Introduction
Let’s look at a few bikes to determine what the best full suspension mountain bike under 500 is. If you are a fan of mountain biking, you know just how costly the sport can get.
Between buying the bike, helmet, shoe clips, bike mounts, and other equipment, the totals can start to add up quickly. It’s no secret that not everyone has the funds to buy the most expensive accessories, so saving a few bucks here and there can go a long way.
Full Suspension Bicycles Under 500 Dollars:Quick Comparison Table
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Brand/Model |
Description |
Image |
Action |
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Omeng / 21 Speed Mountain Bike Spoke Wheels |
Carbon Steel Frame. Front & Rear Disc Brakes. Three Spoke Wheel. |
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Schwinn / S29 Full Suspension Mountain Bike |
Aluminum 29R Frame. Front & Rear Disc Brakes Alloy 29R Wheels |
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Gravity / FSX 1.0 Dual Full Suspension Mountain Bike |
Durable Aluminum Frame. Adjustable Front & Rear Suspension. |
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Gravity / FSX 2.0 Dual Full Suspension Mountain Bike |
Red & Black Combo Looks Great. Double Wall Wheels. |
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Head / Rise Full Suspension Mountain Bike |
Great Drivetrain Setup. Quick Release Wheels/Seat Post Clamp. |
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Should I Buy A Full Suspension Mountain Bike?
Don’t be a victim of believing that the best full suspension mountain bike is the most expensive one. Mountain bikes are made in a variety of different configurations to suit different styles and sizes of riders.
What may be a good bike for some of your friends, may not be the best one for you. The bikes that will be reviewed in this article are all full suspension mountain bikes and all of them are within the $500 budget.
While two of the bikes that are being reviewed are from the same brand, the other three are from completely different brands to give you a look at what each brand has to offer. These brands include Head Rise, Gravity, Schwinn, and Omeng.
Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike
For Under 500 Dollars Reviews & Buying Guide
1. Omeng Shock Speed Mountain Bike Three-Spoke Wheels
Folding Dual Disc Brakes
Description
This 21-speed mountain bike offered from Omeng takes on the look of a hybrid mountain bike and road bike. Built to take on the roughest of terrains, the Omeng Shock Speed bike features a high-carbon steel frame, shock absorbing front suspension, and off-road terrain 24”/26” tires.The bike keeps you safe with a high-quality brake system made up of both front and rear disc brakes. This allows for more control and quicker stop times on and off the trails. The three-spoke wheels allow for easy cleaning and great durability when taking on any type of terrain.Store this bike with ease thanks to a quick release clamp that allows for you to fold the bike quickly and easily. This reduces the need for a car mount and can easily be stored in most vehicles.Offered in three different colors, blue, black, and white, you can easily choose the right color to fit your personality and style.Pros:
- Bike is very attractive.
- Carbon steel frame.
- Front & rear disc brakes.
- Three spoke wheel.
Cons:
- Would be nice if it clipped together when folded.
2. Schwinn S29 Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Description
For those looking to get a more traditional mountain bike, the Schwinn S29 full suspension mountain bike is a great option. The full suspension frame consists of an aluminum 29r construction with an SR Suntour suspension fork for the unmatched durability. Coming to an abrupt stop on the trails is a common occurrence and having a good braking system is key to a great mountain bike. The S29 from Schwinn comes complete with high quality front and rear brakes with dual brake levers for an easy to use, high powered brake system.To ensure that you do not have to worry about bending wheels on the trails, alloy 29r wheels were used on this bike to keep you safe at all times. They are painted black with a Schwinn logo to give you an extra touch of detail.Shift smoothly through the 21 speeds of this bike with a trigger SRAM 3.0 shifter and a SRAM 3.0 rear derailleur, making for the perfect combination for both speed and precision. To help with speed and ease of use, SR Suntour 3 piece alloy cranks were used for extra durability.Pros:
- Nice, slim design
- Aluminum 29R frame
- SR suntour suspension fork
- Front & rear disc brakes
- Alloy 29R wheels
Cons:
- The saddle is not very comfortable.
Schwinn S-29 Men’s Mountain Bike
3. Gravity FSX 1.0 Dual Suspension Mountain Bike – Disc Brakes, Shimano Shifting
Description
The first Gravity FSX full suspension mountain bike on the list is the 1.0, which is a little more heavy duty looking than the 2.0. It features a welded aluminum frame that consists of high performance, lightweight hydroformed tubing.To make sure that you avoid any obstacles and have full control of your mountain bike, Gravity has outfitted this bike with both front and rear disc brakes that outperform traditional bike brakes. Being a full suspension bike, this Gravity bike has both front and rear adjustable suspension to allow you to easily dial in your mountain bike to perform at its best no matter what kind of terrain you are on.For added safety, the wheels on the FSX 1.0 feature a double wall construction that is both strong and lightweight. The wheels also feature a quick release system on the front and rear to easily break this bike down for mounting or storage.With the Shimano ED51 shifter, you can glide through the 24 speeds with ease and allow the 26” tires to spin at the perfect speed. Shimano also makes the front and rear derailleurs to ensure that you have the perfect setup on your bike.Pros:
- Bike is very attractive
- Durable aluminum frame
- Front & rear disc brakes
- Adjustable front & rear suspension
- Double wall wheels
Cons:
- Would like to see better tires
Gravity FSX 1.0 Full Suspension Mountain Bike – Video Review
4. Gravity FSX 2.0 Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Description
The second Gravity FSX mountain bike on the list is the revamped 2.0, a slimmer version of the FSX 1.0 mountain bike. The FSX 2.0 features the same hydroformed aluminum tubing as the 1.0, however, it has Single Pivot technology built in.As an upgrade from the 1.0, Gravity has integrated Tektro Novello disc brakes on the front and rear of this bike which make stopping the bike much easier on any terrain.A true full suspension bike, the FSX 2.0, just like the 1.0, has a fully adjustable front and rear suspension to allow for on the fly tuning of your suspension. This is a great feature as no two trails are the same and you may need to make a few adjustments to your bike on the trail.The FSX 2.0 also features quick release, double wall wheels that allow for you to prevent bending of your wheels and allow you to easily store the bike on just about any car mount.The 24 speeds are easily shifted through with the Shimano EF51 shifter and Shimano front and rear derailleurs. This is an upgrade from the FSX 1.0 as the 1.0 only had 21 speeds.Pros:
- Red & black combo looks great
- Durable aluminum frame
- Front & rear disc brakes
- Adjustable front & rear suspension
- Double wall wheels
Cons:
- Would like to see better tires
Gravity FSX 2.0 Full Suspension Mountain Bike – Video Review
5. Head Rise Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Description
The last bike on the list is the Ride full suspension mountain bike from HEAD. This bike features a 17.5” and 20” aluminum frame with an SR Suntour XCM-DS aluminum suspension fork. The wheels on the Rise bike are 29” alloy wheels that are wrapped in 29×2.125 MTB tires for the perfect mix of performance and traction. To stop these massive wheels, HEAD has integrated Tektro Novelo disc brakes in both the front and the rear. The dual brake handles are mounted to an aluminum handlebar that gives you a high performance, lightweight steering.The drivetrain on this 27-speed bike includes a Shimano Cassette, Front derailleur, Shimano Acera RD-M390 rear derailleur, Shimano Acera SL-390 shifter, and a KMC Z9000 chain.
Easily disassemble this bike for storage and transportation with the quick release wheels and seat post clamp.
Pros:
- Great color scheme
- Durable aluminum frame
- Front & rear disc brakes
- Great drivetrain setup
- Nice, rugged tires
- Quick release wheels/seat post clamp
Cons:
- Heavier than most bikes on this list
Full Suspension Mountain Bike Brands
Omeng – Omeng is a newer bike brand that offers many different types of bikes and bike accessories to cover a wide variety of riding styles. From mountain bikes to kid’s bikes, Omeng has a bike that can suit our needs.Schwinn – One of the world’s best known leading bike brands. Founded in Chicago in 1985, Schwinn Bicycles has dominated the bike industry throughout the last 100+ years. They offer many different styles of bikes to fit any lifestyle.Gravity – Gravity is a brand under the Bikes Direct line of bicycles. BikeDirect.com has many different bikes to choose from and Gravity is one of these brands that they have under their umbrella of brands.HEAD – Manufacturing bikes for the last 25 year, Head Bike has made a great name for themselves in the biking industry not only for their great bikes but the athletes that they sponsor as well. With a full line of bikes, accessories, and even a HEAD pro team, they are a brand you know and trust.
About Full Suspension Bikes
Full suspension bikes are the most sought after mountain bikes when it comes to riding biking trails. The tough terrain and many obstacles found on trails require a special type of bike to easily and safely navigate through. A full suspension mountain bike encompasses all of the right features to make this possible.One of the most important features of a full suspension bike is obviously the suspension. Full suspension bikes usually have adjustable front, rear, or both front and rear suspension components to allow you to fine tune your bike to perform at its best depending on the type of trail you are on.
You will want to test ride a few different setups to figure out which style works best for you and your style of riding.These bikes will most likely have high-performance front and rear disc brakes as well. Speeds can exceed those greater than normal street speeds and having the stopping power to keep you safe is important.
These brake systems are offered by different brands and styles depending on the brand of the bike, so make sure to do your research on the bike to know exactly what you are getting and if it will work for your type of riding.While you may notice that the full suspension bikes may weigh more than hardtail bikes, that is simply due to the added components and will not make a noticeable difference on the trail. Most full suspension bikes will be about 30-50 lbs, depending on the frame material and features.
Portability
As with any type of bike, you will want to also look for portability as well. Quick release wheels, foldable frames, and easy to adjust seat posts allow for quick and easy storage in your trunk, on a bike mount, or in your garage.
These features do not affect the quality or the durability of the bike, but only make them much easier for you to take with you just about anywhere you desire.
The question of whether a full suspension bike is worth it is brought up many times when those shopping for bikes are comparing them to hardtail bikes.
The answer lies in what you will be doing with the bike.
If you are tackling some trails or plan on hitting some tough terrain, the full suspension bike is the way to go.
FAQs
Are Dual Suspension Mountain Bikes Safe?
Dual suspension mountain bikes are very safe for rough terrains as they provide a more comfortable and smoother ride than most bikes. The dual suspension allows for more shock absorption that allows you to keep better control of your mountain bike.
Are Full Suspension Mountain Bikes Easier To Ride?
If tackling trails is what you are after, then having a full suspension bike will make riding much easier. These bikes are a bit heavier due to the added suspension, however, when going over rugged terrain or simply going for a full-on downhill ride, the full suspension is going to really help out to make the job easier.
What Are Full Suspension Bikes Used For?
Full suspension bikes (also known as a downhill mountain bike) are usually use for more difficult trails that contain more obstacles. The suspension has been designed to allow for better travel and shock absorption that allow serious mountain bikers to make easy work of tough trails.
Conclusion & Best Offer
Now that you know the basics of what full suspension mountain bikes are and what they are used for, it should be no secret that the Gravity FSX 2.0 was the top pick.
Best Offer
The FSX 2.0 was loaded with all of the great features that you would look for in a mountain bike and all with a price tag that was way below the $500 threshold.
The Alternative
Schwinn S29 Men’s 29″ Wheel Full Suspension Mountain Bike (18″/Medium Frame Size), Black
Make sure to check out these great mountain bikes and pick on up yourself!
