March 2023
Mountain Bikes: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of Mountain Bike rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2023.
Summary
Between 10 Mar 2023 and 13 Mar 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 100 Mountain Bike endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
82 Mountain Bikes were endorsed in total, only 11 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).
As of 13 Mar 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. It is followed by Yeti SB130 and Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp , with 4 and 2 expert endorsements respectively.
Brand breakdown
-
Mongoose:
6 Mountain Bikes
(#1 is Mongoose Exlipse )
-
Schwinn:
4 Mountain Bikes
(#1 is Schwinn High Timber )
-
Huffy:
3 Mountain Bikes
(#1 is Huffy Stone Mountain )
-
Hiland:
3 Mountain Bikes
(#1 is Hiland Gamille HIM014 )
-
Specialized:
2 Mountain Bikes
(#1 is Specialized Turbo Levo Comp )
Price breakdown
At a glance - March 2023 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Mountain Bike |
Verywell Fit
|
Bike Perfect
|
Bikexchange
|
OutdoorGearLab
|
The Strategist
|
Cyclists Hub
|
Switchback Travel
|
Outside
|
Fontanel
|
Bicycle Guider
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | Check price |
REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
2
|
- | Check price |
Yeti SB130
|
-
|
-
|
13
|
3
|
3
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | Check price |
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | $325 |
Huffy Tekton
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
4
|
|
5
|
- | Check price |
Specialized Turbo Levo Comp
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
5
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | Check price |
Ibis Ripmo V2 XT
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
- | $271 |
Schwinn High Timber ALX
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
9
|
|
8
|
- | $450 |
Mongoose Malus Fat Bike
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
7
|
|
9
|
- | Check price |
Cannondale Trail 8
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
- | Check price |
Orbea Laufey H30
|
-
|
2
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
+1 | Check price |
Roadmaster Granite Peak
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
-
|
We ranked REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 #1 in March 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
|
Pros
Lightweight—features an aluminum frame
Easy to ride
Versatile—features 21 gears for varied terrain
|
Cons
Relatively expensive
|
Switchback Travel
Top Entry-Level Trail Bike for Beginners
|
Pros
Budget-friendly price but includes nice upgrades like hydraulic disc brakes.
|
Cons
Far less trail-worthy as the other options on the list.
|
We ranked Yeti SB130 #2 in March 2023 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Mountain Bikes” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Yeti SB130 as #1.
OutdoorGearLab
Best Mid-Travel Trail Bike / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Excellent climbing performance
Fun on nearly any trail
Incredibly versatile
|
Cons
Expensive
Despite aggressive geometry and burly fork, needs to be finessed in gnar
|
Switchback Travel
Best Overall Trail Mountain Bike
|
Pros
Premium construction
aggressive geometry
superb up- and downhill performance.
|
Cons
Expensive
|
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 March 2023 ranking
Verywell Fit
Bike Perfect
Bikexchange
OutdoorGearLab
The Strategist
Cyclists Hub
Switchback Travel
Outside
Fontanel
Bicycle Guider
We ranked Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp #3 in March 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
|
Pros
Stable and confident descender
Highly adjustable geometry
Adaptable for terrain or riding style
Plush FSR suspension
Increased SWAT storage
|
Cons
May be too much bike for mellow trails
Moderate weight
Fox 36 Rhythm fork
|
We ranked Huffy Tekton #4 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Mountain Bikes” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Huffy Tekton as #1.
Fontanel
Best Mountain Bikes for Men
|
Pros
Well designed for a safe and wonderful riding experience
Suitable for different topographic
Affordable
|
Cons
Some customers don’t like the gear ratio
|
We ranked Specialized Turbo Levo Comp #5 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Mountain Bikes” rankings.
OutdoorGearLab
Best Electri Mountain Bike / Editors' Choice
|
Pros
Powerful motor
Versatile, highly adjustable geometry
700Wh battery-great range
|
Cons
No longer winning the battery wars
No digital display on lower-end models
Should come with tougher casing tires
|
Switchback Travel
Best E-Mountain Trail Bike
|
Pros
Well-rounded e-bike with a strong
long-lasting battery and refined downhill performance.
|
Cons
Heavy, expensive
many trail systems don’t allow e-bikes (yet)
|
We ranked Ibis Ripmo V2 XT #6 in March 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
|
Pros
Well-balanced all-around performance
Confident descender
Efficient climber
|
Cons
Not the lightest weight
Somewhat expensive
|
We ranked Schwinn High Timber ALX #7 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Mountain Bikes” rankings.
Verywell Fit
Best Lightweight
|
Pros
Customizable—chose from a lightweight aluminium frame or a sturdy steel option
Easy to ride
Versatile—features 18-speed twist shifters for varied terrain
|
Cons
Some options cost much more than others
|
Fontanel
Highly recommended
|
Pros
2 high quality material choices
Well designed for safe and enjoyable riding
Sporty and strong looking
|
Cons
Some customers feel that it is rather large
|
We ranked Mongoose Malus Fat Bike #8 in March 2023 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Mountain Bikes” rankings.
Verywell Fit
Best Fat Tire
|
Pros
Easy to ride
Suitable for varied terrain—sand, dirt, snow and more.
|
Cons
Not intended for road biking
|
Fontanel
Best for Big Shapes Users
|
Pros
Can be suitable for people who are in big shape
Strong and durable frame
Safe disc brakes system and 7-speed swifter available
|
Cons
There’s a shortage of color choices
|
We ranked Cannondale Trail 8 #9 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Mountain Bikes” rankings.
We ranked Orbea Laufey H30 #10 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Mountain Bikes” rankings.
Bike Perfect
Aggressive hardtail for trail shredding
|
Pros
140mm fork smooths out the trail
Durable 11-speed Shimano drivetrain
Dropper post
|
Cons
Beefy build adds weight
|
We ranked Roadmaster Granite Peak #11 in March 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Mountain Bikes” rankings.
Verywell Fit
Best Budget for Women
|
Pros
Sturdy—features a steel frame
Easy to ride
Versatile—features 18-speed twist shifters for varied terrain
Budget-friendly
|
Cons
Steel frame may feel a little heavy
|
Fontanel
Best for new users
|
Pros
Strong and stable
18 smooth speed changes
Budget-friendly
|
Cons
Some people believe the tires quality needs improving
|