Best Beginner Mountain Bikes in 2022

Are you looking to get started in the sport of mountain biking, or get more serious about it, and buy your first mountain bike? Buying your first mountain bike can be a difficult decision with so many different options for bikes and components.

The perfect beginner mountain bike will allow you to ride comfortably on moderate trails and push yourself to improve your skills. Making the wrong decision will limit the amount of fun you have on the trails, and depending on which bike you buy, it may not even be suitable for the trails you hope to ride.

Not only will the wrong purchase decision reduce your fun on the trails, it will also hurt financially, since you will probably be in the market for another bike very soon.

Thankfully The Apex Adventurer has you covered with some awesome recommendations for beginner mountain bikes below.

What are the best beginner mountain bikes for 2022?

1. Trek Marlin 5 – Editor’s choice
2. Co-op Cycles DRT 1.2 – Best suspension fork
3. Cannondale Trail 5 – Best drivetrain
4. Giant Talon 4
5. Norco Storm 4
6. Marin Bolinas Ridge 2

#1 Trek Marlin 5

Check Current Price | Editor’s Choice

Specs

Pros and cons

 Pros:

• Lightweight – the lightest bike on our list
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Balanced geometry
• Great looks
• Internal cable routing

Cons:

• 29-inch wheels not available with small size frame

The Trek Marlin 5 has an aluminum frame with excellent geometry, and internal cable routing that gives it a sleek, polished look.

The Marlin 5 is a relatively lightweight bike that is at home on the trails but can also double as a commuter bike for short commutes to get you where you need to go.

The 100mm Suntour XCT fork helps the bike roll over bumps in the trail more smoothly, and the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes allow for powerful, precise braking so you can get the bike up to speed confidently knowing you will be able to come to a stop quickly if need-be.

The 29-inch wheels (on medium sized bikes and up) also help to keep the ride smooth and speedy. This bike is a formidable choice for any newcomer to the sport of mountain biking.

Check Current Price

 #2 Co-op Cycles DRT 1.2

Check Current Price | Best Suspension Fork

Specs

 Pros and cons

Pros:

• Lots of travel on fork at 120mm
• Unique and functional geometry
• Hydraulic brakes

Cons:

• Could be lighter

REI Co-op is a well-known and trusted outdoor gear retailer, and it has its own Co-op Cycles line of bikes. REI is known for its quality products and testing the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.2 shows that this bike is no exception.

The aluminum frame is a bit less conventional than the other bikes on this list, but the geometry works very well. The curved top tube allows for more stand-over clearance, which can give you some added confidence and room to maneuver from the bike’s cockpit.

The DRT 1.2 comes well equipped, with a Suntour XCR fork with 120mm of travel, which is 20mm more than any other bike on this list.

It also has Tektro hydraulic disc brakes allowing for smooth and precise braking capabilities.

For sizing, the bike comes with 27.5-inch wheels for XS and S sized frames, and 29-inch wheels for M, L and XL sized frames.

One downside to the bike being well equipped is it comes in at a slightly heavier weight than many of the other bikes on this list, however it is not a drastic or very noticeable weight difference.

Check Current Price

For a similar bike with slightly lower specs than the Co-op Cycles DRT 1.2, check out our review of the DRT 1.1 here.

#3 Cannondale Trail 5

Check Current Price | Best Drivetrain

Specs

 Pros and cons

Pros:

• Excellent drivetrain
• Aggressive geometry
• Hydraulic brakes

Cons

• Could be lighter

The Cannondale Trail 5 a well put together mountain bike worth looking at for beginners. Cannondale is yet another quality mountain bike brand, and riders have come to expect quality bikes from the company.

The Trail 5 has an Alloy frame with aggressive geometry, making the bike a capable descender. It also comes with the precise and powerful Tektro hydraulic disc brakes which will allow you to get up to speed on the bike with confidence.

The 100mm Suntour XCM fork paired with 29-inch wheels do a good job at keeping the ride smooth over moderate terrain.

The drivetrain that comes stock on the Trail 5, the microSHIFT Advent X, is a higher quality than most drivetrains on beginner-level mountain bikes. It allows for smooth and efficient shifting at a level normally only seen on bikes at a higher price point.

Coming in at 32.6 lbs, this is the heaviest bike on the list, which can make the climbs a bit more taxing. But keep in mind, it is not a drastically heavier bike compared to others on this list and you shouldn’t make your decision on the bike’s weight alone given the relatively small difference.

Check Current Price

#4 Giant Talon 4

Check Current Price

Specs

 Pros and cons

Pros:

• Relatively lightweight
• Internal cable routing
• Great looks
• Balanced geometry that looks and works great

Cons

• Mechanical disc brakes not as sharp or strong as hydraulic disc brakes

Giant is known for their affordable but capable bikes, and that holds true with the Giant Talon 4. For an entry level model, the Talon 4 is certainly a trail-worthy bike that looks the part.

Its relatively lightweight frame makes handling a breeze, and with its excellent geometry, the Talon 4 is a great choice for newer riders. It features stable 29-inch wheels (except for the extra small model), making the climbs easier and the descents faster, and even comes with internal cable routing.

The 29-inch wheels, combined with the Talon 4’s 100mm Suntour XCE fork allow for smooth rolling over bumps in the trail.

The bike has TKB-172 mechanical disc brakes, which while good at stopping the bike, may be slightly less sharp and responsive compared to hydraulic disc brake models.

Check Current Price

For a more in-depth look at the Giant Talon 4, check out our review here: Giant Talon 4 Review.

#5 Norco Storm 4

Check Current Price

Specs

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Aggressive geometry geared towards trail riding and downhill

Cons:

• Could be lighter

The Norco Storm 4 is another capable bike that beginners should consider as a strong contender for their first mountain bike purchase. The alloy frame has terrific geometry that provides confidence in all situations, on climbs, level ground, and descending.

The Storm 4 is available with 27-inch wheels in the XS, S, and M sizes, and in 29-inch wheels for M, L and XL. The 29-inch wheels available on medium size and above allows the bike to handle well while being able to roll over obstacles smoothly. The 100mm Suntour XCE28 fork further soaks up the bumps in the trail allowing for a smooth ride on moderate trails.

This bike is equipped with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, which are smooth and powerful, making it easy to stop even with just a finger or two on the brake levers.

The combination of the components and well-built frame on the Storm 4 should make it a bike any beginner mountain biker considers for their first trail bike.

Check Current Price

#6 Marin Bolinas Ridge 2

Check Current Price

Specs

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High-end looks
• Balanced geometry

Cons

• Mechanical disc brakes not as sharp or strong as hydraulic disc brakes

The Marin Bolinas Ridge 2 is a solid bike with an aluminum frame, excellent build quality and classy looks that beginner mountain bikers would do well to consider. Marin is a great brand known for quality bikes, and the Bolinas Ridge 2 is no exception.

The XS and S sizes come with 27.5-inch wheels, the M comes with a choice between 27.5 and 29-inch wheels, and the L and XL sizes come with 29-inch wheels.

The Power CX7 mechanical disc brakes are basic but functional. While hydraulic disc brakes are usually more responsive, the Power CX7 brakes do a good job of slowing and stopping the Bolinas Ridge 2.

The 100mm Suntour XCM fork helps to soak up the roots and rocks on the trail and help to make this bike capable for riding a wide variety of trails you might want to try as a beginner.

Check Current Price

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose a beginner mountain bike?

When looking for your first mountain bike, you want to make sure you get a bike with a frame that fits you, a wheel size you are comfortable with, and quality components including the fork, brakes, tires and more. You will also want to make sure the bike is comfortable for you to ride and fits the style of riding you plan to do. For more advice, check out our guide, What To Look for In Your First Mountain Bike.

Is a hardtail mountain bike good for beginners?

Yes hardtail mountain bikes are an excellent jumping off point for beginners to the sport of mountain biking, but don’t take that to mean experienced riders don’t enjoy them as well. Hardtail mountain bikes are less complicated to set up and maintain then their full suspension counterparts. Riding a hardtail to start will force beginner riders to pick smoother lines rather than relying on the rear suspension which can improve their riding in the long-run. See a more detailed breakdown on hardtail versus full suspension mountain bikes here: Full Suspension vs Hardtail – Which Bike Type is Right for You?

Is mountain biking hard to learn?

If you know how to ride a bike, you are able to get out on the trails and start mountain biking! Step one is to get a quality bike to ride the trails on, and then you can start working your way up and progressing from smooth trails to rougher terrain and other features. The beauty of mountain biking is that you can make it as challenging or as easy as you want it to be. If you’re looking for some advice and tips for beginner riders, check out our favorite mountain bike tips here.

Mountain bike review criteria

When reviewing mountain bikes, these are the things we look for:

• Frame quality
• Component quality
• Bike weight
• Bike style and aesthetic appeal

For a detailed breakdown of how we assess each of these criteria, see How We Review Mountain Bikes.

Conclusion

Hopefully this list helps you to find the perfect beginner mountain bike for you! As you can see each of our recommended beginner mountain bikes has its own strengths (and weaknesses!), but they are all very capable, trail-worthy rides and newer riders will be able to have a lot of fun with them.