Full suspension MTB bikes are hands down the most suited for tackling technical trails. However, with that much money on the line with regards to the price of ownership and maintenance, messing up your purchase could have dire consequences on your wallet.
That said, we’ve tried out and reviewed a host of full suspension mountain bikes under 2000 and are in an excellent position to tell you which ones are worth considering as potential purchases. This is because their features, including the height range, frame material, wheel size, brakes, weight, and even a few extras, tell a story of value for money. After all, these features determine the bike’s handling, control, ride experience, and more. Ultimately, the 7 bikes listed below are the ones we found to be most impressive, and the PXQ 27.5-Inch Mountain Bike just tops them all.
More features: 15.5/17/19 in frame; fork suspension, hidden brake, variety of color options
The PXQ 27.5-Inch Mountain Bike is another 30-speed option you can pick, although you don’t get other gear options to choose from. It features aluminum alloy construction allowing it to be lighter than other bikes in this category. Additionally, there are three different frame sizes meaning that you can choose one depending on your height. That said, the 27.5” wheel size remains constant throughout the various options. You can also find the PXQ 27.5-Inch Mountain Bike in multiple colors to suit your aesthetic preferences. Lastly, it comes with hidden brakes.
The PXQ differentiates itself by being available in various color and size options.
More features: 18-inch frame, extra-wide double-wall alloy rims, 2.25-inch wide tires, durable alloy crank
There are two significant similarities between the Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike and the PXQ 27.5-Inch Mountain Bike. First is the construction. This full-suspension mountain bike features aluminum and aluminum alloy construction in the crank, frame, and other parts. The second is the disc brake braking system. Other notable features in the bike include the wide double-wall alloy rims, the 24-speed gear system with trigger shifters, and the 18-inch frame.
This Schwinn bike differentiates itself by having wide double-wall alloy rims that are well suited to the rigors of bumpy trails.
More features: folding frame, suspension fork, Siamese 51-8 transmission, 8-piece positioning tower wheel
The ZHTY is a 24 speed, 26 inch mountain bike that has a high carbon steel folding frame, with straight handlebar and wear resistant tires. While it is an entry level mountain bike, it does feature 24 speed twist shifters and Shimano rear derailleur, aluminum full suspension with front suspension fork, and disc brakes with quick releases on the front and rear. The bike is suitable for riders up to 220 pounds, making it a good option if you are a little on the heavier side and want to cycle as part of your fitness regime.
This bike is a great option for those who are not confident with DIY. ZHTY ships this bike as 85% assembled, so you wimpy need some assembly on the pedals, front wheel, and stem bars. You could even take the bike to a local shop if you don’t feel confident checking the brake and gear adjustment.
More features: folding bike, durable alloy wheels, stunt bike, quick-release clamp
The next option is the ZHANGZHANG Folding Mountain Bike for men. As implied by the name, this full-suspension MTB bike folds for easier storage and transport, and consequently, you might not have to buy a rack for your car. The quick-release clamp also makes the folding feature easier to use. Also notable is how the suspension on the rear wheel can hold larger weights while still being comfortable. Lastly, this bike comes in a variety of spoke design options that you can pick from.
This bike is for cyclists with limited storage space.
More features: removable 8Ah lithium-ion battery, 350W motor, carbon steel fork; range of up to 50 miles, 3 hours
The only electric full suspension mountain bike to make it onto the list is the Vivi Folding Electric Bike. In addition to the aluminum frame and 26” tires, this option comes with an 8Ah lithium-ion battery to power its 350W motor. It comes with a carbon steel fork as well. While working alone, the battery can power the bike for up to 25 miles. However, in the assisted mode, it can last up to 50 miles. It’s also possible to take the battery out and ride just like a regular mountain bike.
This bike is for users who want a little electric assistance while riding.
More features: fits riders 64 to 74 inches tall, strong alloy rims, adjustable seat post
The Protocol 1.0 Mountain Bike is another Schwinn option to feature on this list. Although the wheel size is approximately 3 inches smaller than that of the Schwinn Traxion, the recommended height range for the two bikes is fairly similar. Other features they share include the highly adjustable seat post, frame size, disc brake design, and 24-speed configuration. The differences come in where the construction of the rims is concerned and the wheel size resulting in a weight disparity.
This option is for riders between 5’4” and 6’1” in height who want 26” wheels.
More features: 4-inch tires, high water resistance
The YM-007 Mountain Bike is a 4-inch tire option full suspension bike for taller people, given that its height range is 5.7ft – 6.3ft. It comes with carbon steel construction and a thick frame, and if you add that to the thick tire size, it’s no surprise that it weighs 55lbs. Next, it has a dual shock design that ensures it stays comfortable for most terrains. While you can get it as a 27-speed, 21-speed, and 24-speed alternatives are also available, although that leaves out a few other options.
This option works well if you want a full suspension bike that makes light work of snow, dirt, and mud in bumpy terrains.
Notably, just because a full suspension bike has glowing reviews online doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be satisfied with it if you make the purchase. These bikes are built with different segments of the biking market in mind, making choosing one a challenge. That said, with the instructions on how to choose the best option included below, you can avoid most of the pitfalls that cyclists encounter while shopping for such a bike.
According to How Stuff Works Trusted Source Suspension - How Mountain Bikes Work | HowStuffWorks Many bikes today have both front and rear suspension systems. The suspension lets the wheels move up and down to absorb small bumps while keeping the tires in contact with the ground for better control. adventure.howstuffworks.com , most modern bikes come with suspension, which helps the wheel move up or down, and this helps the bike absorb the impact of small bumps. The suspension can be integrated either on the front wheel or the back wheel of the two-wheeler. However, full-suspension two-wheelers have suspension setups that include a damper and a spring in both the front and back of the bike.
In technical trails that are full of bumps, roots, and obstacles, the full-suspension option offers better ride comfort than the front or rear suspension bike options.
Here’s how to pick the best full suspension mountain bike under $2000.
First, check the height range. Most bikes are made with a specific rider height in mind. That’s why the height range is sometimes indicated in the product description. Statistics by World Data Trusted Source Average height of men and women worldwide How tall is a human? Heights, weights and BMI for men and women in an international comparison www.worlddata.info show that the average height for the American male is about 1.77m or 5’8”. Consequently, this section of the population would better be served by bikes like the YM-007 Mountain Bike designed for the 5’7” – 6’3” height range.
For women in the same country, the average height is 1.63m or a little over 5’3,” and hence a bike like the Vivi Folding Electric Bike is better suited to them.
The frame size is what determines the height range of the bike. Notably, there isn’t a standard for measuring the frame size, and thus it may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. That said, there are sizing charts available online that take the frame size of a bike into consideration if the height range for a potential purchase isn’t explicitly stated.
You should also check the frame and fork material of the bike. This will determine its durability in addition to the weight. According to Sciencing Trusted Source High Carbon Steel Properties & Uses | Sciencing There are a number of different types of steel, which consist overwhelmingly of iron in all cases but whose properties can be significantly altered by relatively small amounts of added carbon or other elements. High carbon steel has a greater than 0.55 percent carbon content by mass, sciencing.com , the characteristics of high carbon steel include extreme hardness, resistance to tear, moderate ductility, and high strength. However, when used in a bike, they can make it heavier compared to other alternatives.
Aluminum and aluminum alloys are pretty lightweight but are sometimes not as durable as other materials. As you can see, each material has both upsides and downsides.
As for the wheels, you need to know their material construction, their design, size, and even the size of the tires provided. Some bikes, e.g., the Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike, have a double-wall design that is much harder to damage and better suited for rough trails.
Also, wheels and tires provided with full suspension bikes differ in size. Larger options like the DUOWEI Adult Mountain Bike with 4-inch tires offer more traction and make light work of snowy, muddy, and wet terrain. Smaller tires may not be as adept at the job.
Nevertheless, if you ride only smooth trails in good weather, you might not need the larger tires.
The suspension of each bike is another area you look into. Remember, these are dual/full suspension bikes with the suspension mechanisms included in both the front and back of the two-wheeler. However, the quality of the suspensions in the bikes, including the springs and dampers, may differ. As such, you’re better off looking for the best quality you can find as the bike will last longer without needing replacement or repair.
The drivetrain in your full-suspension bike may also be a source of joy, or it could cause you endless headaches throughout your ownership of the bike. Notably, the drivetrain consists of several components, including chainrings, pedals, derailleur, cogs, chain, and cranks.
Remember, it’s the drive train that will power the bike once you start pedaling. As such, it’s subject to lots of strain as long as you use the bike. If any of the components of the train is flimsy or the quality is not up to par, maintaining your bike will be a lot harder, so it’s better to take your time and ensure they’re well made.
The gears control how much effort you put into pedaling and are adjustable depending on the terrain. Notably, there are various gear options depicted as speeds, i.e., there are 1, 3, 7,18,21,24,27,30-speeds, and more. The one-speed option doesn’t have a variable gear. As for the 3-speed through to the 30-speed, you can change the gear to make it easier to cycle or harder.
Those with high number gears like the 30-speed, 27-speed, offer high adjustability and more nuanced control over the gears. Options like three or 7-speed gears offer simplicity and easier control, but none can truly be described as better than the other. It just depends on your preferences.
Where mountain bikes are concerned, there are two types of brakes, i.e., disc brakes and rim brakes. Disc brakes for bikes are considered superior to rim brakes in terms of control and performance. All the bikes in the list above come with such brakes. That said, there can be differences in quality among the different models of disc brakes available.
Depending on the type of performance you want from your bicycle, you can choose a tube-type or tubeless tire. The latter offers better performance and are preferred because they offer easier maintenance, high durability, and are lightweight while still being just as affordable as the alternative. If this feature is available in your bike selection, then it’s an added benefit.
The bike’s weight determines how easy it is to carry, and if you’re a mountain biking enthusiast, you’ll know that some trails require just that. As such, a heavier bike would prove more of a hindrance if you tackle such trails regularly. In such a case, options like the PXQ 27.5-Inch Mountain Bike are ideal.
More often than not, full-suspension bikes and even other bikes in general, ship in boxes and are not fully assembled. Some manufacturers offer partial assembly leaving you with very little work to do. Others are not so considerate. If you’re a DIYer with tools at the ready and the experience to put it together, then a bike with a complicated assembly process shouldn’t deter you.
However, some of you may not have the technical know-how, so buying a bike with a simple assembly process is ideal.
Lastly, some full suspension bikes come with extra features. One example is the Vivi Folding Electric Bike, which folds and comes with an electric motor and battery. As such, you can take a break from cycling and just cruise along to your destination. The ZHANGZHANG Folding Mountain Bike is another example of a folding bike. These extra features can be useful to the bike’s owner, and hence you should consider them before purchase.
The PXQ 27.5-Inch Mountain Bike is our top pick, and this lightweight but durable 30-speed full suspension mountain bike is available in various frame sizes and color options. Second is the Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike, and it has impressive double-wall alloy rims, a durable alloy crank, and Schwinn’s stellar bike manufacturing reputation behind it.
The ZHTY 26-In 24-Speed Mountain Bike is the last option among our top three bike picks. It is an entry level mountain bike at the lower end of the price range, but it provides a decent ride with great suspension. However, even if these bikes come highly recommended, you still have to consider the other options given in the list of best full suspension mountain bikes under 2000 given above. Who knows, they may be better suited to your needs, and you’ll only know that if you look carefully into their features.
