If you’re new to mountain biking, you might not be particularly keen on spending a lot on your first bike. Thankfully, budget-friendly options still provide essential features like sturdy frames, decent suspension, and reliable gearing systems. These bikes offer a solid foundation for exploring trails and honing your skills.
The best women’s mountain bikes under 300 are the Royce Union RMT Mountain Bike and the Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike. The Union RMT has a Shimano 21-speed drivetrain that delivers seamless gear shifting. The High Timber is equipped with an alloy crank and wide-knobby mountain tires offering stability and balance.
In this article, I shall explore top options that are a perfect blend of comfort, durability, and performance, making every ride enjoyable and empowering.
Best Mountain Bikes for Women Under USD 300
- Mongoose Status 2.2 Women’s Mountain Bicycle
- Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike (Budget Buy)
- 27.5″ Royce Union RMT Mountain Bike (Top Pick)
Compare Top MTBs For Women Under 300 US Dollars
| Product | Overall Score | Bottom Line | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mongoose Status 2.2 | 81 | Features riser handlebar with colored end plugs | Check Out On Amazon |
 Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike | 88 |  Comes with alloy linear-pull brakes | Check Out On Amazon |
 27.5 Royce Union RMT Mountain Bike | 90 |  Features 21-speed Revoshift Shimano drivetrain | Check Out On Amazon |
Detailed Analysis of the Best Women’s Mountain Bike Under $300
The key to finding the best budget women’s mountain bike under 300 is to consider a wide range of options and then take your pick from there.
For the most part, you must ensure that the bike is the right combination of comfort, durability, and safety. The good news is that the following bikes totally fit the bill:
1. Mongoose Status 2.2 Women’s Mountain Bicycle
Overall Score: 81
Mongoose is a famous name in the bike manufacturing industry and they’ve once again released what’s considered to be the best cheap women’s mountain bike.
It’s notable for its unique aluminum frame which has been fitted with hydroformed tubing and a powerful suspension fork to boot.
It also comes with a 21 speed Shimano rear derailleur as well as 2.125” wide tires with strong alloy rims and reliable V-brakes on the front and rear for your safety and convenience.
Shifting between gears is just as effortless even on trails.
The only downside with this bike is the fact that it comes with a small amount of drag which we didn’t expect because it’s not something that you often come across in Mongoose bikes.
Advantages
- Comes with high quality 21-speed shifters.
- Features riser handlebar with colored end plugs.
- Brakes on the front and back.
- Made from lightweight yet durable aluminum.
Disadvantages
- To be fair, it’s mid-priced.
2. Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike
Overall Score: 88
This model comes with an SR Suntour suspension fork to keep you comfortable on the road, a Shimano 7 speed rear derailleur with an alloy crank, and an SRAM grip shifter for smooth riding.
The frame is made from durable yet lightweight aluminum and it comes with reliable disc brakes which are some of the most powerful on the market, while the alloy brakes will bring the bike to a stop within a moment’s notice if you want to.
To make sure that you don’t feel the impact when going through rough terrain, this bike has been fitted with 26-inch alloy wheels which are lightweight allowing the bike to weigh only 48 pounds. As such, it’s also portable and easy to travel with.
Advantages
- Super easy to maintenance.
- Made with tires that are designed to handle different types of terrain.
- Comes with alloy linear-pull brakes.
- Height adjustable.
- It’s very responsive thanks to the front suspension fork.
- Constructed from a durable yet lightweight aluminum frame.
Disadvantages
- How well made the bike is depends on the model.
3. 27.5″ Royce Union RMT Mountain Bike
Overall Score: 90
Considered to be the best women’s mountain bicycle under 300, this model comes with a star-studded cast of high-quality features and components.
These include a 21-speed Revoshift Shimano drivetrain, a Shimano tourney indexed derailleur, a padded seat, and adjustable angle and height to ensure that you enjoy a comfortable ride regardless of your height.
This is in addition to the bike’s 27.5-inch wheels which don’t offer as much resistance as a mountain bike’s tires, while also enabling this bike to perform effortlessly on smooth and gravel roads alike.
The wheels are complemented by machine alloy rims with high-quality brake pads to keep you safe on the road. Then you have the cherry on top Krayton grips and pedals.
Advantages
- High-quality brake pads.
- Machined alloy wheel rims.
- 27.5-inch wheels.
- Comes with all the tools you’ll need to quickly assemble it.
- Hardtail fram.
Disadvantages
- Not the best quality overall.
How to Pick the Best Women’s Mountain Bike Under 300
What makes for the best mountain bike for beginner females? There are quite a few considerations to make, including keeping in mind the following important features:
Frame
The bike frame is the foremost defining factor of the whole thing, so you want to make sure that it’s made from the best quality materials that are easy to work with.
This includes carbon fiber and alloy which are popular but expensive. Aluminum is in the midrange price-wise and it’s nice and lightweight, just like carbon fiber.
If you want to explore high-end options that combine robust construction with reliable performance, feel free to check out my article on the best mountain bikes under $1500.
Suspension
Your bike’s shock suspension plays a huge role in how safe and enjoyable it is to ride.
A bike with front and back suspension will usually be comfortable to ride even in bumpy conditions because the suspension will absorb all of the shocks for you so you don’t feel a thing.
Pedals
Pedals are what make it possible to ride your bike in the first place, enabling you to move it in your preferred direction.
There are four different types of pedals including clipless, toe clip, advanced and basic platform.
The latter two options are often recommended as a safe option for newbie riders while clipless pedals are oriented more towards experienced riders, but they are also very useful in wet conditions.
Brakes
When it comes to brakes, V brakes are the most affordable and easy to use but installing them often means replacing the pads and cables too.
Disc brakes are the most powerful brakes around and are rather complex, but they are incredibly reliable and long-lasting. They will even save you in wet conditions.
Check out my article on the best bike brakes that combine cutting-edge features with comfort and performance.
Gears
You should be able to modify the brakes on your bike whenever you like. Mountain bikes are available in various gear options from 1 to 30, while the average mountain bike will often come with three chainrings.
Wheels
If your plan is to take your bike everywhere and be able to go through rough and difficult terrain then you’ll want large wheels. Most mountain bikes come with wheels that measure 26”, 27”, or 29”.
So long as your bike comes with adjustable handlebars and seats, it doesn’t matter how large the wheels are, you won’t feel uncomfortable because of your height or lack thereof.
Rims
The rims are located underneath the tires and because they are usually thick, they require close attention to detail to make sure that you pick the correct thickness level.
On average most rims measure between 26mm to 30mm. going below this measurement range can lower your bike’s ability to handle difficult terrain while wide rims offer far better traction overall.
Tires
When it comes to tires, you get to choose between mid-fat, wide, and plus-size categories. They range between 2.3-2.6 inches and 2.8-3 inches in measurements.
Tires determine the bike’s ability to hold its own when going up or downhill or when facing friction.
Check out my article on the best MTB tires, which are puncture-resistant and have proper tread patterns designed to effectively take you through tough terrain.
Chainring
If you plan on finding a good women’s mountain bike under 300 then you should also consider its chainring situation.
There are usually a couple of chain wheels on the front gear but it is not as commonly used as the rear gear. The rear derailleur is usually larger but both work together to shift the chain from wheel to wheel.
Best Mountain Bike Brands for Women Under $300
The following three brands are where you should look when searching for the best women’s mountain bike under 300:
Mongoose
Mongoose was founded in 1974 by bike enthusiast Skip Hess with the Moto One Mag.
This was a unique and stronger wheel than traditional mag wheels making for some of the best BMX bikes on the market, which is what Mongoose went on to be known for.
However, they’ve since manufactured one of the best full suspension mountain bike frames around so it’s safe to say that theirs is a special touch.
You can check out my article on the best mongoose mountain bikes known for their durability and rider-focused features to elevate your outdoor experience.
Huffy
Huffy was founded in the year 1887 in Ohio and the brand has always been known for making the best entry-level bikes.
It still maintains that reputation today, despite having manufactured quite a few high-end bikes successfully as well.
Schwinn
Schwinn is another famous bike manufacturer whose heritage goes back to 1895 Chicago where the company was founded by a German immigrant named Ignaz Schwinn.
This brand became famous for its Klunkers, the nickname given to Schwinn bikes which are known to be made from the best components available.
It’s probably why Schwinn bikes are some of the best-selling ever.
Narrower Handlebars and Women-Specific Saddles Provide a More Ergonomic Fit, Improving Comfort and Control on the Trails…
Now that you know what the best women’s mountain bike under 300 is, go out there and cop yourself with a new bike.
If you’d like one more recommendation, we’d be happy to recommend the 27.5″ Royce Union RMT Mountain Bike.
Not only is it made by one of the best manufacturers in the business, but this bike stands out because of its lightweight yet durable aluminum frame, front and rear brakes, a raised handlebar, and of course, the 21-speed shifters.