Full suspension bikes offer superior grip when riding steep, rugged descents. While hardtails may be better suited to climbing and bikepacking duties, full suspension designs offer greater control and can more quickly navigate rough terrain at speed.
Polygon's Siskiu T8 provides exceptional performance on a budget at under $2000. Just don't expect it to keep up with more advanced riders on the trail.
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What is the Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under $2000? |
1. Norco Fluid FS A3
The Norco Fluid FS A3 is precision engineered, featuring custom tuned suspension components with 140mm of travel and boutique level fit and finish for maximum trail performance and potential.
Recognized as Pinkbike's Value Bike of the Year and Vital MTB's Bike of the Year, its precise engineering allows riders to become the riders they aspire to become.
With its tall headtube and relatively long seat tube, the Fluid FS provides a comfortable seated climbing position that's not too stretched out, enabling riders to use their legs more efficiently while easily zipping around tight trails without feeling like they're riding rocket ships.
Furthermore, its Fox 34 GRIP2 shock matches well to the bike's kinematics, providing plush yet responsive suspension capable of taking abuse over large impacts while remaining active over smaller ones.
Norco recently unveiled their 2018 Fluid FS carbon model, saving 600 grams compared to its aluminum equivalent. While this difference might justify spending extra, we found the aluminum frame to be just as impressive thanks to Shimano Deore 11-Speed drivetrain and Tektro MT201 hydraulic disc brakes giving this bike plenty of power for ascending and descending with ease.
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What is the Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under $2000? |
2. Polygon Siskiu T8
If you're an amateur mountain biker with extra cash to spend but aren't yet prepared to commit to a top-tier trail rig, Polygon's Siskiu T8 from Polygon could be the perfect all-arounder for you. Boasting great parts at an exceptional value like FOX 34 Rhythm fork with 140mm travel and FOX Float DPS shock that smooth out bumpy surfaces out back, the Siskiu T8 makes an excellent all-round choice with superb handling characteristics and suspension components - perfect if your budget allows it.
Frame geometry has been refined to meet modern standards, with long reach and slack head tube geometry on our size Large test bike to give a stable and confident riding position.
Fox suspension stands out, offering ample traction while smoothing out trail obstacles for an effortless experience that makes picking lines easy at speed.
Siskiu T8 bikes may feature less refined drivetrains and brakes compared to Cannondale bikes, but the Tektro brakes still provide plenty of stopping power for aggressive riding. Unfortunately, however, there are no bottle mounts - possibly making this decision harder for some riders.
In addition, as consumer direct brands they don't come equipped with an extensive racing history like Trek or Cannondale would.
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What is the Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under $2000 |
3. Cannondale Habit 4
The Cannondale Habit is an innovative trail bike designed to elevate your riding to new levels. A versatile all-purpose machine, it excels both on fast XC rides and descents alike - one of the most agile full suspension bikes you can purchase for under $2000.
This frame is constructed of high-grade aluminum, and its suspension design offers responsive suspension.
As one of the more flexible frames out there, and also one of the lightest.
The chainstays are forged, and it comes equipped with a Lefty Super Deluxe front fork with 120mm travel. Shimano components ensure smooth and reliable shifting for this bike.
On climbs, the Cannondale Habit is stable and efficient, boasting a comfortable pedaling position thanks to a slacker seat tube angle and relatively low bottom bracket drop that ensures efficient pedaling position.
Unfortunately, its specifications don't offer as much power transfer compared to competitors with steeper seat tube angles.
The Cannondale Habit is an excellent option for trail riders seeking to transition from hardtail mountain bikes. It's lightweight, fast, and capable enough to tackle most types of trails; however it falls behind some competitors when it comes to climbing performance due to its long and slack geometry.
4. Cannondale Timberjack
Salsa's Timberjack XT stands out from this budget hardtail selection by featuring high quality components with the intention that you use it for weekend bikepacking trips or daylong trail exploration.
While many full suspension bikes at this price range feature brand names with higher quality components that help make them ride well on any trail, the Timberjack XT stands out with its budget friendly hardtail form, which comes equipped with durable yet comfortable parts designed specifically to take on weekend bikepacking trips or daylong trail exploration.
The Timberjack is an budget-friendly alloy frame featuring mounts for three water bottles and a top tube bag, as well as an ultra reliable RockShox fork with 150 millimeters of travel that makes this long travel hardtail the most capable in its price range.
Completed by WTB Trail Boss tires with reliable Shimano Deore drivetrain components and SRAM brakes featuring quality rotors from SRAM brakes with quality rotors from SRAM, it is ready for any trail with ease!
At full-suspension mountain bikes tend to cost more than hardtails, it's essential to find one that can climb easily and handle challenging terrain effortlessly. Commencal's YT Meta HT AM aluminum hardtail stands out in this category thanks to its aggressive geometry and steep seat tube angle for climbing efficiency, plus a relaxed yet controlled front end design for downhill comfort.
In addition, its robust Boost-spaced wheelset allows riders to add larger, faster 29er wheels for better control on steep descents.
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| What is the Best Full Suspension Mountain Bike Under $2000? |
Q. What is a full suspension mountain bike?
A full suspension mountain bike is a bike with both front and rear suspension, providing better shock absorption, control, and comfort on rough terrain. It’s ideal for trail riding, downhill tracks, and all-mountain conditions.
Q. What features should I look for in a full suspension bike under $2000?
- Frame material: Aluminum is the most common in this range, offering a good balance of strength and weight.
- Suspension quality: Look for air shocks and forks with at least 120mm–140mm of travel.
- Drivetrain: A 1x11 or 1x12 speed drivetrain is preferred for easy shifting and minimal maintenance.
Q. Who are these bikes best suited for?
These bikes are perfect for intermediate riders, weekend warriors, or beginners who want to upgrade from a hardtail. They suit those riding varied terrains, including technical trails, cross-country paths, and light downhill tracks.
Q. How do I choose the best bike under $2000?
- Define your riding style: Do you prefer trail, cross-country, or all-mountain riding?
- Test the fit: Make sure the bike size matches your height and riding position.
- Compare components: Look for reliable forks, shocks (e.g., RockShox or Fox), and drivetrains from Shimano or SRAM.
- Read reviews: Check online forums, YouTube reviews, and expert opinions to understand bike performance.
Q. What are some of the top full suspension mountain bikes under $2000?
- Giant Stance 29 2: A well-rounded trail bike with smooth suspension.
- Marin Rift Zone 27.5 1: Great for aggressive trail riding with fast handling.
- Polygon Siskiu D7: Known for solid components and great value.
- Trek Fuel EX 5: Offers balanced performance across different terrains.
- Canyon Neuron AL 6: A versatile option for cross-country and light trail use.
