Mountain bikes are very important as they often make it easier to get to places like the local grocery to get foodstuffs. Additionally, the bikes are a good form of exercise if you plan to lose some extra muscles and get the desired weight. But getting the right bike for such purposes isn’t as easy as one might think.
Mountain bike hard tail vs full suspension, which is the best? Full suspension mountain bikes are the best as they are built with shock absorbers at the rear and front sides. This means that there isn’t any likelihood that you’ll get fatigued and uncomfortable as you ride on the bike.
How easy is it to find a full suspension mountain bike?
Well, there are great models of these bikes available in the market in large numbers. Their prices often vary depending on the manufacturer’s tastes and materials used. But given the current financial constraints, which exactly is the best full suspension mountain bike under 1500 in 2019?
In this article, I have reviewed 5 bikes that are of top quality that you can consider plus a comprehensive report on what you need to know before buying a full suspension mountain bike. Take a look.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Full Suspension Mountain Bike
It is a clear fact that you cannot just head to the market for a bike and get the best out of the wind. There are factors that you need to consider before you head to that store to get a bike. With that at the back of your mind, you’ll certainly get a bike of your desire.
Below are some of the things you need to look out for.
- Budget
In as much as I have narrowed down to full suspension mountain bikes under 1500, there is still need that you look at what you have in your pockets or accounts for that matter before you make the purchase. The bikes have their prices varying and it’s upon you to go for one that will perfectly fit within your budget.
After the purchase, you’ll also be required to part with some money for maintenance purposes. You don’t want to buy a bike and watch it get destroyed while you had an opportunity to prevent the destruction. Things like tires, chains, brakes and such kind of stuff will need replacements with time.
Additionally, there are other extra stuff like apparel, helmet and gloves among others that you’ll need to purchase to make your ride an enjoyable experience. A good bike shouldn’t cost much though. I would recommend that you go for a reasonably-priced mountain bike.
- Frame Materials
The material used to make the frame is another great consideration you’ll have to make before you make the purchase. It is this material that will determine the bike’s price, weight, ride quality, strength, and durability.
Aluminum is one material that often features at the mention of materials used to make full suspension mountain bikes. Aluminum is light and always gives the bike a much lighter weight which makes the bike less straining as you make the rides.
The lighter the material is, the more expensive the bike is likely to be. Aluminum is a good choice as it is durable as well. Carbon fiber is another material always used in making mountain bikes. Actually, this material ranks top among the strongest available ones in the world. The strength doesn’t in any way affect the bike’s weight as bikes made from carbon fibers are generally lightweight as well.
However, expect such bikes to be a little costly as the process of manufacturing carbon fiber is labor-intensive. Steel is another material often used because of its toughness and is less costly. The material is, however, heavy for a good mountain bike. Titanium is strong and light but too expensive.
- Wheel Size
An ideal full suspension mountain bike should have their wheels ranging from 26 to 29 inches in size. The larger the wheel size, the slower the bike is likely to be but the good thing about such large wheels is that you can actually cover more ground with them than the smaller ones.
Personally, I would recommend you go for medium-sized wheels. If you are short, then you can go for a small wheel size to accommodate your shorter legs.
Reviews of The top 5 Full Suspension Mountain Bikes under 1500$
- BEIOU BO-CB005 Carbon Fiber Mountain Bike
Overview
The BEIOU Mountain Bike features first in my list. The bike has been made out of the ever strong Toray T800 Carbon fiber. The fiber has a tensile strength of 500kgf/mm2, 4410Mpa plus a tensile modulus of 24ton/mm2 395GPa. Its density is 1.8g/cm3 which is an extraordinary thing when it comes to the bike’s durability. The carbon fiber has an elongation of 2.1 as well.
A bike made of such kind of material is also safe to ride on. This beautiful product is designed to operate with 26-inch wheels which are perfectly matching the 15 to 17-inch frame sizes. Additionally, the matte and 3K glossy finish gives this bike a very nice physical appearance.
This affordable mountain bike is well-suited for high performance like in the case of professional athletes or cycling enthusiasts. The bike is available in different colors and it is you to choose which color is indeed good for you.
The bike is lightweight, weighing just 10.8 pounds. This means that you aren’t likely to strain as you ride it. It makes use of the vertical disc type of brake and is often accompanied by the multi-tool pedals. This works so fine with the hydraulic disc (SHIMANO M355) braking system.
The bike also makes use of the ever-efficient SHIMANO DEORE 6000 speed control system. Its 26-inch air suspension fork is made from the UDING DH32. This is without a doubt one of the greatest and cheapest full suspension mountain bikes you can find in 2019.
Pros
- Decently light
- Well-packaged
- Quite affordable
- Well-performing brakes
- Responsive customer service team
- Well-built and durable
Cons
- Hard seat
- Steppenwolf Tundra Pro Mountain Bike
Overview
Steppenwolf is another brand that has been in the market for two decades now. They are known to manufacture some affordable but high-quality mountain bikes. For adventures in any kind of terrain, the Steppenwolf is a reliable bike.
The bike is smooth and this is preserved for quite a long time. Its steep steering angle plus the short rear section is what keeps the bike agile. Whether you are planning to make either a downhill or uphill ride, the Tundra Pro bike gives you that smooth, sensitive and dynamic feel.
The Tundra Pro has its fork made from the 100mm Rockshox SID RLT. Its FSA afterburner 685mm flat handlebars are comfortable for use. The FSA afterburner seat-post is another great feature of this mountain bike. This bike has DT Swiss X 1900 Spline wheels plus a Shimano XT shifters drivetrain.
It’s Avid Elixir 5 180/160mm brakes are so convenient and effective. The bike is also designed with internal cabling plus carbon frame which makes it a lightweight product. It also has an FA SX Pro No. 55 headset and a 90mm Afterburner stem. It is built with a 10-speed Shimano XT/XT cassette that has 11-36t.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Responsive and firm brakes
- Made of high-quality materials
- Well-priced
- Provides good balance
- Comfortable seat
Cons
- Narrow handlebar
- BEIOU BO-CB020 Mountain Bike
Overview
The BO-CB020 is another great mountain bike from BEIOU. With frame sizes of between 17 and 19 inches plus wheel sizes of 27.5 and 29 inches, this bike is an ideal one for any cycling enthusiast. The bike’s frame is made from the strong Toray T800 carbon fiber.
The 3K matte finish gives this bike a colorful and neat finish making it a great addition in any kind of home. This product makes use of the hidden disc brake type alongside the Shimano M315/M335 dual hydraulic disc braking system. This makes the bike come to a standstill efficiently whenever the brakes are called into action.
Its flat handlebar as well as the seat posts is made of 600mm/31.8 and 350mm/31.6mm integrated carbon fiber respectively. The bike has a 29-inch air suspension fork, UDING DH32. The bike is 10.7 pounds without the pedals which is relatively okay given that the pedals don’t weigh much as well.
This BEIOU bike has a pro-wheel integrated crankset as well as SUNRACE MTB cassette sprockets. It also comes with a black-red mountain saddle that you can use as well. The product comes with pedals, user manual and a variety of tools that you’ll need to keep it well-maintained.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to put together
- Relatively affordable
- Brakes and gears perfectly designed
- Beautiful appearance
- Stable, durable and smooth
Cons
- Hard and uncomfortable seat
- Diamondback Bicycles Hook
Overview
The Diamondback Hook is another great full suspension bike that is relatively affordable. It is built with a modern and low-slung frame that gives it a really nice look. The bike is short at the back and long at the front making it low and easy to maneuver in any kind of terrain.
This bike can be used on the steepest or very tight trails without anything to worry about. It has a 120 millimeter SR Suntour fork that accompanies the SRAM X3 1×8-speed drive train. These are what keep you going whenever you are out biking.
The Hook also has wheels that are 27.5 inches in size for greater maneuverability. The other thing that I liked about this bike is how its frame is greatly compatible with its dropper posts that have been routed internally. The frame is made of aluminum making the whole bike lightweight.
This bike doesn’t have front derailleurs with its cranks being made of aluminum arm plus a little steel chain-ring. Its brakes are the famous Tektro Aries mechanical discs. This is the bike to look for especially if you are low on budget.
Pros
- Cheap
- Great customer care services
- Well-finished and decent
- Stable
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- The logo doesn’t stay flat after some time
- DJ 750W Electric Mountain Bike
Overview
And here comes the only electric mountain bike in my list. This bike from DJ has the ability to extend its power to about 1000W from the normal 750W. The powerful Bafang brushless motor that it comes with, therefore, makes it a very strong bike to use even on steep and long trails.
The bike together with its accessories is quite affordable. Its frame is made from light aluminum making the bike lightweight to a larger extent. It has a 48V DC 13Ah lithium-ion LG battery that powers the motor. Its suspension fork is the Tun-Gun Mozo suspension model.
What’s more, it makes use of Shimano gear system (7 gears) as well as Tektro braking system. Its cushion saddle is so comfortable that you don’t get fatigued in the course of riding. You can, therefore, enjoy your rides for long with lots of ease.
The bike is fitted with 26-inch wheels that have heavy-duty alloy rims making them easy to maneuver. It weighs 57 pounds and is supposed to be ridden at a legal speed of 20 miles per hour. The good thing about the battery is that it is rechargeable. There are no emissions from the bike making it eco-friendly.
Pros
- Affordable
- Eco-friendly
- Easy to assemble
- Powerful and rechargeable battery
- Lightweight
- Well-built and durable
Cons
- Uncomfortable seat
Conclusion
As you have seen, you can actually get a full suspension mountain bike at a considerably lower price. Of all the reviewed products, none beats the BEIOU BO-CB005 Mountain Bike. The bike is made of light and strong carbon fiber. This makes it more durable.
The matte and glossy finish gives the bike a really nice appearance. Its speed control and braking systems are top-notch. These are just but some of the many features that make this bike a great pick.
This doesn’t mean that the rest of the products are low-quality. You can as well consider any of them that matches your preferences. Hope you got all your concerns addressed in this article.
