Our Favourite Mountain Bikes
We get asked all the time for mountain bike recommendations. And while there's no one MTB that's perfect for all riders, there are a few that we love to show customers based on their style of riding. Here are our favourite mountain bikes.
Trek Marlin
Best budget MTB
Why we like it: The Marlin is an awesome yet affordable mountain bike that has everything you need for legit trail riding. It's the perfect first MTB because it has lots of tech that higher end models use while saving you money on parts where newer riders wouldn't necessarily notice a huge difference.
Highlights:
All Marlin models come with simplistic 1x drivetrains (meaning only 1 chainring up front - the standard with high-end MTBs) and powerful disc brakes that work great in the demanding conditions of trail riding.
The lightweight aluminum frame built with a cross country geometry is great for pedaling efficiency and climbing. And while it excels on smoother singletrack it'll still give you solid control on rougher terrain.
Trek Marlin models come in a range of build kits so you can pick one that suits your budget. Spend a little more and you can get more gear range and a dropper post upgrade. If you want to spend less you can find a good fit of capability and cost.
Price range: $800-$1,600
Giant Trance
Versatile mid travel trail bike
Why we like it: The Giant Trance is a great option for trail riders who are looking for a bike that's great on the climbs and fast and fun pointed down. It's without a doubt one of the shreddiest trail bikes you can get for the money.
Highlights:
The new Trance comes in several iterations that offer different levels of adjustability and trail capability. It benefits from killer features like the Maestro suspension design that comes with a flip chip you can use to adjust your bike’s geometry for different terrain.
The frame itself comes with additional bottle mounts, protective downtube padding for rocks and shuttle rides, and internal storage in the downtube for storing tools and nutrition.
You’ll find options to choose an alloy or carbon frame, as well as a mid or longer travel model depending on how aggressive your terrain.
Price range: $2,599 - $11,299
Trek Fuel EX
Versatile mid travel trail bike
Why we like it: The Trek Fuel EX covers all the bases a do-it-all trail bike should and can adjust with your riding goals so it's always feeling dialed. It's packed full of cool tech features and can be the only MTB you'll ever need.
Highlights:
The coolest part of the Gen 6 Fuel EX has to be its insane amount of adjustability. Right out of the box you can adjust the headtube angle, the progression of the shock, and the height of the bottom bracket, making it incredibly versatile. As your riding style or terrain changes, the Fuel EX can change with it.
The Fuel EX can be ridden with full 29er wheels or as a mixed wheel setup with a 29er up front and a more agile 27.5” wheel in back. Trek’s Alternating Brake Pivot (ABP) isolates braking forces from the suspension so your rear wheel tracks the ground better and keeps in control when the going gets rough.
The new Fuel EX also features internal frame storage hidden in the downtube under the bottle cage, so you can stash tools and snacks right in your bike. Plus this bike comes in a variety of build kits to fit your budget and goals.
Price range: $3,499 - $13,999
Yeti SB120
Premium short travel trail bike
Why we like it: For riders looking for peak performance, the SB120 is what that looks like. Yeti's renowned suspension and frame design offers ride quality that others just can't. This bike climbs like a goat and puts longer travel bikes to shame on the downs.
Highlights:
The Yeti SB120 benefits from the brand’s legendary Switch Infinity rear suspension design, making the 120mm or rear travel in the shock feel like a lot more. It’s supple enough to provide great small bump compliance, but it also offers incredible bottom out resistance so you don’t feel those big hits as much. Essentially, you get the snappiness and agility of a short travel bike with extra firepower when you need it most.
The SB120 comes with high quality components that will bring out the best in your riding. From drivetrain to brakes to cockpit, every Yeti comes fit for a pro.
Yeti also has different carbon frame designs that allow you to either save a bit of money while still getting a top of the line frame or ensure you’re getting the best frame possible. C frames will save you a bit, and T frames spare no expense.
Price range: $6,599 - $11,600
Devinci Troy ST
Made in Canada short travel trail bike
Why we like it: There are two things in mountain biking that are hard to come by: Premium aluminum bikes with top-notch builds—made in Canada. Troy ST covers them both with a frame made in Devinci's Chicoutimi Factory riding on Rock Shox Ultimate suspension.
Highlights:
A big change for the Troy family is the addition of the new Troy ST (short travel). We love the feel of short travel bikes and wanted to push the limit of capability in a 130mm platform. The Troy ST’s aluminum Split Pivot frame is made in Canada and has all the same features as the Troy, with updated geometry, size-specific chainstays, 3-bolt ISCG mount, integrated downtube storage, and enough room for a bottle even for the smaller sizes.
The Troy ST comes in with full 29’’ wheels in M, L, and XL sizes and full 27.5’’ wheels for XS and S.
Price range: $6,999
What we look for in a mountain bike
When we recommend mountain bikes to our customers and friends, we usually look for curtain features depending on the price point and intended riding style. Here are some of those things you can start thinking about.
- Travel & suspension: It’s important to match the type and amount of suspension in a bike to the type of terrain you want to ride it on. Hardtails (no rear suspension) are perfect for cross country style riding where you’re pedaling a lot and not taking on the rowdiest trails. You’d want full suspension if that’s where you hope to ride. Also, different amounts of travel mean more or less suspension, so the more challenging the terrain the more travel you’d want. Another thing to consider is a dropper post. A seatpost that can move up or down allows you to move more freely in steep technical terrain, but isn’t as necessary if you’re only riding smooth singletrack.
- Wheel size & compatibility: Modern mountain bikes either have 29-inch or 27.5-inch wheels, and some models use one of each or are able to do so. Wheel size is largely personal preference, as you can ride either side in any situation. But as a rule of thumb, 29er wheels have slightly faster top speeds and roll over obstacles a bit more easily, while 27.5” wheels are a little more nimble. If you’re mostly keeping your wheels on the ground you might prefer 29ers. If you like to get creative and pop and slash your way through trails you might appreciate 27.5” wheels.
- Drivetrain & brakes: While there are plenty of different levels of drivetrain components, everyone agrees that 1x drivetrains (pronounced one-by), which only have one chainring up front and multiple gears in the back, is the way to go for MTBs. 12 speeds is the current standard, but if you’re not climbing really steep stuff you can get away with 9, 10, or 11 speeds. Brakes are similar in that there are several model levels, but everyone agrees that hydraulic disc brakes offer the best performance. Brake calipers come in 2 and 4 piston models, and while 2 is plenty for most, heavier and more aggressive riders might prefer the more powerful 4 piston brakes.
- Frame material & features: The main frame materials used by larger brands consist of either aluminum (sometimes called alloy) and carbon fiber (or just carbon). Aluminum is cheaper and more resistant to impacts than carbon, but it’s significantly heavier. Usually alloy frames are specced with entry to mid level components, while carbon frames usually receive mid to high level components. If you don’t care about weight and just want an affordable, tough bike, alloy will do just fine. If you’re more performance oriented and want to save weight, go with carbon. As far as features go, some models have internal cable routing or even little storage compartments for gear, and those are worthwhile upgrades.
If you want to learn more about the things to consider when buying a mountain bike, check out our How To Choose A Mountain Bike Guide. Otherwise, keep scrolling to see our favorite models.