Entry level Mountain bikes make it possible for young riders to explore new trails or ride off-road places that regular bikes can’t go. Every outdoor enthusiast will enjoy being able to go off-road with their bikes. However, riding the best entry level mountain bike for beginners adds a new twist of fun and sport.
You do not necessarily have to go through much stress all in the name of getting the best entry level mountain bike for your boy; this comprehensive article got you covered.
The Best Entry Level Mountain Bike for Beginners
In a nutshell, the best mountain bike we recommend for beginners is that which is lightweight and durable. This feature is what sets the best mountain bikes from other brands. Plus, it is easy to handle and maintain for a beginner or kid.
Also, one of the characteristics of the best entry level mountain bike for beginners is the ability to tackle road bumps without the fear of tripping off the bike seat.
Lest I forget, a bike stand is another feature that makes the mountain bikes listed in this post a must-have for any bike starter. This is because sometimes beginners always want to stop by and stare at things on their way; hence a bike stand helps you stand for a while.
Top 10 Best Entry Level Mountain Bikes
RALEIGH Bikes Kodiak 2 Mountain Bike
The very first bike on our list of best entry level mountain bike is the Raleigh bike because we are not saving the best for the last. Raleigh brand has been creating quality bikes for over 130 years, so it makes sense if we prefer this bike for beginners.
Apart from the long years of experience, the Raleigh Kodiak 2 is a classic mountain bike for beginners. It features a new lightweight SRAM NX 1×11 drivetrain, a narrow-wide CNC chainring with an excellent gear ratio for going up and down hills.
Also, the mountain bike for beginners is made with a 6061 alloy frame with 120mm of travel, Raleigh thru-axle, and tapered head tube, and a sun tour Raidon 32 air, 27.5+ fork for a cushy ride.
The exciting part is building and assembling. Your new Raleigh will arrive partially assembled. Hence you’ll get the chance to use a little elbow grease and learn how your new bike works without having to start from the ground up.
However, if you are not comfortable assembling your bike for any reason, please take it to your local bike shop for assistance, but assembling will only take between 30 minutes to 120 minutes.
Pros
- Cool rims and tires
- Awesome Rear suspension and Fork
- Easy to assemble
- Includes Tektro Auriga hydraulic disc brakes
Diamondback Bicycles Hook 27.5 Hardtail Mountain Bike
Here is our choice for the best mountain bike for novice. The Diamondback hardtail mountain bike is the perfect bike for first-timers because of its awesome features.
The entry-level mountain bike is a hardtail with a low bottom bracket height, and the length of the frame allows you to ride fast through rough terrain.
Also, the Hook rolls on 27.5” wheels and the chunky, knobbly 2.35” Schwalbe Tough Tom tires have got your back even in the mud.
For the shock and suspension, the XCR got you covered. It has 32mm wide stanchions (legs) to boost stiffness, and you can set the preload or even lock out the fork for climbs.
Pros
Single ring drivetrain
Easy to assemble
It’s easy to upgrade
Cons
The logo on the front doesn’t stick well
Mongoose Legion Sidewalk Freestyle BMX Bike for Kids, Children, and Beginner-Level Riders, Featuring Hi-Ten Steel Frame, MicroDrive 25x9T or 36x16T BMX Gearing, and 16-18-20-Inch Wheels
Are you looking for a good beginner bike for your kid? Then the BMX Mongoose Legion is a perfect choice. Check out for the specs below.
The L16’s Hi-Ten steel 6.5” rise handlebar and 40mm stem are designed for precision riding, while the aluminum single wall 28H rims and 2.3” BMX tires offer grip and durability.
Also, the 25x9T gearing with 1-piece forged steel 130mm crank and American loose ball bottom bracket offer a clean, reliable drivetrain while a 40mm stem joins the Hi-Ten steel handlebar and fork for maximum steering performance.
Admittedly, the BMX Mongoose Legion is a perfect choice for kids, teenagers, and beginner riders.
Pros
- Aluminum brakes for precision speed control
- Perfect BMX for kids
- Alloy chainring
Cons
- Some of the parts are bent
Gravity 2020 FSX 1.0 Dual Full Suspension Mountain Bike with Disc Brakes Aluminum Frame
The gravity 2020 Fsx is one of the best beginner mountain bikes because of its great quality. It’s an affordable entry-level 24-speed dual suspension bike and one of the best mountain bikes in the market.
It features Front and Rear Disc Brakes, an advanced aluminum frame with Single Pivot technology, adjustable rear coil-over cartridge shock, Shimano drivetrain, and an adjustable front shock.
Here are the cool specs;
- Speeds-24
- Frame-Hydroformed Aluminum
- Fork- Suntour long travel with adjustable preload
- Crankset-Alloy Triple
- Shifters-Shimano EF51 24 speed
- Front Derailleur-SHIMANO
- Rear Derailleur-SHIMANO
- Wheelset-26in Dbl Wall Alloy
- Chain-Narrow 8
- Cassette-8 spd Megarange
- Tires-Black 26 x 2.1
- Brakes- Tektro Novela Disc
- Handlebar-Aluminum Riser
- Seatpost-Alloy 27.2
Pros
- Easy to Use Shimano Shifters
- Comes in several sizes and color options
- It has a lot of bells and whistles
Cons
- The bike is not built for trails
Looking for something different from the crowd? Why not try the Mongoose Dolomite fat tire mountain bike for entry level riders.
The Shimano rear derailleur with seven speeds makes hills more comfortable to climb, while twist shifters make it smooth and easy to change gears while riding.
Additionally, the robust and lightweight alloy rims keep the weight down for added speed and performance. The threadless headset is adjustable for riders of different heights.
Also, the suggested rider height for the Mongoose Dolomite fat tire mountain bike is 5’6″ to 6′ tall.
Pros
- Big and plump tires
- Conquers any off-road trail with ease
- Easy to assemble
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
How To Get a Beginner Riding
Know Your Route
Begin the ride with what you know best and don’t get fixated on finishing a specific route. If they can stop, play, or do bits again, that’s no problem. You can’t make it too easy for the first ride — your only goal on the first outing is to guarantee a fulfilled and happy finisher.
How hard?
Keep it easy. Getting to meet bumps on the way can be so tiring and demoralizing, so it’s advised that you stick to simple, smooth trails — they’ll soon go looking for challenges once ready.
Dry trails are best on warm days. It can be fun riding on muddy terrain, but wallowing through cold and wet is an acquired taste. Take the time to drop their saddles for obstacles; raise afterward to make pedaling easier.
Bike choice
As we all know that the size of the wheels matters a lot in bike selection even more so for the tiny tear away.
It might be a small step for you, but their wheels are lower, and their bikes relatively heavier than yours. For two years + look at 12in wheels. 3+ go to 14in. 4+ should be 16in. 5+ to 20in. 7+ to 24in. 8+ to 26in.
Interestingly, the bikes selected in this post are the best entry level mountain bikes suitable for beginners.
Take the Weight
Keep yourself warm and dry, replace the inner tubes of the bikes, fix the bike, and bumps. Other than a (500ml) water bottle in a bottle cage, leave them burden-free. Beginners on bikes can make “the Tiger who came to tea seem like a light eater,” so take proper food: sandwiches, sweets, biscuits, etc. Use energy products sparingly.
How To Choose The Best Entry Level Mountain Bike For Beginners
Trying to find the best entry level bike for mountain biking that best suites a beginner can sometimes be stressful. However, some things must be put into consideration before making your choice of purchase.
Gear
Gear configurations for beginners mountain bike mostly occur in either a triple chainset or a single gear wheel in front. Also, a larger cassette is featured in the back and results in drive trains such as 1×7, 1×9, or 3×7, 3×8, and 3×9.
With only one wheel in front, shifting is simplified to only one shifter for one hand. Selecting the right gear becomes considerably easier for children that way, while still giving sufficient options for any terrain.
Size & Fit
The wheel is a large determinant of how the mountain bike proportions will be like.
Models for children ranges between 12″ and 24″, while 26″ is the standard range for an adult. The bike is a good fit, but that’s if the rider can easily stand across the frame, comfortably reach the pedals from the saddle and grab the handlebar without having to overreach.
Frame
The frame is the most substantial part of any entry-level mountain bike, and it adds considerably to the overall mass. Besides, the frame makes up a significant percentage of their body weight for children.
If a beginner’s mountain bike is heavy, it makes riding relatively tedious, which is why most manufacturers had to strike a balance between durability and weight by selecting aluminum alloy, which is durable and light in weight.
Tires
The tires on a starter’s mountain bike goes a long way to influence comfort and stability. A wider tire enables a firm contact with the ground, as well as more cushion.
The profile of the starter mountain bike must correspond to any terrain that the child might likely encounter, be it gravel, dust and dirt paths, wet mud or rocky trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know Which Entry Level Mountain Bike Size To Get?
Matching starters with a mountain bike is elementary, and that’s if you go by the wheel diameter. As they increase in age, they will need a larger size, e.g., 12, 16, 20, or 24-inch sizes. You will get to see the matching below, and it’s as follows;
- 2-3 years: 12″ wheels
- 3-4 years: 14″ wheels
- 4-5 years: 16″ wheels
- 6-7 years: 20″ wheels
- 8-10 years: 24″ wheels
- 12+ years: 26″ wheels
When Will A Child Outgrow Their Bike?
Children tend to outgrow a mountain bike after two or three years of use. This depends on their size, metabolism, and growth spurts. Another thing is that you cannot plan for nature.
Does an Entry Level Mountain Bike Need Gears?
Gears make it easier to use pedal uphill and make it more comfortable to ride long distances. It’s a good practice to learn to shift earlier.
Beginners commonly have little problems learning how to handle shifting, and most shifters on beginners mountain bikes are designed, so the rider doesn’t have to take their hands off the bars.
Why Do I Face Trouble Clipping Out My Pedal?
In case you decide to ride clipless, you must understand that you can adjust your pedals. Adjustment varies, as it depends on the type of pedal and cleats you use.
Should I Put Training Wheels On A Beginners Mountain Bike?
Everyone has an opinion about training wheels. Training wheels are not inherently wrong. If training wheels are appropriately mounted on a bike, it allows a starter to place more focus on pedaling instead of using the pedal and balance at the same time.
Recommended Post: Best Affordable Mountain Bike Wheels
Conclusion
Mountain biking can be exciting, especially when you have gotten the right bike for yourself. You must also get to know the trail that is perfect for your level of experience, to avoid casualties.
Remember, the best entry level mountain bike for beginners is lightweight and rugged for long time use.
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