The best mountain bikes for 1000 euros

List of the best MTB hardtails for 1000 euros

Almost every manufacturer has a bike for a giant in its programme. Whether you opt for a Hardtail with rigid rear suspension or a full-suspension mountain bike usually already clarifies the budget. Hardtail mountain bikes are light, low-maintenance and inexpensive, but are hardly forgiving on the downhill and offer little comfort. If you are looking for a challenge on the downhill and on technical trails, you will be happier with a mountain bike fully. The price segment around 1000 euros is highly competitive and the brands only offer MTB hardtails with aluminium frames.

The off-road bikes on our list are touring, cross-country and trail hardtails for teenagers and adults. They are more robust and more attractive price than inexpensive fullys. However, children's and dirt bikes are also available at similar prices. We regularly test entry-level mountain bikes and have already tested many of the more expensive models in the BIKE lab and in practice. As a rule, these only differ from the models costing 1000 euros in terms of equipment; the frame (including geometry) and many riding characteristics are often the same. The model platforms of the following bikes in the price range were convincing:

• Bulls Copperhead 2 - 979,95 Euro
• Canyon Grand Canyon 6 - 1049 Euro
• Canyon Stoic 2 - 899 Euro
• Centurion Backfire Pro 200 - 1079 Euro
• Cube Attention SLX - 1099 Euro
• Decathlon Rockrider All Mountain 100 - 999 Euro
• Drag Trigger 3.1 - 969 Euro
• Focus Whistler 3.8 - 899 Euro
• Giant Talon 1 - 999 Euro
• KTM Ultra Ride 29 - 999 Euro
• Marin Bobcat Trail - 899 Euro
• Merida Big.Nine 300 - 1049 Euro
• Orbea Onna 20 - 999 Euro
• Radon Jealous AL 8.0 - 999 Euro
• Radon ZR Team 8.0 - 899 euros
• Rose Count Solo 3 - 999 Euro
• Scott Aspect 920 - 1099 Euro
• Specialised Rockhopper Comp 29 - 875 Euro
• Stevens Taniwha - 849 Euro
• Trek Marlin 7 Gen 3 - 1029 Euro
• Whyte 604 Compact - 999 Euro

The time of Shimano XT mountain bikes for 1000 euros is over

Mountain bikes in the 1000-euro category, or Shimano XT class, were once the ticket to serious off-road cycling. Let's get this out of the way: Unfortunately, those days are over. The last 1000-euro hardtail (a Bulls Copperhead 3 RS) with full Shimano XT equipment, Rockshox Reba suspension fork and an attractive weight of less than 11.5 kilos rolled into our test cellar in 2015.

Increased production costs, inflation and exploding transport costs have turned the market upside down, and not just since corona. Over the years, the general rise in prices has also overtaken the entry-level sector. You can currently get a good entry-level mountain bike for 1000 euros, but nowhere near the latest technology, let alone a bike with full Shimano XT equipment. In recent years, we have therefore had to successively adjust the price limit of our entry-level test field, most recently up to 1600 euros in this comparison test. The General price trend for bicycles unfortunately does not stop at the entry-level mountain bike segment. For an all-terrain MTB fully, we recommend investing at least 2200 euros. If you are looking for a serious hardtail sports bike, you will need to spend around 1500 euros. That's a lot of money.

Variety of affordable mountain bike hardtails has increased

Favourable prices are particularly beneficial for beginners who are not yet sure whether they will stick with the sport. After all, who wants to plunge into expenses without knowing whether mountain biking will inspire them in the long term? But apart from the sad fact that even beginners have to dig deeper into their pockets, there are also rays of hope in the segment of mountain bikes around 1000 euros. The variety of hardtails has increased significantly. While most front-suspension bikes were still heavy copies of lightweight cross-country hardtails years ago, the possible range of applications has broadened considerably. While Bulls and Merida focus primarily on the everyday cyclist with their affordable models with various mounting options ranging from stands and mudguards to child trailers, the Drag Trigger from Bulgaria and the Canyon Stoic from the direct mail order company tend towards the downhill-heavy ranks of trail hardtails. In between are touring bikes from Radon, Cube, Giant and Stevens.

Our BIKE tests show: In the hardtail class, there is the right bait for every taste. But to make sure you don't fall into the trap and bite the wrong treat, you should study our hardtail tests thoroughly beforehand. Mail order companies such as Rose, Radon and Canyon sell their bikes online. This eliminates the cost of sales staff and live advice in the bike shop. This enables significantly lower prices than in specialised shops. However, the customer must return the bike in the event of defects or for servicing. This is why beginners in particular should look for their new bike in a specialist shop. The possibility of a test ride and the on-site service put the additional costs into perspective. Tip: Employees can often lease company bikes through their employer.

This is how much mountain bike you can get for 1000 euros

The High demand and low availability have caused bike prices to skyrocket since the coronavirus crisis. Some models even cost up to 800 euros more than last year with the same equipment. Hardtails are not exempt from this problem. Even if you might think that low prices are decisive for sales figures, especially in the entry-level segment, the reality is different. Newcomers are having a particularly hard time at the moment: you've probably never got so little bike for your money before. Established manufacturers only offer aluminium frames from Asian production for 1000 euros. That doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. If companies offer many models at different prices, they usually only differ in terms of equipment. The geometry and frame platform are the same.

Unfortunately, price-conscious beginners have to adjust to standards that are sometimes ten years old for 1000 euros. High-quality suspension forks, wide rims, tyres with a grippy rubber compound, wide-range cassettes, retractable telescopic seat posts and even thru-axles at the front and rear are often not found on these bikes. Depending on the manufacturer, bikers have to pay at least 1500 or even 2000 euros for state-of-the-art equipment. The favourable price of 1000 euro mountain bikes is reflected above all in their weight. Entry-level hardtails often weigh four kilos more than sporty bikes with a lightweight carbon frame and higher-quality components. Carbon hardtails are available from around 2000 euros. Fullys with a carbon fibre chassis cost at least 3500 euros. Heavy wheels and tyres in particular make a bike sluggish. For 1000 euros, bikers have to be prepared for a considerable increase in weight with no better durability.

Inexpensive suspension forks and tyres

Instead, manufacturers are cutting corners wherever possible on their entry-level MTB models. Suspension forks and frames with quick-release axles make it difficult to retrofit high-quality wheels and do not have the same stiffness as modern versions with thru axles. Inexpensive suspension forks from Rockshox or SR Suntour offer few adjustment options, but can work well for light mountain bike use. However, if bikers become faster on trails and dare to tackle more demanding terrain, the inexpensive suspension elements are quickly overwhelmed. They then often reach their limits in terms of durability. Retrofitting a high-quality suspension fork is particularly expensive. Hardly anything has as much influence on the riding characteristics of a mountain bike as the choice of tyres. Even inexpensive tyres from Schwalbe or Maxxis are suitable for off-road riding and sometimes even last longer than expensive models. However, when it comes to weight, grip and puncture protection, there are good reasons for differences in tyre prices.

Favourable gears and brakes

Mountain bike newcomers in particular don't want to struggle with rattling gears. Beginners also need an easy climbing gear. The function of inexpensive gears from Shimano and Sram is usually sufficient for beginners. However, cheap cassettes in particular are often made of soft material and wear out more quickly than higher-quality parts. Twelve-speed drivetrains with only one chainring at the front and twelve sprockets at the rear are rare in the 1000 euro class. However, even beginners should not have to do without a wide gear range. The lightest gear of an eleven-speed drivetrain is often not light enough, while the heaviest gear is not heavy enough. The manufacturers of entry-level hardtails therefore often install an MTB drivetrain with two chainrings and a front derailleur. This is no longer really up to date in 2022 and, although it offers many and wide gear ratios, it also adds weight and complexity to the bike.

Inexpensive disc brakes from Shimano in particular rightly enjoy a good reputation. Simple stoppers only reach their limits on very steep and long descents. For many kilometres, not only the frame size but also the saddle and grips have to fit. If necessary, however, these parts can also be replaced reasonably cheaply. If you can, it is better to test ride the potential bike.