For me, it’s an easy decision. The best full suspension mountain bike under 2000 is the Diamondback Catch 1. I love this bike, first, for its beauty of it. But what I like most is the innovative level link platform that makes pedaling uphill easier, and pedaling downhill more exhilarating.
One of the most frequent questions I get asked by folks looking to upgrade from a hardtail to a full-suspension bike is; do I really have to spend $4,000 plus on a dual suspension bike?
My answer is always, absolutely not. There are tons of bikes you can get that cost half that price, and while you won’t get a bike as “prestigious” as a bike that costs 4-thousand dollars and up, it’s not as though you’re getting a “bad” bike. Actually, thanks to the drop in the price of materials, a lot of the technology that once was unattainable is now more accessible than ever before. Here is a look at some of the best full-suspension mountain bikes under $2,000.
Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under 2000: Diamondback Catch 1
The Diamondback Catch is a trail rider’s dream. It isn’t just the most aesthetically pleasing bike you’ll find on this list, but it smashes all of its competition as well. So what makes me give the Diamondback Catch 1 so much praise? Simple, innovation!!!
This bike takes Diamondback’s patented “level link platform” up a notch (a level link platform is a suspension that isolates pedaling from the suspension that makes pedaling noticeably more efficient than other bikes). It also has 3-inch wide tires that can run at a low pressure giving you additional tire grip that just isn’t possible with thinner tires.
Lightweight and maneuverability are at a maximum with the Catch 1 full suspension bike. The aluminum frame provides a combination of durability and weightlessness making speed and maneuverability easy to attain and maintain. If you love great bikes, then you are sure to love the Diamondback Clutch 1.
Runner-up for Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike under 2000: Raleigh Kodiak 2
When it comes to the best dual-suspension mountain bike, the Raleigh Kodiak 2 is a pretty close second for me, if for no other reason than it is so much cheaper than most Diamondback models. But, there are some other reasons this bike gets such a high rating.
Both the front and rear, suspensions have 120 mm of travel distance giving you a smooth ride on almost any terrain. And almost anybody who gets on the bike is going to love the SRAM NX 1X11 drivetrain, which offers more of a lightweight gear set-up to offset the heaviness that is typically associated with full suspension mountain bikes. These types of drivetrains were once restricted only to high-end bikes.
It has been said that the Raleigh Kodiak 2 is among the best descent bikes out there, and allows the rider to take rocks head-on with little regard for the bike. It just holds up to anything the mountain tries to throw your way. If you want Diamondback durability without the price of a Diamondback bike, you might consider looking at the Skarn. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Best Full Suspension Bike for Women: Diamondback Women’s Clutch 1
Of course, I’m going to suggest a Diamondback as the best women’s full suspension bike, Have you ever known me to say anything different? However, it is for a good reason.
The Women’s Clutch 1 utilizes Diamondback’s “level link” rear suspension platform that is so beloved in the mountain biking community (at least in my area it is). With it, riders will notice they don’t have to exert nearly as much force when ascending hills and get great distance with each pedal while descending.
Of course, being a Diamondback means you have great, excellent travel distance in your suspension (130mm rear and 150-mm front), so the terrain is seldom going to be a factor for you.
If I had one issue to take up with this bike is that it only has 11 gears. This can make steep ascents a pain in the… well you know what I’m getting at. This is especially so with the uncomfortable saddle that comes with it. I’m also not a huge fan of the way the top tube on the frame curves upward, it can cause problems if you want to install a dropper post.
Best Electric Full Suspension Bike: Accolmile Electric Bike
First, I should disclose that I am not really an electric bike kind of guy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand why they are gaining popularity. For starters, it’s easy for me to say that electric bikes are for lazy people, especially since I’m currently at my peak physically.
But what about folks who have knee issues, or maybe have reached an age they need a boost when ascending steep hills? That is who the electric bike is for. And let me assure you, it doesn’t even remotely do all of the work for you.
This bike uses a dominant 500-watt direct-drive motor that drives the rear wheel forward to increase torque and speed. You can also hook up your phone to the 5-inch LCD display for a quick charge.
This bike is perfect for anybody who has physical ailments in their lower body or even new riders who aren’t yet capable of climbing steep ascensions. If you have friends that you would love to ride more difficult inclines with, but they just can’t handle it yet, then go ahead and direct them to the Accolmile electric bike. I guarantee you they’ll thank you for it.
Best Full Suspension Bike for a Budget: BEIOU Carbon
The BEIOU Carbon packs a surprising amount of technology in a full suspension bike meant for a budget option bike. The most astonishing aspect of the bike is that it (like its name would suggest) has a carbon fiber frame. But it doesn’t stop there, and it also has carbon fiber handlebars, wheel hubs, and seat posts.
I was also quite impressed with the 190mm travel distance on the rear suspension, and the air suspension front fork is nothing to sneeze at either.
The weight of the bike is an astonishingly light 27.99 pounds. I swear I have no idea how they are able to keep the price of this bike as low as they do. The one issue I take with it is that it only has ten gears.
If you are looking for an extremely lightweight bike at an extremely affordable price, then you have no reason to look any further than the BEIOU Carbon.
Runner-up for Best Full Suspension Bike on a Budget: Diamondback Atroz Comp
At this point (if you’ve read any of my other reviews), you probably aren’t the least bit surprised to see yet another Diamondback product. It might even be expected at this point. But Diamondback routinely makes bikes I love, and the Atroz is no different, so let’s take a look at it.
The Diamondback Atroz Comp gives you reliable performance without having to take out a second mortgage on your home. It utilizes a streamlined suspension to avoid any complicated designs, making a full suspension bike that actually works attainable.
The top-tier RockShox Monarch R rear shock offers a whopping 120 mm of travel and eats up rocky terrain. You’ll also quickly begin to love the T6 aluminum alloy frame offering lightweight durability, as well as the hydraulic brakes that damn near stop on a dime.
What I am not so happy about with this bike (and you’ll notice this is a pattern with budget dual-suspension bikes) is that it only has ten separate gears. So while this is an excellent bike for downhill riding, you may not want to use this for climbing the steeper hills.
Hardtail vs. Full Suspension
There is a great debate going on these days about whether you should get a full suspension or a hardtail bike if you are on a budget. In order to answer this question, we have to decide exactly what we are looking for.
There are a few things that you should note when looking at these two types of bikes. First, if you see a hardtail and dual suspension bike at the same price, the full-suspension bike had to make some compromises on the equipment in order to keep the prices similar.
But there is more to it than that, so let’s look at some differences.
Weight
For the most part, dual suspension bikes are going to be heavier than hardtail bikes on average. This is due to the additional suspension piece on the bike. And if you get a full suspension bike with additional links (i.e., level link platform), then you can expect even more weight added to the bike.
Components of the Bike
This is closely related to the weight of the bikes, but I want to go into a bit more detail about it. Hardtail bikes are high because of their simple and streamlined design. Not only does this make the bike lighter than a full-suspension bike, but it also means there are fewer moving parts.
Full suspension bikes, because of the added components, are going to require a significant amount of maintenance on them that hardtails simply don’t need. And keep in mind, you can always upgrade your forks if you want lighter equipment.
Abilities
This is where dual-suspension bikes make up a lot of their ground. Full suspension bikes are able to perform much better on highly rigid and rocky terrain. They also offer a smoother ride on that rough terrain, allowing you to have more control over your bike.
So which is better? It comes down to what you want to do with your bike, and if you already know that you want the best full suspension mountain bike under 2000, then I say go for it.
