Are you in the market for an affordable hardtail mountain bike? A mate of mine was interested in getting started mountain biking? But only had the budget for under $1,000. Instead of spending multiple thousands and then not liking it. Around this thousand dollar market is a great place to start looking for a beginner mtb.
So he asked me for some information about the best hardtail mtb under $1,000. And after some research and comparing bikes. Below I have compiled a list of some of the best hardtails you can buy in 2021 under $1,000.
They are listed from least expensive to $1,000. It seems the least you will have to spend on a decent quality mtb is around $800 USD, starting with the Kona Lava Dome. You can also pick up cheaper options of these bikes with modest quality components. For example the Giant Talon and Trek Marlin have the Marlin 6 and Talon 2. But have a look at the table below and read further on if you want to find out which bikes are the best bang for buck!
2021 Kona Lava Dome
So first is the Lava Dome from Kona which is one of the more budget friendly hardtails. The cheapest hardtail that is still decent quality. For the price it is a truely capable looking bike. I personally own a Kona and can say with confidence that their bikes are great. It can take you on just about any singletrack and most hardcore mountain biking terrains. And would be an awesome little commuter around town. This 2021 model comes with the new Microshift Advent 9-speed drivetrain. Which gives you 17.68 gear inches for climbing which is perfect for a mtb. The 29” wheels get wider (now 2.25″) and stronger, while the bike has clearance for up to a 2.6” tire.
I was really surprised with this bike having a good quality fork compared to more expensive bikes in this list. I have used a 5 out of star rating. And the SunTour XCR 32 fork with 100 mm of travel is 2 out of 5. While for example a bike here that costs $943 had a lesser quality fork. The 1 x 9 microSHIFT Advent groupset is not highly rated as Deore (like most bikes in this list) but i still rate it. This could be a great option for only $799
2021 Canyon Grand Canyon 5
This Canyon Grand Canyon 5 is one of the most capable hardtails for climbing. With a nice 16.22 granny gear inches. This means it will climb up hills with ease thanks to the 1 x 12 Deore, Shimano drivetrain. With a 30T crank and 10-51T cassette. Which works out to be a 0.59/3.0 gear ratio which is over 500%. Ideally you want anything under 18″ to 20″ gear inches for a MTB. You can have confidence that this rig will get you up steep ascents. Plus it is adventure ready out of the box. It has the SunTour XCR
for with 100mm of travel. It is not the best rated fork in this list. The bike comes with your choice of 27.5 or 29 x 2.25″ wheels. And weighs 31.2 lbs / 14.1 kg.
2021 Radon ZR TEAM 7.0
The Radon ZR TEAM 7.0 hardtail is the lightest MTB under $1,000. That we could find in our research, we do have some holes in the data as some bike manufactures don’t list the bike weights. But considering for this budget range you can really only get an aluminium bike with suspension fork. This bike weighs in at 29.1 lbs / 13.2 kg. The bike comes with 29″ x 2.25″ wheels and a 1 x 12 Deore drivetrain. Which is capable of a 18.26″ climbing gear. sensitive Rock Shox Judy Silver TK air suspension fork in the 100 mm design, which is one of the best you can get on a hardtail MTB for under $1,000.
2021 Scott Contessa Active 10
The best hardtail MTB under $1,000 with the highest quality drivetrain components. Rated 4 out of 5 stars this Scott Contessa comes with a 2 x 11 XT, Deore groupset. Which provides a 527% gear range. It is one of the bikes with the widest tires with the option for 27.5 or 29er x 2.4″. The bike weighs 30.6 lbs / 13.9 kg. With the mid-range SunTour XCR 32 fork with 100 mm Travel. You get a 17.23″ climbing gear.
2021 Canyon Stoic 2
If you are after a hardtail with the most front travel in the fork, then this Canyon Stoic 2 takes the cake out of this list with 140 mm travel. The SunTour XCR 34 fork is of mid-range quality. As this bike is considered a trail bike you get that little extra travel which is perfect if you plan to have a bike as an all-rounder on single tracks. You can fit tires with widths up to 2.8 inches (27.5 wheels) or 2.6 inches (29 wheels). It comes with either 27.5 or 29er x 2.35″ wheels. It weighs 32.8 lbs / 14.9 kg.
Canyon classify this bike as a category 4 bike – the same level of toughness and durability as our enduro bikes. From pumptrack and trail riding to the occasional jump session: this progressive hardtail can do it all.”
2021 Trek Marlin 7
Trek top end Marlin option. The Marlin 7 is a “fast cross country hardtail that will hold its own against our higher-end race bikes”. Some cool festures include, the Blendr Stem which allows you to directing clip gear like lights to the bike. Along with rack mounts, internal cable routing, rear kickstand mount and suspension lockout.
The bike weighs 30.4 lbs / 13.8 kg. Comes with a RockShox Judy 100 mm travel fork which is rated 2 out of 5 stars. Powered by a 1 x 10 Deore, FSA drivetrain with a 28T crank and 11-46T cassette, that means a 17.62″ climbing gear. With Bontrager XR2 Comp 29×2.20” tires.
2021 Cannondale Trail 4
The Cannondale Trail 4 is one of the better bikes when it comes to highest quality of components. With the RockShox XC30 TK 100 mm Travel fork (3 out 5 star ⭐️ ) and the 1 x 10 Deore, FSA drivetrain (3 out 5 star ⭐️ ). A bike built for handling and durability thanks to the 68 degree head angle. The Trail 4 is best suited for low-impact trails, gravel roads and leisurely riding. With a 19.52″ climbing gear thanks to the FSA Alpha Drive 30T crank and Sunrace 11-42T cassette. The bike also comes with your choice of 27.5 or 29 x 2.25″ WTB Ranger Comp tires and weighs 31.5 lbs / 14.3 kg.
2021 Rocky Mountain Soul 20
The Rocky Mountain Soul 20 Bike is ready for camping trips with the family and the gravel paths of your neighborhood. It is built around a 6061 aluminum frame that has a threaded bottom bracket and is dropper post compatible. The SunTour XCM frame (1 out of 5 star ⭐️ ) uses 120mm of travel on your front for more aggressive riding. It comes with a 1 x 10 Deore drivetrain (3 out of 5 star ⭐️ ) with a 18.06″ climbing gear.
2021 Fuji Nevada 29 1.3
This Fuji Nevada is a perfect recreational mountain bike for new riders to dip their toes into trail riding. The A2 aluminum frame sees updated geometry. With the SunTour XCM frame with 100mm travel (1 out of 5 star ⭐️ ) and a 1 x 11 Deore, FSA drivetrain 93 out of 5 star ⭐️ ). The bike features a really capable 17.39″ climbing gear.
2021 Norco Storm 1 29
The Norco Storm has a good gear range thanks to the Shimano Deore FC-M5100-1 30T crank and Shimano Deore CS-M5100 11-51T cassette, resulting in a 17.10″ climbing gear and 79.14″ largest gear. Powered by a 1 x 1. Deore drivetrain. Giving an overall gear ratio of 0.59/2.73. The bike comes with a SunTour XCM HLO fork with 100 mm travel (2 out of 5 star ⭐️ ).
Considered a crosscountry bike the Storm has been designed with a holistic approach to fit and geometry, the Storm 1’s longer reach, slacker head tube angle and steep seat tube angle provides more powerful, efficient pedaling, increased climbing traction and added grip and control when descending. It comes with the 29er x 2.25″ Maxxis Rekon DK60 Tires.
2021 Boardman MHT 8.6
Available in the EU, the Boardman MHT 8.6 is a hardtail trail bike with upper mid-range components with a womens option. Weighing 29.8 lbs / 13.5 kg, with a SunTour RAIDON fork with 120 mm travel. It doesn’t have the best climbing gear at 19.24″ and highest gear of 80″ resulting in a 0.70/2.91 gear ratio. The bike features a 1 x 10 Deore drivetrain with Shimano Deore 32T crank and Shimano Deore, 11-46T cassette. Rolling on some 27.5 x 2.25″ wheels and tires.
2021 Devinci Riff Deore 10S
The Riff Deore 10s by Devinci is a hardtail crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components. Featuring a SunTour XCR Air fork with 100 mm travel (2 out of 5 star ⭐️ ). And the 1 x 10 Deore drivetrain, which includes a Alloy 2pcs 28T Narrow Wide crank and Sunrace 11-46T cassette. Resulting in a 17.87″ climbing gear, 74.68″ largest gear and 0.61/2.55 gear ratio. Rolling on some 29 x 2.4″ Kenda Amrak tires.
2021 Ghost KATO Pro 29
Another hardtail crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components the Chost KATO Pro 29 features the RockShox Judy fork with 100 mm of travel. Powered by a 1 x 12 Deore, Shimano drivetrain. That means a Shimano FC-MT510-1 32T crank and the Shimano CS-M6100-12 10-51T cassette. Rolling on the Mitas Ocelot 29×2.10 tires. The bike is a bit on the heavier side weighing 32.8 lbs / 14.9 kg.
2021 Rocky Mountain Fusion 30
The Fusion 30 by Rocky Mountain is a crosscountry hardtail MTB with a 100 mm travel SunTour XCR 32 fork, and 1 x 10 Deore drivetrain. Which gives you a 19.04″ climbing gear and 79.94″ largest gear. This means a 0.65/2.73 gear ratio. The drivetrain is made up of a Rocky Mountain Microdrive 2PC 30T crank and Shimano Deore 11-46T cassette. You are planted on the ground with 29 x 2.4 WTB Ranger Comp tires.
2021 Marin Bobcat Trail 5
I am personally a big fan of Marin bikes, they make some great budget friendly options. This Bobcat Trail 5 is a hardtail trail bike with upper mid-range components. You do however get a 1 out of 5 star ⭐️ rated fork. With the SunTour XCR which has 120 mm travel. The drivetrain is a 1 x 11 Deore, with a Marin Forged Alloy 32T crank and SunRace 11-Speed, 11-51T cassette. Which gives a overall gear ratio of 0.63/2.91, 17.32″ climbing gear and a largest gear of 80″. Rolling on 27.5 or 29 x 2.25″ WTB Trailboss Comp tires.
2021 Liv Tempt 1
The Liv Tempt 1 made it in the best women’s hardtail mountain bikes under $1,000. If you are looking for a women’s hardtail MTB this is a great option. A crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components. Featuring the RockShox Judy fork which has either 80 mm or 100 mm travel depending on the size. Which is rated 2 out of 5 stars ⭐️. It is however rather limited when it comes to climbing with a 22.26″ climbing gear, 85.23″ largest gear and 0.76/2.91 gear ratio.
The bike comes with a ProWheel Charm, 30t crank and Shimano Deore, 10-speed, 11x42T cassette. The bike has either 27.5 or 29 x 2.4″ Maxxis Rekon tires.
2021 Vitus Nucleus 29 VRS Mountain
Despite its price range under $1,000. The Nucleus is the foundation of the Vitus mountain bike range, with aggressive geometry designed to get you hooked. The new 2021 models now come with 1x groupsets. A aluminum frame hardtail trail bike with upper mid-range components, weighing 31.2 lbs / 14.2 kg. The low, long, and slack geometry is coupled to 120mm of trfavel from the SunTour XCR 32 fork allowing you to take on rough terrain.
You get a decently wide groupset range, from the 1 x 10 Deore drivetrain, with the Shimano Deore M5100, 30t crank and Sunrace 11-46t cassette. This means a 18.91″ climbing gear, 79.41″ largest gear and overall 0.65/2.73 gear ratio.
2021 Specialized Rockhopper Elite 29
The Rockhopper is built around a durable Premium A1 Aluminum frame. With the goal to have the best fit and best performance for every person. No matter the measurement, Specialized have paired each Rockhopper frame size with the optimal wheel size. The RockShox’s Judy SoloAir brings air-sprung sensitivity and performance which means good value for the price. This fork has a 100 mm travel and is rated 2 out of 5 stars ⭐️ . Powered by a 1 x 10 Deore drivetrain, with a Stout 1x, forged alloy crank and SunRace, 11-42t cassette. Resulting in a 20.65″ climbing gear and 79.41″ largest gear. This means a 0.71/2.73 gear ratio.
2021 Giant Talon 1
The Giant Talon made the list but it does have a rather limited climbing gear for a hardtail. With the 22.26″ climbing gear, 85.23″ largest gear and 0.76/2.91 gear ratio. A crosscountry hardtail bike with upper mid-range components. You get a 1 x 10 Deore setup with a ProWheel Charm (27.5: 30t, 29: 32t) crank and Shimano Deore, 10-speed, 11×42 cassette. For xs and small frame sizes the RockShox Judy fork provides 80 mm travel. Or 100 mm travel for all other sizes. The bike rolls on either 27.5 or 29 x 2.4″ Maxxis Rekon tires.
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