10 Best Women’s Mountain Bikes Under $500 2024 – Choose Your Next Adventure!

Mountain Bikes for Women under 500

Are you looking for the best women’s mountain bikes under $500?

If you want to get started with mountain biking but aren’t fully committed to it yet, getting a cheaper bike is an intelligent investment to your fitness.

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After all, a lot of people spend $500 on gym memberships they never avail!

With a mountain bike, you don’t have to worry about the expiry date and it’s an asset you can use whenever you’d like.

In this blog post, we will go over the top ten picks and help you figure out the best one for yourself.

  1. 820 Women’s Bike by Trek – Most Affordable Hybrid Mountain Bike under 500$
  2. Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Bike – Best Mountain bike under $500 for Amateur Riders
  3. Schwinn High Timber – Most Budget-Friendly Mountain Bike under $500

Best Women’s Mountain Bike Under $500

There are a lot of myths about mountain bikes out there.

One such misconception is that mountain bikes are quite expensive. But it is not entirely true as numerous great brands in the market offer such bikes at reasonable prices!

Finding a decent mountain bike is a very confusing task.

There are hundreds of great choices available to us. Usually, mountain bikes are costly, ranging from $1000 to $5000 on the market.

But, that kind of investment just doesn’t make sense if you’re just starting out.

In this section of the blog post, we’ll help you figure out the best mountain bike under $500 for yourself.

Let’s Take a look at the list.

1. 820 Women’s Bike by Trek

820 Women's Bike by Trek

 

The 820 Women’s is a fantastic mountain bike that can help you try your hand out in the world of biking. It is one of the most affordable hybrid bikes of this list.

If you are new to mountain biking and want a bike that you can ride wherever you want, this is the best available option. Probably, it is the perfect bike to ride on trails, rough pavements, and gravel.

Steel Step-through Frame

The bike is equipped with a steel step-through style frame, which can last for a long time. Its semi-slick tires allow smooth movement on difficult terrains.

With the help of rack, fender, and kickstand mounts, you can easily carry your accessories.

Suspension fork

The shock-absorbing suspension fork on the front wheel ensures a smooth ride over bumpy, challenging terrain.

Women-Specific Design

To deliver a fun and enjoyable ride, this bike features a Women-Specific Design to ensure excellent control, power, and stability.

Specifications

  • Weight – 15.15 kg / 33.39 lbs (with tubes)
  • Weight limit – 300 pounds(including rider and cargo)
  • Brakes – Tektro alloy linear pull
  • Size – Extra small, medium, and large
Pros
  • Durable and versatile
  • Comfortable saddle for long rides
  • Lightweight
  • High-volume mountain bike
  • Features Trek Custom Steel Frame
Cons
  • You can not install disc brakes
  • Underperforming forks

 

2. Scott Contessa Active 50 Mint Bike

Scott Contessa Active 50 Mint Bike

 

The Scott Contessa Active 50 Mint Bike is another great mountain bike that is available for under just 500. However, it is slightly costlier than the other mentioned alternatives.

Durable Alloy Frame

The bike comes up with a super durable alloy frame. Unlike some other substitutes, this mountain bike is very lightweight, thanks to its compact frame. Its Suntour 100mm travel fork readily absorbs bumps and dips, which is why it’s an excellent choice for challenging terrain.

As the bike is made up of high-quality materials, you need not worry about its durability. Besides, it is designed beautifully, giving it a stylish and appealing look.

Shimano Shifters

Another great thing about the bike is that it contains Shimano two-way release shifters. With the help of these shifters, you can quickly shift gears according to the terrain.

Excellent Suspension

The bike features a 100mm suspension fork that helps smooth the roughest of terrains. The ride will be comfortable for your palm, back, neck, and wrists.

Specifications

  • Weight – 32.63 pounds
  • Brakes – Tektro hydraulic disc brakes
  • Fork – Suntour XCE28 100mm travel
  • Frame – Aspect 700/900 alloy frame
Pros
  • Front and rear derailleur
  • Two-way release shifters
  • Great suspension fork
  • Extremely comfortable
  • Ergonomically built
  • Excellent grip on the tires
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not suitable for heavy riders

 

3. Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Bike

Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Bike

 

Our next pick for the top 10 best women’s mountain bikes under 500 is Co-op Cycles DRT 1.1 Bike. It is an outstanding mountain bike for amateur riders to enter into the world of off-road adventures.

Shimano Tourney Derailleur

The amazing bike has a Shimano Tourney rear derailleur, which is quite effective in changing gears smoothly and more accurately. Despite the weather conditions, its hydraulic disc brakes promote precise stopping on or off-road.

Aluminum Frame

The typical trail-styled mountain bike has a frame built with some good quality aluminum, which is why it is so durable and long-lasting. Also, the bike is available in various sizes which can be selected based on your height or weight. 

Shimano 3×7 Drivetrain

Additionally, the unisex bike contains a Shimano 3×7 drivetrain, which gives you a wide range of gears for power climbing and descending. So, if you want to ride through high steep mountains, you should pick this up. 

Specifications

  • Bike Frame Material – Aluminum
  • Wheel Size – 27.5 inches
  • Fork Travel – 100 millimeters
  • Number of Gears – 21 gear(s)
  • Weight – 31 pounds
  • Weight limit – 300 pounds
Pros
  • Quick-release wheels
  • Hydraulic brakes
  • 21 gears
  • Smooth suspension fork
  • The hydraulic disc brakes are extremely responsive
Cons
  • Doesn’t include a chain cover
  • No rear suspension

 

4. Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive 27.5 Hardtail Mountain Bike

Diamondback Bicycles Overdrive 27.5 Hardtail Mountain Bike

 

If you are into riding mountain bikes for a decent time, you must have heard about Diamondback, a leading manufacturer of mountain bikes. Manufactured by them, Overdrive is just an excellent way to enjoy the mountain riding experience. 

Mechanical Disc Brakes

The bike manufacturers provide you with Tektro Arise mechanical disc brakes. They have 160mm rotors, which offer secure and fast stopping of the bike, without causing any kind of discomfort to the rider.

Aluminum Alloy Frame

The mountain bike features a 6061-T6 aluminum frame, making it a classic mountain bike. It also features custom-formed and butted tubing along with 25-inch wheels for easy handling.

Comes Assembled

And what we like about the bike is that it arrives almost fully assembled. You are just required to put on the front wheel, seat, and pedals, whereas their team already tailors brakes and gears. This will enable you to spend more time riding the bike, rather than assembling it.

Specifications

  • Wheels – 27.5 inches long
  • Weight – 35 pounds
  • Speeds – 24
  • Frame – Aluminium alloy hardtail frame
Pros
  • 6061-T6 Aluminum frame
  • 24-speed choices
  • Value for money
  • Easy to set up
  • 80mm travel on the suspension fork
Cons
  • Doesn’t feature hydraulic brakes
  • Only 80mm of suspension travel

 

5. Wahoo 24 by Trek Bikes

Wahoo 24 by Trek Bikes

 

Another worth mentioning product in this roundup, Wahoo 24, is a simple and satisfactory hybrid bike for your kids. So, if you want a versatile, easy-to-use, and high-performing bike, you should give it a shot.

Durable Frame

The easy-to-deal bike is crafted with Trek’s durable and rustproof aluminum. But still, the manufacturers have managed to keep the bike lightweight so that it can be handled easily by your kids.

Drivetrain

Its 1× 8 drivetrains promote simple shifting and help you enjoy the mountain bike ride in the easiest possible way so that you enjoy your experience. The budget-friendly bike has a couple of suspension forks, which are quite beneficial in absorbing bumps while riding in uneven terrain.

The all-purpose bike offers all-around performance.

Its unique safety feature prevents unintentional dropout. Aside from that, it’s controllable hand brakes offer easy stopping without exerting too much force.

Specifications

  • Frame – Alpha silver aluminum 24″
  • Tyres – 24×1.95″
  • Rear derailleur – Shimano Altus M310
  • Weight – 21.11 pounds.
  • Weight limit – 170 pounds (77 kg).
Pros
  • Uses high-quality Alpha Aluminum frame
  • Easy to use hand brakes
  • Comes with race-ready components
  • Lightweight yet capable
  • Excellent for petite women
Cons
  • Not for tall individuals
  • The maximum weight limit is very low

 

6. Schwinn High Timber

Schwinn High Timber

 

Crafted with a Schwinn steel mountain-style frame and combined with Schwinn suspension fork, the Schwinn High Timber Youth and Adult Mountain bike is all set to provide you with a fantastic riding experience, in a wide range of trails.

Linear-pull Brakes

The bike is equipped with strong front and rear alloy linear-pull brakes that deliver accurate stopping powers. Within seconds, you can easily stop it without too much hassle.

7-Speed Shifters

No matter which type of terrain you are interested in riding, it’s 7-speed Shimano twist shifters will smoothen the changing of gears. Along with this, a Shimano rear derailleur is also fruitful for inclined paths.

Excellent Specs, On a Budget

Despite having such outstanding elements, the high-end bike is one of the most budget-friendly choices available on the market. Hence, if you are tight with the budget and want a cheap bike having great specs, it is highly recommended.

Specifications

  • Wheel size – 24″
  • Weight – 38.6 pounds
  • Shifters – 7 speed Shimano twist shifters
  • Frame – Steel frame
Pros
  • Excellent breaks
  • Cost-effective bike
Cons
  • Too heavy
  • Many users face rough shifting of derailleurs
  • Not fit for tall persons

 

7. Talus 3 by Raleigh

Talus 3 by Raleigh

 

The Talus is featured with a Progressive Wheel Sizing, which utilizes the wheel size that best fits the rider. This tends to provide a suitable balance for the stability of the bike. Furthermore, handling the bike becomes too easy, even for a complete novice.

Stability and Easy Handling

It’s 2.25-inch wide knobby tires combined with a 100mm suspension travel fork support easy rolling over digs and bumps by absorbing shock to a great level.

Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Like its other counterparts mentioned in this list, the Talus 3 is also furnished with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, which are extremely helpful as they lend high stopping power.

Excellent Beginner Bike

Talus is an exceptional bike to start the journey of off-road adventures. Moreover, it can also be used as a commuter bike or a city bike as you can easily mount a rear rack and fenders.

Specifications

  • Brakes – Hydraulic disc
  • Tire size – 27.5″
  • Frame material – Aluminum
  • Bike extras – Rack, Fender and Bottle Mounts
  • Gears – 21
Pros
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Outstanding forks suspension
  • Wide tires
  • Available in six size options
  • 100mm travel fork
Cons
  • On the heavier side

8. Merax 26″ Mountain Bicycle

Merax 26" Mountain Bicycle

 

 

Merax 26″ is another outstanding bicycle to try your hands at mountain biking. It is one of the most economical entry-level mountain bikes capable of fulfilling all your riding demands.

Shimano Shifters

In mountain biking, gear shifting has its importance. This adventure bike is fitted with Shimano 24 speed derailleurs and shifters, which allows you to shift gears smoothly and reliably. A large combination of gears is available at your fingertip.

Aluminum Frame

The bike is crafted with a 26″ lightweight as well as a strong aluminum frame, front and rear disc brakes, front suspension forks, and a durable steel chain. It has a weight capacity of 330 pounds, including the weight of the bike, rider, and other accessories.

1-Year Warranty

Although the mountain bike claims to be almost pre-assembled, building it at your home may take more than a few hours. And more importantly, unlike its other alternatives mentioned over here, the Merax 26″ Mountain Bike offers a 1-year warranty.

Specifications

  • Frame – 6061 Aluminum Heat-treated alloy
  • Fork – Certificated CPSC-Approved Full Suspension
  • Wheels – 26″x1.95
  • Dérailleur – Shimano ARDTZ50GSBT
  • Crank – TCSH2-MK
  • Brakes – Linear pull brakes
Pros
  • Weight capacity of 330 pounds
  • 1-year warranty
  • 24-speed derailleurs
  • Excellent suspension for improved ride control
  • Dual disc brakes
Cons
  • Needs additional tuning

 

9. Huffy Hardtail Mountain Trail Bike

Huffy Hardtail Mountain Trail Bike

 

Produced by Huffy, this hardtail mountain bike is a classic example of trail bikes. The versatile adventure bike is highly recommended for riding in high steep mountain trails. It is extensively beneficial in climbing as well as descending.

Aluminum Frame

It is made up of a light aluminum hardtail frame endowed by a limited 10-year warranty. Aluminum, which Is lighter than steel, offers great rolling movement and allows you to pedal faster than usual. That’s why it is an incredible bike for long hauls.

Drivetrain

Its Shimano drivetrain allows you to shift gears effortlessly, with your index finger and thumb’s help. And once the bike is in gear, you will not hear the dragging sound of derailleurs. Its padded saddle is very comfortable and can be adjusted accordingly.

Assembly

You can easily assemble it on your own as all of the necessary tools are provided with the bike. The instruction book is quite good and explains everything related to the assembling of this trail bike.

Specifications

  • Frame Size – 24 inches
  • Frame – Lightweight aluminium
  • Tire size – 26″ inches
  • Brakes – Alloy linear pull brakes
Pros
  • Easy to assemble at home
  • Wide range of colors
  • Limited 10-year warranty
Cons
  • Bad gear ratio

 

 

10. Royce Union RMT

 

 

RMT by Royce Union is the last product on our list and undoubtedly, it is an amazing bike to ride on muddy and woodsy trails, gravel, and rough pavements.

Excellent Frame

Its hardtail frame is prepared with rustproof, durable, and lightweight aluminum, which could last for years. The bike comes up with 27.5-inch wheels – a 15-inch frame and 27.5-inch wheels – a 22-inch frame.

Suspension Fork

This matte black bike contains alloy wheel rims and superior brake pads, which lets you stop the bike immediately on your wish. A high-performing suspension fork helps in preventing fatigue of the rider.

Great Ride Quality

Unlike some typical mountain bike tires, its all-terrain 27.5-inch wheels offer less rolling resistance. It is quite easy to handle even in uneven and difficult terrain.

Specifications

  • Shimano 21-speed drivetrain
  • Frame Size –  22 inches
  • Color – Black Matte
  • Frame – Aluminum
  • Wheels – 27 inches
Pros
  • Less rolling resistance due to large wheels
  • Relatively low maintenance
  • Powerful brakes
  • Drivetrain by Shimano
  • Excellent suspension
Cons
  • Requires assembling at home

Conclusion

So, this was all about the top 10 best women’s mountain bikes under $500. If you are just starting, you are not required to invest in high-end expensive bikes. You can easily find some terrific mountain bikes for under $500.

We hope this article helps you in finding a reasonable bike for your off-road adventures. 

If these weren’t enough, check out some other bikes from Amazon also:

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HH HILAND 26 Inch Womens Mountain Bike, with Step-Through Frame, 21 Speeds, Suspension Fork MTB, Bicycle for Women Men Adult Green
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