Best Hardtails Under $800

Erald Hoxha
Jun 11, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Jun 27, 2024

When it comes to mountain biking, hardtail bikes offer a fantastic balance of performance, durability, and affordability. For those on a budget, finding a quality hardtail under $800 can seem challenging, but there are excellent options available that don’t compromise on essential features. In this post, we’ll explore the best hardtails under $800, focusing on bikes that provide exceptional value, reliable components, and a great riding experience. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider looking for a budget-friendly addition to your collection, these hardtails deliver outstanding performance without breaking the bank.

Honorable Mention:

For those willing to stretch their budget a bit further, the Norco Strom 2 at $1,000 offers exceptional quality and features. With advanced components, enhanced durability, and superior performance, this bike is a worthy investment for serious riders looking for a long-term companion on the trails.

Kent Trouvaille $190

Formed aluminum frame with internal cable routing
Deluxe MTB saddle with adjustable seat post
760mm alloy handlebar with locking grips
SR Suntour XCM fork with lockout and 100mm of travel
CST Patrol XC 29 x 2.40 MTB tires
Recommended height: 5' 6" to 6' +
Microshift Advent 1x9 speed rear derailleur & shifters
Limited lifetime frame warranty
ProWheel Alloy 32T Crankset with 175mm crank arms
Frame Size: Medium
Front & rear mechanical disc brakes
Recommended age: 14+ years

Ozark Trail $398

Lightweight 6061 aluminum mountain bike frame
11-42T 9-Speed Rear Derailleur
30T Chainring
Tire 29" x 2.35"/ Presta valve tube
Handlebar-mounted quick trigger shifters
Ages 14 and up, Adult, Unisex
Front SR Suntour CM Suspension Fork - 100mm Travel
Assembly required
Front and rear mechanical disc brakes
Padded MTB saddle with adjustable height
Assembled weight: ~35.42 lbs

Polygon Xtrada 5 $599

FORK Suntour XCM-HLO, Hydraulic Lock Out
DRIVETRAIN Shimano Deore M4100 2x10-Speed
CRANKSET Prowheel Vortex 36/22T
CASSETTE 11-42T 10-Speed
HUB FRONT/REAR QR 100mm / 141mm
WEIGHT 14.3kg

Giant Talon 4 $630

Frame ALUXX-Grade Aluminum, disc
Fork SR Suntour XCE 29 (100mm travel) or SR Suntour XCE 27.5 (80mm of travel)
Axles Quick release
Rims/Wheels Giant GX03V 27.5, alloy, double wall, 21mm inner width
Hubs Giant Tracker Giant Sport QR, loose ball
Spokes stainless, 14g
Tires Maxxis Ikon 27.5x2.2" or 29x2.2", wire bead
Crankset ProWheel forged
Chainrings 22/36T
Bottom Bracket Cartridge
Chain KMC Z7
Front Derailleur Shimano M315
Rear Derailleur Shimano Tourney
Cassette/Rear Cogs Shimano MF-TZ500, 14x28
Shifters Shimano SL-M315
Handlebars Giant Connect Trail, 780x31.8
Stem Giant Sport, 7-degree
Brake Levers RS360A
Brakes Tektro TKD 172, mechanical
Pedals MTB caged
Saddle Giant custom
Seat Post Giant Sport, 30.9

Norco Storm 5 $668

6061 Alloy, Internal Routing, Smooth Welds
Mechanical Disc Brakes w/160mm rotors.
Suntour XCE28 100mm, 42mm Offset (27.5), 46mm Offset (29)
WTB Starflight 27.5 x 2.25" Tyres
REAR SHIFTER Shimano TX ST-EF500
CRANKSET Shimano TY301, 42/34/24T, 170mm (XXS, XS, S), 175mm (M, L, XL)

Kona LANA'I $699

FRAME MATERIAL Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
SIZES XS (26"), S (27.5"), M (27.5"), L (29"), XL (29")
FORK Suntour XCT30 DS Coil Spring 100mm
CRANKARMS Shimano Altus
CHAINRINGS 22/36t
CHAIN KMC Z8.3
CASSETTE Shimano HG200 12-32t 8spd
SHIFTERS Shimano Altus
BRAKE CALIPERS Tektro M280
FRONT BRAKE ROTOR Tektro 180mm
REAR BRAKE ROTOR Tektro 160mm
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Altus
HEADSET Feimen HP-H868B
HANDLEBAR Kona Aluminum Riser
STEM Kona Control
SEATPOST Kona Thumb w/Offset 31.6mm
SEAT CLAMP Kona QR
GRIPS Kona Key Grip Slip on
SADDLE Kona XC
FRONT HUB Joytech 100x9mm
REAR HUB Joytech 135x10mm
SPOKES Stainless Black 14g
RIMS Alex DP27K
TIRE WTB Trail Boss 29/27.5/26x2.25"
PAINT COLOR Satin Black or Satin Dirty Cyan w/ Gloss Tropicana Fade Decals

Kona Lava Dome $799

Frame Material: Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
Fork: Suntour XCR 32 LO-R Coil Spring 100mm
Headset: Feimen HP-H868B
Drivetrain
Crankarms: Samox
Chainrings: 28 Tooth
Bottom Bracket: Feimin 73mm
Chain: KMC X9
Freewheel: Microshift Advent 11-46 Tooth 9 Speed
Rear Derailleur: Microshift Advent with Clutch
Braking/Shifting
Shifters: Microshift Advent
Front Brake Rotor: Tektro TR180 180mm
Rear Brake Rotor: Tektro TR160 160mm
Brake Levers: Tektro HDM275 Hydraulic
Wheels
Front Hub: Joytech 100 x 9mm
Rear Hub: Joytech 135 x 10mm
Spokes Stainless: Stainless Black 14g
Rims: Alex DP27K
Front Tyre: WTB Trail Boss 29 x 2.25"
Rear Tyre: WTB Trail Boss 29 x 2.25"
Finishing Kit
Handlebar: Kona XC / BC Riser
Stem: Kona XC
Seatpost: Kona Thumb 31.6mm
Seat Clamp: Kona Quick Release
Grips: Kona Key Grip Slip on
Saddle: Kona XC

Norco Strom 2 $1000

If your are willing to spend a few more dollars, the Norco Strom 2 is a bargain for it's price. It has everything you need to start riding trails in confidence!

SKU 21NorcoStorm229BlueBlackTaBlack
Season 2021
Colour Blue
Frame Alloy
Frame Material Alloy
Fork Suntour XCM HLO DS 100mm
Front Travel 100mm
Speeds 1 x 10
Front Gears Single
Groupset Shimano Deore
Crankset Pro Wheel CY10Y-NW 30T
Pedals VP Nylon Flat Pedal
Chain KMC X10 10spd
Brake Type Hydraulic Disc Brake
Brakes Tektro HD-M275 Hydraulic 160mm
Shifters Shimano Deore SL-M4100 10spd
Brake Levers Tektro HD-M275
Derailleur Rear Shimano Deore RD-M5120 10spd
Cassette Shimano Deore CS-M4100 10spd 11/46
Wheel Size 29"
Tyres Maxxis Rekon DK60 2.25"
Rims Alex DP21 TRS Rims
Hubs Joytech D761DSE Alloy Disc QR
Spokes Stainless Steel 14g - Black
Bottom Bracket Cartridge BB
Handlebar X6 Alloy 720/740mm x 31.8/25mm Rise
Grips VP Nylon Flat Pedal
Stem Norco Alloy 60mm
Saddle Norco XC Saddle
Seatpost Alloy 31.6mm