4 Best Cheap Mountain Bikes Under $200

Last updated 24. June 2022

Mountain biking is, without a doubt, one of the most exhilarating outdoor sports around. Just the simple thought of riding on one up and down the hills gets your heart racing with excitement. Even more than that is the idea of buying a brand new one without any wear and tear from the trail.

Now that you’re in the market for a cheap mountain bike, you have to ask yourself what exactly you’re looking for in it. Do you want an adjustable mountain bike seat, rugged tires, and a slick design? Or maybe you’re all for the simplicity of a mono-colored bike without all the bells and whistles of some of the other brands.

Whichever style you’re leaning towards, we have some good news for you. Instead of asking you to search for yourself, we’ve compiled a list to help you find the best cheap mountain bike under 200 dollars through countless hours of review compiling. Forget those hundreds of posts to find what works for you, we’ve got the top-notch options right below!

Related; budget-friendly mountain bikes

View The Best Cheap Mountain Bike Under 200 Below

1. Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike, Summit Ridge

Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike, Summit Ridge

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The Huffy Hardtail Mountain Bike is a classic model, created for those who don’t need a flashy appearance over a useful design. This hardtail bike is made for smoother trails with fewer bumps and more inclines and declines. Hardtails are generally better when the terrain isn’t as rocky, but they’re still fantastic for off-roading.

Multiple Color Options

Having a wide variety of colors to choose from is a nice addition to any mountain bike. You’ll get a much more customized feeling out of the purchase when you’re allowed to pick from one of the 6 colors. Metallic Cyan, Solar Flare, Purple, Red, Charcoal, and Denim Blue give you a handful of both basic and unique choices.

Speed-Changing Gear Set

The ability to change your gears on the go is a huge benefit when it comes to mountain biking. Road bikes definitely need it, but the constant change in elevation and terrain of off-road cycling is much more demanding. The 21-speed gear set on this bicycle should do more than enough.

Pros:
+ Hardtail suspension for quicker accelerating on smooth surfaces
+ 21-speed gear set gives you plenty of room for adjustment
+ Several color options to suit anyone’s taste

Why We Liked It – It’s hard not to like a classic hardtail bike that comes with a little bit of spice from color selections. Make it your personal mountain bike and hit the trails! A great option for beginners.


2. Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike

Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike

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The Mongoose Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike continues to be one of the best of the best in nearly every category. The extra wide tires on this mountain bike help keep the rider balanced, while also allowing them to float right over the roughest of terrain. These tires are also gripped to allow them to cruise over rocks and other bumps along the trail.

Double Handle Brakes

Both sides of the handlebars have brakes on them to give you control of the front and rear tires. Being able to stop right when you need to is absolutely essential with mountain biking and other forms of off-road cycling. You never know what lies ahead, so having two immediate pull handles is a huge advantage.

Made for Comfort

Being able to remain comfortable while cycling is also very important. It’s more than just feeling good while cruising. Staying comfortable keeps you on your game, and focused on having fun and staying safe. The bicycle seat on the Dolomite Fat Tire Mountain Bike is not only cushiony, but it’s also adjustable for height.

Pros:
+ Made by Mongoose, an incredibly trusted cycling brand
+ Two hand brakes to give you complete stopping control
+ Comfortable and adjustable seat

Why We Liked It – Mongoose is a great, trustworthy brand that focuses on comfort and efficiency. The Dolomite Fat Tire bike just might be one of their best products yet.


3. Schwinn High Timber Women’s Mountain Bike

Schwinn High Timber Women's Mountain Bike

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The Schwinn High Timber Women’s Mountain Bike is perfectly narrow to allow the rider the ability to take sharp corners head on. It’s also lightweight enough to give full control and easy riding all around. Not only that, but you’ll find the frame easy to hand and pick up or put down.

Ultra-Thin Tires

The tires on this mountain bike are super thin, which usually might seem counter-productive. However, whereas fat tire bikes help you float over and conquer rough terrain, thinner tires allow you to cruise right through narrow passageways and spaces obstacles. The decision you make should be based on the trails you’re going to.

Durable Rims

The rims on this mountain bike are made out of a durable alloy that helps support the tires around them. Not many people think much about the actual rims, but rather the width and materials that the tires are made out of. Having durable, reliable rims is comparable to having a stable foundation for a house. Without them, it doesn’t matter how well everything else is constructed.

Pros:
+ This narrow build is designed to help you traverse the smallest paths around
+ Ultra-thin tires help you escape in areas that might otherwise be nearly impossible
+ The durable alloy rims support the tires around them and the tires as well

Why We Liked It – Finding a bicycle that’s both incredibly durable while also being able to navigate narrowing landscapes is very rare. The Schwinn model listed here is a perfect combination of these great qualities.


4. Merax 26” Aluminum Mountain Bike 21 Speed Bicycle

Another great Merax model is the 26” Aluminum Mountain Bike. It’s a crafty, fancy looking bike that matches its appearance with the efficiency and ease of use that Merax always has in their bicycles. Don’t get too caught up in the looks though, because there’s a whole lot more to this bike!

Made of Aluminum

As we previously stated, aluminum is up there with some of the best materials to make a mountain bike out of. You can get loads of control with this bike, especially when paired with the 26-inch tires that come with it. Durability and safety are the names of the game, and you’ve got both with this bike.

Adjustable Everywhere

The great thing about a bike that’s all around adjustable is that you have a full range of control and direction. Nobody but you can tell you what works for your height and comfort expect you! The seat, handlebars, and gears can all adjust to give you the best possible setup. Why’s it best? Because you made it that way!

Pros:
+ Made by Merax, a well-known brand that continues to rise in the ranks
+ Crafted with aluminum for easy handling and durability
+ Adjust almost any possible feature on this bike that might need adjusting

Why We Liked It – While this bike appears fantastic compared to most other mountain bikes on the market, it also manages to perform just as well if not better than it looks!


Cheap Mountain Bikes Under $200 Buyer’s Guide

What to Look For?

How do the tires look and perform?

Good tires make a world of a difference in mountain bikes. If the tires aren’t wide enough, they’ll create an imbalance that makes your riding experience a whole lot more difficult. On the contrary, if they’re too wide then you’ll be dragged down to a grueling, slow acceleration.

Another thing you might want to check out is the texture of the tires. Do they have indents? Maybe they have a poor grip? The perfect tires on a mountain bike would be knobby, and thoughtfully crafted to run right over challenging terrain. They shouldn’t have a problem climbing over pebbles, rocks, grass, roots, and various other trail debris.

You should also test the construction of them by making sure the rubber is thick enough. Thin tires result in drying, cracking, and eventually huge leaks of air that give you a flat tire at the worst time. Luckily for you, every mountain bicycle on this list has fantastic tires.

Consider changing gears/speeds…

The ability to change gears is unbelievably handy while on the trail. Although it might not be required, many riders find changeable speeds to be almost necessary once they start using them. You don’t have to worry about over exhausting yourself, pushing uphill or flying excessively fast downhill.

Shimano gear sets let you switch things up to give your legs a break when changing inclines and going through grass, dirt, and sometimes even snow if it’s a fat tire bike. Not only do they help your legs out, but it’s also much easier on your bike’s integrity to switch gears when it’s applicable.

Imagine the stress that constantly weighs down on a bike that has to be forced uphill. It’s similar to buying a car that can’t go up in RPM’s! The more speeds, the better.

Does the mountain bike have adjustable seats and/or handlebars?

Comfort is always one of the first features that people (hopefully) consider when buying a mountain bike. Proper seat cushions, gripped handlebars, a good-sized tire in both height and width, and then there are the adjustable features

You should always try to find a bike that either has adjustable handlebars or seat. Either one of the two will help you sit at a proper angle to prevent long-term stress on your back, neck, arms, and legs. If you manage to find a mountain bike that has both, then you should definitely start looking deeper into the specs and consider if it’s right for you.

What terrain will you be riding on?

Knowing the terrain that you’ll mostly be riding on will ultimately help you make the decision of what you should invest in. Rough, rocky, rooted terrain usually requires fatter tires, knobby tires, and/or full suspension on both tires.

If you’re going to be riding mostly on the streets or sidewalk, and maybe a few smooth dirt paths, then you can go with a hardtail suspension bike with narrower tires to navigate the trails easier. This will help you get in and out of sticky situations with ease, and it’ll make it much easier for you to cruise through the city.

The terrain that you ride on affects you much more than you might think. Little bumps, inclines, and more all impact the way you ride around. It can lead to serious injuries or chronic joint and muscle pain. Write down a list and see what you’ll be riding through, and make your decision knowing that you’ll be super comfortable!

Do you care about the brand?

To a lot of people, brands are an indicator of quality and trustworthiness. While most of the brands on this list are well-known, some of them are still up and coming. Just to preface your decision, brand names don’t always equal the best choices. In fact, sometimes they mean higher prices simply because the company has clout in the industry.

Nonetheless, there’s a reason why huge brands like Mongoose and Schwinn are always at the top of most lists. Their non-stop attention to detail and constant amazing new models makes them a perfect addition to any listicle featuring the top cycling products around.

Basically, you just have to ask yourself… Do you care about brands? If so, Mongoose, Schwinn, and Huffy are probably your best options on the list. If not, focus on comfort, efficiency, and durability when choosing your new mountain bike.

In the end, it’s all about choosing whatever makes you feel the most excited about your purchase. You don’t have to scour the internet to find your new mountain bike. We’ve done all the work for you, so all you’re left with is the fun stuff?

Who doesn’t like getting a brand new, trail-ready mountain bike? Just because you aren’t breaking the bank and shoveling out several thousands of dollars doesn’t mean you can’t get top-notch quality and comfort.

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