6 Hardtail Mountain Bikes Under $1200

Jun 15, 2023

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Our deputy editor—an ex-product director for mountain bike companies—tested six great hardtails between $800 and $1,200 to find out which were most trail-worthy and capable for real-world mountain bike riding.

Whether purchasing your first mountain bike, buying a new one for a teen, or upgrading from an old rig, picking out a mountain bike may seem daunting. There are several sub-genres of mountain bikes, dozens of bicycle brands, and hundreds of models from which to choose. To have a good time mountain biking, buy a bike you enjoy riding and can handle actual mountain bike trails. But finding a trail-worthy mountain bike is challenging, especially if you’re working within a limited budget.

Before joining Bicycling, I spent much of my career leading product development for top-rated mountain bike brands. Specifically, I helped design and produce many popular hardtail models competitive with the bikes featured in this test.

I started riding mountain bikes on hardtails similar to these bikes almost three decades ago. And in the years since, I have ridden and raced mountain bikes all over North America and Europe. With this knowledge and experience, I will help you choose a trail-worthy mountain bike.

We selected six hardtail mountain bikes priced between $800 and $1,200 for this test. All of these bikes are readily available through online retailers or bike shops. And each of the six is offered by its respective brand in additional models priced lower or higher. So you have options if you like one of these bikes but want something better or more economical.

Each featured bike has a 29-inch wheel aluminum frame, suspension fork, 1x drivetrain, and hydraulic disc brakes. Before ride testing, I built and weighed all of the bikes myself. Building the bikes allowed me to compare the build quality and components in detail.

For riding evaluation, we took these six bikes to a local trail center with various types of mountain bike terrain. We mapped out a one-hour lap that included features seen on many riders’ mountain bike rides. The route had a steady fireroad climb, bermed rolling descent, technical singletrack descent, and steep power climb. It even had a large-sized jump section. I rode the bikes back-to-back across two afternoons with the same trail and weather conditions and supplemented the route with additional trail riding that best suited each bike’s strengths.

This bike stands for its capabilities and temperament on more technical trails. The Sentier’s combination of frame geometry and solid component selection allows it to ride faster, carry speed, and carve corners like much higher-priced trail bikes.

The Sentier’s frame boasts the slackest head angle (tied with the Trek) of the bikes we tested. It also has a long top tube length, short chainstays, and low bottom bracket height that aid the bike’s great handling attributes. The thru axle rear wheel (the only one in the test) provides additional stiffness when turning, and the tapered headtube adds a sense of security when going down chutes or hitting jumps.

A small detail of the Sentier 29’s components specification helped the bike more than any others in our test—its tires. The wide Schwalbe tubeless tires (again, the only ones in the test) have a soft rubber compound that grips rocks and roots and provides excellent traction while climbing and descending. The tires help give the Sentier a premium, high-end ride feel.

The upgraded tires and thru axle wheels meant Vitus needed to trim costs elsewhere to keep the Sentier affordable. It did this on the drivetrain and brakes. The 1x10 Shimano Deore drivetrain shifted predictably and had a sufficient gear range for all the climbs I tackled. Also of note, the Sentier was the only bike in our test with a lighter, stiffer two-piece crankset.

The lone low mark on the Sentier is its stock brakes. Our test bike came with Clarks M2 stoppers (some Sentier 29s come with Tektro brakes) that were noisy under hard braking and had an unpredictable bite point.

Another odd choice was Vitus’ use of external cabling with exposed sections of shift cable. It seemed a bit retro in its aesthetic but functioned fine. The frame has only one bottle cage mount, so plan to use a big bottle or hydration pack for longer rides.

At $1,200, the Sentier 29 is the most expensive bike in our test but the base model of Vitus’ Sentier four-bike hardtail range. For $200 more, you get the Sentier 29 VR with an upgraded fork, dropper seatpost, better brakes, and an 11-speed drivetrain.

MORE SENTIER PHOTOS

The Giant Talon 1 was the biggest sleeper in our test. The Talon’s frame doesn’t have an aggressive trail bike silhouette like the Vitus or Trek. It also does not look oversized and burly like the Kona or Surly. The plain black paint and blue logo also help to subdue the Giant.

Appearances and first looks are often deceiving. Once on the trail, the Talon 1 surprised me with its capabilities. It rides like a bike that should cost a couple of hundred dollars more.

The Giant’s good ride feel comes down to its fork. The house-brand 100mm travel SXC-32-2 RL fork features 32mm aluminum stanchions, an alloy steerer, and an air spring. These shave weight off the bike while improving stiffness and steering precision. The fork’s rebound adjustment and air spring help you tune the fork for your weight and local trails. It is a big plus for a bike at this price.

The Tektro M275 brakes on the Talon 1 were underwhelming. They slowed the bike down but lacked modulation and a good feel at the lever. The Deore 10-speed drivetrain shifted smoothly but was over-geared for steeper hills compared to the other bikes in the test.

Giant offers three models in the Talon range, with the Talon 1 being the most expensive and best equipped for trail riding. For a more premium Giant hardtail trail bike, check out the Fathom 29 models. Starting at $1,500, the Fathoms have longer travel forks, tubeless tires, and dropper posts.

MORE TALON PHOTOS

The Salsa Rangefinder is the least expensive bike in this test (and tied with the Giant when not on sale) and it’s also the heaviest. But neither significantly takes away from its abilities on the trail. I was pleasantly surprised by the Rangefinder’s performance in most situations.

The Rangefinder’s extra heft comes from its oversized aluminum frame, heavy 120mm SR Suntour 120mm XCM fork, extra-wide range cassette, and 29x2.6-inch Maxxis tires. These parts, though, also make the Salsa more confident and capable on the trail than the bike’s weight might suggest.

On dirt, the Rangefinder lumbers along. It’s also not light and racey like the Rockhopper, nor is the Salsa a “go fast and take chances” style bike, like the Marlin or Sentier. The Rangefinder's slightly upright positioning, steep seat angle, and low gearing allow you to sit and spin up climbs, despite the bike’s weight.

The Rangefinder is capable, though not fully confident when descending. The wide Maxxis Rekon tires and thru axle fork provide extra grip over roots and precision when picking a line through rocky sections of trail. But the Tektro Gemini brakes with 160mm rotors are insufficient at higher speeds or when the gradient pitches steeply downward. The fork’s lack of damping adjustment also made the fork ping-pong off of rocks when they came in quick succession.

Of the bikes in our test, the Salsa is the only one with a non-Shimano drivetrain. And it did not hold the bike back. The MicroShift rear derailleur is not as smooth and fluid as the Shimano Deore units on the other bikes. Instead, the Advent X derailleur feels more mechanical, with a firm “thunk” as the chain moves into gear. I like this in some respects; it provided audible and tactile feedback as the bike executed each shift.

Salsa provides options for riders seeking a Shimano-equipped Rangefinder or one with plus-sized wheels. It offers three other Rangefinder models between $900 and $1,500. Each model has 27.5+ or 29-inch wheel variants. There are Shimano Deore 10, 11, and 12-speed drivetrains Rangefinder models.

MORE RANGEFINDER PHOTOS

The Rockhopper has been a mainstay of Specialized’s product line longer than most mountain bikers have been alive. The brand spent decades perfecting the Rockhopper into the well-rounded mountain bike platform it is today. And that experience—paired with learnings from its World Cup-winning high-end bikes—translates into a refined quality on the trail.

The Rockhopper Elite feels the most like a traditional cross country mountain bike of the six test bikes. It climbs efficiently, is quite capable on singletrack, and isn’t too nervous when descending. It does everything decently—a quality many buyers in this price range want and expect from a mountain bike.

While the Rockhopper’s frame lacks the tapered headtube and thru axle rear end of the near-equally priced Vitus, the bike strikes a modern and lightweight appearance. The frame has routing for a dropper seatpost (if you wish to add one), its cables route internally on the front triangle, and it has rack mounts.

The components on the Rockhopper Elite don’t jump out, but they also don’t let you down. The air-sprung RockShox Judy TK fork does not perform to the level of the higher-end Recon fork model (more flex under braking and harsher riding). But it is easy to set up for different weight riders and has a crown-mounted lockout for pavement sections.

The 11-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain has low gearing that helps the already light-feeling Rockhopper Elite climb quicker than the other five bikes. The Shimano MT-200 brakes with 180mm rotors were the best feeling of any of the bikes we tested.

Specialized offers a bevy of Rockhopper models between $650 and $1,400—We consider the Comp ($950), Elite, and Expert ($1,400) models most suited for trail riding use. Specialized also has 27.5-inch wheel Rockhopper variants in these models to fit shorter-height riders.

MORE ROCKHOPPER PHOTOS

Trek recently launched a third generation of its long-running Marlin hardtail series. Updates to the platform increase the bike’s performance on the trail and improve your riding experience over the second-generation model.

The third-gen Marlin has a three-degree slacker head angle and a roomier top tube. The reach and wheelbase measurements of the size XL we rode increased over an inch compared to the previous generation. And those changes were noticeable when the Marlin was on the trail.

Another change to the Marlin was its max tire width, which increased to 2.4 inches. Trek used that extra space to equip the Marlin 7 with Bontrager XT3 tires. The tires are not an overly soft compound, but the extra width allowed me to improve grip by slightly dropping the tire pressure. Though the stock tires are non-tubeless, the wheels are tubeless-compatible, making an upgrade to tubeless tires easier.

The aluminum frame has a clean and contemporary look, with semi-internal cable routing, two bottle mounts, rack mounts, and dropper post compatibility. The Marlin’s rear triangle uses Trek’s ThruSkew design—an awkward mashup of a thru axle and a quick release skewer. It is not a thru axle, nor is it quick. It’s just an extra-long QR skewer that you unthread to remove the wheel.

A coil-sprung RockShox Judy TK fork handles suspension duties on the Marlin 7. The fork is suitable for lighter-duty use, but the Marlin’s modern mountain bike geometry practically begs you to ride harder and faster. The Judy TK’s weaknesses come out when you push the bike hard. Due to the skinny steel stanchions and 1-⅛ inch steerer tube, I could feel the fork flex under hard braking. But it didn’t feel unsafe and will work fine for most riders.

The braking and shifting performance on the Marlin 7 were both spot on. The 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain (with FSA crank) has a sufficiently low gear to tackle most hills and shifts without falter. The Shimano MT200 disc brakes were similarly trouble-free. And kudos to Trek for using 180mm rotors for extra stopping power.

Trek offers two additional models of the Marlin Gen 3, the Marlin 8 ($1,300) with an upgraded fork and SRAM 1x12 drivetrain and the Marlin 6 ($900) with a downgraded fork and brakes. Trek also has several models of Marlin Gen 2 on sale if you want a similarly equipped bike with a more upright riding position and slacker head angle.

For a generation of mountain bikers, the Kona name is synonymous with aggressive trail riding. Kona and a handful of other locally-based brands pioneered the type of bike capable of handling the steep, wet, and rocky terrain of British Columbia, Canada. These overbuilt bikes were more durable, often using reinforced frames, longer travel suspension forks, slack geometry, and wide tires.

Over two decades later, virtually all trail-oriented mountain bikes benefit from this seismic shift in bicycle design. And while Kona’s Mahuna is not a “North Shore”-style bike, it still carries traces of that lineage in its DNA and mannerisms on the trail.

The Mahuna has the appearance of a highly-capable trail bike. And for the most part, it succeeds as one. The aluminum frame features a tapered headtube, routing for a dropper post, and mounts for water bottles (and racks if you wish to bikepack). And it’s painted a rich burgundy with matte-finish graphics. The XL size has a roomy top tube, and the bike feels ready to rip just by looking at it.

A 1x11 Shimano Deore drivetrain and a wide-range cassette help make the Mahuna a capable climber, even though it was the second-heaviest bike in our test selection. The steep (75-degree) seat angle aids the drivetrain by centering the rider's position over the long wheelbase. It makes the bike feel confident and natural uphills and on rolling trails.

Unfortunately, the Mahuna is held back by some components when descending. The stock RockShox Judy fork has an air spring (which makes setup easy,) but like the Judy on the Trek Marlin, the chassis flexes when pushed into corners and over braking bumps on the trail. A better suspension fork (even without a thru axle) would help the Kona significantly.

Our test bike came equipped with unbranded hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes look ok but did not live up to expectations on the trail. Kona’s website notes that some Mahunas have Shimano MT201 brakes. If you have a choice, opt for these; they are solid brakes for the price.

This Kona is a good choice for riders looking to get into more frequent and technical trail riding, perhaps with a side of light bikepacking. The Mahuna frame uses a tapered headtube, which makes upgrading to a better fork easier. Plus, the wheels use tubeless rims if you want to upgrade the tires. (But change the brakes first if you get one with non-Shimano stoppers.)

Kona offers several trail-worthy models priced between $800 and $1,200 based on the same frame platform. The Cinder Cone ($1,200) is the 27.5-inch wheel equivalent of the Mahuna. Check out the 29-inch wheel and MicroShift 1x9-equipped Lava Dome ($875) if you want a lower-priced take on the Mahuna or its 27.5-inch counterpart, the Fire Mountain ($875). Kona also makes a kid-friendly 26-inch wheel, XS-sized Fire Mountain.

MORE MAHUNA PHOTOS

Mountain bike trails are found in all parts of the country—sometimes even within the city limits of America’s biggest metropolises—and new ones pop up each week. Seeking an escape from congested roads and crowded bike lanes, more cyclists than ever are heading to singletrack trails and dirt pathways for their rides. More families are also mountain biking, and youth mountain bike programs (like NICA) are getting kids and high school students onto the trails.

A typical mountain bike ride can feature challenging climbs and technical downhill sections. Many mountain bike trails are rocky or rooty, requiring more skill and finesse than needed when riding on paved or dirt roads. And sometimes, riders encounter dropoffs or jumps where their wheels leave the ground. You will want to use a purpose-built mountain bike to ride these great trails.

Compared to other bike styles, mountain bikes have wide flat-style handlebars, knobby tires for extra grip, and geometry optimized for stability and control when descending. Mountain bikes feature low gearing for climbing and powerful disc brakes to control your speed. And most mountain bikes feature suspension to soak up bumps and improve traction.

Riding trails without a mountain bike usually results in a poor experience (in some cases, it is dangerous). Traditional road bikes will not withstand the rigors of trail use. Hybrid bikes might suffice for some beginner-level trails, but hybrids can not handle riding more technical sections or steep descents.

In the hands of a skilled rider, a gravel or cyclocross bike can be used on many beginner and intermediate-level trails. However, these bikes will be out of their element on steep and rocky terrain.

You will have more fun trail riding on a properly-equipped mountain bike.

Many high-performance full suspension mountain bikes cost over $10,000. And some boutique electric-assist mountain bikes cost upwards of $15,000. But as our testing proved, you do not need to spend anywhere near that amount for a good, solid, trail-capable mountain bike.

Entry-priced mountain bikes generally start at around $500. Bikes at this level (usually) have an aluminum hardtail (no rear suspension) frame with a non-adjustable suspension fork, mechanical disc brakes, and a 21-speed drivetrain (7-speed freewheels with three chainrings). These bikes work sufficiently for smooth beginner trails, bike paths, campgrounds, doubletrack, and dirt roads.

However, as the terrain becomes steeper or rockier and your riding speed increases, the performance limitations of cheaper mountain bikes become apparent. Parts on these bikes wear much faster and are more susceptible to damage in a crash. If you spend a little more money, you can purchase a bike that rides more confidently, tackles more challenging terrain, and comes with more durable and longer-lasting components.

As with any bicycle purchase, weigh your riding needs and overall budget before buying a mountain bike. While upgrading and adapting your bike to meet your needs can be fun, a bicycle specifically designed for your chosen discipline is almost always the better route (and cheaper in the long run).

For example, consider getting a hybrid or all-road bike instead of a mountain bike if you will not ride mountain bike trails. Mountain bikes are heavier-duty (and heavier weight) than road bikes, and their chunky tires do not roll fast on pavement. And even if you switch to slick tires, the gearing will be very low, and the bike will still be heavy.

After poring over the details of dozens of bikes, talking to trail riders, and conferring with some trusted bike shop employees, the Test Team determined that $1,000 (+/- $200) is the current market price for a trail-worthy mountain bike. In this price range, expect bikes to have aluminum hardtail frames, 10- or 11-speed drivetrains, hydraulic disc brakes, and suspension forks.

Almost every mountain bike in this price range will have an aluminum frame. But that doesn’t mean they are all the same. The frame is the heart of your mountain bike and dictates how your bike will ride on the trail. It’s also the hardest thing to change if you don’t like it. Make sure your frame fits before you buy it.

Some frame details also influence how you enjoy your bike, the terrain where it excels, and if you can upgrade it. If you plan to ride fast, steep, and challenging trails, frames with slacker headtube angles will perform better and feel more confident. Frames with tapered headtubes, rear thru axle hubs, and dropper post routing allow easier component upgrades.

Look for bikes with better-quality suspension forks featuring air springs and rebound damping. These allow you to better tune the fork for your weight, riding style, and terrain. Additionally, thru axle forks provide better steering precision and ensure compatibility with aftermarket wheels if you wish to upgrade down the line.

Other important components to watch for are tubeless-compatible wheels and name-brand brakes. Few bikes in this category come with tubeless tires, but many have tubeless wheels. This feature saves you money if you want to upgrade to tubeless tires.

Tubeless systems allow cyclists to ride the trail without flat-prone inner tubes. The system requires tubeless-specific tires and rims used together with liquid sealant. Tubeless systems suffer less flat tires and allow riders to run lower tire pressures, which provides more traction and inspires confidence on the trail.

Brakes are always important when trail riding. Having brakes from big-name brands (such as Shimano, SRAM, and Tektro) means you will have an easier time finding parts and servicing the brakes.

Don’t forget to include accessories when setting your bike budget. If you don’t already have them, you will need a helmet, water bottle (and cage) or hydration pack, pump, and a basic repair kit before hitting the trail.

Most bikes in this price range come with basic plastic-nylon pedals. We found these pedals unsuitable for trail use in our testing—especially in wet conditions. Set aside some funds for aftermarket flat pedals or clipless pedals and shoes.

Note: The bikes in this story are not for use at lift-access bike parks, downhill-style trails, or big jumps. If you want a bike for that type of riding, expect to pay two to three times as much as these tested bikes.

The main places to find trail-worthy mountain bikes are bike shops and direct from online retailers. Sometimes, you can find decently priced and equipped bikes at sporting goods stores but pay attention to the assembly quality on these and have them checked by a professional mechanic if you have any concerns.

Bicycle shops usually stock many options for mountain bikes in the $800 to $1,200 price range. A shop in your area almost certainly offers one of the brands we tested–the three biggest bicycle brands in the U.S. are Specialized, Trek, and Giant. Shopping at a retail store allows you to sit on the bike to check the sizing and fit and test-ride it. Purchasing at a reputable bike shop also ensures your bike gets assembled correctly.

Purchasing at a bike shop allows you to ride the bike before you buy it, but many people choose online shopping. Online retailers are a good option if you already know your frame size and are comfortable not test riding before purchase (or want a color or brand your local shops do not stock). Many bike brands offer pick-up and assembly from local dealers on online purchases.

If a bike gets shipped directly to you, follow the brand’s assembly instructions closely. Bring the bike to a local bike shop if you are unsure about building it. The money you spend upfront for assembly will save you from possible costly repairs down the line.

All of the bikes in this review are hardtail bikes. Many mountain bike riders and enthusiasts prefer full suspension bikes (those with suspension for the front and rear wheels) over hardtails. Full suspension bikes provide more wheel traction, comfort, and stability on the trail than a hardtail. But these bikes also cost more money.

Unless you find one for a deeply discounted deal—or purchase a used bike—you will not find many trail-worthy full suspension rigs priced below $1,500. Low-cost full suspension bikes are heavy, the suspension doesn’t work well, and the parts will wear down quickly.

Similarly, low-priced electric assist bikes are unsuitable for riding singletrack or rocky-strewn trails. In addition to being heavy, the parts on e-bikes (particularly the brakes and drivetrain) wear a lot faster than on non-electric bikes. If you want an e-mountain bike for trail riding, invest in one with better-quality parts to ensure your safety on the trail and enjoyment of the ride. Expect to spend at least $2,200 for a hardtail e-bike capable of trail riding.

Each of these six bikes will be the perfect bike for some riders. No single one stands out as head and shoulders above the other five as the absolute best. Pick the bike that best suits your budget, the trails you (want to) ride, and where you shop for bikes.

Of the six bikes, the Vitus Sentier is the best choice for mountain bikers looking to ride more technical terrain, especially with steep descents or lots of rock gardens. The Salsa Rangefinder and Giant Talon 1 are excellent picks for riders looking to get into trail riding but don’t have a lot of money to spend.

The Specialized Rockhopper, Trek Marlin 7, and Kona Mahuna are also great bikes and should not be overlooked if you like particular aspects of them. They are each capable mountain bikes and will bring many miles of fun on the trail.

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.

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