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Cycling is a very popular sport, and we are seeing so many new people take it up in recent years. It’s great for improving your fitness, meeting new people, and it can even take you on adventures you might have never thought possible.
Mountain biking is a great discipline of cycling, and ripping through trails and exploring dusty paths and forest paths is very fun. We are often asked about the best mountain bikes to buy, and many cyclists want them made of carbon fiber. In this article, we’re going to be telling you about some of the best from Amazon.
Why are carbon fiber mountain bikes so good?
What makes carbon fiber mountain bikes so special is the amount of ability they have. They can go off-road and on all different types of terrain and are also super lightweight and fast. Many people use carbon fiber mountain bikes for cross-country racing, long days out riding big miles, and even ultra-endurance cycling.
How do we pick our Carbon Fiber Mountain Bikes?
When it comes to finding the right bikes for the list, the best way to understand the bikes is to break them down. Here’s what we look for and review to ensure you are getting the right carbon fiber mountain bike for you.
Frame and Forks
The first thing we need to look at is the frame. What is it designed to do? Is it made for comfort riding? Downhill racing? or all out cross country racing? Then we have the forks. Who makes them? How much travel do they have? What level of ability can you expect from them?
Gearing
When it comes to carbon mountain bikes, we want them to have a decent amount of gearing. The gearing is going to help you not just get up a hill quickly but also downhill very quickly. We want our bikes to have reliable gearing, which is easy to use and will help you perform no matter how tough the trail is.
Wheels and Tires
Mountain bikes, unlike other types of bikes such as road bikes, have more component options than you might think. One thing we often see with mountain bikes is a large variety of wheel sizes and tires. We want to ensure they are right.
Special Features
Mountain bikes can have some epic features, such as lockout suspension, dropper posts, and even geometry-changing dropouts. It’s important to look for a mountain bike’s special features as this can completely change your riding experience.
The Carbon Frame Mountain Bike
Savadeck Hardtail 6.1
Specification
- Frame: Hardtail Carbon Fiber
- Fork: Kooto 100mm
- Gearing: Shimano Deore 12s
- Brakes: Hydraulic Brakes
- Wheels and Tires: 29-inch wheels with 2” Tires
- Features: Sizing Choices, Internal Routing
- Weight: 13.1kg
Savadeck is a brand you will see with a few bikes on Amazon. They are one of the few manufacturers who actually use a carbon frame on the platform as far as mountain bikes go. The first thing to mention is the number of positive reviews this bike gets from many people investing in it.
The frame is made of T800 carbon fiber, meaning it is to a high standard. It not only looks great but also has a sporty hardtail modern geometry which would make it fun to race, but also it will have the ability for those longer social rides. The cables are all internally routed, making the bike look super clean. The Kooto fork gives you 100mm travel and, although basic, does work well. The frame and fork pairing makes this bike excellent for cross-country racing and light trail riding.
When it comes to gearing, they have gone with some incredible Shimano gearing. If you are unsure who Shimano is, they make some of the best groupsets in the industry. The Deore is one of their longest running models, the Deore, but not just any Deore, the legendary 12-speed model. Paired with this groupset, it comes with hydraulic disc brakes, which are going to give you excellent stopping power in all weather conditions.
You get the choice of two different wheel sizes in all frames sizes, which are 27.5” or 29”. Weighing in at only 13.1kg for a hardtail mountain bike, it is pretty light, and coming in at $1550 is incredible value for money. We think it’s a great buy if you are looking for a mix of general riding and performance and definitely falls in the category of lightweight mountain bikes.
Royce Union Carbon Fiber MTB
Specification
- Frame: Hardtail Carbon Fiber
- Fork: Suntour XCT100mm
- Gearing: Shimano SLX 2x11s
- Brakes: Hydraulic Brakes
- Wheels and Tires: 29” wheels with 2” Tires
- Features: Sizing Choices, Internal Routing
- Weight: 15kg
Royce Union makes a variety of different bikes, which they typically sell online. One of their highest-performance bikes is this ultralight carbon fiber hardtail mountain bike. We really like what they have done with this bike and feel it definitely should hit this list.
The frame is full carbon fiber and looks great, coming in two colors, a stealthy matt black and a glossy white. The frame has internally routed cables and a low-slung geometry for excellent handling. The suspension is a Suntour XCT 100mm travel fork which is budget but will give you years of service without any issues and even has a lockout.
The gearing is Shimano’s SLX, and this gives you 22 gears in total on a 2×11 drivetrain. It’s going to give you excellent shifting and give you lots of low and high gears. The bike comes with hydraulic brakes for excellent stopping power, and the wheels are 29-inch wheels on the larger models and 27.5” on the smaller models, perfect to keep that ride comfortable and the geometry correct.
The Royce Union is an excellent carbon mountain bike and comes with some great kit on it, they don’t give a bike weight, but you will definitely be lower than 15kg on this. It costs about $1800, which we think is worth the money and a great buy.
Savadeck Dual Suspension Carbon Fiber MTB
Specification
- Frame: Full Suspension Carbon Fiber
- Fork: Kooto 100mm with 63mm rear air shock
- Gearing: Shimano Deore 12s
- Brakes: Hydraulic Brakes
- Wheels and Tires: 27.5” wheels with 2” Tires
- Features: Sizing Choices, Internal Routing
- Weight: 14.2kg
This is the second Savadeck on this list but nothing at all like the first. This dual-suspension beast is probably the most capable bike on this list for off-road riding. It’s a little more than the other bikes, but an incredible buy if you have the budget for a dual suspension design bike.
The frame is gorgeous and is stealthy black with red detailing. It is going to be perfect for fast trail riding, and with all those cables hidden inside looks so smooth. It’s paired up with two forms of suspension a Kooto 100mm front fork and a 63mm rear travel, rear shock. It’s basic suspension but will be great for those really lumpy trails.
The gearing is also from Shimano. It’s that excellent 12s Deore groupset with a huge range, especially for getting up those steep hills. This bike has hydraulic disc brakes to stop you quickly and also requires very little maintenance. The wheels are 27.5” on the smaller models, but 29” on the larger models, and these are paired with some mixed terrain tires.
The Savadeck is an incredible bike, being a dual suspension carbon fiber bike at only 14.2kg and at such a low price. It is an excellent buy. It has everything you need, and it even looks the part too. This is an ideal carbon mountain bike for rough terrain because of the rear suspension it offers a reactive ride and excellent downhill performance.
PXQ Twitter Hardtail Carbon Mountain Bike
Specification
- Frame: Hardtail Carbon Fiber
- Fork: Twitter XC Fork
- Gearing: Shimano SLX 2×11
- Brakes: Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels and Tires: 26” / 27.5”
- Features: Fork lockout
- Cost: $2115
- Weight: 12.5kg
The PXQ Hardtail mountain bike is a great example of a budget carbon fiber mtb with a lot of character. It looks great, is fairly new to the market, and boasts some excellent features. The first thing is the carbon fiber frame. It has great relaxed progressive geometry with a tall head tube and will be good for long days out on the trails. It’s paired with their brand fork, designed to be one of the great cross-country bikes.
The gearing is the Shimano SLX 2×11, so you’re getting 22 solid gears here for riding up and down hills smoothly. This is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes which are required on all performance mountain bikes.
The wheels come in two sizes. On the smaller models, you get 26” wheels, and on the larger models 27.5”. Smaller wheels like this will make the bike feel super agile, and you will have a huge amount of fun riding this bike on a twisty trail.
The PXQ Twitter bike is going to be a huge amount of fun, and coming in at $2115 isn’t expensive for what you get. We feel they offer a great handling bike with some quality components. Weighing only 12.5kg for the complete bike, it’s a bit of a beast at the bike park.
Kontax Electric Carbon Fiber Mountain Bike
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Specification
- Frame: Hardtail Carbon Fiber
- Fork: Kontax XC
- Gearing: Shimano 8 Speed
- Brakes: Hydraulic Disc
- Wheels and Tires: 26” with 4” Tires
- Features: Electric Motor
- Weight: 30kg
The Kontax isn’t like any other bike on this list because it is classed under electric mountain bikes. It’s a hardtail mountain bike that looks so futuristic and acts it too. It’s made of carbon fiber and comes with Kontax’s own XC suspension fork. It has a great design with a slack head angle for comfort and a progressive geometry.
It has a 750w Bafang motor, and these are one of the best motors you will see on an electric bike. It will go as fast as 28mph and in eco mode, a maximum distance of 56 miles, which is incredible. You have an excellent LCD screen and even a USB charge port for your goods.
The gearing is Shimano. It is a basic 8-speed, but you won’t need the gears as much with such a powerful motor. It has mechanical disc brakes, which isn’t ideal but will still stop you on muddy trails fairly quickly.
The wheels are small 26” wheels, but they are equipped with huge 4” fat bike tires, so it will work in thick mud and even on sand, providing it’s not too lumpy. Coming in at $3270, it’s not cheap, but you get so much for your money. It weighs 30kg, but that’s pretty good, knowing you have a large battery and motor in this bike. As far as electric mountain bikes go this is ideal.
Carbon Fiber Mountain Bikes Buyers Guide
So say none of these bikes take your fancy, but you’re unsure of what to look for when it comes to buying the right carbon fiber mountain bike. In this next section, we’ll tell you everything you need to ask yourself when it comes to getting the right bike for you.
Hardtail or Full Suspension?
The first thing you are going to want to consider is if you want a hardtail or a full-suspension bike. A hardtail has a front suspension fork, and a full suspension has a front suspension fork and a rear shock. If you’re looking for a bike for light trails, a hardtail is fine, but if you’re looking to go on extremely technical trails, you will want to be on a full-suspension bike with a rear shock to create rear travel.
Are the components good?
The next thing you want to look at is the components. When we speak about components, we are talking about suspension, gearing, wheels, etc. Some companies do try to cut corners by using cheaper components. We recommend going for brands that you see often and that are of high quality, such as Shimano or Suntour, and ensure they are capable of the riding you want to do. It’s not always about frame materials, it’s about the complete bike.
Is the size right for me?
Before buying a bike, it’s important to understand the sizing of the bike. You should never compromise on size. Ensure the bike you are buying is going to be good for your height so it can be as comfortable as possible. Modern geometry requires the rider to be on the right size bike.
Budget
We recommend before you start to ensure you have a budget in mind and stick to it. Although it can be tempting to go for the cheapest bike possible, the more money you spend, the better the experience you will get riding it and the longer it will last. When it comes to bikes, you get what you pay for.
Do you like how it looks?
The look of a bike is an important thing. You should pick a bike you like the look of and if you have the option, a color you like too. Bikes that look good make you want to ride them more, and you will take much more pride in looking after them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are carbon mountain bikes better than an aluminium bike?
Carbon fiber is an amazing material, and it is incredibly lightweight. It’s very strong and very stiff. These are all qualities you want when it comes to cycling, especially if you are looking for performance on technical terrain. Aluminium bikes are typically heavier bikes.
Which MTB frame is best?
If you want to do light off-road trails, then a hardtail will be lighter and generally more efficient. If you are looking for extreme off-road flow trails, then you will typically want a full-suspension enduro bike frame.
What is the lifespan of a carbon bike frame?
They say the lifespan of a carbon fiber bike frame is 10 years, but this was said many years ago. With recent advancements in resin, you can expect a carbon fiber bike frame to last much longer and be able to take on tougher race tracks.
Do carbon MTB frames break easily?
No carbon fiber frames don’t break easily. They are very strong, provided you use them as it is intended to be used. Carbon frames are designed to be strong in the places it is required. So down a trail ideal, to pull a car with a tow rope is not ideal. Going to a good bike manufacturer goes a long way to for frame strength.
Does a carbon bike make a difference?
Yes, it does. It’s lighter, more responsive, and stiffer, so it will transfer power more efficiently. Riding an aluminum bike and then switching to carbon, you will be able to feel the difference in performance. If you want a race bike you will want a carbon fiber bike.
How often do carbon frames crack?
It’s actually very rare to see a carbon fiber bike frame crack unless it has been used incorrectly. Providing you look after it correctly, your carbon bike will be absolutely fine and perform impressively. Carbon road bikes are more prone to breaking than a enduro bike because of the suspension but it is still very rare.
What are common mountain bikes?
There’s many popular mountain bikes such as the Vitus Escarpe, Vitus Mythique, Scott Spark, Rocky Mountain, Vitus Rapide FS, Specialized Stumpjumper Evo Comp and even the Vitus Sommet. They are all great bikes you will see on the race track.
What is mountain bike geometry?
The geometry is the position the bike will put the rider in. It can change depending on the design of the bike and factors such as head tube angle, the reach, the seat tube angle all make a difference to the riders experience.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our best mountain bikes list and found the perfect bike for you while reading it. Mountain biking is an excellent sport, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking to explore nature and get fitter in the process.
