Everyone knows that full suspension bikes are quite expensive, and it costs a fortune to get your hands on a decent full sus bike. Biking is not just about spending money and drooling over expensive stuff. Money always comes into the equation, but for a real rider, the experience of riding is what matters. You can’t measure the heart of a biker and the experience from a bike with money.
Thinking about the average riding community, we are here to help you get the possible best full suspension mountain bike under 2000 dollars.
There are actually pretty great options available for beginner and enthusiast riders. Thanks to the technology and brands that made this awesome all mountain bikes within a decent budget.
Those who want to get into full suspension mountain biking, but not yet stressing over riding professionally or riding through black trails, would be sufficiently happy if they go through the whole article and carefully examine the suggestions, we are putting up for you.
Our goal is to introduce you to the best bike in your budget and make mountain bike accessible.
Quick Buying Tips for full suspension mountain bike under 2000 Dollars
Chances are, you might not even need a full suspension mountain bike. Then why should you spend more than what’s necessary? Where and how you will ride determines what you need. Take a step back and give it a thought.
If you have made sure that a full suspension bike is what you need, then make sure you look into the three things listed below before you choose your full suspension mountain bike:
- Spend a little less than your budget; you will need that for the accessories you require when you go out riding.
- Focus on the build quality. Aluminum alloys are usually a good option when it comes to bikes within 2000 bucks.
- Getting the right fit is an absolute must. Different brands have their own sizing; hence you need to be careful about selecting the right size. If the bike doesn’t fit you well, you will regret this big time. Read our size guide for detail info.
- If you are confused about the suspension travel, then just go for the medium travel option (4 to 6 inches). If you are confused about the tire size, then simply go for the middle option, that is – 27.5”.
- Check for a dropper seat if you plan to ride downhill as well.
2020 Mongoose Salvo Sport 29 Review
Product Specifications
- Frame: Aluminum
- Derailleur: 18 Speed Shimano
- Frame Size: SM/MD/LG
- Wheels: 279”
- Brakes: Tektro HD-M290 Hydraulic Disk
- Rear Shock: X-Fusion E1 Shock (100mm travel)
- Fork: HL 52AMS (100mm travel)
- Dropper seat: No
- Weight: 32 lbs
Product Rating:
Mongoose Salvo Sport 29 – Best low priced Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Mongoose has done a great job creating the updated version of salvo sport. It looks way better than the previous version. For a bike that costs around 1200, this packs a great value for money. It looks great and has all the functionality to be an entry level full suspension bike.
One thing that you would definitely love is the internal cable routing in this bike. More to that, the bike has quick release system on both wheels. Although Mongoose claims to use some sort of aviation technology to reduce the bike weight, it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference in real life.
Using hydraulic disk brakes within this price range is commendable, and we loved the braking performance from the salvo sport. Also, the 2.25” kenda nevegal tires work pretty great to provide you with confident grip.
Both front and rear suspension has 100mm travel, and this is pretty decent for cross country and average trails with less challenging obstacles. The saddle and suspension are pretty decent and we don’t have anything to complain about.
The bike comes in 3 different sizes – SM, MD, LG, and it would be suitable for riders from 5’2” to 6’”2 height. You can also check their website for detailed guide and user manual. Two other versions of this salvo lineup is available as well, one is Salvo comp 29 (expensive one) and the other is Salvo 29 trail (lower end one).
For those who are looking for a great looking entry level full suspension mountain bike with a tight budget will love this bike; just don’t keep your expectation too high and you’ll be happy for what you pay.
Why We Like It
- Great pricing
- Good design with internal cable routing
- Hydraulic disk brakes
- Suitable for beginner riders
Keep Note
- Have minor quality issues
2021 Marin Hawk Hill 2
Product Specifications
- Frame: Aluminum 6061
- Derailleur: SRAM SX 12- Speed
- Frame Size: S/M/L/XL
- Wheels: 27.5” x 2.35
- Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic Disk
- Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch R (120mm Travel)
- Fork: RockShox Recon RL (130mm)
- Weight: 31.8 lbs
- Dropper seat: Yes
Product Rating:
Marin Hawk Hill 2 – Best allrounder Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under 2000 dollars
Once in a while the bike makers will come up with something so perfect that you simply can’t complain no matter how hard you try. The Marin Hawk Hill series is exactly something similar. It has gained a great reputation so far and now they’ve come up with the updated 2021 Marin Hawk Hill 2.
This is one hell of a bike and we absolutely loved this one. Modern, dynamic, and absolute value for money. Be it a beginner or an enthusiast rider, the bike brings fun to everyone.
Just like the atroz 3, the marin hill hawk 2 is rocking all Rockshox suspension setup along with wonderful Shimano BR-MT201 hydraulic disk brakes. The tubeless compatible tires are pretty great as well in terms of real world performance. Remember that this bike does come with a dropper seatpost. The bike focuses on both stability and comfort. You can definitely expect some great uphill experience because of its overall geometry.
If there’s anyone who is worried about the price being almost close to 2000 dollars limit, can also check out the 2021 Marin Hawk Hill 1, which is a few hundred dollars cheaper but absolutely beast of a bike which will one hundred percent live up to your expectations. This bikes comes in 4 sizes, hence it offers perfect fit for riders of all height.
Marin Hawk 2 puts out an allrounder performance for the price. Anyone interested to getting full suspension biking will find this bike to be amazing. It can cut through any tracks and trail as long as they are not the black ones with gigantic obstacles.
Why We Like It
- Best value for money
- Excellent performance on challenging trails
- Dropper seat
- The most comfortable on our list
Keep Note
- No dropper seat
Diamondback Atroz 3 Review
Product Specifications
- Frame: Aluminum 6061
- Derailleur: SRAM NX X-
- Horizon 11 Speed
Frame Size: SM/MD/LG - Wheels: 27.5” x 2.35
- Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic Disk
- Rear Shock: RockShox Monarch R (100mm Travel)
- Fork: RockShox Recon RL (130mm)
- Weight: 32.8 lbs
- Dropper seat: No
Product Rating:
Diamondback Atroz 3 – Best Budget Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Straight up this bike packs a solid performance and gives you the best you can buy in this budget. They didn’t cut any corners on this one and you won’t have to worry about compromising quality.
Front and rear full Rockshox setup is very compatible on any riding condition, and the Shimano MT200 is a great option when it comes to stopping power. It probably is the best braking and dual suspension setup you can get at this price point. The air shocks can be adjusted for recoil, and the front fork allows you to lock them completely.
We loved the double walled VEE rubber, flow snap, tires as well. They provide good grip on almost all kinds of surfaces. Most of you wouldn’t think about upgrading it till you wear them out completely.
The handlebar grips that come default with the bike are quite good and most of you are not going to instantly think about upgrading this one as well.
As usual, the Atroz 3 comes in 3 different sizes – SM, MD, LG, and it would be suitable for riders from 5’4” to 6’1” height. You can also check out the Atroz 2 or Atroz 1 if you are interested in spending even lesser than this. Those two bikes are pretty decent entry level full suspension bikes as well.
Everything’s great about this bike but one thing; the geometry of this bike. The bike is comparatively slacker than its competitors. Maybe they have done it to increase stability for the beginner riders. But a lot of people out there might not prefer the geo and looks on this bike. Other than that, this bike offers a killer spec and quality at this price.
Someone who is looking for a quality allrounder full suspension mountain bike for beginners is going to dig this bike pretty well.
Why We Like It
- Value for money
- Full Rockshox suspension setup
- Hydraulic disk brakes
- Amazing tire grip
Keep Note
- No dropper seat
Trek Fuel EX 5 Deore
Product Specifications
- Frame: Alpha Platinum Aluminum
- Derailleur: Shimano Deore M600, 12 Speed
- Frame Size: XS/S/M/ML/L/XL
- Wheels: 27.5”x 2.6 / 29” x 2.6
- Brakes: Shimano MT201 hydraulic Disk
- Rear Shock: X-Fusion Pro 2 (130mm travel)
- Fork: Rockshox Recon Silver (140mm)
- Weight: 33.2 lbs
- Dropper seat: Yes
Product Rating:
2021 Trek Fuel EX 5 Deore – The Ultimate Full Suspension Mountain Bike Trek
This one’s going to slightly cross the exact 2000 dollars mark, but that is for all good reasons. This is probably the most versatile bike in this budget. Its looks alone is capable of winning you over, but the spec sheet and real world performance keeps on getting better.
The fork allows 140mm travel and the rear shock allows 130mm travel; technically this bike can pull of all kinds of different trails including downhill biking. Besides that, the upgradability on this bike is insane. This is probably gonna stick with you for a long long time since a few upgrades here and there can make it perform for years to come. We absolutely loved this bike and this has to be the best full suspension mountain bike under 2000 dollars.
The tires and the Shimano MT201 hydraulic disk brakes are respectable and works pretty amazing. Incase you wanna upgrade something, these are the two areas you can put your focus on first.
2021 Fuel Ex 5 Deore comes in two different wheel sizes for rides of all sizes. You can go for the XS and S size with a 27”5 x 2.6 wheels setup or S/M/ML/L/XL with a 29er setup. Almost all sizes of rider can enjoy this beast. The smaller versions of this bike comes with dips down top tube which makes it ideal for lower level standover height and female rides.
We have to mention how much attention Trek has put towards the details. To make the bike look neat and clean, the cables are internally routed, and the 130 mm travel dropper SeatPost is just perfect for versatile riding conditions.
Someone who is able to stretch their budget to the maximum limit to get the best possible option out there will have no regrets going for the updated 2021 Trek fuel EX5 deore.
Why We Like It
- Best value for money
- Excellent performance on challenging trails
- Dropper seat
- The most comfortable on our listSuperb quality
- Allows downhill riding
- Internal cable routing
- Future proof
Keep Note
- Nothing for this one as well
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a full suspension mountain bike worth it?
It depends on where and how you ride. If you want to ride on road and light trails, it would not be the best choice to go for a full suspension mountain bike since they are comparatively more expensive and harder to maintain because there are more parts to fiddle with. However, if you are able to take advantage of the dual suspension setup then it is great for reducing fatigue and help you ride faster and smoother.
Can you ride full suspension bikes on the road?
Of course you can. Some people even find this fun as they get more comfortable when riding through regular roads, as they make the ride through bad roads smoother and comfortable. You wouldn’t particularly face any issue riding a full suspension bike on a paved road.
How much suspension travel do I need on my full suspension mountain bike?
To keep things simple, go for the lowest suspension travel (80 to 100mm) if you are going for an XC bike or general trail riding. Go for a medium travel (100 to 160mm) if you are going for a challenging trail or all mountain bike. Finally, go for the highest travel (160 to 200mm) if you are going for freeride and downhill.
How much should I spend on a full suspension mountain bike?
If you are a beginner, spending from 1200 to 2000 dollars would be recommended. If you are an enthusiast and ready to take things to the next level, then 2000 to 3000 dollars is a pretty interesting range. Spending up to 4000 dollars can get you on the professional segment, and spending more than that would be getting into the Gucci level of bikes.
Do I really need a full suspension mountain bike?
You will need a full suspension mountain bike if you want to ride on challenging trails. A hardtail would suffice for cross country or general trail riding. Still, if you have enough budget and no issue over maintaining a full suspension bike, then it will definitely bring you more fun riding challenging trails.
What is suspension travel on a mountain bike?
It refers to the extent of compression from your bike suspension. When you jump or ride over a bumpy road, the suspension compresses to absorb the shock. This makes sure the rider is comfortable and maintains steady speed and control while riding over challenging or uneven surfaces.
What makes full suspension bikes more expensive than others?
Full suspension bikes practically have two frames combined in a single bike. The rear wheel is attached to the bike independently via the rear suspension. The mechanism is complex and requires more parts to build.
Final words for the riders
You’ll never specifically remember two thousand dollars bills you had in your wallet. You won’t even remember what year they were printed, but you will cherish each and every moment you feel alive with your bike out in the open nature.
Those of you who want to get started in mountain biking without getting yourself in debt might have found our suggestions helpful. You might have outgrown your hardtail or want to take things to the next level, the bikes mentioned above can exactly help you do that.
We tried to keep the bike list up to dated and dismiss some great bikes that are not readily available.
Getting the right bike will help you feel how every dollar you spent was worth it. We have tried our best to do our part, and now it is your turn to get over with it finally. Your job is to ride a bike and live free, leave the research and worry part for us.