Buyer’s Guide: Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike | Best MTB Gear

Mountain bike riding has inevitably morphed into one of the commonest and most indulging sports across the globe today. An ever-rising number of riders are also leaning toward mountain biking as a cheaper, more flexible and environmentally clean mode of commuting. We also can’t overlook the growing number of people who use mtbs to keep their bodies in shape. Still, others look to mountain bikes for fascinating recreational rides. This post delves deep into the cavernous world of biking to bring you the best full suspension mountain bike in the market.

As the name suggests, full suspension mtbs feature, among other endearing components, dual suspension- suspension on both front and rear forks. For this, they are usually used for off-road cycling as well as trail exploration on a myriad of levels alongside other forms of aggressive riding including dirt jumping, DH and Enduro racing among others.

Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike - Comparison

Choosing the Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike

When navigating the market for a suitable full suspension bike, there are some factors that every mountain biker ought to deliberate on in order to land the most plausible product. They include:

Wheel size

The diameter of a mountain bike’s wheels is usually a lucid indication of its top speed, obstacle clearance capabilities and ease of maneuverability. Large wheels provide admirable speeds alongside unparalleled ease with which the mountain bike goes over obstacles like tree stumps, rocks and loose road surfaces like sand and snow. On the other side, smaller mtb wheels are matchless in mountain bike stability as well as sharp-turn maneuvers. Essentially, a good full suspension mtb should have  options sport 26 inches, 27.5”, 27.5” plus or 29er wheels.

Skill level

Owing to their dual suspension, full suspension mtbs are among the trickiest to operate. While the double-suspension provides lovable bumps muzzling, it also presents additional challenges in mountain bike operation. The double suspension action calls for more indulging mountain bike control whereby the rider has to not only focus on balancing the handlebars and pedals but also harmonize both front and rear shock-absorbers. Besides, such suspension almost always necessitates constant tuning. Ergo, it’s paramount that you settle for a full suspension bike featuring suspension that’s in line with your skill level.

Terrain

How challenging is your mountain biking trail? This is a question every full suspension mtb enthusiast must strive to answer before diving into the bike market. Identifying your type of bike riding terrain will doubtlessly be a clear pointer on the kind of dual suspension bike you should choose. Light to mildly rough terrains can be easily explored using a low-end bike with spring coil suspension unlike extremely challenging terrain which habitually necessitates high-end mtb suspension like hydraulic shock-absorbers.

Price point

The cost of a mountain bike is an unquestionable determinant of the choice each buyer settles for. Although there’s an insurmountable availability of full suspension mountain bikes in the market today, the choice almost always boils down to your set budget. It’s only wise to go for a dual suspension bike that sports your most admirable components but is also affordable. you don't need to break your bank to get a decent full suspension mtb.

Type of riding

What do you intend to be doing with your full suspension mtb? Whether you are looking to explore forest trails during the weekends, commute to your place of work via rough off-roads or indulge in the more demanding biking ventures like Enduro racing, DH racing and dirt jumping amongst other forms of aggressive mountain biking, there’s always the best full suspension mtb for your specific type of riding. While it would be lovable to possess that high-end dual suspension bike will all the colorful components a bike can house, it’s pointless to splurge your finances on a bike with features you’ll hardly ever utilize. It’s therefore sensible to opt for a bike that sports only integrations that fall in line with your specific cycling needs.

Mtb tyres

The type of tyres a full suspension mountain bike sports plays an important role on its ride efficiency on various roads, off-roads and trails in terms of stability, close-cut maneuvers and durability. While relatively thin small-knobbed tyres with a middle groove are typically ideal for riding on hard-packed surfaces, exploration of tremendously challenging trails with huge obstacles and stubborn detritus calls for wider tyres with bigger knobs, options which offer more stability and are doubtlessly more sturdy and durable than the former in the face of unforgiving characteristics like thorns and sharp obstacles.

Bike fashion

On a lighter note, every mountain bike lover has definite mtb aesthetics they look for before purchase. From the bikes’ manufacturer (brand) to the design and built of frames, thematic colors as well as type of gear shifters among others. You should ensure your choice of bike possesses all qualities befitting you.

What we factored in to arrive at our best full suspension mtb choices

In our efforts to provide a reliable run down on the top of the line full suspension mountain bike of 2020, we factored in a considerable number of determining factors which include:

• Experience- We considered the number of miles various full suspension mtb riders clocked in with specific bikes as well as their ride types and the number of hours on the bikes then paid keen attention to their reviews.

• Expert opinion- With our extensive reach into the field of mountain biking, we consulted a number of dependable dual suspension mtb specialists who have spent countless hours designing, building, riding, repairing and reviewing various mountain bikes over an expansive time span then assembled their reports, reviews and recommendations.

• Ownership- We also considered the number of mtb riders who own various full suspension mtbs as well as mtb enthusiasts who expressed genuine interest to own specific dual suspension mtbs.

• Review density- finally, we consolidated the number of validated reviews from mtb buyers who have bought and utilized specific full suspension mountain bikes in the past thus are more inclined to provide trustworthy judgment on the pros and cons of various bikes.

The above considerations helped us present an unbiased list of the most reliable dual suspension bikes featuring their description, pros and cons as well as the most reliable place you can purchase the products.

The Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike of 2020

Let’s now delve into the intricacies of the top 10 full suspension bikes in 2020:

Our Pick:

ANCHEER Folding Electric Full Suspension Mountain with a Large-Capacity 36V 250WLithiun-Ion Battery

This bike’s design integrates a strong lightweight full suspension frame mated with a high-quality carbon steel-suspension fork. Both frame and fork sport anti-exposure and anti-rust paint. It features 26-inch ultra-strong wheels encompassing aluminum alloy bead-spoke rims and wear-resistant anti-slip tyres. The bike is equipped with a high-capacity rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery that can support up to 25km free ride in E-mode and up to 50km in Assisted-mode riding. The battery is charged using a fast-charging (4-6hrs) smart lithium battery charger. In addition, its motor system is composed of a 21-speed Shimano professional gear transmission mechanism while its braking system consists of front and rear mechanical disc brakes. Further, it has two working modes: E-bike mode and Assisted-mode as well as a horn and front LED lights.

Pros:

• This bike has excellent hill-climbing ability

• The bike ships almost completely assembled and the few unclipped parts are extremely easy to put together

• The bike’s build is solid , making it exceptionally strong, sturdy and durable

• The bike’s mechanical disc brakes are a huge milestone in functional improvement from rim brakes

• It’s quite inexpensive

• The bike’s gear shift is very smooth

• Its folding feature allows for easy cartability in a car’s boot

Cons:

• The bike ships with low-quality fenders and plastic chain-guard

• It comes with a short-stemmed seat-post which will require an upgrade for tall riders

Final Verdict

With its strong and sturdy parts as well as swift-shifting gears and efficient mechanical discs, it’s surprising cheap. It’s best used for road biking and exploring lightly-rough off-roads and mildly-challenging trails.

Runner Up:

VEVOR Full Suspension Folding Mountain Bike

This dual suspension folding mtb is built with a unisex streamlined Mg alloy 6 full suspension folding mtb frame for easy and comfortable rides by both men and women. It features 26-inch alloy wheels, 21-speed Shimano gear shifters as well as disc brakes on both front and rear wheels.

Pros:

• The bike’s folding feature allows it to be easily carried in car trunks

• Due to its frame’s unisex design, the bike can be easily ridden by both male and female pro and apprentice riders alike

• Its disc brakes provide very reliable braking in all ride conditions

• The bike is very strong, sturdy and durable

• Its price is very friendly

Cons:

• The bike requires a lot of tune-up and fine-tuning in the braking system and gear cable

• The bike is poorly made- wobbly wheels, noisy drivetrain and shake brakes which usually necessitate professional tuning

Final Verdict

The VEVOR full suspension folding mountain bike is built for a myriad of riding ventures including long-distance touring and commuting, short off-road and road trips and racing as well as mildly rough trail exploration. With its lovable folding mechanism, it can be easily dragged along in vehicle trunks on tours and vacations. In addition, the bike is designed for both sexes regardless of the age.

Also great:

Mongoose Stasis Comp 26-inch Full Suspension Mountain Bike

Designed for a myriad of mountain bike cycling ventures, this mtb is built with a lightweight Mongoose Aluminum full suspension frame and a front suspension fork. It sports a 21-speed Shimano derailleur and a 3-piece alloy crank set for optimal gear shifting. Moreover the bike features 26-inch alloy wheels rims with a quick-release mechanism in the front wheel as well as front and rear disc brakes for convenient braking.

Pros:

• It’s a very lightweight bike

• The disc braking system provides trusty stopping power in all forms of riding conditions

• The bike is quite sturdy and durable

• The dual shocks efficiently muzzle up all bumps in the bike’s path

• This bike’s gear shift is very smooth and top-notch

• It’s a very affordable mtb.

Cons:

• The disc brakes are quite involving in assembly and tune-up

• A minimal of the bike’s components, like the plastic chain-guard, are low-grade

• The bike doesn’t ship with an installation manual

Final Verdict

The Mongoose Stasis Comp dual suspension mtb is of the best bikes in performance and durability. Its gear shift is lovable and the disc brakes on both rear and front wheels will provide ample braking power even in the most challenging weather and trail conditions. Therefore, the bike can be conveniently used for a wide range of off-road and trail riding but it isn’t made for extremely belligerent rides like off-ground stunt biking. Still, it’s quite durable.

This electric full suspension folding bike features a lightweight but strong industry-made Magnesium alloy frame with anti-exposure and anti-rust paint. Its wheels are composed of 26” ultra strong aluminum alloy rims reinforced with Magnesium alloy 6 spokes as well as thick anti-slip tyres ideal for very demanding road, off-road and trail ride conditions. Further, it features front and rear mechanical disc brakes as well as a 21-speed Shimano professional transmission system controlled by a 2-way working mode including E-bike mode and Assisted-bicycle mode. The control meter sports 3-speed smart control buttons. Moreover, the bike integrates a high-capacity rechargeable Lithium-Ion (36V/8AH) battery and its complimentary fast-action charger.

Pros:

• With its swift gear shifting and electric motor, this bike has unequaled hill clearance capabilities

• Due to its high quality parts like magnesium frame and spokes, it’s a very sturdy bike

• Its braking system is exceptionally efficient, way above linear-pull brakes

• Equipped with a horn and a front LED light, this bike allows riders to easily and safely navigate pedestrian-laden streets even at night

• The bike’s electric motor allows mountain bikers to take long pedaling breaks without stopping

• The bike’s folding feature allows it to be easily carried in car trunks

• It’s a head-turner due to its unique design and rugged features

Cons:

• The bike calls for frequent and tedious maintenance especially of the mechanical disc brakes and drivetrain

• The factory-issue saddle is a little too hard for long-distance riding

Final Verdict

ANCHEER definitely had quality and performance in mind when designing the ANCHEER folding electric full suspension mountain bike. With its sturdy build, it can be conveniently used to explore challenging outdoor trails without worry of muscle strain as the efficient electric and assisted pedaling modes will easily eat up vast distances regardless of the steepness of the up-hill slopes.

Manufactured by Mongoose, this dual suspension bike is designed and made with a sturdy Aluminum frame that’s mated with an element suspension fork. Together, the duo affords the bike unrivaled performance, control and comfort (exceptional bump-smoothing). It’s built with strong 26-inch alloy quick-release rear and front wheels and its braking system entails front disc brakes and alloy linear-pull rear brakes. Further, its drivetrain sports a 21-speed Shimano rear derailleur coupled with micro-shift triggers.

Pros:

• This is an exceptionally cheap dual suspension mountain bike

• Assembly is a breeze as the bike ships pre-assembled and it has quick-release wheels

• The bike’s brakes perform quite appealingly

• Its dual suspension absorbs all bumps, allowing riders enjoy a smooth comfortable biking experience

Cons:

• This bike is quite heavy thus unsuitable for female and light male riders

• It’s gear system is crappy- it easily breaks off after only a few rides

Final Verdict

Regardless of its minor downs, the Mongoose Detour full suspension mtb is among the best in its category, especially when you consider its price, ease of assembly and brake efficiency. It’s best used for exploring mildly challenging terrains.

Designed and made for all-terrain rough off-road and challenging trail exploration, this dual suspension folding mtb features a high-quality unisex adult full suspension carbon-steel folding mountain bike frame mated with a low undamped spring suspension fork. Its wheels are 26” and made of alloy 6 material while its braking system is composed of rear and front disc brakes. In addition, the bike is equipped with a 21-speed Shimano drivetrain. Further, its handlebar-height is tunable and its seat-post sports no-tool height adjustment.

Pros:

• The bike’s dual suspension is extremely efficient in muzzling bumps on the riding track

• Its disc brakes are a commendable deviation from linear-pull rim brakes

• With it folding feature, the bike is very easy to carry in a car trunk on vacations, holiday visits and trips

• The bike is surprisingly low-priced

• It’s a very alluring full-size folding mountain bike

• Assembly is a walk in the park

Cons:

• A majority of its components are low-grade

• The bike necessitates an involving initial tune-up on brakes, suspension and derailleurs

Final Verdict

The Mop-horn full suspension folding mountain bike is a great full suspension bike that’s a fully-fledged mtb with folding capabilities. It’s best used for exploration of mildly rough trail and lightly challenging off-roads and rough roads.

This dual suspension bike is built with a lightweight but sturdy Mongoose full suspension frame mated with a front suspension fork. For gear shifting, it features 24-speed rear derailleur connected to Shimano trigger shifters while its braking system is comprised of trusty front and rear disc brakes. Moreover, the bike sports 26-inch alloy mountain bike wheels with a quick-release mechanism in the front one.

Pros:

• This mountain bike’s assembly is commendably easy

• The bike’s parts are exceptionally high-grade in comparison to other bikes in the same category

• Its price is inarguably pocket-friendly

• It shifts through the 24 gears very smoothly

• The bike’s disc brakes are heaven and earth in comparison to rim brakes

Cons:

• Several riders have issues with the handlebars not staying in straight alignment with the front wheel especially after hitting bumps

• The bike’s disc brakes are quite troublesome in fine-tuning. You may even have to take them to an expert or bike shop

Final Verdict

At its price point, the Mongoose Stasis Expert full suspension mountain bike is a uniquely sturdy bike. Although it possesses very efficient gear shifts and brakes, its shock absorbers are built for light to mid-rough trails and off-roads. Still, it’s a bike to reckon with, unbeaten in sturdiness and durability.

This full suspension bike is designed with a lightweight Mongoose sports Aluminum full suspension mountain frame mated with a front suspension fork for optimal shock absorption. It also features a Shimano 21-speed rear derailleur coupled with SRAM twist shifters for easy gear shifting as well as 26-inch alloy wheels. The bikes’ build also integrates front disc brakes and rear linear pull brakes for a great braking experience. Moreover, the bike is made with a comfortable athletic design for a uniquely comfortable riding experience.

Pros:

• Built with an aluminum frame, the bike is considerably light

• It has a very firm and reliable rear suspension

• The bike is quite sturdy and durable for an aluminum-frame bike

• It’s price is inarguably pocket-friendly

• The bike is also very comfortable to ride on, especially due to its sporty frame design

Cons:

• The derailleurs are low quality thus tend to break and fall of in very challenging trails

• The brakes, especially the frond disc type, require initial and consecutive fine-tuning as do the brake levers

• The front linear suspension is exceptionally soft - it easily gets bottomed when the bike is used for aggressive ventures like jumps

Final Verdict:

The Mongoose status 2.4 full suspension mtb is a carefully designed and built for light to mildly rough trail exploration alongside road biking. Though not suitable for aggressive biking undertakings like Enduro racing and dirt jumping, it can still be used for several other purposes like forest trail exploration, off-road cycling and up-slope riding.

This full suspension bike is designed with a lightweight Mongoose sports Aluminum full suspension mountain frame mated with a front suspension fork for optimal shock absorption. It also features a Shimano 21-speed rear derailleur coupled with SRAM twist shifters for easy gear shifting as well as 26-inch alloy wheels. The bikes’ build also integrates front disc brakes and rear linear pull brakes for a great braking experience. Moreover, the bike is made with a comfortable athletic design for a uniquely comfortable riding experience.

Pros:

• Built with an aluminum frame, the bike is considerably light

• It has a very firm and reliable rear suspension

• The bike is quite sturdy and durable for an aluminum-frame bike

• It’s price is inarguably pocket-friendly

• The bike is also very comfortable to ride on, especially due to its sporty frame design

Cons:

• The derailleurs are low quality thus tend to break and fall of in very challenging trails

• The brakes, especially the frond disc type, require initial and consecutive fine-tuning as do the brake levers
• The front linear suspension is exceptionally soft - it easily gets bottomed when the bike is used for aggressive ventures like jumps

Final Verdict

The Mongoose status 2.4 full suspension mtb is a carefully designed and built for light to mildly rough trail exploration alongside road biking. Though not suitable for aggressive biking undertakings like Enduro racing and dirt jumping, it can still be used for several other purposes like forest trail exploration, off-road cycling and up-slope riding.

An ultimate off-road machine, the Kawasaki DX dual suspension mtb is built with a 19-inch MTB full suspension aluminum frame that’s mated to a suspension fork. Its 26” wheels feature aluminum rims and aggressive off-road tyres with a quick-release front wheel while its braking system is composed of front disc brakes and V-type rear brakes. Moreover, the bike’s design integrates a dependable drivetrain featuring 21-speed Shimano RS-35 twist shifters and a Shimano RD-TX35 rear derailleur. Further, the bike sports a 4-bolt aluminum stem, a kickstand, a quick-release seat-post as well as 3-piece aluminum cranks.

Pros:

• The Kawasaki DX full suspension is a very sturdy and durable full suspension mtb

• It’s lightweight so you won’t have overexertion issues when exploring extensive trails

• The bike’s full suspension is quite efficient in absorbing bumps to provide a comfortable ride

• Its braking systems are exceptionally high-grade

• This mtb is remarkable in aesthetics

Cons:

• After assembly, you’ll have to fine-tune the braking system, especially the front disc brakes, which is quite involving

• The bike’s standard issue 26” wheels are a bit unfavorable for its huge 19-inch frame

Final Verdict

Despite its few cons, the Kawasaki DX full suspension mtb is a sturdily-built mountain bike that will inarguably stand the test of time even in the face of rough trail abuse. With its endearing gear shift and brakes, it’s made for rough trails and off-road biking experiences.

Conclusion

As seen above, there are several fairly-priced full suspension bikes in the market today. With so many mountain bike ride verticals to indulge in, the choice of bike for every rider will inarguably be different owing to our varying preferences. Hopefully this guide will be your salvation in finding the best full suspension mtb for your precise type of riding.