Mountain Bike Reviewed Best Mountain Bikes Under $1000
So you’re taking your fitness routine outdoors to take a break from the smelly monotony of the gym. Good for you! But before you hit the trail with the bike you’ve unearthed from the depths of the basement, take a minute to consider what you’re riding on and whether you have the best mountain bike tires.
Your tires are the only part of your bike that come in contact with the road (unless you fall), so take care when selecting the proper tires. The best mountain bike tires will provide excellent grip and superior cornering and braking. Take a minute to read our reviews and you’ll have all the information you need to purchase mountain bike tires with confidence.
Product FAQ
1. What Is a Mountain Bike Tire?
Mountain bike tires are specifically designed to be used off-road. They provide a combination of improved traction, lower rolling resistance, increased durability, reduced weight, and greater puncture protection than traditional road bike tires.
2. What Features Should I Look for in the Best Mountain Bike Tires?
The best mountain bike tires should use a combination of compounds—harder rubber in the center of the tire for speed, and softer rubber on the edges and sidewalls for grip when cornering or encountering sloppy conditions. The best mountain bike tires should offer the option of running tubeless for lower psi and improved gripping ability.
3. Where Can I Purchase the Best Mountain Bike Tires?
The best mountain bike tires are available at cycling stores, outfitting stores, and online. We have provided links to the tires we reviewed in this article so you can purchase them online.
How We Reviewed
We reviewed the products in this article based on their versatility, their ease of installation, their performance, and their warranty. We selected our pick for the best mountain bike tires because of their speed, their grip, and their braking ability.
Overall Price Range
Prices for the best mountain bike tires reviewed in this article range from $19 to $72. The less expensive tires are made in China and lack the precision balance of the more expensive models. The more expensive models don’t wear down as quickly and incorporate technology that allows them to adapt to various riding conditions. We have included models from multiple price ranges to satisfy everyone’s budget.
What We Reviewed
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Schwalbe Hans Dampf Snakeskin TL Ready
- Continental Trail King Fold ProTection Bike Tire
- Kenda K850 Aggressive MTB Wire Bead Bicycle Tire
- Kenda John Tomac Signature Series Nevegal Mountain Bike Tire
- Maxxis Assegai Wide Trail 3C/TR Tire
- Goodyear Folding Bead Mountain Bike Tire
- Maxxis Minion DHF Wide Trail 3C/EXO/TR Tire
- Maxxis High Roller II Dual Compound EXO Folding Tire
- WTB Convict TCS Tough FR Tire
- Maxxis Minion DHR II WT Dual Compound EXO Tubeless Folding Tire
Schwalbe Hans Dampf Snakeskin TL Ready
Features
This tire features large tread blocks and a snakeskin sidewall reinforcement. It uses Schwalbe’s tubeless ready TL technology so it will require sealant to provide an air-tight seal and prevent flats. The snakeskin sidewall is a nylon fabric layer of protection laminated to the sidewall to prevent cuts and scrapes. The tread pattern is aggressive and made of a rubber mixture containing carbon filler that is tough but does not hinder pliability. The side knobs are made of a grippy, soft rubber for cornering traction.
Price $
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-27-5in-Snakeskin-Tubeless-27-5×2-35/dp/B00AI5DY6Y?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAI5RFRU2D7V2VNHDQ&tag=thrill-appeal-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B00AI5DY6Y
Warranty
Continental Trail King Fold ProTection Bike Tire
Features
This tire reduces rolling resistance by 26%, improves grip by 30%, and adds 5% more mileage with Continental’s black chili compound. The tire uses a higher rebounding, more compliant compound that allows the casing to withstand abuse. Tubeless-ready setup is easy and burping is minimized by the additional rubber topped off at the bead. Continental tires have been hand made since 1871, evolving with the most advanced technology while maintaining the integrity of tradition. The footprint of the Trail King is light and agile.
Price $
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/CONTINENTAL-TRAIL-PROTECTION-MOUNTAIN-2-2-INCH/DP/B00OBTGTII?creativeASIN=B00OBTGTII&linkCode=w61&imprToken=xGeeEiYZLM3Ac3R1hXMyWQ&slotNum=2&tag=car-search-20
Warranty
This product carries a three-year limited warranty.
Kenda K850 Aggressive MTB Wire Bead Bicycle Tire
Features
This tire is the ideal replacement tire option for 26-inch mountain bikes. The tire has enough tread to offer excellent traction in the dirt and a smoother center tread for efficient pavement riding. The tread design is aggressive for trail riding, making this a popular replacement tire.
Price $
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Aggressive-Bicycle-Blackskin-1-95-Inch/dp/B002DWZEXQ?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAI5RFRU2D7V2VNHDQ&tag=thrill-appeal-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B002DWZEXQ
Warranty
This product carries a one-year limited warranty.
Kenda John Tomac Signature Series Nevegal Mountain Bike Tire
Features
Kenda John Tomac Signature Series Nevegal Mountain Bike Tire was designed by the legendary John Tomac, who named it after one of his favorite competitive courses in Italy. The tire is designed to ride well in everything from loose gravel to hard pack. This tire performs exceptionally well in wet, rooted, and rocky conditions.
It takes advantage of Kenda’s Dual Thread Compound and it uses their Stick-E compound on the shoulders for traction during steep leans. The super soft rubber gives great grip, and the famed tree-sap solid has a slow rebound that acts as a suspension element, while a harder, longer-lasting rubber is used in the center.
Price $$$
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Signature-Nevegal-Mountain-Stick-/dp/B001C6DEHC?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAI5RFRU2D7V2VNHDQ&tag=thrill-appeal-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001C6DEHC
Warranty
Maxxis Assegai Wide Trail 3C/TR Tire
Features
This tire is downhill champion Greg Minnr’s tire of choice during the racing season because it provides a merciless cornering grip and control on various conditions from loose, dusty soil to rain-slick roots and rocks. Minnr created a tire with taller knobs for a tenacious bite and an abundance of support when cornering.
The tire features a 2.5 inch wide trail casing to optimize the tread spacing for downhill racers and aggressive trail riders. Maxxis recommends using this tire on 30-35 millimeter rims so you can dramatically lower the tire pressure to maximize grip and compliance on rugged trails. The tire is tubeless-compatible so the rim can be secured for fast, hard downhill riding.
Price $$$
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-Assegai-Tire-MaxxGrip-Tubeless/dp/B07CN7WHYB?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAIJQOLMEHAHYV4K2A&tag=outdoocom-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07CN7WHYB
Warranty
Goodyear Folding Bead Mountain Bike Tire
Features
These Goodyear tires are rugged and lightweight. They are a great replacement tire for mountain bikes with 26 inch tires and 2 – 2.1/4 inch rims. These tires will take pounds off your bike when they replace your original tires while still providing aggressive off-road traction. They are easy to install because the treads are uni-directional; it doesn’t matter which way the treads on the tire are facing.
Price $
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/Goodyear-Folding-Bead-Mountain-Black/dp/B018NKKGSY?creativeASIN=B018NKKGSY&linkCode=w61&imprToken=xGeeEiYZLM3Ac3R1hXMyWQ&slotNum=19&tag=car-search-20
Warranty
Maxxis Minion DHF Wide Trail 3C/EXO/TR Tire
Features
The Maxxis Minion DHF Wide Trail Tire adheres to the adage “Going fast isn’t the main thing, it’s the only thing.” This tire features an updated tread pattern made to rally because it provides more grip when mounted on wider rims. This tire can be run tubeless for a lower PSI and more grip. The EXO casing will embrace the fastest, sharpest trails while the soft Maxx Grip compound is extremely responsive to braking.
Price $$
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-Minion-Wide-Trail-Tire/dp/B01574KQYS?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAIJQOLMEHAHYV4K2A&tag=outdoocom-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01574KQYS
Warranty
This product carries a one-year limited warranty.
Maxxis High Roller II Dual Compound EXO Folding Tire
Features
This tire features an open and aggressive tread design for superior mud clearing ability and soil penetration. The tire has a square profile that gives a consistent, solid feel across the knobs. Braking performance is improved by the modified knobs on the shoulder and center of the tire. It features dual compound rubber and 60tpi folding bead construction.
Price $$$
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-Compound-Folding-27-5-Inch-2-3-Inch/dp/B00DQVMGHA?creativeASIN=B00DQVMGHA&linkCode=w61&imprToken=xGeeEiYZLM3Ac3R1hXMyWQ&slotNum=0&tag=car-search-20
Warranty
WTB Convict TCS Tough FR Tire
Features
This tire’s beefy grip encourages you to push the limit regardless of the terrain. It features WTB’s Tubeless Compatible System bead that will seat easily. When paired with TCS sealant it also provides excellent flat protection. The tough casing gets added protection from its double layer. It is topped with a dual DNA compound that provides durability and grip combined with speed.
Ample traction in both wet and dry conditions is provided by the moderately spaced beefy knobs that have squared knob edges to leave extra clearance for muddy conditions. The blocky knobs also provide increased braking traction while prominent outer knobs extend over the edge of the tire for sidewall protection.
Price $$
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/WTB-Convict-27-5-Tough-Fast/dp/B01ENW6JCI?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAIJQOLMEHAHYV4K2A&tag=outdoocom-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01ENW6JCI
Warranty
This product carries a two-year limited warranty from the manufacturer.
Maxxis Minion DHR II WT Dual Compound EXO Tubeless Folding Tire
Features
The Maxxis Minion DHR II WT Dual Compound EXO Tubeless Folding Tire is the trail version of the Maxxis Minion DHR II and it features the same tread pattern, but it reduces weight by using a single-ply casing. The side knobs are similar to the Minion DHF, but they are wider to offer more support, providing the DHR superior cornering capability.
The center tread has ramped knobs for superior acceleration and sipes that allow a smooth transition when leaning the bike. The center tread’s paddle like knobs dig in when braking hard and provide excellent control. The tire is tubeless ready and has a folding bead.
Price $
Where to Buy
https://www.amazon.com/Maxxis-MINION-DHR-29X2-40-FLDING/dp/B01DQV7HQ4?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAIJQOLMEHAHYV4K2A&tag=outdoocom-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B01DQV7HQ4
Warranty
The Verdict
Based on our research we believe the best mountain bike tires are the Maxxis Minion DHF Wide Trail Tire. If you believe the adage “Going fast isn’t the main thing, it’s the only thing” then this is the tire for you. When you have these mounted on wider rims, you will experience the grip of the updated tread pattern and you will appreciate this tire’s ability to run tubeless for even more grip.
