How to choose a budget mountain bike? – Tips and recommendations

Everything you need to know before buying.

Running in the park, walking in the forest – all outdoor activities can be a great experience, but undoubtedly one of the most exciting and accessible options is mountain biking. With a mountain bike, you can cover long distances over diverse terrains and reach incredible places often inaccessible to other vehicles. Moreover, mountain biking is a great way to challenge yourself and stay in shape.

If you are reading this article, you are probably already considering buying a mountain bike. Let us introduce you to a few basic principles to follow when facing the question: “How to choose a good, budget bike?”

The first thing you need to know – a good budget mountain bike usually has a hardtail frame. Bikes with rear suspension are characterized by complex and expensive systems that require additional maintenance. A good entry-level “hardtail,” on the other hand, is simple and fast, has a sturdy but lightweight aluminum frame and a suspension fork. And most importantly – it is easy to maintain, service, and upgrade, so it can provide you with long and enjoyable riding hours.

These principles are exactly what lie behind the design of the ZX Pro, the best budget mountain bike from DRAG Bicycles. Priced at 759.00 BGN, the ZX Pro offers more than a good price-to-performance ratio. It is suitable both for city commuting and for riding on beginner-friendly mountain trails.

Technical specifications:

Aluminum, hydroformed frame

Suspension fork with metal spring, stiffness adjustment, and lockout

Handmade, double-walled rims

Hydraulic disc brakes

An important indicator of a good budget mountain bike is the presence of a replaceable “hanger.” The derailleur on a good mountain bike is mounted with an aluminum “hanger” for the frame. The “hanger” is designed to break upon a strong impact to prevent serious damage to the frame. In this case, replacing the “hanger” is easy and inexpensive, and you won’t have to discard the entire frame.

A good budget bike must also have quick release levers, which allow you to easily remove the tires for repair or replacement without tools. Avoid budget bikes whose tires are mounted with bolts, as servicing them is difficult and upgrading is almost impossible.

And finally – a good budget bike must be reliable and safe. That is why having disc brakes front and rear is mandatory. Compared to V-brakes, disc brakes are more reliable and have greater stopping power.

You now have everything you need to make an informed choice of the best budget mountain bike for you. All that remains is the purchase and the pleasure of riding.