7 Best Mountain Bikes Under $150 in 2023 (Reviews and Guide)

The price of your bike is an important factor that must be considered. Mountain bikes can be expensive ranging from $150 to $10,000. The good news is that you can still enjoy a great riding experience while on a budget.

If you enjoy cycling adventures that include biking on hilly or mountainous areas, then a mountain bike is exactly what you need. Hey there, my name is Esther. I am a student and a real cycling enthusiast. Almost every weekend I embark on exciting biking adventures in different towns and mountainous regions.

As a student, I cannot afford to splurge on luxurious mountain bikes, therefore I have to ensure that I purchase a high-quality bike at an affordable price.

Over the years, I have bought a number of bikes and in this article, I will list the most ideal mountain bikes that are available at less than $150. I also highlight their main features and their advantages giving you the chance to find out exactly what you need.

Best Mountain Bike Under $150: Comparison Table

Product 
Speed 
Frame Material 
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The Stratus Mountain Bike from Pacific
15-speed
Steel
The Alpine Eagle Mountain Bike from Dynacraft
21-speed
Steel
The Granite Peak Mountain Bike from Roadmaster
18-speed
Steel
The Women’s Trail Runner Mountain Bike from Huffy
18-speed
Steel
The Alpine Eagle Mountain Bike from Dynacraft
21-speed
Steel
The Orchid Full Suspension Bicycle from Mantis
21-speed
Steel
The Hardtail Mountain Bike from Huffy
21-speed
Steel

Best Mountain Bike Under $150: A Comparison Overview

The Stratus Mountain Bike from Pacific

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If you are interested in purchasing a bike that is versatile and quite comprehensive in the functions that it can handle then the Stratus mountain bike is exactly what you need.

This bike is affordable and it is specially designed to maneuver through different types of terrain. It comes with a structural frame made of steel that is low stand and provides you with a lot of control.

The tires are quite large at 26-inches providing you with a lot of traction and stability no matter what road surface you are cycling on.

The bike comes with a 1-piece mountain crank that provides you with a variety of gears as well as a rear derailleur drive train and a 15-speed drive shifter that permits cyclists to shift quickly and easily.

To benefit from maximum stopping power, the bike comes with caliper brakes made of steel. As a cyclist, you can be assured that your safety will not be compromised.

Pros

  • Shifting gears on this bike is quite easy
  • The gear range is quite wide
  • Very strong steel frame
  • Great value for the money spent

Cons

  • The bike does not come with a water bottle holder

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The Alpine Eagle Mountain Bike from Dynacraft

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The Alpine Eagle mountain bike is yet another great choice for cycling enthusiasts. The bike’s hardtail frame is manufactured from steel making the bike quite still and light in weight, perfect for maneuvering on different kinds of terrain.

This is made possible by the 21-speed index derailleur from Shimano grip shifters. This bike can move quickly whether you are cycling on the road or trail surfaces.

The bike is also designed with 12 gears that impersonate the performance of the drivetrain. The V-brakes are found on the front and rear side of the bike and the resin levers provide the cyclist with a maximum level of power when braking.

The front fork suspensions effectively suck up all the shock that you will experience making your cycling experience a lot more comfortable. This bike is a suitable option if you are on a tight budget and you are looking to purchase a bike.

Pros

  • The bike is designed with a suspension system and a very powerful brake system
  • The bike comes with 21-speed options
  • Cyclists are provided with a frame and fork warranty that lasts for a lifetime
  • The bike’s frame is made of steel and is quite durable

Cons

  • Does not come with a water bottle holder.

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The Granite Peak Mountain Bike from Roadmaster

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The Granite Peak mountain bike is versatile. The design of the bike frame and the quality of the bike parts feature absolutely everything that you need to enjoy a fun mountain bike experience.

It does not matter if you are cycling on the road or the trail, you are guaranteed that your cycling experience will be memorable. The bike comes with a steel frame that has a very sleek structure. This makes it easy to handle and maneuver through different terrain.

The front fork suspensions of this bike reduce the heavy impact that will be felt when riding through bumps, making your cycling experience much smoother as you cycle maneuver through rough and bumpy road surfaces.

To ensure that the cycling experience is smooth, on all kinds of terrain, this bike is designed with 18-speed SRAM twist shifters with Shimano rear derailleurs.

To improve on your performance, and benefit from a lot of durability, the bike comes with a 3-piece crankset. The seat post is easily adjustable and the tires are 26 inches adding to the comfort that you will experience while cycling.

Pros

  • The bike is great for cyclists between 5″4 to 6″2 inches.
  • Adjusting this bike seat is possible
  • For an enhanced level of control, the bike comes with an 18-speed SRAM
  • Durable steel frame

Cons

  • No cons identified

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The Women’s Trail Runner Mountain Bike from Huffy

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Yet another ideal mountain bike available at $150 is the Women’s Trail Runner mountain bike. A great thing about this specific model is that even though it is available at a very affordable price, it is designed with some of the greatest features found in mountain bikes.

The dual suspension frame is constructed from steel making the bike strong and durable. In addition, the bike is designed with fork suspensions found on both the front and rear sides of the bike. These suspensions make your cycling experience smooth even when maneuvering through different kinds of terrain.

When it comes to the gearing and speeding mechanisms of this bike, you will not be disappointed. You can cycle on this bike using 18 different speeds with a lot of ease. To change from one gear to the next, all you need to do is twist depending on the condition of the terrain that you are cycling on.

The linear-pull brakes of this bike are not as efficient as the hydraulic brakes; however, the brakes still provide you with a maximum level of braking power ensuring that you are safe.

The 3-piece crankset improves your bike’s durability and the alloy rims that are light in weight and prevent any case of corrosion. This ensures that your bike can remain strong for many years.

Pros

  • The bike has a low bar design that is a great addition for ladies.
  • The bike performs well on many kinds of terrain
  • The tires are quite rugged
  • Assembling this bike is very easy

Cons

  • The bike is not light in weight
  • The brakes are not the best

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The Alpine Eagle Mountain Bike from Dynacraft

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The Alpine Eagle Mountain Bike can easily support men who weigh up to 275 lbs. The woman counterpart bike can also support women weighing up to 275 lbs.

The wheels are 26 inches and the bike is made of a very hard and durable steel frame. Cyclists are guaranteed that the bike cannot crumble under their weight.

With this bike, you can cycle on the road and very tough terrain using 21 different speeds. You can also make use of the Shimano grip shifters. Shifting from one speed to another is very easy. The 2-x drive train is analogous to the gearing mechanism and the 12 gears are very flexible.

This bike is fitted with V-brakes on both the front and rear side and the resin levers are very powerful. To ensure that you enjoy a very comfortable riding experience, the bike is manufactured with front fork suspensions.

For an enhanced level of grip and traction on all road surfaces, the bike has 26-inch tires. This bike is a perfect option for anyone who is looking to buy a great mountain bike under $150.

Pros

  • The brakes and the suspension system is really powerful
  • Users are provided with a lifetime warranty on the frame and the fork
  • The steel frame is quite strong
  • The bike can support cyclists weighing up to 275 lbs

Cons 

  • The bike does not come with a water bottle holder
  • It is not light in weight

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The Orchid Full Suspension Bicycle from Mantis

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The Orchid Full Suspension model is an ideal mountain bike perfect for newbies and experienced cyclists. The bike comes with dual suspensions, and it is very high-class.

It is a great choice for anyone who enjoys cycling with an attractive bike. The structure and great bike features perfectly enhance the bike’s performance and improves the safety. This ensures that you enjoy an amazing bike experience on all types of road surfaces. h

The mountain bike tires are 26 inches and support the 17-inch steel frame. The rims are made of aluminum alloy material making them light in weight. The suspensions on the front and rear side are of very high quality ensuring that you enjoy a smooth ride on rough terrain.

The drivetrain comes with Shimano rear derailleurs and 21-speed twist shifters that are put up on the bike frame. The bike also comes with front and rear brakes that are dependable ensuring that you can come to a stop whenever you would like to.

Pros

  • The bike has a very stylish design
  • The dual suspension frame is strong and steady
  • The bike comes with a kickstand

Cons 

  • The brakes are not the best

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The Hardtail Mountain Bike from Huffy

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Another great performing bike available at under $150 is the Hardtail Mountain Bike. This bike is specially designed for outdoor activities, perfect for cyclists above the age of 13.

The bike comes with 21-speed options as well as a micro shift twister and 31-rear derailleurs. This allows you to shift gears and the bike speed smoothly and swiftly, no matter what surface you are cycling on and the weather conditions. If you would like to cycle using reliable gears, you can remove the rear derailleurs.

The bike features 1200 suspensions that work perfectly in absorbing heavy shock from high bumps and dips. You are guaranteed that you will enjoy a smooth ride. The knobby tires are 26-inches providing you with grip and adding to your comfort.

You can rely on the linear-pull brakes to provide you with enough stopping action. The ATB saddle is adequately padded and it can be easily adjusted to fit your height and riding posture thanks to the quick release.

Pros 

  • The bike is designed with a double steel frame
  • The seat post can be adjusted
  • The handlebar can be raised ensuring that you cycle with a comfortable riding position
  • The bike comes with a kickstand.

Cons 

  • The bike does not come with a bottle holder

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Factors to Consider When Purchasing the Best Mountain Bike Under $150 

The Material of The Bike Frame 

The material of the bike frame determines your bike’s quality and durability. The most common materials for your bike frame are steel and aluminum. High-end bikes are designed with carbon fiber as this material possesses amazing shock-absorbing properties.

Bikes designed with a steel frame are much heavier than bikes that are designed with aluminum frames. Many manufacturing companies mix both steel and aluminum when designing their bikes, producing a product that consists of great properties from both materials.

The Bike Suspensions

Suspensions play a major role in determining how comfortable your bike ride will be. Suspensions absorb the heavy impact that you will feel when cycling on uneven surfaces and it enhances the traction of your bike.

Mountain bikes are a lot more sophisticated than road bikes and there are three types of suspensions that include rigid, hardtail, and dual suspensions.

Rigid bikes are not designed with any kind of suspensions. Hardtail bikes are designed with front fork suspensions that reduce the impact that you will feel when hitting a certain obstruction using your front wheel.

Dual suspension bikes are designed with shocks on both the front and rear sides. Bikes that come with rigid and hardtail suspensions are quite affordable, however, bikes that are designed with dual suspension are a lot more expensive.

The Size of Your Wheel 

Mountain bikes come in three different sizes and the size that you select will depend on the kind of terrain that you are planning to cycle on. Bikes that come with 26-inch wheels can easily maneuver through rough and bumpy terrain while the bikes that come with 29-inch wheels can smoothly move through very rocky surfaces.

The 29-inch wheels, however, add to the weight of the bike making it much heavier. This bike is not the best choice for beginners. Some bikes are fitted with a 27.5-inch wheel that provides you with a very smooth ride even on rocky road surfaces.

The Brakes

The brakes of your mountain bike are one of the most important factors that you must consider when purchasing your bike. Mountain bikes are often designed with rim brakes or disc brakes and each of these brakes has its advantages and disadvantages.

Rim brakes are affordable and weigh less, however, they do not work well on wet road surfaces. Disc brakes are very reliable and perform perfectly on different types of surfaces and terrains. These brakes, however, require more maintenance.

The Gears

The gears of your bike are essential as they allow you to shift between different speed levels, giving you the chance to pedal without experiencing any kind of trouble.

The gears enhance your cycling experience. When purchasing your bike, you must determine exactly how you will be cycling and the road surface that you will be cycling on. The number of gears that you will use increases with the diversity of slopes that you will be cycling on.

Conclusion

The mountain bikes mentioned in this review are not only affordable, but they are also designed with great features just like high-end bikes.

These bikes are of great quality, durable, and are also comfortable. I hope that this article serves as a great guide when browsing through different mountain bikes under $150 in the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How much should I spend on a mountain bike?

Bikes that are of high-quality are available at around $2,000 to $2,500. This depends on what features you would like to have and the prices dramatically rise from there. You can easily purchase a mountain bike for less than that. In this review, we have listed bikes of great quality that are all available at affordable prices.

  1. Is a full suspension bike worth it?

Full suspension bikes provide you with great traction and better handling experience. If you would like to enjoy an easy and comfortable ride, these bikes are the best choice. It is a lot easier to handle a full suspension bike than a hardtail.

  1. Can I cycle with my mountain bike on the road? 

Mountain bikes become a lot slower on the pavement and it is harder to pedal when cycling on road surfaces. However, many mountain bikes are comfortable and cyclists can maintain an upright cycling position while on a mountain bike.