Mountain Bikes

About our mountain bike range

Mountain Bikes

Tackle any trail with confidence with our range of mountain bikes - opens in a new tab at Halfords. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, we have the perfect bike - opens in a new tab to help you take on off-road adventures. Built for durability and performance, our mountain bikes are designed to handle rugged terrains, steep climbs, and thrilling descents.

Explore our mountain bike range

From lightweight hardtail models to high-performance full suspension bikes, our mountain bike collection caters to all types of riders. Whether you're hitting forest trails, rocky paths, or bike parks, you'll find the right bike to match your riding style and terrain.

Men's mountain bikes

Designed for strength and control, our men’s mountain bikes are built to handle the toughest trails. With a variety of frame sizes, wheel options, and suspension types, we have the perfect ride for every adventure, from casual weekend rides to extreme downhill tracks.

Women's mountain bikes

Our women’s mountain bikes offer a tailored fit and optimised geometry for a more comfortable and efficient ride. With lightweight frames, responsive handling, and powerful braking systems, these bikes are ideal for riders looking to conquer trails with confidence.

Full suspension mountain bikes

For ultimate comfort and control on rough terrain, our full suspension mountain bikes absorb shocks and bumps, making them perfect for technical trails and downhill riding. With advanced suspension technology, these bikes offer a smoother and more enjoyable ride on the toughest trails.

Our mountain bike brands

At Halfords, we stock mountain bikes from top brands, including Carrera, Voodoo, Boardman, and Apollo. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-performance model, our trusted brands deliver quality, durability, and innovation to enhance your off-road experience.

Hardtail vs full suspension mountain bikes

A hardtail has front suspension only, which makes it lighter, lower maintenance and better value and it's often the natural first choice for many riders, ideal for trail centre and cross-country use. A full-suspension bike adds a rear shock to soak up rough ground, giving more grip, comfort and control on steep, technical descents. As a general rule, for budgets below £1,000, a good hardtail will usually give you more bike for your money than an entry-level full-suspension model.

Mountain bike wheel size 27.5 vs 29 inch

29-inch wheels roll faster and carry speed well over roots and rocks, so they suit cross-country and trail riding and taller riders. 27.5-inch wheels accelerate quickly and feel more playful and manoeuvrable, which suits jumps, tight trails and smaller riders. Some bikes mix the two. Smaller and younger riders may be better suited to 26-inch wheels.

Choosing by riding style

Cross country bikes are light and efficient for covering ground and climbing, while trail bikes balance climbing and descending and are the most versatile all-rounders. Enduro bikes have more suspension travel for aggressive descending, and downhill bikes are built purely for steep, technical tracks. It's important to pick the style that suits where you will most commonly ride.

Mountain Bike FAQs

Check out our most commonly asked questions, each one will help you better understand how to find the perfect Mountain bike for you.

What size mountain bike do I need?

There are lots of things to consider when buying a new mountain bike, and one of the key factors is finding the correct size. Riding a bike that’s too small will leave you feeling cramped with your weight too far back, which can make the front of the bike feel light on climbs. On the flip side, an oversized bike is hard to control as you’ll be stretching and will struggle to move your weight around. Finding the right size is easy. Simply click on the tape measure icon located on all mountain bike product pages and we’ll provide a size recommendation. You can also find a guide to bike sizing here - opens in a new tab.

How do you measure a mountain bike frame?

Mountain bike frames are usually measured in inches, and this refers to the length of the seat tube (the distance from the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube). However, mountain bike frame sizes can be confusing, so most manufacturers make things simpler by listing the sizes in small, medium and large. They’ll then have size guides helping you find the perfect size. You can find a detailed guide to mountain bike frame sizes and how to measure a mountain bike frame here - opens in a new tab.

How do I choose the right mountain bike?

There are various types of mountain biking, from adrenaline-inducing downhills to less technical cross country. However, mountain bikes can go anywhere, and riders will often take advantage of a mountain bike’s comfort to use it for their commute or tow-path jaunts. Each type of riding places different demands on a rider and a bike, so you need a bike that’s designed for that type of riding. Some of the key things to consider when deciding which mountain bike you need include:

• Frame – these are usually made from robust materials to handle any knocks. It’s important to find a frame that’s comfortable for you and your style of riding, and getting the right size frame is one of the most important factors when buying a new mountain bike. Find out more about mountain bike sizing here - opens in a new tab .

• Wheels and tyres – there are two common wheel sizes used on mountain bikes: 27.5-inch and 29-inch (some still use 26-inch wheels, but these are rare). A bigger wheel will give a smoother ride while a smaller wheel is more agile.

• Gears – mountain bikes usually have a wider range of gears. More premium set-ups often combine a wide range with just 1 gear at the front, making it easier to shift quickly through while focusing on trail riding.

• Suspension – Hardtail v full suspension v no suspension – it’s one of the biggest questions we encounter. If you’ll be tackling technical trails, a full suspension will provide the highest levels of performance. For other types of riding, a hardtail can be a good option.

That’s a quick overview of a few key considerations, but you can find an in-depth guide on how to choose a mountain bike here - opens in a new tab.

How do I clean my mountain bike?

A mountain bike runs more smoothly if it’s clean, plus regular cleaning will extend the lifespan of components. That’s why you should clean your bike regularly. Make sure you use specialised products including a degreaser for the chain - opens in a new tab, cleaning spray suitable for frames - opens in a new tab, and brushes to get into any hard-to-reach corners. If your bike has disc brakes, these will also require a specific disc brake cleaning spray - opens in a new tab as other cleaning products will contaminate the brake pads. You can find all the cleaning products you need here - opens in a new tab. For a more in-depth guide to bike cleaning, check out our step-by-step guide on how to clean a bike - opens in a new tab.

How do I remove mountain bike pedals?

You may need to remove your mountain bike’s pedals at some point, whether it’s for maintenance or to replace them. Most pedals need a 6mm or 8mm allen key, although some require a pedal spanner. Once you’ve located the right tool, try loosening the pedal. Be careful as, if the pedal wasn’t greased before fitting, it may be very tight. The key thing to remember is both pedals have threads that rotate in different directions. The one on the drive side (with the gears on) has a traditional thread and you need to rotate left to loosen. For the left-sided pedal you need to rotate right. Make sure you rotate the correct direction otherwise you could end up overtightening the pedal. You can find all the tools you need including allen keys and pedal spanners here - opens in a new tab.

How do you adjust mountain bike gears?

If your chain is dropping, jumping or simply not shifting smoothly, you need to adjust your mountain bike’s gears. We have a full guide and video on adjusting mountain bike gears - opens in a new tab. Alternatively, you can let our experts take care of it for you. You can learn more on our bike brake services - opens in a new tab.

How do I clean a mountain bike chain?

Keeping your chain in tip-top condition is important, not just for performance, but for extending the durability of components. To clean a chain, you’ll need a specialised degreaser - opens in a new tab. This will remove any oil and other dirt or muck. Once you’ve sprayed this on the chain, use a brush - opens in a new tab to thoroughly scrub between all the links, removing any dirt or grime. Alternatively, you can also use a chain cleaning device - opens in a new tab to make the job even easier. After you’ve given it a thorough clean, rinse it down with water. Next, it’s time to prepare the chain for riding. Dry it down using a cloth. Once dry, apply chain lube - opens in a new tab on the inside of the chain (the side that contacts the cassette and chainring). Finish by wiping off any excess lube as any dirt or grime will stick to this. You can find all the cleaning products you need here - opens in a new tab.

Should I choose a hardtail or full suspension mountain bike?

A hardtail is lighter, lower maintenance and better value, and is the best choice for most beginners and for cross-country and trail centre riding. A full-suspension bike offers more comfort and control on steep, rough, technical descents. Below around £1,000, a hardtail usually offers better quality for the money.

What size mountain bike do I need?

Mountain bikes are sized by frame from XS to XL, based mainly on your height, with standover clearance over the top tube. As a guide, S suits around 162 to 170 cm, and L suits around 178 to 185 cm. Always check the size chart on the product page, as geometry varies.

Is a 27.5 or 29 inch wheel better?

29-inch wheels roll faster and hold speed over rough ground, suiting cross country, trail and taller riders. 27.5-inch wheels are more nimble and playful, suiting tighter trails, jumps and smaller riders.

What is a good mountain bike for a beginner?

A hardtail with an aluminium frame, hydraulic disc brakes and a suspension fork is ideal for getting started. Ranges like Carrera and Apollo offer well-specced beginner-friendly options.

Can I ride a mountain bike on the road?

Yes, though knobbly tyres feel slower and noisier on tarmac. If you typically ride on road and paths, a hybrid bike may suit you better.