Best mountain bikes under £500

24 comments
By BikeRadar, UK | Friday, Nov 2, 2012 10.10am

If you're after a cheap bike and want to find the best mountain bikes for under £500 available now then look no further. But first, be aware that what you're getting might not be suitable for all types of off-road riding. Here's why:

The good

The good news is that these days sub-£500 mountain bike frames are usually good quality lightweight (for the money) aluminium offerings, which are much better than they were a decade ago.

The gears and brakes usually work efficiently now too, both on and off road – although if you want disc brakes, look for hydraulic models rather than the more maintenance hungry cable-pull offerings.

The bad

Weight is one area where the sub-£500 genre suffers. A genuinely off-road-worthy bike built on a low budget needs to carry excess weight in almost all of its component parts to make it resistant to abuse – an unavoidable part of off-road riding. The heavier a bike is, the slower it is to accelerate, and the harder work it is on the climbs.

The ugly

Our main complaint with most budget mountain bikes is their poor suspension. Three main types of mountain bike are available – rigid (with no suspension), hardtail (with a suspension fork at the front) and full-suspension (with both front and rear shock absorbers). At this pricepoint, we'd always recommend ignoring full-suspension bikes because they're simply too heavy and the suspension doesn't work well enough.

So, are front-suspension-only bikes the best option? Not necessarily. Most new sub-£500 mountain bikes come equipped with a suspension fork. Manufacturers say that's because it's what riders want, and that's partly true. But what a lot of new riders don't realise is that many suspension forks on sub-£500 bikes are so bad that they can make trail riding harder rather than easier.

They're heavier than a rigid fork and most of them suffer from poor rebound damping – that's the way the fork recoils to full extension after it's compressed on a bump. We've tested some sub-£500 mountain bikes where the clunk of the fork rebounding back to full extension is harsh enough to almost knock your hands off the handlebars.

Until forks on sub-£500 bikes improve – and logic dictates that they will in the near future – we're happy to point occasional off-road riders towards the few mountain bikes still available with rigid forks. It's also worth bearing in mind that, with the massive variety of 26in tyres available these days, it's very easy to make a mountain bike style commuter into a trailworthy bike, or vice versa.

Here's a selection of the best currently available 'budget' bikes we've reviewed, for a mix of on and off-road use. All these bikes were available to buy online or in store as of 8 May 2012. If you can afford to spend a little more, check out our Best mountain bikes under £1,000 article.

Best mountain bikes under £500

Carrera Vulcan (2012)

£480

s:

www.halfords.com

Carrera vulcan: carrera vulcan

The Carrera Vulcan is a bit on the weighty side but some careful upgrades – tyres and fork, in particular – over time would take care of that. As it stands, it’s a very impressive beginner’s machine, with a solid spec that includes hydraulic disc brakes.

If you’re new to riding off-road it’ll likely feel a bit odd to start with but trust us on this – the Vulcan is impeccably well balanced. The steering manages that elusive trick of being stable enough for cruising yet quick enough to make tight, twisty singletrack a pleasure rather than a chore.

It does have its limits, of course. The weight makes it a sluggish climber and sprinter, the very rigid frame gives it a harsher ride than some of the lighter competition, and the fork is okay rather than good, particularly since it seems reluctant to let go of the last 20mm of its travel.

But despite these niggles, this is one of the best beginner bikes we’ve ridden for a long time. While the RRP is £479 we’ve seen it selling for as little as £359. At that price it's exceptional, and for that it comes highly recommended. Click here to read our full review of the Carrera Vulcan

Vitus VEE-1

£275

s:

www.vitusbikes.com

Vitus vee-1 29: vitus vee-1 29

The Vitus Vee-1 29 is a low cost utility bike that doubles up as a fun off-road option if you fit a smaller chainring. Its simplicity is both its beauty and its downfall. This is a basic bike for urban work and play, with a strong emphasis on play. As it is, it's very capable of tackling anything from going to work, school, shopping or playing on street structures, but it has potential to be a great low-cost single-gear mountain bike too.

If you do want to use the Vitus off road, you'd be advised to fit a much smaller chainring up front. The fact that it comes with a 39-tooth and an 18-tooth freewheel is indicative of the fact that the suppliers expect most owners to use it as an urban utility bike, and the gear ratio is ideal for steady flat-land riding. The ride feel of the Vee-1 29 is comfortably neutral, the construction is tough, the aesthetics are plain enough to minimise unwanted attention and it's easy to care for. The big bonus, though, is that its simple design keeps cost and weight low. Our test bike weighed in at 11.02kg (24.3lb).

If you want to keep things simple as well as affordable and versatile this is a good option. Click here to read the full review of the Vee-1 29

Islabikes Beinn 29

£400

s:

www.islabikes.co.uk

Islabike beinn 29:

When champion off-road racer Isla Rowntree set up the Islabikes brand, she was aiming to create the best kids’ bikes on the market. In her spare time she’s custom-built some superb adults' bikes for herself and a few friends.

The Beinn 29 is her first off-the-peg adult offering, and it's a great choice for any off-road beginner. With its parts upgrade options, adjustability and adaptability, there are very few riders it wouldn’t suit. The ride feel is as good as 29ers we've tested at twice the price and it’s lighter than all of them.

The Beinn 29 is probably the best, and lightest, starter mountain bike we’ve tested. Click here to read our full review of the Islabikes Beinn 29

Saracen Tufftrax (2012)

£269.99

s:

www.saracen.co.uk

Saracen tufftrax:

This Saracen manages the tricky balancing act of being stable enough to reassure a newcomer but flighty enough to offer some reward when the same novice starts to get the hang of things. The well thought-out and detail-packed frame forms the basis for an agile and confident handling bike. 

Compromises come in the form of a limited gear range and a heavy set of wheels, but what you get for your money is very impressive and remarkably fun. The 2012 version of the bike features a Selle Royal Mach saddle. Click here to read our full review of the Saracen Tufftrax

Saracen Mantra (2012)

£450

s:

www.saracen.co.uk

Saracen mantra:

The base-level Mantra is well equipped for the price, with even the low cost fork not unduly compromising its trail performance.The long top tube reach combines well with the 120mm fork and slackish 68° head angle to create an efficient, flat-back riding posture and a fairly relaxed handling feel.

Tipping the scales at 13.6kg (30lb), it’s a good weight for the price, and it's surprising what a difference a pound or two in weight can make in climbing or acceleration. On high-speed singletrack the handling was sprightly, well controlled and confident, with only the constipated fork getting in the way of maximum enjoyment. Click here to read our full review of the Saracen Mantra

Voodoo Hoodoo (2012)

£500

s:

voodoocycles.net

Voodoo hoodoo:

The Hoodoo’s RRP is a penny under £600 but it’s been available at £100 less for quite a while – so that’s how we tested it. It would be a good buy at £600, so £500 for a bike fitted with one of SR Suntour’s best mid-range air forks is a bargain. At the time of writing Halfords say the price is stable, too, but check on availability to avoid disappointment.

At a time when some £500 bikes seem lower specced than a couple of years ago, the Voodoo Hoodoo is a breath of fresh air, and mainly because of the fork. The fact that the frame and its associated kit are good too is a double bonus. Click here to read our full review of the Voodoo Hoodoo

Also tested:

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User Comments

There are 24 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 24 of 24 comments

  • Yeh thats right "best bkes under £500.What a weird mix you have chosen.

    B Twin.....Who?

    Rigid street bikes...Why?

    Spesh , could have put money on that.

    What about some really happening bikes like the fantastic Scott Aspect 40 or Cannondale Trail SL 5.

  • @ Smocker, have you ever stepped foot into a decathlon store and looked at the bikes? I own a b twin hybrid and it's superb for a commuter bike especially given the price. Rigid bikes have always had a niche appeal and "street bikes" as you call them will be no weaker than cyclocross bikes which get raced off road !

    Nice article should help the newcomers think about what they actually need out of a bike not what they aspire to

  • The article is about "Mountain Bikes" not Street bikes or even Cyclocross but entry level MTBs for beginners.

    I have a Cyclocrosser and beleive me it's a lot tougher than anything other than a full on MTB.Only thing is you can't get one for £500.

    Decathalon,Halfords without the car parts!

  • Forme produce a geared rigid MTB commuter at $399.99 and it is awesome, light, and fast. I agree with comments re: suspension, I race cyclocross, and all it adds is weight unless you spend shedloads of cash!!

  • also you could haggle like hell and get a serious discount on last years model. i got a £600 cube attention 2010 last september for £465 ok forks, hayes stoker disks, 27 speed and 13kg

  • Smocker - what's wrong with Spesh? :S

  • I bought a Ridgeback MX3 last week, it was the 2010 model and so was discounted to £200. So far I am pretty impressed with the ride and the quality. It seems to be a well-built beginner's bike.

  • Is there some brand snobbery in this review? The decathlon's front fork is the same as most other bikes in the review suntour XCR yet its the only bike to be singled out as basic, all the other bikes equiped with the same same fork are apparently reasonably well damped ect ect

  • What are the bikes in halfords like, I seen a few brands like hoodoo, GT Aggressor ,Carrera and Boardman. would anyone sugest thier bike in the 400-600 euro price range.

    Im currently looking for a new mountain bike, i ant going to be doing any major off roading, but i need something that will take a good bit of abuse.

  • would you consider there to be any newcomers to the market since this list was compiled?

  • Better quality components and much better value: http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes/bike.html?b=2050

  • A bike is just a collection of parts and a frame.

    The frame and geometry is what tends to differentiate one bike from another. Everything else can be replaced and upgraded.

    So saying one bike is better than another can be for numerous reasons. A bike a rubbish frame and geometry but decent components isn't necessarily going to feel better than a bike with a good frame but inferior components.

    Good frame and contact points are what counts, bars (good forks will help make the ride feel smooth) controls (brakes and shifters) and saddle.

  • That Vitus is a great bike. With carbon forks, that would be a sub-10kg commuter whippet. Nice.

    I have to say, I think Specialized do very well in this category. Suntour make very basic forks - the Epicon being the one good fork in their range IMHO. However, Specialized put thought into their range and use softer springs and still use decent quality frames. My wife's Spesh Myka HT (bought at £260 in the last year's sell-offs) is a really excellent bike for the money and quite light. She rides footpaths and the fork/tyre and geometry are very comfy for her - much better than any Dutch style bike. I borrow it for commuting now and then and really enjoy riding it. Don't even need to change tyres as the Fasttracks its comes with roll fast on roads. With a change of tyres, I'd happily ride it round a trail centre. Highly recommend. But upgrade the front mech - its pants.

  • What nothing from the "Edinburgh Bike Coop range (and there not just based in Edinburgh .)

  • Best mountain bikes under 500? So you tested ALL of them?

    As with all these type of lists it would be very useful to know which were the bikes that were tested, but didn't make it to the top 10. Because very likely those are seriously outnumbered by the ones that were never in the test.

  • Actually, the 2011 Voodoo Bantu is miles better than any of these offerings...

    Shimano drivetrain, Suntour Radion Air 120mm, 180mm front rotor, Shimano hydraulics, Wellgo flats, 7005 frame in an attractive dark blue, £400! (£360 online). That is a great deal. In fact, if anyone was asking me to suggest a starter bike under £500 - I'd say that, or spend an extra £60-80 on your £500 budget and get last year's Carrera Fury or the Boardman Comp, again both have air forks. Only problem is Halfords - so would also advise investing in a how-to bike book and a simple tool kit and get a friend or understanding LBS to give it the once-over, then you're away! Those are all excellent, up-gradeable bikes with good frames, plus you'll enjoy the ride so much more you'll be more likely to stick with it and thus see a return on your investment.

  • I hate halfords with a passion because of there service and there BAD mechanics BUT you cant beat the carrera range of bikes for 550 you can get the fury which has come top of the 500 pound range in WHAT MOUNTAIN BIKE mag for the last year or so and it wipes the floor with any on show here and the cheaper options are good to just dont take it back to them for any work you need doing LOL

  • Starfanglednutter is correct here. Although, a friend who owns the 2011 Bantu has pointed out that it is the spring version of the Epicon fork, not air on the Bantu (Halfords website mistake apparently). The gearing is shimano, a basic version, but solid, the frame is fantastic, the hoops are solid, and the finishing kit is superb (appart from the saddle, charge spoon, sorted!). You can actually buy a superb bike from Halfords, but I wouldn't trust their after-sales as far as I could throw Russia.

  • Starfanglednutter is correct here. Although, a friend who owns the 2011 Bantu has pointed out that it is the spring version of the Epicon fork, not air on the Bantu (Halfords website mistake apparently). The gearing is shimano, a basic version, but solid, the frame is fantastic, the hoops are solid, and the finishing kit is superb (appart from the saddle, charge spoon, sorted!). You can actually buy a superb bike from Halfords, but I wouldn't trust their after-sales as far as I could throw Russia.

  • Starfanglednutter is correct here. Although, a friend who owns the 2011 Bantu has pointed out that it is the spring version of the Epicon fork, not air on the Bantu (Halfords website mistake apparently). The gearing is shimano, a basic version, but solid, the frame is fantastic, the hoops are solid, and the finishing kit is superb (appart from the saddle, charge spoon, sorted!). You can actually buy a superb bike from Halfords, but I wouldn't trust their after-sales as far as I could throw Russia.

  • Hello All

    Admittedly, I am not the most experienced cyclist in the world. In fact, I am looking on buying my first mountain bike in 15 years.

    There are fantastic bikes to buy nowadays, made from super aluminium allows and fancy ultra light components. It is difficult for beginner like me to make a choice between them.

    I have been looking for the best bike under £500 for weeks, my research so far narrowed down to six mountain bikes, all complete with Hydraulic Disc brakes and front adjustable suspension.

    On paper, there all look good to my amateur eye.

    Which of those six is the Best Buy and why?

    Material Fork (mm) Brakes (Front/Rear)

    1 Land Rover Experience Hydro 2011 £349.99 Al 7005 100 Hydraulic Disc (160/160)

    2 Claud Butler Shamen 2012 £359.99 Al 6061 ? Hydraulic Disc (160/160)

    3 Carrera Vulcan 2011/2012 £379.99 Al 7005 120 Hydraulic Disc (???/???)

    4 GT Avalanche 2.0 Hydro £409.49 Al 6061 100 Hydraulic Disc (180/160)

    5 Carrera Kraken 2011/2012 £449.99 Al 7005 120 Hydraulic Disc (???/???)

    6 DECATHON 8.1 2011 £499.99 Al 6061 100 Hydraulic Disc (160/160)

    You could find them all at (16/03/2012):

    1 http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/har_0003_ld/Land-Rover/Experience-Hydro-2011-Mountain-Bike

    2 http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Claud-Butler-Shamen-Mountain-Bike-2012-Hardtail-MTB_52057.htm

    3 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810709_langId_-1_categoryId_165499

    4 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-avalanche-20-hydro-2011/

    5 http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810671_langId_-1_categoryId_165499#tab2

    6 http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2011-id_8168695.html

    Thank you very much,

    ironIV

  • Article updated May 2012

  • Ok so I had a long hard think about this article, the under £1000 article and a weeks worth of trawling the web, the comments further up etc in order to buy an entry level MTB . I believe one bike has been missed off this list and others.

    So the Carrera Vulcan is on here and an excellent bike it is for the money and the Carrera Fury is on the under £1000 list. But what about the Carrera Kraken? It is much better than the Vulcan, not far off the Fury and is £450 at Halfords. It looks the best out of the three and and is a solid entry level. Compared to the HooDoo it looks a thousand times better and what good is a brilliant bike if it looks crap? I'm just getting in to biking properly - only 18 and took a long hard think about which bike to buy. The Kraken was on sale for £410, I bought it a well - what a bike! A definite bike to review Bikeradar...

  • Wow, what great information for all the Lance Armstrongs other there. But one would imagine 500 quids is pretty expensive. Isn't it? www.courseworkwriter.com/blog www.courseworkwriters.com/blog

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