11 Mountain Bikes Under $3,800 6

You can have a sick whip without paying a sickening price.

If you want a new bike this year but are sticking to a budget, here's a list of eleven trail-worthy mountain bikes under $3,800 that are ready to ship to your doorstep.


Santa Cruz Chameleon 29 R

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Thisย budget friendly 29-inch alloyย lizardย is built forย for maximum speed and rollability. Depending on setup and skill level, the Chameleon is capable on a wide range of terrain โ€“ from aggressive trail riding to jump lines to all-around use.ย 

  • 6000-series aluminum frame
  • 29-inch wheels (27.5+ compatible with interchangeable dropouts)
  • 67.3-degree head tube angle
  • 120mm front travel
  • FOX Rhythm 34 fork
  • SRAM NXย Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
  • SRAM Level T brakeset with 180mm rotors
  • WTB ST i25 TCS 2.0 Boost wheelset
  • Maxxis Minion DHF EXO and Maxxis Crossmark II DC EXO tires
  • Lifetime frame warranty
  • $2,399 MSRP
  • Available at Competitive Cyclist


Cannondale Habit 5

Progressive design, playful agility, and confident capabilityย all in the name of fun. The 2020 Cannondale Habit wants to wring a little more flow out of every kind of trail.

  • SmartForm C1 alloy frame
  • 29-inch wheels
  • 66-degree head tube angle
  • 130mm rear travel, 140mm front travel
  • RockShox 35 Gold RL with DebonAir spring
  • FOX FLOAT Performance DPS EVOL
  • TranzX dropper seatpost
  • SRAM SX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
  • Shimano MT200ย brakeset with 180mm rotors
  • WTB STX i23 TCSย Boost wheelset
  • Maxxis Minion DHF WT EXO and Maxxis High Roller IIย EXO tires
  • Lifetime main frame warranty,ย 5 years for swingarm
  • $2,700 MSRP
  • Available at REI


GT Sensor Aluminum 29" Comp

The 2020 GT Sensor is an aggressive bike with the handling to making it a weapon wherever you ride it.ย From fast, flowy singletrack to all-day epics and everything in between, the Sensor was designed to handle it all.

  • Aluminum frame with LTS 4-bar suspension design
  • 29-inch wheels
  • Flip-chip adjustable geometry
  • 65.5-degree (low) or 66.0-degree (high) head tube angle
  • 130mm rear travel, 140mm front travel
  • RockShox 35 Gold RL fork
  • RockShox Deluxe Select+ RT shock
  • TranzX dropper seatpostย 
  • SRAM SX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
  • Tektro M745 brakeset with 180mm rotors
  • Alexrims MD27ย Boost wheelset
  • Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performanceย tires
  • Lifetime frame warranty
  • $2,750 MSRP
  • Available at Jenson USA


Ibis Ripmo AF NX Eagle

The 2020 Ripmo AF (Aluminum Frame) brings the performance of the carbon Ripmo to a wider, rowdier audience at an agreeable price.ย It's at home pointยญed down the most rugged slopes, but that doesnโ€™t steal from its climbยญing effiยญcienยญcy. Additionally,ย a more proยญgresยญsive leverยญage ratio makes the AF frame both air and coil shock comยญpatยญiยญble.

  • Aluminum frame with DW-Link suspension
  • 29-inch wheels
  • 64.9-degree head tube angle
  • 147mm rear travel, 160mm front travel
  • DVO Diamond D1 fork
  • DVO Topaz T3 Air shock
  • KS Rage-i dropper seatpostย 
  • SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
  • SRAM Guide T brakeset with 200/180mm rotors
  • Ibis S35 Aluminum Boost wheelset
  • Maxxis Assegai WT EXO+ tires
  • 7-years frame warranty, lifetime warranty on IGUS bushings
  • $2,999 MSRP
  • Available at Competitive Cyclist


Norco Range A2 29

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The 2020 Norco Range is built for Enduro and making the most of every big, burly backcountry excursion you can conjure.ย A rearward axle-path and progressive leverage ratio delivers square-edge compliance, mid stroke support, and bottom-out resistance for maximum speed and control when the bike is pointed downhill.ย 

  • 6061-T6 aluminum frame with enduro-optimized suspension design
  • 29-inch wheels
  • 65-degree head tube angle
  • 150mm rear travel, 170mm front travel
  • RockShox Yari RC fork
  • RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Select R shock
  • TransX YSP18 JL dropper seatpost
  • SRAM SXย Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
  • Shimano MT520 4-piston brakeset with 203mm rotors
  • WTB ST i29 TCS 2.0 rims with Shimano Deore Boost hubs
  • Maxxis Assegai EXO tires
  • 3-year frame warranty
  • $2,999 MSRP
  • Available at Jenson USA

Marin Rift Zone Carbon 1

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A bike ready for all-day adventures, setting personal records, and smashing the weekly Taco-Tuesday ride. We tested the 2020 Rift Zone Carbon 2 in our Short-Travel 29er Test Sessions. Itย offers the ability and confidence to point-and-shoot while being both a capable climber and descender.ย If you are looking for a bike that can handle everything the trail has to offer, check out the Marin Rift Zone.

  • Unidirectional carbon front triangle, series 3 alloy rearย with MultiTrac suspension design
  • 29-inch wheels
  • 65.5-degree head tube angle
  • 125mm rear travel, 130mm front travel
  • Marzocchi Bomber Z2ย fork
  • FOX FLOAT Performance DPS EVOLย shock
  • X-Fusion Manic dropper seatpost
  • Shimano SLX 1x12 drivetrain
  • Shimano MT420 4-piston brakeset with 203/180mm rotors
  • Marin Aluminum Double Wallย rims with forged alloy, centerlockย Boost hubs
  • Maxxis Minion DHF WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO and Minion DHR II WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ tires
  • 5-year frame warranty
  • $3,350ย MSRP
  • Available at Jenson USA

Evil Following V1 SLX M7100 Exclusive Build

The Following V1 is an aggressive 29er created to push the boundaries of the big wheel. The Followingย can do things typically reserved for longer travel rigs and is a bike you can throw around and have fun on too.

  • Carbon fiber with DELTA suspension design
  • 29-inch wheels
  • Flip-chip adjustable geometry
  • 66.8-degree (low) or 67.4-degree (high) head tube angle
  • 120mm rear travel, 140mm front travel
  • RockShox Pike RC fork
  • RockShox Monarch RT3 shock
  • Crankbrothers Highline dropper seatpostย 
  • Shimano SLXย 1x12 drivetrain
  • Shimano XTย brakeset with 180/160mmย rotors
  • DT Swiss M1900 Boost wheelset
  • Kenda Hellkat and Kenda Regolith Proย tires
  • 3-year limited warranty
  • Now $3,465 (30% off the $4,950 MSRP) at Jenson USA


Santa Cruz Nomad Carbon R

A bike for the aggressive rider seeking every opportunity to get airborne, charge the downhills, and takes the technical lines rather than go-arounds.ย A mini-DH bike that can pedal, it'll climb uphill too. Plus, use the flip-chip tunable geometry to mix it up to suit your preferences and terrain. The high position offers a more efficient pedaling platform, ideal for those rides with both steep descents and steep climbs. Then switch it to the low position for an even slacker head angle, perfect for those downhill laps at the resort and shuttle runs.

  • Carbon C frame with lower-linkย VPP suspension
  • 27.5-inch wheels
  • Flip-chip adjustable geometry
  • 64.6-degree (low) or 65.0-degree (high) head tube angle
  • 170mm rear travel, 170mm front travel
  • RockShox Yari RC fork
  • RockShox Super Deluxe R shock
  • Race Face Aeffect dropper seatpostย 
  • SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
  • SRAM Guide RE brakeset with 200mm rotors
  • WTB ST i29 TCS 2.0 Boost wheelset
  • Maxxis Minion DHF 3C SilkShield and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C SilkShield tires
  • Lifetime frame warranty
  • Now $3,599 (20% off the $4,499 MSRP) at Competitive Cyclist


Pivot Mach 6 Carbon XT

The Mach 6 is a big-hit all-mountain and enduro bike made for the rider who likes to tackle difficult terrain at speed, while still having an agile ride that pedals well.ย Descending, you'll feel more "in" and less "on" the bike for stability and confident control at high speeds on technical trails. This bike is light and flickable but isn't afraid to plow.

  • Hollow-core molded carbon fiberย frame with DW-Link suspension
  • 27.5-inch wheels
  • 65.8-degree head tube angle
  • 155mm rear travel, 160mmย front travel
  • Marzocchi Bomber Z1 36 GRIPย fork
  • FOX Performance DPX2 shock
  • KS Rage-i dropper seatpostย 
  • Shimano XT 1x11 drivetrain
  • Shimano XTย brakeset with 180mm rotors
  • DT Swiss M1900ย Boost wheelset
  • Maxxis Minion DHF WT 3C EXO MaxxTerra and Maxxis Minion DHR II WT 3C EXO tires
  • 10-year frame warranty
  • $3,699 MSRP
  • Available at Competitive Cyclist


GT Force 29 Expert

Developed for riders seeking out big hits and a lot of gravity, the 2020 GT Force is built for the fun of it. Made to be a smooth and predictable bike available on the affordable end of the spectrum.

  • Aluminum frame with LTS 4-bar suspension design
  • 29-inch wheels
  • Flip-chip adjustable geometry
  • 64.5-degree (low) or 65.1-degree (high) head tube angle
  • 150mm rear travel, 170mm front travel
  • FOX FLOAT Performance 36ย GRIP fork
  • FOX FLOAT Performance DPX2 shock
  • GT Dropkick dropper seatpostย 
  • SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
  • TRP G-Spec Trailย brakeset with 203/180mm rotors
  • Stan's NoTubes Flow S1 Boost wheelset
  • Maxxis Minion DHF 3C EXO+ and Maxxis Minion DHR II 3C EXO+ tires
  • Lifetime frame warranty
  • $3,700 MSRP
  • Available at Jenson USA


Intense Primer 29" Expert

The 2020 Intense Primer is great at carrying momentum, providing traction, and smoothing out the trail. Both fast and efficient. From our experience with the 2020 Primer lineup, this would be our pick for anyone who lives for fast, flowing singletrack and wants a high-performing trail machine.ย 

  • Monocoque carbon frame withย JS Trail Link suspension systemย 
  • 29-inch wheels
  • Flip-chip adjustable geometry
  • 65.3-degree (low) or 65.9-degree (high) head tube angle
  • 140mm rear travel, 150mm front travel
  • FOX 34 Performanceย fork
  • FOX DPX2 Performanceย shock
  • Intense Reconย dropper seatpostย 
  • SRAM NX Eagle 1x12 drivetrain
  • Shimano M520/M500ย brakeset with 180mm rotors
  • e*thirteen LG1 Enduro Race Boost wheelset
  • Maxxis High Roller II and Maxxis Aggressor tires
  • 5-year frame warranty
  • $3,799 MSRP
  • Available at Jenson USA


Want to see and compare more bikes under $3,800? Check out our Product Guide!ย There are nearly 500 of this year's models for your perusal.

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