For under £1,000 you should be able to get a good lightweight aluminium frame with rear suspension and good groupset. Unlike the road bike market, you’ll struggle to find any carbon fibre MTBs for under £1,000. You will also be mainly limited to the ‘hardtail’ MTB’s i.e. solid rear frame with just front suspension. However, for £1,000 you can get a really good machine which will stand some of the toughest punishments on off road rides. A £1,000 MTB may not be competitive at the highest level, but, it makes an excellent entry level standard to get the feel of a top machine. There is also a good difference from a MTB you may be able to find for under £500. (see: Best MTB’s under £500)

Some suggestions of Great Value MTB’s under £1000

Trek 6500 Series

Trek offer quite a few models in this price bracket. The Trek 6500 comes in at just under £1,000. It offers a strong, super light weight aluminium frame and Shimano 575 hydraulic disc brakes. Front suspension is offered by Rock Shox Recon. The 2010 edition is in an attractive blue and white finish, which looks pretty smart and cool. The Groupset is Shimano Deore 9 speed. Deore doesn’t have the easy of shifting gears as higher rated mechs, but, for this kind of price, you can’t expect much more. Trek are able to offer such good value, because they have invested so much and are one of the largest manufacturers. It is hard to go wrong with Trek. With this series, you can enjoy a great ride at a reasonable price.

Note, Trek don’t sell online, you would have to pick it up in store. Trek MTB at Evans

Focus Black Forest Pro / Expert

Focus have built a strong name, offering good value road bikes, and are one of the first road manufacturers to be selling carbon fibre road bikes under £1,000.

The Focus Black Forest Pro is based on an alloy frame, front suspension and Shimano Deore XT drivetrain. It has hydraulic disc brakes, which are a great feature, though the Hayes Stoker Rider are not overwhelming in their quality. It weighs in at 11Kg, which is satisfactory given price range and features it offers. Like many MTBs of this standard, you may be able to upgrade certain components like saddle, handlebars and pedals.

The Focus Black Forest Expert is similar to the Pro, with just Fulcrum Red Metal wheelset rather than Rodi rims built on Shimano SLX hubs. It is fractionally (0.3Kg) heavier but £200 cheaper. If your conscious of money, it is a bit cheaper but, with same essential frame and ride quality.

Focus Hardtail MTB’s at Wiggle

Cube LTD Series

Cube is a German company with a passion for precision components and part. They have a range of MTBs from elite machines to good starter level. The LTD series is aimed at a range of users, who are looking to get a good entry level MTB for serious riding. It is based on a light weight double-butted frame in high-quality Aluminium 7005. It looks smooth with a one piece finish in connecting the top tube and seat stays to the seat tube.

Similar components to other MTBs in this bracket, with Shimano Deore 9 speed and Hayes Stoker Rider hydraulic brakes.Front suspension comes from Manitou Minute LTD 100mm, Air Assist, Remote-Lockout forks. The tyres are Schwalbe Nobbly Nics, which offer a racy feel.

The Cube LTD series comes in three close variations – Race, Team and Pro. The Race version weighs 11.5Kg. Wheares the Pro version (closer to 800) is 12.3KG.

• Cube Hardtail MTB’s at Chain Reaction Cycles

Related

• MTB Frame size guide
• MTB’s at Evans Cycles
• Mountain Bike Reviews at Bike Radar

Specialised Hardrock Disc – £400

• Frame: Specialized A1 Premium Aluminium, fully butted, disc only, 6061 alloy
• Fork:SR Suntour XCT, 1pc. alloy lower, 28mm Hi-Ten stanchions, 1-1/8″ Hi-Ten steerer, coil/mcu spring with preload adjust, 80mm trave
• Gears:Shimano Altus SL Rapidfire trigger shifters, Shimano Altus front and rear derailleurs, SR Suntour XCT chainset, 42/32/22 tooth chainrings, Shimano 11-34 tooth cassette, 8-speed
• Brakes: Tektro Novela mechanical disc brake,
• Weight: 14.35kg (31.57lbs
• Tyres:  Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 60 TPI, wire bead, 26×2.0″

The Frame is the Specialized A1 Premium Aluminium, fully butted, reinforced disc mount. For the disc version comes with forged dropouts and replaceable

At £400 this is very good value. There is some room for upgrading components like pedals and tyres. But, for your money you get a good lightweight, manoeuvrable bike. Once you’ve ridden this for a few years, you may want to upgrade to higher end features, but for money you can’t complain.

The Specialised Hardrock Sport comes with hydraulic disc brakes and costs an extra £100

Specialised hardrock 2012 at Evans Cycles

GT Avalanche

The GT Avalanche

• Frame: 6061-T6 aluminium frame, double butted, post disc mount, replaceable derailleur hanger
• Fork: SR Suntour XCM-V3-PPM 100mm travel
• Chainset: SR Suntour XCT, triple 42/32/22
• Bottom Bracket: Tange sealed
• Groupset:  Shimano Altus / Acera / Rapid Fire shifters
• Cassette: Shimano 8 speed (11-32)
• GT Avalanche  | £499 at Wiggle

Scott Aspect 55

Scott has a growing reputation for mountain bikes, this entry level bike offers good value for a sub £400 bike. It is based on a light alloy frame with front suspension that can be ‘locked out’ for situation where you don’t want the suspension. The gears work nice and smooth and are a mixture of Shimano Acera and other Shimano components. The tyres are Scott’s own brand which could be upgraded later.

Focus Fat Boy

The Focus Fat Boy

Well strictly speaking over £500 at £550. But, if your budget can stretch an extra £50, you get some nice features, such as better quality (Schwalbe Nobby Nic ) tyres, Shimano disc brakes, 13kg weight, and Shimano SLX gear shifters. Good for rough commutes or testing over tough mountaineous terrain.

• Hardtail Mountain bikes at Wiggle
• Mountain bikes at Evans Cycles

Related

• Cheap Mountain bike
• MTB Rider