Mountain biking is among the most expensive sports to get into. Unlike some sports that only require your effort, such as swimming and running, your success in biking relies heavily on your main equipment—your bike.

The thing is that mountain bikes are worth much more than regular bikes and there is a good reason why.

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How much are they worth?

If you’re a beginner mountain biker and are looking to buy your first bike, it’s a good idea to have a rough estimate of how much it will cost you. So, how much should you save up to afford a good mountain bike?

You can get mountain bikes for as low as $400 to $600. Most bikes that cost around this range are entry-level bikes and are manufactured by not-so-known brands. This doesn’t mean that they are less quality than more expensive bikes as it really depends on what you are looking for in a bike.

Meanwhile, higher-end mountain bikes can cost around $5000 while some can even go higher than $10,000.

Why do they cost so much?

The main reason why mountain bikes are more expensive is clear—they are not your average bikes. They are made to withstand rough terrains and are built to be more stable and durable. They cost much because of these factors too:

1. Additional Special Components. Customized bikes with special features such as upgraded tires and lightweight suspension are expensive to make.
2. Premium Materials. It costs a lot to source and treat high-grade raw materials and turn them into quality mountain bikes.
3. Product Development and Engineering. A lot of time, effort, and money go into engineering mountain bikes to perfection.
4. Less Market Competition. The mountain bike market is not as saturated as other industries, hence, big brands can crank up their prices unless another company that can offer the same quality as theirs enters the game.

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Keep in mind when planning on the budget for your mountain bike is the old adage “you get what you pay for,” is very much true when it comes to your quality of ride when you’re on a more expensive mountain bike. A lighter, more expensive, carbon fiber frame makes your bike much more lightweight which in turn makes climbing hills much easier. If you invest in better quality suspension, you’ll greatly reduce pedal bob which wastes energy towards climbing that hill!

The good news is if you’re worried about spending that much money and not feeling good about the investment, many bike shops allow you to test drive their demo bikes. The key is to find a good bike shop — good bike shops are full of friendly, informative, and above all, no pressure to sell. These shops are full of people who just have a passion for biking and love to spread the joy to others in the best way possible. You find that shop, and they’ll hook you up with a great bike to test bike you’ll likely fall in love with.

So, what’s the takeaway? Are mountain bikes worth buying?

If you are really passionate about mountain biking, then it is a small price to pay for your happiness. In short, yes!

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