Have you ever dreamt of mountain biking, but dismissed the thought because you couldn’t imagine spending thousands on equipment?
Surprisingly, it doesn’t need to cost that much.
The good news is that there are options for all of us – even those on a budget. And buying a mountain bike can actually save you some serious money.
Keep reading to learn how you can bike to save money and find the best budget mountain bike to fit your lifestyle.
Why Buy a Mountain Bike?
Improve Your Stress Levels
Living in a fast-paced world, we are all affected by stress. Exercise can be the best way to reduce stress, but it seems to be the first thing to go when we’re feeling under pressure.
If you can start to incorporate biking into your daily routine, the exercise may be as beneficial to combating stress and depression as a medical intervention.
Yes, exercise can be hard on our bodies, but studies have shown that exercise actually conditions our bodies to deal with it in the way that they were meant to. This means that people who are in good physical condition are actually better at handling stressful situations than people who are not.
Save Some Cash
We know this is the reason you’re here: How can biking save you real money?
First of all, biking to and from home can seriously cheapen your daily commute, whether that’s to the office, the grocery store, or running errands. While it varies among location, the average cost of a daily roundtrip commute is $12, with the average worker spending approximately $2,600 a year commuting.
If you make the decision to start biking to work, you won’t be alone. Over the last decade, the number of people biking to work has increased by roughly 60%.
Also, if you live in a city, you won’t have to pay public transportation fares or parking fees.
Bonus: If you currently pay for a gym membership, you might find that it’s unnecessary after biking to and from work for a few weeks. Think about those rock-hard thighs and calves.
Bike Styles
There are several different styles of mountain bikes, depending on their purpose and the exact type of riding you’re looking to do.
Trail Bikes
Trail bikes are the most popular (and the most practical for beginners) because they will attack any trail or challenge. They are great for anything from city streets to dirt roads.
Cross-Country
Cross-country bikes are built for speed. They are lightweight and have tires that provide extra traction for moving through snow or sand. Cross-country bikes are best if you’re looking to get somewhere fast.
All-Mountain
All-mountain bikes are the most capable full-suspension models. They are typically the most expensive option – and definitely not required for the casual biker or commuter.
Specialized
There are specialized bikes, such as fat bikes, which can tackle any terrain and downhill bikes that are designed for speedy, downhill descents. These are high-performance models for riders with the most experience.
Finding the Best Budget Mountain Bike
With so many options, it can be difficult to tell whether or not you’re purchasing the best mountain bike for the money.
As with most extreme sports, you can spend thousands of dollars on your mountain bike set-up, but if you are just getting into the sport, you don’t need to.
Most of us don’t need the bells and whistles that come with the super expensive bikes, so a high-suspension or specialized model may not be worth the cost.
Beginners need a quality bike with a solid frame, good tires, and that can smoothly transition from streets to trails or a bumpier terrain.
Best Mountain Bike Deals
Here are a few of the best deals currently on the market:
- Diamondback Overdrive 29 ($569.99): The Overdrive 29 is a classic aluminum hardtail bike with some serious handling precision. With disc brakes and 29″ wheels that allow you to avoid obstacles and quickly stop, it is one of the best entry-level bikes available – and Diamondback offers impressive quality for an inexpensive bike.
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Kawasaki Mihara Fat Bike ($499.99): Offering a lightweight frame on a solid steel fork, the Kawasaki Mihara is a great bike for beginners because it’s more robust and less complicated than most bikes on the market. Thanks to the wide tires, riders can confidently ride over rocks, rough terrain, and even deep snow and sand.
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Kingttu EURG6 ($252.64): This dual-suspension mountain bike is lightweight and easy to move around. It folds up, making it the perfect bike for a daily commute to work. A comfortable seat and free pedals are included in the package from Amazon. At under $300, this bike is a steal for someone looking to try mountain biking but isn’t fully committed to the sport yet.
Try Buying Used or Fixing an Older Bike
You don’t have to purchase a brand new bike to enjoy the benefits of mountain biking. If you consider a used bike or a DIY project, you are guaranteed to save some serious cash.
Today’s mountain bikes are durable and built to last. All of the moving parts are industry standard and can be swapped out for new ones at home.
Unless you are a competitor, you are unlikely to notice the difference between a used bike and one that is built with the newest technology. Check out your local bike shops – some are likely to have a used bike or two in the back.
Not Too Fast – You’ll Need These, Too
When considering the expense of purchasing a mountain bike, you’ll need to budget for a few additional items. Luckily, most can be purchased for a reasonable price if you shop around.
When you buy a bike, you should also consider purchasing the following:
- A helmet
- Comfortable clothes
- Appropriate shoes
- Biking gloves
- A water bottle
- Bike rack (optional, but helpful if you plan to take your new investment on the road)
Don’t Forget to Protect Your Investment
The last thing you need after purchasing a mountain bike is to worry about it getting stolen, but it is something you should be prepared for. In fact, about half of all cyclists experience having their bike stolen.
Buy a Bike Lock
You should focus on preventing future thefts by investing in top-notch security for your new bike. Check out this website for recommended locks that are cost-effective and truly indestructible.
Enjoy the Ride
Now that you know how to find the best budget mountain bike to fit your lifestyle, it’s time to begin the search. Just remember, a bike doesn’t have to be new or expensive to add enjoyment (and savings) to your life.
Looking for more ways to save money while maintaining top physical health? Check out our other frugal health and fitness tips.