If you want to start mountain biking, the first question you often ask yourself is: How much money do I have to spend to get a solid bike with lots of fun potential? Is 500 euros enough to get started, or do you only get bad bikes for less than 2000 euros? Unfortunately, this is not easy to answer. First and foremost, it depends on the intended use. Do you want to ride on easy forest and gravel paths and enjoy nature? Or is a multi-day MTB tour in the Alps the big goal? Are you clearly focussing on downhills and looking for your sporting happiness on single trail descents or when jumping? Or do you want to use the mountain bike purely as a piece of sports equipment and are you focussing on the training effect?
Manufacturers therefore come up trumps with a variety of mountain bike types and categories, each geared towards a specific area of use. Finding out how much you should spend on your mountain bike therefore depends largely on your own plans and the purpose for which you want to use the bike. The budget also plays a decisive role, of course.
Good hardtails are cheaper than good, full-suspension MTBs
Germans spend an average of 1279 euros on a bicycle, according to the latest figures from the German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV). However, this figure also includes e-bikes, which are generally significantly more expensive than normal bikes. This drives up the average sales price. But back to mountain bikes: You can get the simplest bikes in DIY stores or supermarkets for less than 500 euros - partly also full-suspension. But You'd better keep your hands off itbecause the workmanship and quality of the components used leave a lot to be desired.
For a Price of around 800 euros However, you can get quite usable mountain bikes in bike shops and from online retailers. With these Entry-level hardtails - the simplest and most affordable type of mountain bike - you can already pedal relaxed over simple forest and meadow trails or go touring. These bikes already have hydraulic disc brakes, lighter aluminium frames, 29-inch wheels, adjustable air suspension forks, tyres with a better profile and high-quality gears (1x12 or 2x10 gears). Full-suspension mountain bikes are still available in this price category not interesting.
Reasonably equipped, sporty MTB hardtails are available from 1200 euros. They are great fun to ride off-road and make long tours possible - even in the Alps. Only the high weight of 13-14 kilos slows these bikes down, especially uphill. Basically, the more you invest in a mountain bike, the...
- ... the total weight is lower.
- ... you get better suspension components (suspension fork & shock absorber).
- ... the switching quality improves.
- ... higher quality tyres (tread and rubber compound) are fitted.
Our tip for mountain bike beginners
We know from our experience of hundreds of bike tests and comparisons: Hardtails around 1300-1500 euros offer the best possible overall package of acceptable costs and maximum riding enjoyment. You won't find a cheaper, high-quality, lightweight mountain bike without compromising on suspension forks, gears and brakes. The price-performance ratio of these mountain bikes is generally a knockout. In BIKE 5/2021, we tested seven sporty 2021 hardtails from € 1300. >> Read more about the comparison test of entry-level mountain bikes here. <<
There aren't really any good full-suspension mountain bikes under 1500 eurosThis is because the shock and the more complex frame construction, including the bearings, not only drive up the price of a mountain bike, but also the weight. That's why our rough recommendation for beginners is: If you mainly want to ride single trails, alpine tours or in the bike park, you need to invest in a Good fully mountain bike at least 2000 euros spend. Still not sure whether your new mountain bike should be a hardtail or a fully? Then click here for the next article, in which we get to the bottom of the eternally topical question "mountain bike hardtail or fully".
