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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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1
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- | Check price |
REI Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1
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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-
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7
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1
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-
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1
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-
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7
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-
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2
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- | Check price |
Yeti SB130
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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-
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3
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1
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-
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3
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- | Check price |
Specialized Stumpjumper EVO Comp
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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-
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4
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- | Check price |
Specialized Turbo Levo Comp
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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-
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-
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-
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5
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3
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-
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5
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- | Check price |
Ibis Ripmo V2 XT
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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-
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-
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11
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- | Check price |
Santa Cruz Chameleon
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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-
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-
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12
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- | Check price |
Orbea Laufey H30
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 |
Schwinn High Timber ALX
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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-
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14
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+1 | $422 |
Mongoose Malus Fat Bike
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
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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
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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
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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
Runner's World
OutdoorGearLab
Outside
Verywell Fit
Cyclists Hub
Bikexchange
Bicycle Guider
The Strategist
Switchback Travel
Bike Perfect
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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We ranked Mongoose Malus Fat Bike #9 in September 2023 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best mountain bikes” rankings.
Verywell Fit
Best Fat Tire
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Easy to ride
Suitable for varied terrain—sand, dirt, snow and more.
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Not intended for road biking
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