best mountain bikes under 2K in australia

Find A Great Mountain Bike Under $2000

MTBs Under $2000 (Quick Stats)

If you don't have time to read the full article, here is our quick review.

We researched a range of mountain bikes that you can purchase under $2000 in Australia. We looked at bikes for each particular purpose. There are some fantastic options on the market right now. If you'd rather just check out each bikes specs right now, you can find them available at Bicyclesonline.com.au

Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

Quality

RIDE

cost

PRICE (at time of writing)

Under $2000

Quick Comparison (Full details of each bike further down the page):

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
2021 Polygon Siskiu D6

2021 Polygon Siskiu D6

Rated 8 / 10

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2021 Polygon Trid

2021 Polygon Trid

Rated 7.5 / 10

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Marin San Quentin 2 – Hardcore Hardtail

Marin San Quentin 2 – Hardcore Hardtail

Rated 9.5 / 10

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Polygon Vander T7 – Trail Mountain Bike

Polygon Vander T7 – Trail Mountain Bike

Rated 9 / 10

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Polygon Xtrada 5 2×10

Polygon Xtrada 5 2×10

Rated 8 / 10

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Polygon Syncline C2 – Carbon XC Mountain Bike

Polygon Syncline C2 – Carbon XC Mountain Bike

Rated 7.5 / 10

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Marin Team 1 – Aggressive XC Hardtail

Marin Team 1 – Aggressive XC Hardtail

Rated 7.8 / 10

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Marin Bobcat Trail 4

Marin Bobcat Trail 4

Rated 8.2 / 10

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Polygon Cascade 4 – 27.5-inch

Polygon Cascade 4 – 27.5-inch

Rated 7.5 / 10

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Polygon Siskiu D5 – Dual Suspension MTB.

Polygon Siskiu D5 – Dual Suspension MTB.

Rated 7.8 / 10

Check Price

The newer bikes with electronically controlled suspensions, drivetrain shifting, high-quality components, lightweight carbon frames can make you cough upwards of up to $10,000 or more for a full-suspension bike. But are they really worth all the hype? Can you get a decent mountain bike for $2000 or less?

YES. You can get an agile and lightweight bike capable enough to tear up mountains and with a rigid frame and suspension to withstand downhill racing without breaking the bank.

We have reviewed and found some of the meanest fair-priced mountain bikes that have been fitted with premium components. We also have a great post here on the best mountain bikes under $1000 in Australia.

But first,

What Should you consider when choosing a bike?

If you want to be a professional rider, or a hobbyist mountain biker looking for the thrills of hitting the dirt trails and going off-road, it's essential to know what to look for in order to find the perfect trail-ready bike. Let’s get started:

Frame size

Getting the right frame size is the most important decision you’ll have to make when purchasing either a road bike or a mountain bike. You'll want to ensure that the bike fits your height and reach.

While many bike companies indicate the bike sizes and recommended user height, some simply indicate small, medium or large, which could lead you to make a wrong decision. We’ve created a comprehensive “How To” guide to help you choose the best mountain bike frame size. Read the guide here.

Wheel size

In general, short riders under 5’5 prefer 27.5 inch wheels while tall riders choose 29er wheels, which are increasingly becoming popular every day. However, there’s still a lot to consider other than the rider's height: style of riding, obstacles on trails, weight and traction, among others.

Read our comprehensive guide on choosing the perfect wheel size option for your size and riding style.

Hardtail or Full-suspension?

Full suspension bikes feature both front and rear shocks, which help you keep control over rough ground, whereas hardtail mountain bikes do not feature a rear shock. Also, keep in mind that the more components and moving parts in a mountain bike, the more the maintenance costs. Determining whether to choose a hardtail or a full suss MTB depends on your riding style.

Bike Weight

Your bike's weight is rarely an issue unless you are looking for a racing MTB, a slopestyle mountain bike. In most cases, the strength is marginally more important, mostly offroad, where you have to navigate through random rocks, roots and ruts. Of course, carbon frames are lightweight and durable, but the price tag of replacing a broken carbon frame is equal, and sometimes more than a complete bike made of aluminum or steel frame.

You should also consider how you are going to transport your bike. If you use a bike rack for your car, it's important to take this into consideration.

Saddle and Handlebar

These are the two primary interfaces that you’ll be in constant contact with, so you should always make sure they fit your needs. A high-quality saddle should have height adjustability and be well designed to be comfortable for long rides at the same time.

A matching handlebar makes a LOT of difference in your overall riding experience. It’s practically your steering wheel, responsible for quick and smooth handling to help you avoid obstacles and navigate sharp corners with ease. You also want to make sure you can fit a GPS cycle computer correctly if needed.

You can read more about handlebars here.

What are the top 10 Mountain Bikes Under $2000?

 

—Our Editor's Pick—

2021 Polygon Siskiu D6 – Dual Suspension Mountain Bike

While the 2021 Polygon Siskiu D6 is one of the cheapest dual-suspension bike, it doesn’t disappoint in any way. In fact, it's one of the most popular entry-level suspension bike for professional mount bikers across Australia.

If you are looking for a rigid entry-level dual suspension bike, the 2021 Polygon Siskiu D6 offers plenty of value for its price. The design, which features a lightweight Hydroformed 6061 Aluminium frame, is a sturdy and durable option for riders looking to upgrade from a hardtail to a dual suspension.

 

polygon siskiu d6 on sale

 

The Shimano Deore 1 x 10 drivetrain & a massive 46T rear cassette combination provide you with plenty of range to climb up steep hills, while the Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes keep you in full control on the way down.

Anti-squat Progressive Suspension

The Siskiu D6 comes race-ready with SR Suntour XCR 32 adjustable air front suspension forks and an x-fusion o2 pro RL air rear shocks –both have high sensitivity and perform pretty well on technical trails with bumpy trails, lots of rocks, and roots.

With a Tranz X dropper seat post fitted for a 150mm (S-M) / 170mm (L-XL) of travel and a remote lever, it's easy to see why customers love this bike.

A quick glance:

  • Fork: SR Suntour XCR 32, Air Spring.
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 1×10-Speed.
  • Seatpost: TranzX JD-YSP23JL Dropper Post With Remote Lever.
  • Weight: 16.3 kg (27.5″ M).
  • Rim: Tubeless Ready Entity X15 Doublewall Disc 32H, 25mm Internal Width.

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— Dirt, Jump & Slopestyle MTB Bike—

2021 Polygon Trid- Slopestyle Jump Mountain Bike

The super-wide 34mm stanchions combined with the VEE XCV Dirt Jump Tyres guarantee a smooth and stable landing, and at the same time, provide a grippy rolling setup that won’t slip out when you’re about to send it.

Made For The Rough Stuff

If you are an adrenaline junkie or love pump tracks, dirt jumps and slopestyle biking, then the low-slung and robust 2021 Polygon Trid.

Like the more expensive sister, slopestyle 2021 Polygon Trid ZZ, its development, testing and tweaking were done by Sam Reynolds, a multiple awards winning professional mountain biker. This guarantees that the bike comes outfitted with all the features you’d expect from a top of line Dirt Jumper. The bike is built for all forms of aggressive riding, and you’ll always be comfortable when you throw the bike into turns, jumps and tricks.

 

polygon trid onsale

 

A Fun and Nimble Handling

The AL6 alloy DJ frame comes with a tapered headtube designed for stiffness, precise handling and short chainstays. The frame tubes and 135x10mm horizontal dropouts are slightly wider for improved rigidity when compared to the previous Trid J5 version. Despite all this, the frame weighs about 4lbs making it suitable for prolonged ‘flight' air time.

Absorbing the landings is the X Fusion slant air fork with rebound and compression adjustment a must have feature on any jump bike. See our full review of the Polygon Trid dirt jump bike.

A quick glance:

  • Fork: X-Fusion Slant DJ 26″ Air Spring With rebound & Compression adjuster.
  • Suspension Travel: 100mm.
  • Drivetrain: Singlespeed.
  • Brakes: Shimano BR-Mt201 Hydraulic Disc.
  • Weight: 11.9 kg (26″).
  • Bottom Bracket: Samox Integrated BSA BB.

CURRENTLY ON SALE – SAVE $100

—Great Value & Performance—

2021 Marin Team 1 – Aggressive XC Hardtail

The bridgeless slim fastback seatstays give great tire clearance and additional vertical compliance for long rides & comfort without sacrificing power transfer. The generous frame clearance allows for 700Cx45 or 650Bx47 wheels to easily fit, providing you with the much needed traction and comfort to navigate descents.

There’s a reason the Marin Team 1 is one of the most common hardtail mountain bikes you’ll find in riding trails and races. As the name suggests, it is one of the first top XC race Marin bikes designed and equipped with everything you need to tackle any modern XC racecourses, forest paths, smooth roads, singletrack, and other demanding trails across Australia.

 

marin hardtail mtb - Team 1

 

29” wheels and a 12-Speed drivetrain

The snappy handling of this dedicated XC bike guarantees a reliable ride even on tight trails. It’s designed for street & trail adaptability and low maintenance in mind to let you have an everyday work/errand bike, plus an adventure-ready bike in one without breaking the bank.

Marin Team 1 is all about speed, reliability, and performance. Fitted with a Shimano Deore 12-Speed, it is the most blissful bike to tear through any singletrack, whether for competition or just a weekend hardtail fun ride with friends.

The Team Marin lightweight aluminum frame houses the full internal cable routing in the front main triangle tube for a sleek, clean, and tangle-free appearance. This allows future Marin 1 owners to upgrade to an internal dropper post if they desire.

A quick glance:

  • Frame: Series 4 6061 Superlight aluminum
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12-Speed
  • Seatpost: Rigid Marin Alloy/ Internal Dropper Post Ready
  • Fork: RockShox Judy Silver TK, 120mm Travel

 

—Best 27.5+ Mountain Bike For Backpacking—

2021 Polygon Vander T7 – Trail Mountain Bike

It's perfectly detailed, and the smooth curves make it look like it's been made to cruise around city streets in Perth, although the specs suggests it is much tougher than that.

The new Vander T7 mountain bike is stylish and fun! If you want other riders to notice you whenever you are on the trails, this stylish looking full suspension trail bike is the best choice.

This aluminum bike uses a combination of RockShox Recon Silver RL front suspension fork and RockShox Monarch RL shock with 27.5’’ wheels. The main thing that riders really like about this Polygon model is that it is adaptable.

It also comes with Schwalbe/Nobby Nic Tyres & WTB STP i29 rims, which provide a decent grip, while the SRAM Level T, 2-Piston brakes offer reliable stopping power for downhill rides.

2021 vander t7 review

Fun, Tough & Playful

It comes with an all-rounder trail geometry with moderate chainstay & wheelbase lengths and a relaxed head angle designed to let you rip through dirt trails and roads alike. Its agility boosts the confidence you need to navigate twisty trails at high speed.

A quick glance:

  • Frame: ALX Trail 6061 Aluminum Frame
  • Fork: RockShox Recon Silver RL
  • Drivetrain: High-performance SRAM SX 1×12 Eagle
  • Seatpost: Entity Sport, Rigid. 15mm Offset
  • Weight: 14.3 kg (27.5″ L)
  • Front/Rear Travel: 130/130

―Best Mountain Bike For Women―

2021 Polygon Xtrada 5 2×10 – Mountain Bike

Xtrada 5 boasts 120mm suspension forks that make the bike glide easily over obstacles. The Shimano drivetrain and Tektro M275 hydraulic disc brakes provide a perfect combo that invokes confidence as you ride the bike up steep climbs or down testosterone-inducing descents.

The highlight of this bike is the featherweight 6061 hydroformed aluminum frame coupled with heat-treated, butted tubing. This design blends optimal strength to weight ratio, making the Polygon Xtrada 5 one of the sturdiest bikes in its class.

polygon xtrada 5 review

Relaxed Geometry & Efficient Components

The head tube is tapered for increased stability and precision on its front-end, while the Boost hub spacing stiffens the ride with more tire clearance. But the Boost system does more than stiffening the ride. It also allows shorter chainstays, enabling the rider to flick the back of this hardtail around corners quickly.

Great Looks and Even Better Riding

Internal cable routing and buttery-smooth welds round up its clean, elegant look, while the Wheel Fit Size System allows you to customise and match frame and wheel size for optimal performance. To reduce the maintenance cost and improve shifting, Polygon swapped the triple chainring in the previous model for a double chainring in this one.

A quick glance:

  • Fork: Suntour XCM-HLO, Hydraulic Lock Out
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Deore M4100 2×10-Speed
  • Seatpost: Entity Sport, Rigid. 15mm Offset
  • Weight: 14.3 kg (W/ 29″ XL)

—Best Hardtail For Tall Riders—

2021 Polygon Syncline C2 – Carbon XC Mountain Bike

The Polygon Syncline C2 is an XC mountain bike crafted for racing. Right off the bat, its frame stands out as its geometry is optimized for performance on and off the trail – especially thanks to its carbon frame.

Top-notch Components

Polygon Syncline C2 is a confidence-enhancing fun bike with modern geometry, wide tires, an SR Suntour XCR 32 120mm fork setup and a compliant ACX XC Performance Carbon frame that provide a smooth ride over rough trail.

The Shimano M5100 drivetrain puts 11 speeds at your disposal with a 1x drivetrain which is agile and easy to maintain. The same can be said about the powerful Shimano BR-MT201 Hydraulic Disc Brakes as well.

polygon syncline 2

Entry Ticket Into Professional Trail riding

When Polygon was making the Syncline 2, their main goal was to create an affordable, lightweight carbon frame bike to offer riders the feel & performance of a top tier, premium carbon bike.

A quick glance:

  • Fork: Suntour XCR 32 LO-R, 120mm Travel
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore RD-M5120, 11-Speed
  • Seatpost: Entity Expert, Zero Offset
  • Weight: 12.9 kg (29″ M)
  • Tyre: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance 27.5/29×2.25″

—Capable All-rounder Trail Bike—

2021 Marin Bobcat Trail 4 – Mountain Bike

The Bobcat Trail 4 features internal cable routing in the Series 2 6061 Aluminum frame, Tektro M275 hydraulic disc brakes, SR Suntour XCM HLO-DS 120mm travel fork, Shimano Altus 2×9 drivetrain, and Marin Aluminum Double Wall rims w/WTB Trail Boss 2.25″ tires.

Stiff, lightweight, and efficient aluminum frames offer an excellent balance between performance and affordability. The Marin Bobcat Trail 4 is living proof! It is a capable singletrack bike ideal for park trails, do bikepacking, or explore off-road trails across Australia. –A solid choice that won't break your bank, whether you are an experienced mountain biker or a recreational rider steeping deeper into mountain biking.

marin bobcat 4

27.5/29×2.25 Inch Wheels

Apart from the lightweight frame, the other sweet features that will come in handy when you hit the trails include a fork hydraulic lockout and the Shimano Altus Shadow 2×9 speed drivetrain.

Marin Bobcat Trail 4 has a lot to offer to a hobbyist or professional mountain bikers alike. It is an excellent choice for riding on extreme rocky trails or on the road. The WTB Trail tires can handle it all, along with the other useful components.

A quick glance:

  • Fork: SR Suntour XCM HLO-DS with 120mm Travel
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Altus Shadow 2×9 speed drivetrain
  • Rim: Marin wide double-wall rims.

—Best Mountain Bike For The Money—

2021 Polygon Cascade 4 – 27.5-inch Mountain Bike

The bike's stock foam Saddle has an ergonomic design with the perfect width to keep your comfortable for long. We've agressively tested the Cascade 4 on the Adelaide Hills trails and it hasn't dissapointed us at all, at least not yet!

Polygon Cascade 4 is the most affordable, value-for-money hardtail MTB in our selection. It has the feel and handling of an expensive bike. Despite its price range, it's still packed with reliable and durable components and an alloy frame, making it an excellent option for people looking to join the biking world.

100MM Travel Fork For Rough Terrains

Its taller build and slanting top tube give the bike more ground clearance. Polygon Cascade 4 strong and thin chainstays and seats lower the overall frame weight while making it possible to withstand any surface vibration from the rear half of the frame.

Suntour XCM front suspension fork on this hardtail mountain bike combined with 100mm of travel and a pre-load adjuster contribute to the smooth functioning during rides.

A quick glance:

  • Seat tube: Entity Sport, Alloy
  • Brakes: Alhonga Hydraulic Disc
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Altus / Tourney 3×8 Speed
  • Tyre Size: 27.5 x 2.1″
  • Weight: 15.1 kg (27.5″ M)
  • Kickstand: Included

Read a full review of the Cascade 4 here.

—Best Mountain Bike For Beginners—

2021 Polygon Siskiu D5 – Dual Suspension MTB.

The Siskiu D5 is upgraded with a curvy hydroformed ALX aluminum suspension for The updated kinematic system on the Siskiu D5 offers a more progressive suspension ratio and better peddling performance because of the optimized anti-squat number.

Most riders will find the all-new Polygon Siskiu D5 dual-suspension mtb more than enough. The revised kinematics on this all-around trail bike puts it ahead of the market's best mountain bikes. The bike is built with a more progressive suspension that will make riding your local trails fun.

The one-piece linkage system with the 120mm suspension reduces lateral flex in the rear triangle for improved linear movement and shock performance. This Polygon series comes with a 27.5″ wheel size. Riders can mount their water bottle on the frame of the Siskiu D5.

A quick glance:

  • Fork: SR Suntour XCM HLO, Coil Spring
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Alivio/Altus 2×9-Speed
  • Tyre: Entity Spiderbait 27.5×2.25″
  • Weight: 16.7 kg (27.5″ M)
  • Pedals included (see the best mtb pedals here).

—Best 27.5 inch Hardtail Mountain Bike—

2021 Marin San Quentin 2 – Hardcore Hardtail

Quentin 2 dialed frame geometry makes it perfect to pin down on a rocky downhill or singletrack, yet light enough that you can ride it to the top without destroying yourself.

The Marin San Quentin 2 represents enduro mountain bike engineering's pinnacle, perfect for light dirt jumps and downhill trails. San Quentin 2 alloy frame built using 6061-T6 Aluminum the as other San Quentin series. Quentin 2 aluminum frame features more advanced tube forming, with full internal cable routing, post mount disc tabs, more complex dropouts, and a boost 148mm thru-axle.

It is a capable descender like all enduro bikes with a head angle slack 65 degrees and a steep 75-degree seat angle for an efficient pedalling position when climbing. Although the reach on the San Quentin 2 is longer than common enduro and trail bikes, it increases stability during descents.

A quick glance:

  • Fork: RockShox Recon RL
  • Drivetrain: Shimano Deore, 11-Speed, SGS
  • Seatpost: TranzX Dropper post with 150mm Travel
  • Brakes: Shimano BR-MT201 Hydraulic Disc

Buying a Mountain Bike Online

Purchasing your ride from online bike shops is a much better option because you’ll have various bikes to choose from and clean untouched/unused bikes, unlike in physical stores where most bikes have been tried and tested by different people.

The main drawback is you won’t test ride the bike is before you buy, but considering the current covid pandemic, it’s a safe and reasonable sacrifice. You’ll also need to assemble the bike as it comes in a box and fine-tune it to fit your style (which is a huge advantage)

Our favourite thing about buying bikes online is that you can own the bike of your dream for a little deposit and pay for the rest of the amount later on. Check bicyclesonline.com.au Ride Now, Pay Later payment option here.

FAQ's

Why Are Mountain Bikes So Expensive?

Mountain bikes are mainly expensive because of the materials and components used in them. First, lightweight carbon fiber frames are costly. Couple that with $1600 Maxima brakes, an electric drivetrain, and other high-quality components and the price skyrockets to $8000 or more. But you do have options. There are many available below $1500.

Should I Buy a Used Bike?

Buying a secondhand bike is a great way to save you a lot of money, especially if it’s your first bike. However, it would help if you considered several things before purchase to avoid ending up with a bike that will cost you a lot in the future in terms of repairs.

Read our complete guide on how and where to buy second-hand mountain bikes in Australia if you are settled on finding a second-hand MTB that fits your needs and budget.

Are carbon fiber frames worth it?

As long as you don't crash, a carbon fiber bike is worth the price. With riding style and conditions constant, an aluminium or steel bike cannot beat a carbon fiber frame MTB's performance, weight, and comfort.

In case of a high impact crash landing, the carbon fiber frame will easily crack, break or shatter. It’s expensive, sometimes nearly impossible, and if repaired, the bike will be left with weak areas that will increase its likelihood of breaking again. For cracked steel or aluminum alloy frames, the repairs are relatively cheap and the welded spots tend to hold much longer.

What is a good mountain bike for beginners?

A decent entry-level MTB should be affordable and user friendly. One such bike is the cascade four which packs a lot of bang for the buck. The rigid frame suits the challenging trails of Australia making it a great entry-level mountain touring/road bike. Check out why Cascade 4 gets our vote for the best entry-level best mountain bike for beginners.

Read more about it here

You may also be looking a kids mountain bike. There certainly many MTBs under this price for children.

Verdict.

Frame build and material is the most recurring feature that has come up on our top 10 bike round-up. Almost all bikes have been built with aluminium, which shows that the bikes on this list are all winners.

Therefore, you can be sure that whichever model you choose to fit your budget will be a reliable and durable bike that will handle any XC routes and trails.

Which is your favourite? Share your experiences with us below!

If you're hard core on finding an Australian owned brand. we have a great review of Progear bikes from Melbourne.

Happy riding!

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