 120 mm alongside a travel fork of 130. Due to its lightweight, it can climb on inclined surfaces easily, and you don’t have to put in any extra effort as well. It has quick acceleration, and the performance is top-notch! For its price to performance ratio, it is already one of my favorites!
Unlike other mountain bikes, the Stance 29 2 has a balanced suspension capable of providing a comfortable riding experience. But if you want a dropper Seatpost in your mountain bike, you probably won’t get it with the Stance 29 2.
The in-built tires have a solid grip and help to roll faster. Considering the price, we feel this has all the things that you can ever think of! One thing to note is that the Giant Stance 29 2 also comes in a 27.5-inch version. So if you aren’t a fan of a 29er, you can always go for this one!
Pros:
- Best budget Mountain bike
- Top-notch climbing performance
- Overall balance suspension
Cons:
- Dropper-post missing
Final Verdict
If you want a mountain bike that is best overall, you should consider getting the Yeti SB130 TURQ X01. It’s 29er, lightweight, and well-balanced with Superb uphill and downhill traction.
However, if you’re a stunt guy who’s looking for a playful bike with a 27.5-inch wheel, our recommendation will be the Santa Cruz 5010 CC XO1 RSV. It has a solid build quality, and the balance and performance are quite satisfactory too. The only downside is accessing the flip-chip!
Last but not least, if you’re looking for a mountain bike and your budget is not that high, the Giant Stance 29 2 will be the perfect choice for you. It provides a top-notch climbing experience, is well-balanced, but we need to sacrifice the drop-post for this.
So that’s it when it comes to knowing about the best mountain bikes. As we already said, there are hundreds of models of mountain bikes. So we tried to make things as simple as we could.
Still wondering, which Bike is Best for Mountain and Why? Now it’s your turn to make a move. Good luck! Also read Which Bike is Best for Mountain and Why
