Top 12 Best Trail Mountain Bikes in 2021: August Update!

The best trail mountain bikes are the ones that adapt to the terrain you ride, have a price tag to fit your budget, and include features to suit your skills and riding style.

To find such a trail mountain bike among thousands of bikes on the market is indeed not an easy task. I have made the article below to help you shorten your choosing time and pick the right product. Let’s get started!

Best Trail Mountain Bikes Comparison Chart 2021

This section will give you an overview of 12 best trail mountain bikes through a comparison chart. The following comparison table includes four categories: suspension type, frame material, number of speed, and wheel size.

Top 12 Best Trail Mountain Bike To Buy (2021)

To help you have a more detailed look at these best trail mountain bikes, I have written the reviews below based on unbiased feelings and experiences. Enjoy the read!

1. Schwinn High Timber Trail Mountain Bike

(Best Overall)

Key Features:

• Linear Pull Brake
• Alloy crank
• Twist shifters with rear derailleur
• Wide knobby mountain tires
• Quick release seat post

Schwinn High Timber Trail Mountain Bike is the best overall product because of three primary reasons.

Firstly, it has a reasonable price, just around $400. For those looking for a perfect front suspension mountain bike, this model will be a bang for the buck. The front suspension fork absorbs the shocks on rough terrain effectively, bringing a smooth riding experience.

The next advantage of this best trail bike is the heavyweight, which is ideal for downhill performance. This bike weighs 42.3 pounds in total. Thanks to that, riding on flow trails will help your ride faster and more stable.

On the other hand, I do not recommend this bike for beginners or those preferring uphill performance due to the heavy weight.

In addition, the V-braking system and the 21-speed shifters will ensure your security when riding at high speed. You can adjust and control the speed almost precisely and immediately.

Product Specs

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2. Schwinn S29 Trail Mountain Bike

(Best Full Suspension)

Key Features:

• A front suspension fork and rear shock
• 18 inches frame
• Schwinn alloy triple crankset
• 7-speed freewheel
• Mechanical disc brakes

This Schwinn S29 Trail Mountain Bike comes with an excellent dual suspension system. In the front, you will get the benefits from the suspension fork. Along with that is the rear suspension, making your mountain biking softer and smoother than ever.

Another highlight feature of this bicycle is its tires. These components come at a perfect size (29×2.0 inches) for mountain bikers who want to challenge themselves with technical trails.

Wide and large knobby tires will work as shock absorption and add more grips to your rides. Thanks to that, you will feel comfy when riding this best trail mountain bike.

The Schwinn manufacturer has equipped the most modern and effective brakes for this bike. With the disc brakes in the front and rear, this trail bike can respond to steep descents quickly and protect you flawlessly.

Product Specs

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3. Mongoose Switchback Trail Mountain Bike

(Best for Women)

Key Features:

• Mongoose MTB saddle
• Internal cable routing
• Disc brakes
• T1 aluminum alloy frame
• Knobby tires

The alloy hardtail frame comes in medium dimension, perfectly fitting female heights from 5’1” to 6’2”. Along with that are 27.5-inch wheels that support female riders better than 29-inch wheels.

The bike features a front suspension fork, and the frame is a little thicker than a standard hardtail bike. These components can help you conquer the roughest terrains without worrying about durability or comfort.

Even though the frame is thick, this one is still a real lightweight hardtail mountain bike. With the frame material of tectonic T1 aluminum, its total weight is less than 34 pounds, supporting women to handle it on trails effortlessly.

Product Specs

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4. Mongoose Impasse Trail Mountain Bike

(Best for Beginners)

Key Features:

• Internal cable routing
• Front and rear disc brakes
• Threadless headset
• Aluminum 3-piece crankset

If you are looking for the best trail mountain bike for beginners or intermediates, this Mongoose Impasse Trail Mountain Bike is the right way to go.

The first feature that makes this bike suitable for novice bikers is the security system. When you start mountain biking, you may run into a few mishaps in your ride. That’s why you need a guaranteed bike.

This bike comes with the most effective braking system – disc brakes. This feature offers incredible stopping power. That means when you need to stop your cycle, it will cease immediately.

Many new riders also have difficulty controlling speed. I do not recommend single-speed bicycles in this case. Instead, a 21-speed drivetrain like this model is more suitable for beginners. You can try your hand from the low speed at first to have a safe ride.

Product Specs

5. Schwinn Bonafide Trail Mountain Bike

(Best for Climbing)

Key Features:

• 24-speed trigger shifters
• Front and rear mechanical disc brakes
• Durable alloy cranks
• High profile double wall alloy rims
• 2.25 inch wide knobby mountain tires

The Schwinn Bonafide Trail Mountain Bike is considered the best model for climbing. It is equipped with a high-quality 24-speed Shimano EZ Fire trigger that can boost your speed.

Thanks to that, the bike can make excellent uphill performance. At a high-speed mode, you can chase 28mph in speed and save your energy when climbing.

Another feature making this model ideal for going uphill is the lightweight frame. This bike features an aluminum frame, which is much lighter than steel.

The lighter frame means this trail bike can handle the steep terrain better. For example, you can focus your energy on riding up instead of carrying the bike’s weight when going uphill.

Product Specs

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6. Mongoose Status 2.2 Trail Mountain Bike

(Best for The Money)

Key Features:

• Hydroformed tubing
• Front and rear V-brakes
• 26 x 2.125″ (diameter x width) tires
• Riser handlebar

In general, mountain bikes equipped with front and rear suspension are usually quite expensive, ranging from $500 to $2000.

However, this Mongoose Status 2.2 Trail Mountain Bike is an exception. For less than $300, you can own this full-suspension mountain bike.

Along with a high-grade suspension system, you will get benefits from 26 inches tires. These tires will be best for mellow trails and smooth terrains. On the other hand, these wheels are not heavy-duty enough if you prefer a challenging trail riding experience.

You can enjoy other impressive features such as the rise handlebar. This part helps to improve your posture when cycling. In addition, it supports rearward gravity, which is especially useful when the trails are steep.

Product Specs

7. Royce Union RMA Trail Bike

(Best Under 1000)

Key Features:

• 18-inch frame
• Front Zoom suspension fork
• Shimano EZ Fire Plus Trigger
• Shimano Altus derailleur
• Alloy linear pull brakes
• Limited 10-year warranty

The Royce Union RMA Trail Bike is an unbeatable model in the price range of under $1000.

The bike is equipped with Shimano Altus derailleur and Shimano EZ Fire Plus Trigger which are more common in trail mountain bikes that cost $2000 or more.

The 27.5 inches wheels featuring alloy rims are robust and durable for rough terrains. Furthermore, the knobby tires offer incredible gripping power and traction, ideal for riding on gravel paths.

At less than $1000, you can own a durable and robust trail bike. It is made of high-grade 6061 heat-treated aluminum frame which provides responsive momentum and handling on paved streets.

Product Specs

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8. Schwinn Mesa Trail Mountain Bike

(Best for Downhill)

Key Features:

• Zoom HL565 aluminum suspension fork
• Aluminum linear pull brakes
• Knobby tires
• WTB saddle

The Schwinn Mesa Trail Mountain Bike is designed to help you gain the best downhill performance. It comes with a slack geometry, which is an ideal frame design for going downhill.

So what does “slack geometry” mean? Simply put, it means lower head tube angle and seat tube angle.

This geometry will put the cyclist’s center of gravity back and make the front wheel farther. Thanks to that, the front wheel tends to run straight and not deviate from the trajectory when you go downhill.

Other highlight features making this model the best one for downhill are the 21-speed shifter and the aluminum linear-pull brakes. These will support your speed control, especially when riding at high speed.

Product Specs

9. OBK Trail Mountain Bike

Key Features:

• Front and rear disc brakes
• Shimano 3×7 shifter
• MTB Suspension fork
• Aluminum rims and magnesium wheels
• Flat handlebars

This OBK Trail Mountain Bike is equipped with a wide range of appealing features for both male and female riders. The 17-inch steel frame and 27.5-inch wheels can fit unisex bikers, from 5’7″ to 6’1″ in height.

A feature that will capture your interest is the flat handlebar. The flat bars are good news for cyclists with back and knee problems. It helps you have a more upright and comfortable cycling posture, reducing stress on your back and arms.

If you prefer lightweight bikes, but the ones with the carbon frame are too costly, this OBK model is the best way to go. Made of a standard aluminum frame, this bike is just 35 pounds in weight. Thanks to that, you can handle it flawlessly.

Product Specs

10. Mongoose Salvo Trail Mountain Bike

(Best Under 2000)

Key Features:

• SR Suntour XCM 100 mm travel fork
• X-Fusion 02 Pro RXL Shock
• Free floating technology
• SX Power Spline crank
• SX Eagle derailleur and shifters

With outstanding and impressive features, this Mongoose Salvo Trail Mountain Bike is one of the most valuable products in the $2000 price range.

The first one is the 100mm fork which best supports light jumps. This type of suspension fork is expected in the trail and all-mountain bikes since it’s first-rate in handling smooth terrains.

Also, a short travel suspension fork is more beneficial than a long travel fork in uphill performance.

The Free Floating Technology suspension is another outstanding feature of this trail bike. The suspension is cleverly designed to avoid jerking when you squeeze the brakes. Furthermore, it can also support a dropper post if you intend to install one.

Product Specs

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11. Royce Union RTT Trail Mountain Bike

(Best for Short Riders)

Key Features:

• Radiant silver frame
• Shimano EZ Fire Plus trigger
• TY300 rear indexed derailleur
• Alloy linear pull brakes

The Royce Union RTT Trail Mountain Bike is the best option among these trail mountain bikes for short riders since it comes with a specific wheel size – 24 inches.

The 24 inches wheels are incredibly suitable for short bikers or those who have short inseams as well.

This small wheel type will help people with short height, for example, who have 28 inches inseam, to drive more stable since their feet can easily touch the ground.

Its 15-inch frame is also an excellent feature for short mountain bikers. Thus, they can sit in a comfortable position and do not need to strain when cycling. Besides, the adjustable seat post is also a plus point of this bike, helping cyclists sit as comfortably as possible.

Read more: Top 14 Best Comfort Bikes In 2021: September Update!

Product Specs

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12. Giant Trance Trail Mountain Bike

(Best for Men)

Key Features:

• 140mm Maestro suspension
• Fox Float DPS Performance shock
• Giant Contact SL 35 stem
• Shimano SLX shifters
• Shimano MT520 hydraulic 4-piston brakes
• 30mm inner rims

If you prefer a strong trail mountain bike for male riders, there is no reason to skip this Giant Trance Trail Mountain Bike with forceful designs in frame and suspension system.

The bike comes with a thick frame and lightly slack geometry. These things are best at supporting the large and robust male figure.

Especially when going downhill, this frame design will keep the heavy weight of male riders on the back. Thanks to that, the rides will be more secure and stable.

The 150mm suspension fork in front and 140mm shock in the rear also benefit in maintaining stability and balance.

You will enjoy the 30mm inner rims in this bike wheel. This size is perfect for delivering stability and grips. The 30mm internal rims at low tire pressure will maintain the wheel shape and support your rides better than 22.5mm or 25mm rims.

Product Specs

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