10 Best Value Mountain Bikes in Australia [2023] Reviews 

This article contains the most important details to consider as you select best mountain bike in Australia (for you).

When you get the fit, weight, and angles right, there is no better companion than a Mountain Bike.

This durable bike is ready for all kinds of adventures like blasting downhill trails, tackling obstacles, jumping dirt mounds or covering long stretches off-road. 

Mountain Bikes themselves have several variations. Be it rigid two wheelers, hardtails or dual suspension mountain bikes as examples. You can easily get overwhelmed as you try to orient yourself.  

Our personal take is that most of the differences are small, and it really comes down to getting a bike comfortable with your body and the type of terrain you will want to cover.

Check all the latest news of mountain bikes from Mountain Bike Australia ( mtba.org ) 

But the question is which one to buy? Well, we got you covered. This guide of best value mountain bikes in Australia of 2022 has the top 10 bikes that will cover different body type and terrain.  You'll find your fit.

Read On.

Best Entry level mountain bikes of Australia

The guide will provide mountain bike reviews of Australia too. Check them out below.

Marin Eldridge Grade Base 27.5 2022 - OUR TOP PICK

This is a fun bike, designed to have fun rides on the rocky mountains. The bike is designed with a Series 1 6061 aluminum frame. Shimano Altus 2x9-speed drivetrain comes along with the bike.

The gear set is amazing for the steep climbs and swift stopping on descents.The bike has Shimano BR-MT201 hydraulic disc brakes that makes you stop the bike in a jiffy.

The tires are 29 x 2.25" with double-wall alloy rims.

Quick Facts:

• The aluminium frame is of Series 1 6061 having 100 mm of travel on the front
• The fork is of SR with an adjustment of preload of Suntour XCM fork with 46mm offset
• The bike rides well on off road and on road as well thanks to Shimano Altus 
• The bike has an amazing hydraulic disc brakes having Shimano BR-MT201

Progear Dual Suspension MTB 26 * 19" Stealth Black

This entry-level mountain bike, Progear Rover 26" Folding MTB Black is a highly valued top-quality mountain bike. The bike is designed with steel welded 17-inch dual-suspension folding MTB which is convenient to control, light in weight, and tough at the same time.

It is a folding mountain bike equipped with a 21-speed gear drive train and micro-shift grip shifter. It lets you ride on uneven surfaces smoothly with its front and back suspension.

The brakes are very efficient and reliable. They deliver optimum braking performance. The bike has a very comfortable MTB padded saddle that suits your preference. It is an Australian-made mountain bike.

Quick Facts:

• This bike is owned and operated proudly by Australians
• Built with disc brakes that can be reliable in wet conditions
• The bike has a very strong braking performance
• It also requires very few adjustments and maintenance

Trinx M136 MTB Mens Mountain Bike

This bike is a hardtail bike mainly meant for rough riding. The frame size is 26 inches and made up of aluminium. The frame gives the bike a steady performance and smooth ride. The bike performs very well in dirt jumping and in leisure rides too.

The size of the frame is 17 inches. The bike comes with super protection and improvised support thanks to the double walled rims.

The bike is versatile for all kinds of terrain as the 21 speed gear shifters make it happen.

Quick Facts:

• Durability, control and dependability is achieved through the mechanical disc brakes
• The modulation is adjustable  with the flexible pad wear
• The chain gives great degree of elasticity thanks to its high tensile chain
• It comes in matte blue and black colors

Trek Slash 8

This is an endurance bike for mountains having 29er wheels making it fast. It has a suspension of RockShox and the drivetrain of GX Eagle from SRAM. The bike is made of an aluminum frame.

It has tough alloy wheels designed with new technology. This bike will surely take you to the sweet spot of riding.

Quick Facts:

• You can store your tools and accessories in the internal storage compartment
• There is a down tube guard in the bike for excess protection on your frame, from any kind of damages caused due to shuttles 
• Slash is a 2-in-1 kind of bike which is fun while racing and cool while casual riding
• The Knock Block comes with a larger steering angle which keeps the hoses and the cables safe without compromising the turning radius
• The seat tube is wide and so is the dropper
• The diameter post of 35.9 mm is strong and durable yet moves fast

PivotMach 4

This bike is made for people who love to trust their feets and pedals. The frame is light in weight yet provides great control to the rider. The tires are 27.5 inches making it the most versatile bike which can ride any terrain.

The brand Pivot is known for coming up with bikes having significantly low standover height. The MAch 4 is no exception as short riders would not have a problem riding this.

The frame is completely carbon made. This bike is surely a go bike if you are keen on carbon frames.

Quick Facts:

• The bike comes with new XC rocket ship
• The seat tube is steep which will keep you perched while riding
• The moderate head tube will let you ride with full power on chunky terrains
• The cage clearance and stand over height is improvised with vertical shock layout
• Compared to the old 429 SL this MACH 4 is 300 gms less in weight
• The 36 tooth hubs of DT Swiss hoops instantly engage
• It comes with a 10 year warranty
• It comes with SRAM X01 drivetrain

Trek Marlin 7

This bike is where the mountain bikes worth racing begin. They are really smooth on terrains and light in weight.

They come with a RockShox fork making it convenient for the new riders. This is the best hard-tail mountain bike in Australia for cross country.

Quick Facts:

• An all rounder bike which gives versatility at a low cost
• It can be used as casual ride, mountain bike or even cross country
• The suspension is very good for the price
• Comes with great gear set thanks to the 1 X Drivetrain
• The bike has lower standover height and curved top tube
• The brakes are hydraulic disc brakes
• It also has rear kickstand mount

Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt Carbon 70

This Carbon 70 comes with a completely sealed cartridge bearing frame with internal cable routing. It has adjustable geometry of RIDE-9 and 2-bolt ISCG05.

It comes with Shimano XT 1x12-speed drivetrain having a hill crushing cassette of 10-15T gear range. Riding the uphills becomes very easy with this. It has Shimano XT Trail 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes.

While riding down the mountains they are very useful as they give the rider complete confidence and control. 

Quick Facts:

• You can customize your bike with the RIDE-9 Adjustable Geometry 
• In demanding and tough terrains, Shimano XT 1x12-speed drivetrain offers reliable shifting
• For swift stopping the bike has Shimano XT hydraulic disc brakes 
• It gives a super smooth ride thanks to the tubeless ready rims and tires

Diamondback Sync'R 29 Carbon Mountain Bike

This Sync’R 29 comes with a progressive geometry having hungry 29ers allowing the bike to handle all kinds of terrains. The bike is inexpensive.

The bike is very easy on pedals. The tires are 29×2.5-inch that are tubeless. The fork is 140 mm travel Fox 34 Float Performance which is well versed in handling aggressive big and riding moves. 

Quick Facts:

• The bikes give confidence to the rider on single track
• The geometry is progressive and varies based on the terrain
• The frame is all carbon hardtail and is playful
• The bike creates good stability in the air with the optimal head angle
• FOX suspension offers adjustability for weight, riding style, and terrain

Niner AIR 9 Mountain Bike

This AIR 9 is a huge competition to all the high end bikes. The bike simply glides through the forest trails with blistering acceleration and smooth handling. The bike is built with Niner's Carbon Compaction System (CCS).

The frame is protected with tube wall thickness. This helps in reducing the overall weight of the bike frame. 

Quick Facts:

• The riding and XC racing is possible with the blistering rocket ship
  
• The handling of the bike is improvised
• The frame of the bike is of carbon thus making it super light and stiff
• The boost axle is 12 x 148 mm giving ample space for the stiffness of the rear end
• On the rough trails the 100 mm FOX fork dampens the vibrations
• The back of the bike has 27.2 mm seat post providing great compliance
• The bike has very good gear set for all kinds of pitch

NCM Milano Electric Mountain Bike

This bike is known for its ruggedness and capability. It is super versatile. This E-bike is designed to take up on the rough terrains easily.

The frame is made of alloy for giving strength to the bike. The handlebars come with improvised ergonomics giving great performance.

The power of 48V is supplied to the higher output. The bike has a capacity of 624 Wh which gives significant high performance in long distances. The bike comes with a mobile charging point which is a USB port of 5V.

Quick Facts:

• The bike has an ergonomic grip
• The sitting posture is very comfortable 
• The important controls of the bike are easily accessible 
• The bike can go upto 120 kms/hr
• The battery is well integrated in the frame

What is a Mountain bike?

Mountain bikes are built specifically to ride on narrow dirt filled roads. The handle bars are wide and flat, wider tires for traction, and an extensive range of hydraulic disc brakes and drive-trains to facilitate steep descents and climbs.

There are gender based mountain bikes available in the market too.  The women bikes are designed as per the women’s seat preference.

Smaller handlebar grips are made to help women hold the handles firmly. There are various other modifications in the women based bikes. 

Based on the riding styles and the various terrain preferences, different types of mountain bikes are designed.

It doesn't matter if you ride for the thrill, you are a cross-country race or you are an enduro racer or even just a trail ride, there is always a bike for you.

What to look for in a mountain bike?

Frame material

Generally mountain bikes are made from 1 single material or combination of materials. They are:

• Aluminum: They are used to design light weight bikes that are strong and stiff as well. The material is very easy to mold and work with.
• Carbon Fiber: This is again a very commonly used material for bikes. It is mainly used in professional bikes which provide perfect weight and stiff ratio.
• Steel: All the entry level bikes are made up of steel as they are inexpensive and durable.
• Titanium: This is used in bikes to give high resistance. They are not very common in mountain bikes. They are expensive but they do not corrode as well. They are mainly meant for pleasure or luxury rides.

Size

The size of the bike is very important. The ride can be very uncomfortable if the size is wrong. The seat can be adjusted to reach the handle bar, but if the frame size itself is wrong then it becomes  a huge problem.

Generally horizontal distance starting from the junction of the top tupe till the seat tube is considered for a mountain bike size.

Wheels

27.5” is the most apt and commonly found mountain bike’s wheel diameter as it provides completely improved performance in comparison to 26” standard wheel diameter. Tubeless tires must be used to make it puncture free.

Gear

In order to suit all kinds of terrains for a rider, there is an extensive range of gears available. A standard crankset consists of triple chainrings which helps in providing ultra low range for ascending and descending on the hill.

There are 7 to 10 gears at the rear known as the sprockets. A 7 speed cluster provides 21 gears while 8 speed provides 24 gears.

Suspension

To save the rider and the bike from taking the jerks and bumps at the front wheel, suspension forks are very important. They keep the front wheel touched to the ground.

Saddle

Saddle is your seat which sure needs to be comfortable and perfect. As you sit on it for long hours the saddle should be such that absorbs all the vibrations and bumps while you traverse. The ratio between the weight and comfort must be right while buying the saddle. 

Accessories

• Helmet: A helmet with complete head coverage made of strong material with face coverage is the apyt kind of helmet. For safety and comfort purposes an extended peak is always better against overhanging foliage.
• Footwear: The footwear should be such that it matches the pedal. It can be flat soled or even clip in (cleat) mountain biking shoes.
• Clothing: MTB clothing is more comfortable, breathable, and flexible so that you can move around while riding. It’s also made of tough material that’s more difficult to rip in the event of a crash.
• Pads: While riding on the tougher terrains, these pads that are flexible can be worn on knees and elbows for protection.
• Gloves: Gloves that fully cover your hands and fingers are used for mountain bikes. These gloves are lightly padded to give grip over the handle bar.
• Glasses: As any glasses protect your eyes from the sun, similarly these glasses for mountain bikes would protect your eyes from the sun and the impact of the ride as well. It stops from particles flying into your eyes too.
• Storage: To carry all the essentials, a backpack, saddle wrap or saddle bags can be used.

Price

Well it depends upon you which mountain bike to choose. As the mountain bikes range from  $300 to $10,000 and more. It completely depends on your purpose and requirement of the bike.

 Lightweight bikes which are durable cost more while entry level mountain bikes are less, costing around $600. The carbon frame bikes cost between $2000 to $3000.

Do I need a gender-specific bike?

Today there are many gender specific bikes in the market. But yet some major manufacturers sell neutral gender bikes. These women's specific bikes do not have much difference than the men. They are just small in size and height with a smaller handlebar to suit the women’s physique. 

Well, it is not quite required to run behind the market trend of men and women bikes. The key here is to buy the bike which suits you and your needs.

People Also Ask

Conclusion

For any rider, scaling a peak, what depends the most is the trust on his bike. This makes the difference. So, this best value mountain bikes in australia guide will help you choose the right brand as per your requirements. So go for it.

Keep riding, keep scaling, touch all the peaks of the mountains!