Not all cyclists have a budget like $10000 to buy a good and expensive bike, especially those who are unemployed, cyclists below 18, and those who have low salaries. Most mountain bikers always try to find a decent full-suspension mountain bike that ranges between $1000-$3000.
If you want good mountain bike components, expect that you have to spend lots of dollars. Also, if the mountain bike brand that you want to buy is like Specialized or Giant, you have to make sure you have enough money because those brands that I gave are well-known. Well-known mountain bike brands are expensive.
Modern low-budget full-suspension mountain bikes have improved geometry, a decent transmission system, and are good for less technical downhill or enduro trails. When it comes to cross-country riding, these bikes will give you a more comfortable ride than hardtails.
In this article, we will talk about cheap full suspension bikes. I will give you the pros and cons of buying a cheap full-suspension mountain bike, and I will tell you if it is worth it to buy a cheap full-suspension mountain bike. After reading this article, you will have a better understanding of the things that you need to consider before buying a cheap full-suspension bike.
Table of Contents
Is It Worth It Buying A Cheap Full-Suspension Mountain Bike?
If the terrain you are riding on is rocky or has lots of tree roots on it, it is fine to use a cheap full-suspension bike. There are lots of cheap full-suspension mountain bikes that are equipped with decent components and are well-designed for less technical enduro or downhill riding. However, if you will compete in a tournament, it is much better for you to buy a mid or high-end full-suspension mountain bike.
A good mountain bike is designed to give the rider the best geometry for stability and is equipped with good tires and suspensions to lessen the risk of accidents and to provide good traction on the roughest of terrains. If you want to ride at full speed, bike stability becomes your friend. On a downhill ride, traction becomes your friend. If you lose traction, there is a high chance of an accident.
Most cheap full-suspension mountain bikes are not properly tested or they come with an old geometry that is not in line with the modern mountain bikes’ standards. However, there are still some manufacturers who decide to give their cheap full-suspension mountain bikes similar to the mid versions available in the store.
Most mountain bikers state that a high-level hardtail is the one to buy. A cheap full-suspension mountain bike is not worth your money, but this is an overstatement. A full-suspension mountain bike is designed for a different type of ride compared to a hardtail mountain bike.
If you ride a lot on rocky, rooty, and muddy sections, a full-suspension mountain bike, even if it is a cheap full-suspension mountain bike, is still the best choice. When you ride downhill, you will benefit from the increased stability that a full-suspension mountain bike will offer.
A cheap full-suspension mountain bike is the best option for mountain bikers that suffer minor lower back pain due to sedentary jobs that want to ride the country roads or trails near them. The rear suspension will absorb all the bumps on the terrain and will protect the lower back of the mountain biker.
So, to conclude, cheap full-suspension mountain bikes are good! However, let us still take a look at some of the pros and cons of buying a cheap full-suspension mountain bike to help you decide better. Let us go!
Pros And Cons Of Buying Cheap Full-Suspension Mountain Bike
Buying a cheap full-suspension mountain bike is a matter of weighing the pros and cons. In this time, we will examine the pros and cons of buying a cheap full-suspension mountain bike. Let us start with the pros first.
Pros of buying a cheap full-suspension mountain bike:
- A full-suspension mountain bike is more comfortable than a hardtail mountain bike. Even if you ride soft trails, you can still have a more comfortable ride.
- A full-suspension mountain bike can absorb all the bumps on the terrain when you ride sitting on the saddle.
- Full-suspension mountain bikes can handle downhill or enduro riding. Full-suspension mountain bikes have better traction than a hardtail mountain bike when riding over rocks and mud.
- A full-suspension mountain bike is more suited for long rides than hardtails.
- Lastly, cheap full-suspension mountain bikes will save some dollars from your pocket. Even though they are cheap, they can still provide the best experience.
Now that we see that there are lots of advantages to buying a cheap full-suspension mountain bike, let us check the other side. Next, let us check the cons of buying a cheap full-suspension mountain bike. Let us proceed!
Cons of buying cheap full-suspension mountain bike:
- Bike geometry is the first con. Lots of full-suspension mountain bikes that cost $1000 come with outdated geometry. However, if you persevere to search, you can still find bikes with good trail geometry.
- The tires of cheap full-suspension mountain bikes are cheap, which means they can get damaged quickly.
- The brakes of cheap full-suspension mountain bikes have less braking power.
- Lastly, the weight of a cheap full-suspension mountain bike is heavy. The lighter components are expensive.
If you have a budget of around $1000-$1500 and still want a full-suspension mountain bike, then you need to be prepared to make some compromises if an increased bike weight and lower-end components fail. Even though cheap full-suspension mountain bikes are still good, I still suggest you go for the mid-end or high-end.
Tips For Buying Good Low-Budget Full-Suspension Mountain Bike
If you desire to have a cheap full-suspension mountain bike that falls under the $1500-$2000 price category, I have some tips for you!
The first tip is to pay attention to the bike geometry.
Be aware that you cannot upgrade the bike’s geometry without changing its frame. So, pay attention to the bike geometry before buying.
Second is you should find a bike with cheap tires.
At this price level, every manufacturer needs to cut costs. The bike tires are an essential part of your bike because they have a big role to play in the bike’s level of traction but are easy to upgrade in the future.
The last tip I can give you is to get a cheap full-suspension mountain bike that has 27.5 wheels instead of 29.
29er wheels require a longer fork and they are more expensive. If you will get a bike with 27.5 wheels, you will be able to find more options on the market with RockShox forks and if you search enough, you can find a 27.5 wheel full-suspension mountain bike.
Final Words
To conclude, a cheap full-suspension mountain bike is still a good choice, especially if you are tight on budget. However, I still suggest you go at least at mid-end. The reason why is because it can be hard to find a good cheap full-suspension mountain bike today. So, save your money and get a better one. I hope the article helps you decide. Cheers!
