Top 10 Best Mountain Bike Brands

I may only be a lightweight girl, but in my opinion, that makes a bike harder to fit me properly. I tried a Mongoose, Diamondback, and a Huffy, and they could not be adjusted to give me a good ride. My Trek came to me perfectly tuned for my frame and weight. Believe me, I am hard on it, and it gives me a smooth ride without wearing me out. The Huffy especially gave me blisters and made me sick of riding. I never thought a brand of bike would make so much difference, but I learned that fit is everything. Even after many miles of hard riding, I want to keep going. Trek sold me. I love mine and will never own another brand, even if they paid me to ride it.

I own a Trek. Sadly, I am poor, so I own a Marlin 4. It's meant to be a rugged commuter, but I use it for freeride and downhill. Black diamonds, jumps, and just plain abuse - it has survived. No, it's not nearly as good as it was when I bought it. It's not super comfortable to ride downhill, and the suspension is a joke. But it has survived. The only parts that have broken are ones that wear out anyway, like the chain, tires, derailleur, and so on. I am looking to get a bike suited for the kind of riding I am doing and plan to do. For now, it works. That's why I voted for Trek on this top ten list. The entry-level bike that I own has survived things that generally aren't considered entry-level. So, kudos to the team at Trek Bicycles for making a beginner hardtail that survives advanced-level abuse. All it needs is a new suspension.

I'm from Philippines, I have a great experience with this two brands the specialized and trek, both hardtail. First, I own specialized which gives me a smooth ride. But, after using for 1yr 4mos and 8days, I notice that the base part of my specialized body has a small crack, which is not good for me. Then I planned to buy a new one to replace my specialized body, I choose two brands trek and bianchi. I ask the owner of the store, which one has a good quality. He said, that both body have good quality in terms of weight. Bianchi, is like your biking in the mud. While trek has a good performance and high quality. No doubt, I choose trek 6500. And I never regret choosing my trek, now I'm using it for 2yrs and 22days.

Thank you trek bicycle company, you are the most reputable company in the whole worldwide... Keep up the good work guys...

By the way, I'm 5'8", 23y. O and male...

Last January, in 2014, my brother was itching to buy a bike, so he took me along. He had his eyes on a Cannondale Trail 6, while I opted for a cheaper brand (SGM). We had no idea what to look for in a bike. We basically judged them by the way they looked.

When we got to our LBS (local bike shop), we asked for the bikes we had in mind. The Cannondale sure looked awesome, while the SGM was somewhat pale in comparison. I don't know, maybe it's just the color. I hesitated. I couldn't fully convince myself that this was what I wanted. My gaze wandered around the shop, and there she was, perched above in a corner. Her yellow frame looked so fresh amidst the blacks, whites, blues, and reds of the other bikes around her.

The shop owner then said that the Trek 3500 is a good entry-level bike and that she has a 3500 for herself. She also added that the brand itself is a guarantee that it is a good-quality bike. I was sold.

It has been months since I first got my 3500. We ...more

I just got the 2014 Giant Revel, and compared to my 2012 Revel, it takes my cycling to an amazing level I could never imagine. For the price of only R4999, I could not have asked for a more amazing piece of machinery than this bike. It's smooth on the incline and super fast on the descent. If you don't believe me, try out Giant. There's no comparing. My first bike was a GT Avalanche 1.0, a great bike, but Giant's smooth feel and smooth acceleration make me not want to ride any other bike.

I have owned a Giant Mountain Bike since 1995 and have never had any problems with it. I have ridden it in Michigan on ski trails in the spring and summer, and I have suffered more than the bike ever did. I've also ridden it in light snow in the winter, and it is great. Yes, it was expensive, but I am glad I spent the money. If I had purchased a less expensive bike, I would have had to replace it at least once, if not more.

I own both a new Trance and a used Reign (8 years old). A bike is best judged at an old age. New bikes are always pretty and fine. The build quality is in the top ranks. Maestro suspension is impeccable. For the 8-year-old Reign, I only had to change the linkage bearings, and the bike feels 100% again. Giant bicycles are the kind that can be kept as long as the interest of the rider still remains.

I have a Giant Boulder SE, and it is tough as nails. I have ridden on many trails and have done things that would destroy any other bike. I haven't had to fix or replace anything except for tightening the brakes or replacing a blown tube. The bike also has amazing suspension and is very lightweight. Overall, I love this bike and will never switch to another brand.

I bought my first mountain bike in 1991, a Specialized Rockhopper with no suspension. I put a lot of miles on that bike. I upgraded to a Specialized Comp Elite with full suspension in 2010. Wow, what a revelation. I should have upgraded to a full-suspension bike a decade ago. The riding position is more upright, and I go down trails faster with less fatigue. I have put several thousand miles on the bike with only a broken spoke. It has never left me stranded. I've had only one flat, caused by hitting a rock too hard. I will buy another Specialized and recommend one for my son. By the way, does anyone like the new 29ers? I rode one and it's not as much fun. It is faster, but I feel disconnected from the trail. It will roll over rocks that would send me over the front of the bike.

If we're talking hard downhill, I would never choose anyone else other than Specialized. The bikes are quality. They maintain a level of durability while staying mobile. Another factor to consider is that Specialized, growing in popularity, is now producing more parts. It seems irrational to pay higher labor fees and whatnot when getting your bike repaired. Parts can be bought cheaply through websites such as eBay, saving you a large amount of money in the long run.

I've been on a Specialized since I was 7! From Hot Rock to Rock Hopper to another Rock Hopper, these bikes have taken all the abuse and crashes as I was growing up and acting reckless. Then I finally got a full-suspension Stumpjumper, and that's when my riding really took off! I completely thrashed my Stumpjumper from 7th grade to my freshman year in college, and nothing ever broke! The bike just kept going and going, dominating trails.

That's when I realized that Specialized bikes are bulletproof. Now, I'm on a Pitch Pro, and it's the best bike I've been on, besides the 2011 Enduro (which I'm trying to get soon, haha). My buddies have bikes from Santa Cruz, Yeti, Giant, and Trek, but my Specialized feels like it climbs better and descends like a champ! They still can't keep up. Specialized knows how to engineer bike frames! There's a reason so many people have them and love them. People who don't like Specialized bikes probably have never owned one.

When a good-condition Enduro Comp 29 came on the second-hand market through a good friend of mine, I gave it a long thought. I must admit, I was very reluctant to buy a 29", but after doing some research, I decided to go for it. What an awesome bike! It can really haul up and down hills. It runs very stable and is predictable. Thanks to Specialized for creating such a demon of a machine.

I have a fully customized Superlight. The frame is a decade old now and still commands admiration from many people. I have some high-end kit bolted to it, and with a total weight of just a fraction over 11 kg, it flies along dirt tracks and climbs like a mountain goat. It's a killer bike and still outperforms many newer models from the bigger manufacturers.

The quality and engineering put into my Santa Cruz is incredible. When you look at the design and style this bike has over the competition, there is no competition. Anyone can attach the best components to their frame. Santa Cruz's frames are in the top 4!

Santa Cruz all the way. I've also got a Marin, a Giant, and a Trek, but nothing comes close. The geometry of the 2013 Superlight frame is superb, and the single pivot is easy to maintain in the muddy slop here in Yorkshire, UK. Don't be fooled by the name. It's built like a tank!

The top 10 here reflect a mainstream, e.g., ignorant, perspective. Nearly all serious mountain bikers would put Santa Cruz near the top, if not at the top. Meanwhile, Marin and Kona make very mediocre products, to say nothing of the industry giants who produce a lot of low-quality items, besides their top-of-the-line bikes.

I have a Cannondale Trail SL4 and I love it! You can't beat the frame. It does so much more than just hold the parts together. It makes you comfortable, which is what I checked with Diamondback, Specialized, Giant, GT, Scott, Marin, Novarra, and so many more. Cannondale jumped out at me as being both comfortable and rugged. I have so much control and feel like I'm on a magic carpet ride. The parts range from good to great. No regrets.

This is an American company that actually makes all its own bikes rather than outsourcing to other brands for manufacturing. They innovate and break the mold whenever possible in a meaningful and well-thought-out way. They stick to their roots and don't chase the fancy new trend just to jump on sales. They adhere to tradition and what works for them.

Trigger-1 (29r) is an efficient climber and smooth DH rider, all with a flip of a switch on the handlebars and a push of a button on top of the Lefty. In addition, you can change the seat position from full extension on a climb to 'down in between the front and rear wheel' with a push of a button, giving you a sense of lower center of gravity. I started with a Cannondale Super-V Full Suspension for donkey's years. It's all aluminum and was a great bike for its time. AKA - Old Faithful.

I just got an SL 5. It's a great bike for only $700, way better than the Trek that I owned. It can ride over just about anything. Its disk brakes are really nice, and it handles great since it's a 29er with rigid Kenda tires - big, ole, fat tires. Better than Trek, no doubt. I almost bought the Trek Wahoo instead, but I upgraded.

Each frame looks beautiful. The bike switches between gears seamlessly and is perfect for just enjoying some wonderful trails. There's a version for everyone. They are true mountain bikes with high-quality statistics, and I don't understand why anyone would prefer another brand.

I worked at a bike shop and had to fix up to 30 bikes daily, most from subpar Walmart brands. I never once saw a GT in for anything other than upgrades or a simple tube change. We also hosted trail rides, and the mountain bikers I knew only had good things to say about this brand. If you know your bikes, you choose GT.

I have an 8-year-old Avalanche 3.0, and it has barely gone wrong. When it has, it has been due to my neglect. Everything except the seat (for comfort reasons) is the same as it was when I bought it. The color and decal design haven't really dated much, and the shape of the frame is the same as it is on the new bikes. Despite being made from aluminum, I find it noticeably (but not much) heavier than my friend's Giant bike of a similar specification. I would happily recommend this brand to anyone.

I have a 2006 Aggressor, and it has served me well. It's a great bike. Despite using it to tackle full-suspension trails, it is still in great condition and normally runs smoothly.

I am soon receiving a GT Avalanche (Hardtail), and since it is a higher-end model, I am hoping it will perform even better than my trusty Aggressor does.

If you were to buy an MTB with specs as good as those from the likes of Specialized, you would have to pay almost twice the price. Great value for money. GT is a great bike make, and I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys mountain biking.

I have owned three GT mountain bikes since late 1993. The frames on each of these have been fantastic and have never let me down once. I've replaced and upgraded components as required and according to my preferences. I recently completed a complete rebuild of my 2001 GT iDrive, which I just couldn't bear to part with. The fact that it's served me so well for so long is a testament to the quality of this brand.

I have ridden mountain bikes since '95, and my first real bike was a Kona Cinder Cone. Since then, I have had a lot of bikes in between and went back to Kona after being unimpressed with other brands. Kona is very careful with the geometry of all their bikes. Often, the only difference between a lower-end bike and a top-end bike is the components, but the rest of the bike is the same. This makes for amazing value.

The big guys like Trek and Giant produce subpar bikes on the lower end. No matter how much you try to upgrade them, they will always be subpar bikes. This is not so with Kona. You can take an $800 bike, change the drivetrain and fork, and have the exact same bike as a $1,300 race-ready bike.

This is the best brand. I'm from Mexico, and it's complicated to get a Kona, but once you have one, you're going to love it. This brand offers the best price-to-quality ratio. You should check what Kona offers in the same price range before buying another bike because you'll always find a better bike for the same price. Kona is always innovating, while other brands simply copy the designs that Kona and others are doing. Also, don't forget about the Africa programs that Kona is running. Sorry about my English writing. I hope this is helpful for new cyclists.

I have had the privilege of riding top brands like Specialized, Trek, GT, etc., and once I bought a Kona, I never turned back. In fact, I've bought three since then. Great bikes! I do my homework before buying anything. If you're the same, do yourself a favor and compare a Kona with other brands in the style of bike you're looking for. You'll see that quality, fitment options, and price mean a lot to this company.

I recently bought a 2005 Kona Kula Deluxe frame to use as a second bike. I built it to a good spec with a more modern twist: 10-speed, shorter stem with wider bars, etc. Wow, what a frame. If it were an animal, it would be an antelope or a gazelle. It accelerates super quick, and I can feel everything through the bike, from what the tires are rolling over.

It's so good that I've just fitted, at great expense, a set of 2014 Rockshox SID 100mm forks, as it was crying out for something better than I had in the parts bin. Now it is fantastic. I don't think today's hardtails come close to the performance of what was made 10 years ago. I can't comment on the later frames (2008 on). Mine is the Easton Ultralite Race alloy. Well done, Kona.

I compare and narrow things down before buying anything. I've had all different brands over the years and recently bought a SCOTT. The quality and the components you get far exceed a lot of the brands on this list. Two of these brands shouldn't even be on this list, let alone in the top five.

Great bikes. I am surprised how light they could make an alloy full-suspension large frame 29er, clocking in at 12.7 kg (the Spark 950 2014 model). The stiffness is also remarkable. This really amazes me, as my previous 26er hardtail (also alloy) weighed 15.6 kg with a large frame (Titan Sport 2013). They definitely know how to produce great-quality products that their customers can be proud of riding.

I spent three weeks searching for the perfect bike, and Scott and Giant seemed strides above the rest! The Scott edged it out due to the utter smoothness and perfection of gear changing. I'm not surprised to see Trek up there because I hear Giant is making their frames. But yeah, Scott gets my vote!

I decided to buy the Scott 720, given its smooth ride and clean lines. I love the three-stage handlebar control lever. I also enjoy having a brand that is not too high production like Trek, Specialized, or Giant. Very happy with Scott Bikes.

I've had tons of bikes over the years: Giants, Specialized, Scott, and more. Yeti is in a class of its own. This list is based on votes - most widespread appeal is based on price, accessibility, popularity, etc., not Yeti. The best premium hand-built mountain bikes are made by Yeti, all day long.

I have owned bikes from Giant, Bridgestone, and multiple Specialized models - all good. However, once I owned a Yeti, there was no turning back. I am on my second Yeti, and they are simply amazing. I can do things on that bike that I could never do on mass-produced brand bikes.

Probably 8th on the list because the general public knows the high-production brand names before they know the high-quality brand names. More people have heard of McDonald's versus McCormick and Schmick's, but I know where I'd rather eat.

Yeti is truly the best mountain bike out there. It has high-quality parts compared to Cannondale, Trek, and Specialized. Yes, the price is out of the ballpark, but you're paying for the quality.

I have a Cube AMS 130 SL (2013), and it is without a doubt one of the best all-mountain bikes I have ever ridden. Although not cheap, its frame and rear linkage are beautifully made and create a responsive ride that absorbs small and big hits with ease. This gives you the confidence to go faster than you would think possible! The bike has awesome components for the money, is seriously lightweight, and looks amazing. I highly recommend Cube and their German engineering and manufacturing.

After having driven a Merida for seven years, I went ahead and tried out a Cube Reaction GTC. Man, what a killer machine! I love it every time I ride it, and I haven't seen many known brands offer the same specs for the money. I won't go into comparing my Merida with the Cube since a lot has changed in seven years and my Merida never let me down either. But Merida was much more expensive to get the same quality parts as on my Cube, so I switched brands.

I bought a Cube Acid 2013 to see if I wanted to get into MTB rather than road cycling. I have a Trek FX 7.9 full carbon hybrid for my road cycling. I must say, my Cube, for far less money, has made me smile more and has truly gotten me into XC riding. This bike is very well built with great components where required, and it provides all you need to have a great ride. I would highly recommend a look and a test ride.

Fantastic bikes, incredible value for money. My "Reaction" is very stable, predictable, and comfortable. I also bought some Cube clothing and accessories, and the attention to detail is perfect. I can't say enough about them. They come highly recommended. (2014)

I just bought a soon to be 17 yr old 1999 Rocky Mountain 'Soul' Core series. Color: Magic Yellow.

It was a garage find and it's pure eye candy. It's been stored away and riden very little. All original except the saddle. Literally no dings scrapes or scratches no rust or pitting & that includes under the BB etc. I had to repair a front flat and dial in the front derailleur. Even has the OEM grips with Rocky Mountain embossing, in near mint condition. All stickers are mint and intact including the bike shop sticker from where it was purchased. I'm so in love with it right now. It rides like it has a heart beat of its own. It's such a vintage Jewel that It will be stored in a room where I'll be able to stare at it and admire its beauty. I can't bring myself to ride it and bang it up now after it surviving all this time.

I've ridden Specialized bikes for years. When I decided to get a new 29er, I couldn't find a geometry that felt right. Charles at Trailhead Bicycle Company in Cleveland, TN, suggested a Rocky Mountain Vertex. Since he didn't have my size, I tried the Trailhead 29er. It fit so well it could've been made just for me. Because of my size (I'm 310 lbs and 6'), I upgraded my wheels and switched to tubeless for riding here in East TN. When I ride Thunder Rock at 28 to 35 MPH, this bike is everything I wanted. Rocky Mountain is top-shelf!

I bought a 2013 Altitude and haven't even needed any new parts. The only thing was a brake bleed. It has lasted 4 years, nearing 5, without any major adjustments. I'm thinking of upgrading to either a 2017 Altitude, a 2016 or 2017 Element. The Thunderbolt is considerable, and the Trek Remedy is up there too. I just don't know which one to choose. Price is the only issue with these bikes. Otherwise, they are very well-made. I would take it over a Giant any day.

Rocky Mountain Fusion: A cheap first bike that's strong as an ox and not scared of rocks. I rode mine for 12 years on three continents in everything from snow to torrential downpour during a tropical typhoon. It also features a non-trash Silent Clutch rear hub that lasted 30,000 km and several rims. It's still going strong.

Rocky Mountain ETSX: One of the few truly unique suspension designs, not simply ripping off Horst.

RM7, RM8, etc.: Just plain wow.