If you are a newbie to the sport of mountain biking, then you may not want to spend hundreds of dollars on a new bike until you know for sure that the sport is right for you. Even if you are a hardcore mountain biking enthusiast, your budget might currently be tight. Rest assured you can find a great women’s mountain bike for under 300. I would suggest that you check out the Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike with a 7-speed Shimano Drivetrain.
Are you enamored with the idea of hitting the backroad trails on a durable mountain bike? As an avid mountain biker, I know that the thrill of a rugged stretch of singletrack through the heart of the wilderness or desert expanse is undeniable.
There is no reason to break the bank when buying your first mountain bike or if you are adding an additional ride to your collection. In this article, we will explore the best women’s mountain bike under 300. When buying a mountain bike, you are going to want to choose one that durable, comfortable, and safe.
Top Pick: Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bikes
The Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike is respected product of the classic manufacturer Schwinn. It is a sturdy, resilient bike that carries an affordable price tag. The bike’s design lets you quickly travel across the roughest trails with a Schwinn suspension fork for controlled riding on a rocky path.
The bike features a steel frame with an SR Suntour suspension fork to help absorb the bumps of the road. The Shimano 7 speed rear derailleur with an alloy crank and SRAM grip shifter lets you tackle the hills with relative ease. You will be afforded smooth shifting power to conquer the rapid changes that you often encounter when offroad riding. Schwinn has updated the model and now offers an option with an aluminum frame and disc brakes.
When it comes to stopping on a dime, the Timber’s alloy brakes won’t let you down. The bike comes equipped with 26” light alloy wheels to help absorb the bumps. The bike is easy to carry at only 48 pounds. The lightweight makes loading and unloading from a bike rack easier compared to heavier models.
Runner-Up: Royce Union RMT Women’s 21-Speed All-Terrain Mountain Bike
The Royce Union RMT Women’s’ 21-Speed All-Terrain Mountain Bike is an ideal choice for anyone who wants to not only ride off-road but also on the pavement. The steel construction is durable, and the brilliant purple paint will stand out to make you easily visible to fellow riders, autos, and pedestrians. The frame also comes with a limited 10-year warranty.
The bike features a Shimano drivetrain 21-speed Revoshift, and Shimano Tourney indexed derailleur. Shifting is a breeze as the gears move seamlessly so you can adjust your ride to the trail.
The seat boasts ample padding. The height and angle are adjustable to afford a comfortable ride across bumpy roads.
The wheels measure 27.5 inches and offer less resistance than average mountain bike tires. The larger wheels enable the bike to perform well not only when pedaling across gravel but also on a paved street. The machined alloy wheel rims have superior brake pads to stop on-demand immediately. The added Krayton grips and pedals only enhance your riding experience.
Off-road Riding Choice: Mongoose Status Mountain Bike for Women
Mongoose is well known in the market for their BMX bikes, however, over the years they have been perfecting few models for MTB. The Status Mountain Bike is one of those full-suspension models that provide a smooth ride and the best bang for your buck. The Mongoose Status is ideal for petite women up to 5’3” to 5’4”. However, we noticed that it is built with strength and durability for heavy riders.
The aluminum frame with hydroformed tubing matches perfectly with the powerful suspension fork to tackle those challenging downhills. The 21 speed Shimano rear derailleur ensures a quick and smooth shifting for through trails. Needless to say, Shimano is our favorite parts manufacturer due to the quality and reliability of the pieces.
To roll over anything on your path the strong alloy rims work perfectly with the 2.125” wide tires. You can rest assured nothing will stop you. The V-brakes are reliable and used in front and rear systems to guarantee smooth transitions and assist in emergencies out on the trail
The only drawback we found in the Mongoose Status is that it seems to ‘drag’ compared with other men’s models from Mongoose.
Recreational Mountain Bike: Raleigh Bikes Women’s Eva 1
The Raleigh Bikes Women’s Eva 1 Recreational Mountain Bike is reliable entry-level mountain bike. The prestigious Raleigh factory has been producing bikes for over 130 years.
With the Raleigh Bikes Women’s Eva 1 Recreational Mountain Bike you can get a feel for the sport of mountain biking without forking out hundreds of dollars. The bike is designed to get you out on the trails so you can experience cycling across gravel and hard-packed soil.
The Shimano 3x7spd Revo gearshift lets you shift with a twist-action so you can quickly traverse up and down hills without missing a beat. All that is required is a simple flick of your wrist to upshift or downshift. The drivetrain features 21 gears to get you across even the most hardcore terrain.
The 27.5” wheels and the 2′ wide tires cross bumps and gravel with ease and confidence. The steel frame is durable and painted white for easy visibility on the trail. The Raleigh Bikes Women’s Eva 1 Recreational Mountain Bike is an excellent bike if you are new to the sport or just looking for a new affordable ride to hit the trails.
Also for Consideration: 26″ Women’s Kent KZR Mountain Bike
The 26″ Women’s Kent Mountain Bike is a great all-around hardtail mountain bike at an affordable price. It has a durable custom oversized aluminum frame with the bonus of Vitesse telescoping suspension fork handles that give you the ability to tackle even the bumpiest road surfaces.
The model currently comes in a flashy white and teal paint job. Undoubtedly, it will stand out on the trail and make you easily visible to other riders and hikers.
The bike has a Shimano 21 drivetrain that provides you with speed choices for going up and down hills. You can quickly shift gears using the original twist-action shifting feature. The KZR affords you stopping power with the front cable-actuated disc brake and the linear-pull handbrake located in the rear. The bike’s Vitesse wheelset provides a straight ride.
The knobby tires sail across muddy, rocky, or smooth surfaces. The high-profile aluminum wheels have a rugged design to tackle whatever obstacles you may encounter.
The seat features padding for added comfort when riding across a bumpy surface. The saddle’s adjustable settings boast a no-tool quick-release seat post clamp lever.
Another critical factor of this bike is its relatively lightweight construction. If the trail is impassable and you have to carry your bike a short distance, then you won’t be exhausted lugging your wheels. The bike weighs in at an easy to carry 44 pounds and will easily support a 250-pound individual.
The price of this bike is phenomenally affordable. It will comfortably fit virtually any budget and let you get a taste for mountain biking without having to make any high-dollar commitments. If you are a newbie to the world of mountain biking and you aren’t sure if you will like it or not, then this is a perfect starter mountain bike to give you a taste of the action. Even if you are an experienced mountain biking enthusiast, this bike will fit your needs and afford you the ride you expect.
An Additional Bike Choice for the Trail: Nashbar Women’s 26″ Mountain Bike
The Nashbar Women’s 26” Mountain Bike features a superior TIG-welded aluminum frame for strength and durability. The frame’s design is a step-through for easy mounting and dismounting. The bike’s innovative front suspension fork helps create a smoother ride even across an uneven and bumpy trail surface.
One of the keys to successful mountain biking is being able to switch gears to conquer the terrain. The Shimano 3×7 speed shifters, cassette, and derailleurs enable you to change gears seamlessly. The 48/38/28T chainrings coupled with a 14-28T 7-speed freewheel affords you even more choices which you will probably need if you opt to conquer a single hardcore track.
If you are already an avid mountain bike rider, then you know the thrill of speeding downhill, but you also understand the importance of stopping. Safe mountain biking relies on maintaining your bike’s braking system. The bike’s Linear pull brakes give you superb stopping power. The brakes work well combined with the 26” alloy wheels that are both reliable and durable.
Key Features to Consider When Buying The Best Women’s Mountain Bike Under 300
Initially, when mountain bikes first hit the market in 1978, the price of a durable model was high. Although similar to a road bicycle, the mountain varieties were constructed with enhanced durability and performance for rough terrain. The enhanced riding features came at a premium price. The bikes could withstand adverse trails with ease, but relatively new features were expensive. Nowadays, the costs have plummeted, and now the sport is an affordable activity for just about anyone. Today, entire families are hitting the trails to enjoy mountain biking.
When selecting a mountain bike, there are a few bike features that you should consider:
- Frame: Bikes can be made of many different materials, but alloy or carbon fiber is usually considered the best for mountain bikes. Although, lightweight carbon fiber bikes tend to carry a very hefty price tag. Steel frames are also durable, although they tend to be a bit heavy.
- Suspension: Mountain bikes typically come with two types of suspension, hardtail or full suspension. A hardtail has no suspension on the back but features forked suspension on the front to absorb the rough road surface. A full-suspension bike has suspension in the front and back for a smoother ride.
- Wheel Size: Most mountain bikes have 26”, 27”, or 29” wheels. In the early days of the sport, 26” was the standard but, nowadays, larger wheel sizes are favored to allow you to roll over obstacles easily.
Wrap Up
As a mountain biking enthusiast, I can tell you that the above bikes are all acceptable mountain bike choices. They function well for cross-country, off-road trails, and even mild enduro. The bikes are great for beginners or an experienced off-road enthusiast who is shopping on a budget. We highly recommend each one of the bikes listed.
