September 2023
Mountain Bikes: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of mountain bikes rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2023.
Summary
On 7 Sep 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 88 mountain bike endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
75 mountain bikes were endorsed in total, only 9 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 7 Sep 2023, REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed mountain bike with 4 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 4 recommended it as the '#1 mountain bike' this month.
Brand breakdown
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Schwinn: 4 mountain bikes
(#1 is Schwinn Women's Standpoint)
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Specialized: 2 mountain bikes
(#1 is Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp)
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Mongoose: 2 mountain bikes
(#1 is Mongoose Malus Fat Bike)
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Rei Co-op Cycles: 1 mountain bikes
(#1 is REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1)
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Yeti Cycles: 1 mountain bikes
(#1 is Yeti SB130)
Price breakdown
At a glance - September Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Mountain Bike |
Runner's World
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OutdoorGearLab
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Outside
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Verywell Fit
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Cyclists Hub
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Bikexchange
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Bicycle Guider
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The Strategist
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Switchback Travel
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Bike Perfect
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1
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- | Check price |
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The REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 mountain bike is a reliable and durable option for recreational riders who want an affordable bike for off-road adventures, offering a lightweight frame, powerful brakes, and a good range of gears.
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7
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1
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1
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7
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-
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2
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- | Check price |
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The Yeti SB130 is a high-performance mountain bike with a carbon fiber frame, exceptional suspension system, and durable components, making it a versatile and capable choice for experienced riders tackling a variety of trails.
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12
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3
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1
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3
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- | Check price |
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The Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp is a high-quality and durable mountain bike that excels in aggressive trail riding and enduro racing, offering a smooth and controlled ride with powerful components and a strong carbon fiber frame.
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3
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1
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4
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- | Check price |
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The Specialized Turbo Levo Comp is a durable and reliable electric mountain bike with high-performance capabilities, although there have been some recent reliability issues with the motor.
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8
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5
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3
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5
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- | Check price |
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The Ibis Ripmo V2 XT is a highly regarded mountain bike that offers a combination of performance, durability, and versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of terrains and riding styles.
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1
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9
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11
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- | Check price |
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The Santa Cruz Chameleon is a highly regarded hardtail mountain bike known for its durability, versatility, and ability to handle various riding styles and terrains.
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8
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2
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12
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- | Check price |
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The Orbea Laufey H30 is a durable and lightweight mountain bike designed for aggressive trail riding and off-roading, with a hydroformed aluminum alloy frame, high-quality suspension system, and reliable Shimano drivetrain components.
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13
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2
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13
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+1 | $462 |
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The Schwinn High Timber ALX is a durable and versatile mountain bike praised for its strength, smooth ride, reliable brakes, and smooth gear shifting, making it suitable for both entry-level and experienced riders.
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6
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9
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14
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+1 | $422 |
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The Mongoose Malus Fat Bike is a durable and reliable mountain bike designed for off-road riding, with a steel frame, reliable components, and fat tires for excellent traction and stability on rough terrain.
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8
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7
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We ranked REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 #1 in September 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 as #1.

Verywell Fit
Best Hardtail
Lightweight—features an aluminum frame
Easy to ride
Versatile—features 21 gears for varied terrain
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Relatively expensive
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Switchback Travel
Top Entry-Level Trail Bike for Beginners
Budget-friendly price but includes nice upgrades like hydraulic disc brakes.
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Far less trail-worthy as the other options on the list.
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We ranked Yeti SB130 #2 in September 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Yeti SB130 as #1.

Switchback Travel
Best Overall Trail Mountain Bike
Premium construction
aggressive geometry
superb up- and downhill performance.
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Expensive
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Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend mountain bikes.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of mountain bikes, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for September 2023 ranking










We ranked Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp #3 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp as #1.

OutdoorGearLab
Best Aggressive Trail Bike
Stable and confident descender
Highly adjustable geometry
Adaptable for terrain or riding style
Plush FSR suspension
Increased SWAT storage
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May be too much bike for mellow trails
Moderate weight
Fox 36 Rhythm fork
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We ranked Specialized Turbo Levo Comp #4 in September 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.

OutdoorGearLab
Best Electric Mountain Bike / Editors' Choice
Powerful motor
Versatile, highly adjustable geometry
700Wh battery-great range
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No longer winning the battery wars
No digital display on lower-end models
Should come with tougher casing tires
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Switchback Travel
Best E-Mountain Trail Bike
Well-rounded e-bike with a strong
long-lasting battery and refined downhill performance.
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Heavy, expensive
many trail systems don’t allow e-bikes (yet)
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We ranked Ibis Ripmo V2 XT #5 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Ibis Ripmo V2 XT as #1.

OutdoorGearLab
Best Overall Trail Bike / Editors' Choice
Well-balanced all-around performance
Confident descender
Efficient climber
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Not the lightest weight
Somewhat expensive
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We ranked Santa Cruz Chameleon #6 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.

Runner's World
Mixed Wheel aka "Mullet" Hardtail
Comes stock with a dropper post and Maxxis tubeless tires
Great option for trail riding or bikepacking adventures with room for customizations
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You'll pay a bit more for the Santa Cruz name compared to similar hardtail bikes
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We ranked Orbea Laufey H30 #7 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.

Bike Perfect
Aggressive hardtail for trail shredding
140mm fork smooths out the trail
Durable 11-speed Shimano drivetrain
Dropper post
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Beefy build adds weight
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We ranked Schwinn High Timber ALX #8 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.

Verywell Fit
Best Lightweight
Customizable—chose from a lightweight aluminium frame or a sturdy steel option
Easy to ride
Versatile—features 18-speed twist shifters for varied terrain
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Some options cost much more than others
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