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19 Best Mountain Bike Specific Brands

By Rebecca Bland   /  Last updated - December 4, 2023

mountain bikes only

If you’re in the market for a new mountain bike and need some inspiration, have a read below. We have put together a list of the 19 best mountain bike-specific bike brands.

Some of these brands specialize in only producing mountain bikes, whereas others primarily focus on mountain bikes and offer other styles as part of their broader lineup.

We’ve listed all of these brands in alphabetical order and will keep updating the selection in the future.

Best Mountain Bike Brands


Commencal Bikes

commencal electric mountain bike

Founded: 2000 | Founder: Max Commencal | Headquarters: Andorra

Although Commencal bikes does not manufacture mountain bikes only, its range is 90% focused on high-end aluminum MTBs so they must be covered in this list.

Trail
Enduro
Downhill
E-MTB
Meta TR 29 – 29″ – 160/140mm Meta AM 29 – 29″ – 170/160mm Furious – 27.5″ , 203/200mm Meta Power 29
  Clash – 27.5″ -180/170mm Supreme DH – 29er, 29 & 27.5″ mullet, 200mm Meta Power 27.5
  Meta HT AM – 29″, 150mm   Meta Power TR
      Meta HT 24

Visit Commencal Bikes


Eminent Cycles

eminent full suspension mtb

Founded: 2014| Founder: Jeff Soncrant | Headquarters: San Diego, California

Originally founded in 2014 in San Diego, California, Eminent Cycles was formed by Jeff Soncrant after he couldn’t find his perfect bike on the market.

They released their first bike, the Haste in 2017, which has since been replaced by the Onset. The brand mainly runs direct-to-consumer although there is a small network of approved stockists that sell the bikes.

Their bikes use an Active Float System (AFS) is built to provide reliable traction and control in any circumstance. The brand currently manufactures three bikes, Onset ST, Onset LT, and Onset MT each designed to excel in their respective disciplines.

Trail
All Mountain
Enduro
Onset ST – 29″ – 130mm, 120mm Onset LT – 29″ – 150mm, 140mm Onset MT – 29″ – 160mm, 155mm

Visit Eminent Cycles Read Our Review


Esker Cycles

esker full-suspension mtb

Founded: 2018 | Founder: Tim Krueger | Headquarters: Montana, US

Proudly rider-owned, Esker Cycles was founded in 2018 by industry veteran Tim Krueger.

The suspension design was created by Dave Weagle and is called the Orion™ suspension platform. This innovative suspension design stabilizes pedaling response over multiple terrains without the hint of pedal feedback.

Esker Cycles currently produce four bikes, the Rowl, the Elkat, the Japhy, and the Hayduke. They start with a base model frame and you can add component levels on, so it suits any budget. High performance but a relatively new brand, these bikes are the ones to watch in the coming years.

Enduro
Trail & All Mountain
Rowl – 29″ – 150mm, 140mm Japhy – 29″ – 120mm
Elkat – 27.5″ – 160mm, 150mm Hayduke – 27.5″ – 140mm

Visit Esker Cycles


Evil Bikes

evil full suspension mountain bike

Founded in 2009 | Founders: Kevin Walsh, Dave Weagle, Tod Seplavy | Based in Seattle, Washington

Evil Bikes is a brand with an interesting history, with more than one go at becoming a fully-fledged mountain bike manufacturer.

Although the last decade hasn’t been the easiest for the Washington-based brand, they are now a well-respected manufacturer of high-performance mountain bikes and loved by riders across the globe. They currently offer a wide range of bikes across several disciplines including trail, enduro, dirt jump, and gravel. They also currently sponsor a team of riders named the ‘Black Collars’, a group largely made up of free riders who all share a passion for mountain biking.

Trail
All Mountain/Enduro
Gravel
Dirt
Following – 29″ – 130mm, 120mm Wreckoning – 29″ – 170mm, 157mm Chamois Hagar – 700x50c Faction – 26″
 
Insurgent – 27.5″ – 150/160/170mm, 151mm
   
  Offering – 29″ – 150mm, 140mm    

Shop Bikes on evo.com Read Our Review


Forbidden Bike CO

forbidden full suspension mtb

Founded: 2019| Founder: Owen Pemberton | Headquarters: Cumberland, BC

An extremely new bike manufacturer, Forbidden Bike Co. was established in 2019 by industry veteran Owen Pemberton.

They began with one single bike, the Druid – a trail bike with cutting-edge design and technology featuring the brand’s own ‘Ziggy Link’ suspension technology. The Ziggy Link allows riders to alter their Druid bikes to accommodate mullet wheel geometry, and replace the rear 29″ wheel with a 27.5″ one to encourage greater maneuverability and agility in the bike.

Currently, the brand manufactures two bikes, the Druid, a trail bike, and the Dreadnought, a powerful 170mm travel bike. Both are on the pricey side, but the bikes are built to be high-performance bikes capable of riding in plenty of conditions and terrains.

Enduro

Dreadnought29″, 170mm, 154mm
Druid29″, 150mm, 130mm

Visit Forbiddenbike.com


Husqvarna Bicycles

husqvarna mountain cross 7

Founded: 2018 | Headquarters: Mattighofen, Austria

Although Husqvarna has been around for over a century (previously known as Huskvarna), their off-road motorcycles have gained popularity in the motorcycle industry since the very beginning. It wasn’t too long ago when one of the world’s top motocross bike manufacturers KTM bought Husqvarna, and here’s where things get interesting.

Just recently, the brand has jumped into the booming e-bike market by doing what it does best – making off-road two-wheelers. So far they’ve put out a competitive range of kids’, hardtail, and full-suspension electric mountain bikes. They are definitely worth considering.

Enduro
All-Mountain
Downhill
Kids’
Hard Cross 7 Mountain Cross 7 Extreme Cross 9 Light Cross JR 24
Hard Cross 5 Mountain Cross 5 Extreme Cross 10  

Visit Husqvarna Bicycles Read Our Review


Ibis Cycles

ibis ripmo full suspension mtb

Founded: 1981 | Founder: Scot Nichol | Headquarters: Santa Cruz, California

Founded in 1982 by Scot Nichols, aka ‘Chuck Ibis’, Ibis Cycles has since become one of the quirkier, more innovative mountain bike manufacturers.

Now headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, the brand has expanded to produce a wide range of mountain bikes across several disciplines, including; trail, enduro, and most recently, gravel. After a brief hiatus from 2000 to 2005, the brand is now thriving and sponsors its own enduro race team.

Trail
All Mountain / Enduro
Gravel
Ibis Ripley – 29″ – 130mm (f), 120mm (r) Ibis Ripmo – 29″ – 160mm (f), 147mm (r) Ibis Hakka MX – 27.5″ & 700c
   
 
Ibis Mojo HD5 27.5″ – 170mm (f), 153mm (r)
 

Shop on Jenson USA Read Our Review


Intense Cycles USA

intensecycles.com/

intense full suspension mtb

Founded: 1993| Founder: Jeff Steber | Headquarters: Temecula, California

Founded in 1993 by Jeff Steber, Intense Cycles is a high-performance mountain bike brand that uses its racers and factory team to build and develop new ideas.

Currently, their top downhill rider is Aaron Gwin, a five-time World Cup overall champion who has been integral to the design and development of the Intense DH bike, the M29.

Intense Cycles makes a range of mountain bikes, not just for the professionals, across several disciplines and budgets, including XC, E-MTB, and more. Their bikes are built to a high standard and are well regarded across the mountain biking industry, and riders alike, making an Intense Cycles MTB a great choice for your next bike.

XC
E-MTB
All-Mountain/Enduro
Downhill
Sniper T – 29″ – 120mm, 120mm Tazer – 29″ (f) 27.5 (r) – 160mm, 155mm Carbine – 29″ – 160mm, 155mm
M29 – 29″ 203mm (f), 208mm (r)
Sniper XC – 29″ – 100mm, 100mm
  Tracer – 29″ – 170mm, 165mm  
Sniper FRO – 29″ – 100mm, 100mm
  Primer – 29″ – 150mm, 140mm  
   
Primer S – 29″ – 150mm, 140mm
 
   
Primer – 27.5″ – 150mm, 140mm
 

Shop on Aventuron Read Our Review


Juliana Bicycles

juliana full suspension mtb

Founded: 1999| Founder: Juli Furtado | Headquarters: Santa Cruz, California

Juliana Bicycles is a pioneering brand and the first to produce a women’s specific mountain bike.

Led by former champion mountain bike racer Juli Furtado, they approached Santa Cruz Bicycles who offered the use of their brand/facilities to allow the brand to build its foundations and successfully market its women’s bikes.

Currently, they make several mountain bikes across a range of disciplines, all using the Santa Cruz VPP suspension design, but tailored to the specific needs of female mountain bikers. The brand sponsors a pro team, the Juliana SRAM Pro Team, which includes six riders from across the United States and Canada who compete in races such as the Enduro World Series.

Their bikes are renowned for quality and for being high-performance race-ready machines, so if you’re after a new mountain bike, Juliana Bicycles is a great place to start.

Trail
All Mountain/Enduro
Gravel
Joplin – 29″ – 130mm, 120mm Furtado – 27.5″ – 140mm, 130mm Quincy – 700c
  Roubion – 27.5″ – 160mm, 150mm  
  Maverick – 29″ – 150mm, 140mm  

Shop on Mike's Bikes Read Our Review


Marin Bikes

marin bikes rift zone mountain bicycle

Founded: 1986 | Founder: Bob Buckley | Headquarters: Novato, California

Marin Bikes is an industry-leading mountain bike brand and one of the first to produce titanium and full-suspension MTBs. 

Marin founder Bob Buckley sold the company in 2012 and they’ve continued in a similar fashion, designing and developing exciting bikes are the forefront of innovation. Today, they have a wide range of bikes, specializing in mountain and gravel with a range of options in each discipline. Additionally, Marin has urban, fitness, and electric models. 

The brand has gained recognition for its impressive MTB tech including the MultiTrac suspension platform that improves full-suspension performance by balancing small bump compliance and pedal efficiency. Their bikes are renowned for exceptional quality, versatility, and performance so be sure to check out their range when you’re searching for a new mountain bike. 

Bikepacking/Adventure
E-MTB
All-mountain / Enduro
Trail
XC Trail
Gravel
Kids’
 Pine Mountain 1 – 29″ Hardtail, 120mm Alpine Trail E1 – Mullet,  160mm, 150mm Alpine Trail Carbon 1 – 29″ – 160mm, 150mm Rift Zone 27.5 1 – 130mm, 120mm Team Marin 1/2 – 29″ – Hardtail – 120mm  Gestalt 1/2/2.5 – Aluminum –  700c –  Donky Jr. – 16/18/20/24″ – Aluminum 
Pine Mountain 2 – 29″ Hardtail, 120mm Alpine Trail E2 – Mullet,  160mm, 150mm Alpine Trail Carbon 2 – 29″ – 160mm, 150mm Rift Zone 27.5 2 – 130mm, 120mm Wildcat 1 – 27.5″ – Hardtail – 100mm Gestalt X10/X11 – Aluminum – 700c / 650b  Hidden Canyon – 20″ – Aluminum
Four Corners – 700c Gravel El Roy – 29″ Hardtail – 140mm Alpine Trail XR – 29″ – 160mm, 150mm Rift Zone 27.5 3 – 130mm, 120mm Wildcat 3/5 – 27.5″ – Hardatil – 120mm Headlands 1/2 – Carbon – 700c / 650b Bayview Trail – 24″ – Aluminum Hardtail –  50mm 
  San Quentin 3 – 27.5″ – Hardtail 130mm Apline Trail 7 – 29″ – 160mm, 150mm Rift Zone 29 1/29 Carbon  Bolinas Ridge 1 – 27.5″ – Hardtail – 100mm Nicasio/Nicasio+ – CroMo/Steel – 700c / 650b San Quentin – 20″ – Aluminum Hardtail – 80mm
  San Quentin 2 – 27.5″ – Hardtail 130mm   Rift Zone 29″ 1/29″ Carbon 1 – 130mm, 125mm Bolinas Ridge 2 – 29″ – Hardtail – 100mm Nicasio 2 – CroMo/Carbon – 650b / 700c San Quentin – 24″ – Aluminum Hardtail – 100mm
  San Quentin 1 – 27.5″ – Hardtail 130mm   Rift Zone 29 2/29 Carbon 2 – 130mm, 125mm Sky Trail – 27.5″ – Hardtail – 100mm Four Corners – CroMo/Steel – 650b / 700c Rift Zone Jr. – 24″/26″ – Aluminum – 120mm, 120mm 
      Rift Zone 29″ 3/29″ Carbon XR 130/140mm, 125mm Eldridge Grade – 27.5″ – Hardtail – 120mm DSX 1/2/FS – Flat bar – Aluminum – 700c / 29″   
        Bobcat Trail 3/4/5 – 27.5″ – Hardtail – 120mm    

Buy from GovVelo.com Buy from Jenson USA

Read Our Review


Mondraker Bikes

mondraker mountain bike

Founded: 2001| Founder: Miguel Pina | Headquarters: Alicante, Spain

Mondraker is most likely one of the best electric mountain bike brands in the business, and that’s for the obvious reason that they’ve released a bunch of 29er MTBs in all kinds of disciplines. Their focus is aimed towards the high-end market, and they have succeeded their position in there. Mondaraker mountain bikes are in a niché market competition.

XC
Enduro
Downhill
E-MTB
Superenduro
Kids’
Chrono – 29″, 100mm Foxy – 29″, 160/150mm Summum – 29″, 203/200mm Prime – 29″, 120mm SuperFoxy – 29″, 170/160mm
16″, 20″, 24″, 26″ – Hardtail / Full Sus
Podium – 29″, 100mm     Thundra – 29″, 120mm    
F Podium – 29″, 120/115mm     Crafty – 29″, 160/150mm    
      Dusk – 29″, 160/150mm    
      Chaser – 29″, 160/150mm    
      Level – 29″, 180/170mm    

Shop on JensonUSA Visit Mondraker.com


Niner Bikes

niner full suspension mtb

Founded: 2005 | Founders: Chris Sugai (President and CEO), Steve Domahidy | Headquarters: Fort Collins, Colorado

With a tagline like Pedal Damn It! Niner Bikes are known for their fun and their commitment to dirt.

They’re a company that is engaged with the local mountain biking community, as well as producing high-end bikes. Based out of Fort Collins, Colorado, the brand often tests their new bikes on the trails local to them before releasing them to the market.

Currently, they offer a wide range of performance mountain bikes across several disciplines including XC, trail, enduro, gravel, and E-MTB. Their bikes are on par with industry prices for high-end bikes, but they are still relatively expensive.

XC
Trail
All Mountain / Enduro
Gravel
E-MTB
RKT 9 RDO RS – 100mm, 90mm AIR 9 RDO – 29″ – 100mm RIP 9 RDO – 27.5″ – 150mm ,140mm MCR 9 RDO – 700c / 650b – 50mm
Rip e9 – 29″ – 160mm, 150mm
  AIR 9 – 29″ – 100mm??? RIP 9 RDO – 29″ – 170mm, 140mm RLT 9 RDO – 700c / 650b
WFO e9 – 29″ (f) & 27.5″ (r) mixed – ???mm, 180mm
 
SIR 9 – 27.5″ / 29″ – 120mm
  RLT 9 Steel – 700c / 650b
RLT 9 RDO – 700c & 650b
 
RKT 9 RDO – 29″ – 120mm, 90mm
  RLT 9 – 700c / 650b  
 
jet 9 RDO – 29″ / 27.5″ – 130mm, 120mm
     

Shop on Jenson USA Read Our Review


Orange Mountain Bikes

orange full suspension mountain bike

Founded: 1988 | Type of business: Privately Held | Headquarters: Halifax, UK

Orange Bikes is a British MTB brand founded in 1988 in Yorkshire in the north of England.

From their first bike, the Clockwork Orange (named after the film), the brand has since achieved cult status due to the strength and longevity of the bikes they produce. While their bikes were once made in Taiwan, all are now manufactured and assembled in Britain, and in-house in their headquarters in Halifax.

They currently manufacture several bikes across many disciplines including gravel, hardtails, downhill/gravity, enduro/all-mountain to name a few. The bikes are considered an investment, but they will last you a long time and are extremely capable bikes.

Dh/Gravity
E-MTB
All-mountain / Enduro
Trail
Hardtail
Gravel/Urban/Road
Kids’
327 – 27.5″ – 200mm (front), 200mm (rear) Charger – 27.5″ – 150mm, 145mm Stage 6 – 29″ – 160mm, 150mm Five Evo – 27.5″ – 140mm, 130mm Crush – 27.5 – 150mm Speedwork – 700C Peeler – 12″
329 – 29″ – 203mm, 190mm Surge – 27.5″ – 170mm, 165mm Alpine 6 – 27.5″ – 170mm, 165mm Stage Evo – 29″ – 130mm, 120mm Crush 29 – 29″ – 140mm RX9 – 700C Pop – 16″
  Surge 29 – 29″ – 160mm, 150mm
Switch 6 – 29″/27.5″ (mullet) – 160mm, 145mm
  Crush MX MX – 29″/27.5″ – 140mm X9 – 650B
Zest 20 – 20″ – 50mm (hardtail)
 
Phase – 29″/27.5″ (mullet) – 160mm, 160mm
    P7 – 27.5″ – 150mm R9 – 700C
Zest 24 – 24″ – 65mm (hardtail)
        P7 29 – 29″ – 140mm  
Zest – 26″ – 100mm
       
Clockwork – 27.5″ – 130mm
   
       
Clockwork EVO – 27.5″ – 140mm
   
       
Clockwork EVO 29 – 29″ – 130mm
   

Visit Orangebikes.com Read Our Review


Pivot Cycles

pivot full suspension mountain bike

Founded: 2007 | Founder: Chris Cocalis | Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona

Pivot Cycles was founded in 2007 by former Titus Cycles founder and leader, Chris Cocalis.

After Titus Cycles was bought by Vyatek Sports in 2006, Chris found himself back designing mountain bikes again after a short break, and Pivot Cycles was born. The bikes were designed around the DW-Link suspension system, and since then the company has built its reputation as being one of the leading bike manufacturers in terms of development and research.

Fast-forward to today and Pivot Cycles make a whole host of bikes across different disciplines, including XC, trail, enduro, downhill, and more. All bikes are made from carbon fiber except their jump bike, the Point, which is made from Chromoly steel.

XC
Trail
All Mountain/Enduro
Downhill
Gravel
Fat
Dirt
E-MTB
Les – 27.5″ – 100mm Mach 4 SL – 29″ – 120mm, 100mm Mach 5.5 – 27.5″ – 160mm ,140mm Phoenix – 29″ – 203mm, 190mm Vault – 700c / 650b Les fat – 26″, 27.5″, 29″ Point – 26″ E-Vault – 700c
Les Singlespeed – 29″ – 100mm Trail 429 – 29″ – 140mm, 120mm
Firebird – 29″ – 170mm, 162mm
       
Shuttle – 29″ – 160mm, 140mm
Les SL – 29″ – 100mm  
Switcblade 29″ & 27.5″ – 160mm, 142mm
         
   
Mach 6 – 27.5″ – 160mm, 158mm
         

Shop on Mike's Bikes Read Our Review


Revel Bikes

revel full suspension mtb

Rider owned, privately-funded

Founded: 2019 | Founder: Adam Miller | Headquarters: Carbondale, Colorado

A new brand that was only founded in 2019, Revel Bikes already has a reputation for innovative and forward-thinking mountain bike design.

With their bike based around the Canfield CBF linkage design, their mission is to create some of the best mountain bikes on the market. Currently, they offer three mountain bikes, the Ranger, the Rascal, and the Rail. All with unique characteristics, but all built around the CBF suspension.

As expected from a somewhat boutique brand, the prices are quite high, but you do get a lifetime warranty on the frames, and there are multiple build options for each bike to suit an array of budgets.

Trail / All-Mountain / Enduro

Ranger – 29″ – 120mm, 115mm
Rascal – 29″ – 140mm, 130mm
Rail – 27.5″ – 170mm, 165mm

Shop on evo.com Visit Revelbikes.com


Rocky Mountain Bicycles

rocky mountain full suspension mtb

Founded: 1981| Founders: Grayson Bain, Jacob Heilbron, and Sam Mak | Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada

Named after the stretch of mountains in which they were founded, Rocky Mountain Bicycles have a long history of producing high-quality and race-ready mountain bikes.

From winning World Cups to competing at the Olympics, these bikes have a racing pedigree. They currently sponsor several professional riders within freeride, enduro, and XC, as well as several ambassadors around the globe.

Their current crop of bikes extends across most disciplines including XC, trail, enduro, downhill, and even kids’ bikes to name a few. Their price bracket sits alongside most other high-end mountain bike brands, so expect to be spending a couple of thousand dollars on a Rocky Mountain. We’re sure, however, that current owners would say it’s worth the price tag.

XC
Trail
All-Mountain/Enduro
Fat
Adventure
Electric
Downhill
Youth
Element – 29″ – 100-120mm (f), 100mm (r) Instinct – 29″ & 27.5″ – 150mm, 140mm Altitude – 29″ & 27.5″ – 170mm, 160mm Blizzard – 26″, 27.5″, 29″-ready Solo – 700c, 650b Instinct Powerplay – 29″ (27.5+ ready) – 150mm, 140mm Slayer – 29″ & 27.5″ (Frame Size Dependant) – 170-200mm (f), 170-180mm (r)
Reaper – 27.5″, 26″, 24″ – 150, 130, or 120mm (front), 130mm (rear)
 
Thunderbolt – 27.5″, 26″ ready – 150mm, 140mm
    Fusion – 29″ – 100mm
Instinct Powerplay BC Edition – 29″ (27.5+ ready) – 160mm, 155mm
 
Soul Jr – 26″ or 24″ – 63mm (hardtail)
 
Growler – 29″ – 130-150mm
    Soul – 27.5″ – 120mm
Altitude Powerplay – 27.5″ – 160mm, 150mm
 
Vertex Jr – 24″ or 20″ – 65mm (hardtail)
         
Growler Powerplay – 29″ – 130/140/150mm (hardtail)
 
Growler Jr – 24+ or 26+ – 80/100mm (hardtail)
             
Edge – 26″, 24″, 20″, 16″, 14″, or 12″ – 80mm (26″ only)

Shop on Jenson USA Read Our Review


Santa Cruz Bicycles

santa cruz bicycles full suspension electric heckler

Founded: 1993 | CEO: Rob Roskopp | Founders: Rob Roskopp, Mike Marquez, Rich Novak | Headquarters: Santa Cruz, California

Founded by Rob Roskopp, Mike Marquez, and Rich Novak in 1993, Santa Cruz Bicycles has been at the forefront of modern mountain biking technology and development since the brand released its first bike, the Tazmon.

Since then, they have grown to offer more bikes across many disciplines, and have even created a spin-off line of women’s bikes under the brand name Juliana. Santa Cruz manufactures high-end performance mountain bikes and has had major success in the professional ranks, with current team riders including Greg Minnaar and Luca Shaw.

XC
Trail
All-Mountain / Enduro
Electric
Downhill
Gravel
Highball – 29″ – 10mm (f) Chameleon – 27.5″ & 29″ – 120mm & 130mm (f) Megatower – 29″ – 160mm (f,r) Heckler – 27.5″ 160mm (f), 150mm (r) V10 – 27.5″ & 29″ mixed – 203mm (f), 215mm (r) Stigmata – 650b & 700c
Blur – 29″ – 100mm (f, r) Tallboy – 29″ – 120mm (f)
Hightower – 29″ – 150mm (f), 145mm (r)
     
  5010 – 27.5″ – 130mm (r) Nomad – 27.5″ – 170mm (f, r)      
   
Bronson – 27.5″ – 160mm (f), 150mm (r)
     

Shop on evo.com Read Our Review


Transition Bikes

transition full suspension mtb

Rider owned and operated

Founded: 2001 | Founders: Kevin Menard and Kyle Young l | Headquarters: Bellingham, Washington

Proudly rider-owned, the Bellingham-based brand has been at the forefront of developing mountain biking technologies since its inception in 2001.

They have developed such technologies as the GiddyUp suspension system, which allows the bike’s suspension to be tuned to the rider’s specific needs, smoothing out bumps and decreasing power transfer losses. Transition bikes are well received by reviewers across the globe and offer a range of high-quality mountain bikes – now with lifetime warranties on the frames. Their range has expanded to several disciplines including trail, enduro, downhill, dirt jump, and kids’ bikes so you can buy one for everyone in the family.

Trail
All-Mountain / Enduro
Downhill
Dirt
Youth
Spur – 29″ – 120mm, 120mm Patrol – 27.5″ – 170mm, 160mm TR11 – 27.5″ – 200mm, 200mm PBJ – 26″ – 100mm
RipCord – 24″ – 100mm, 100mm
 
Sentinel – 29″ – 160mm, 150mm
     
 
Scout – 27.5″ – 150mm, 140mm
     

Shop on evo.com Read Our Review


Yeti Cycles

yeti sb full suspension mountain bike

Strictly Carbon Mountain Bikes!

Founded: 1985 | Founder: John Parker | Headquarters: Golden, Colorado

Yeti’s philosophy is simple: they build bikes they want to ride.

In 1985 John Parker, a former Hollywood set designer and welder founded Yeti Cycles after falling in love with the burgeoning sport.

They had several sponsored riders whom they used to develop bikes with, using their ‘For Racing Only’ (FRO) models. After the company changed hands a few times, they are currently well represented in the pro ranks by several top riders including Richie Rude and Shawn Neer in the Yeti/Fox Factory team.

They have developed a wide range of mountain bikes across several disciplines and are among the most respected brands in the industry.

XC
Trail
All-Mountain / Enduro
Downhill
Electric
Yeti ARC – 29″ – 130mm (f) Yeti SB115 – 130mm (f), 115mm (r) Yeti SB130 – 29″ – 160mm (f), 150mm (r) Yeti SB165 – 27.5″ – 180mm (f), 165mm (r)
160E – 29″ – 170mm (f), 160mm (r)
   
Yeti SB140 – 27.5″ – 160mm (f), 140mm (r)
   
   
Yeti SB150 – 29″ – 170mm (f), 150mm (r)
   

Shop on Jenson USA Read Our Review


Mountain Bikes Timeline

1981 – Ibis Cycles, Rocky Mountain Bicycles
1985 – Yeti Cycles
1986 – Marin Bikes

1993 – Intense Cycles, Santa Cruz Bicycles
1998 – Orange Mountain Bikes
1999 – Juliana Bicycles

2000 – Commencal
2001 – Mondraker Bikes, Transition Bikes
2005 – Niner Bikes
2007 – Pivot Cycles
2009 – Evil Bikes

2014 – Eminent Cycles
2018 – Esker Cycles
2018 – Husqvarna Bicycles
2019 – Forbidden Bike CO, Revel Bikes


Why didn’t we include other large bike brands?

Although brands such as Cannondale, Trek, Specialized, Norco, Giant, etc have a wide variety of all kinds of mountain bikes in their fleet, we wanted to give a shoutout to mountain bike-specific brands only.

There are plenty more MTB brands you could suggest in the comments section that we haven’t covered JUST YET!

 

About the Author

Rebecca Bland

Based in the UK, Rebecca began cycling as a means to get to work and hasn’t looked back. Now combining her passions and working as a freelance cycling writer, she enjoys road cycling, time trialing, and mountain biking. She also blogs on rebeccabland.com She specializes in writing about cycling brands, bicycle reviews, and best-of reviews.

3 thoughts on “19 Best Mountain Bike Specific Brands

  1. Paul M says:

    What brands frames are made specifically here in the USA and not high production Asia/China made?

    1. Sam Millers says:

      Hey Paul, there are quite a few. Two notable examples include Chumba bikes and Co-motion. You can check out this exhaustive list for more.

  2. Artie Montuori says:

    I own an Iron Horse MT 400 I am getting back into trail riding. Is Iron Horse still being manufactured? Also is Independent Fabrication still producing bikes?

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About the Author

Rebecca Bland

Based in the UK, Rebecca began cycling as a means to get to work and hasn’t looked back. Now combining her passions and working as a freelance cycling writer, she enjoys road cycling, time trialing, and mountain biking. She also blogs on rebeccabland.com She specializes in writing about cycling brands, bicycle reviews, and best-of reviews.
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