• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

5Cycling - Cycling World

  • Home
  • Bicycle
  • Bicycle Parts
  • Bike GPS Computer
  • Gear & Gadget
  • Blog

Best Mountain Bike Forks under $300, $200 – Review 2021

LAST UPDATED: January 9, 2021

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The adrenaline of riding a mountain bike could quickly go sideways if the bike itself doesn’t have the right components.

As riders, your safety is always first, which is why you’ll need high-quality parts to support and protect you during each one of your rides.

One of those essential components is the suspension fork. The suspension forks are among those parts that go unnoticed for the majority of the time, but they’re there, and their efficiency is undeniable.

That’s why, in this article, we’ll review some of the top mountain bike forks currently available to us.

Even better, we’ll categorize the forks by their price range to make the search easier for you. Let’s begin then, shall we?

Our Top Pick

Rockshox Recon Silver TK

High-quality Mountain Bike Forks

If you are here to buy a Mountain bike fork on your budget you should go for it without further due.
  • Check Price on Amazon

Available right now

Top Mountain Bike Forks Comparison in 2021

PreviewProductRatingPrice
Manitou Markhor Fork 26' 100mm Travel, 9mm Axle, Matte Black Manitou Markhor Fork 26" 100mm Travel, 9mm Axle, Matte Black 32 Reviews Buy on Amazon
RockShox, RECON RL A2, Suspension Fork, 29'', Solo Air, 100mm, 1-1/8'', QR, Rake: 51mm, Black RockShox, RECON RL A2, Suspension Fork, 29'', Solo Air, 100mm, 1-1/8'', QR, Rake: 51mm, Black 68 Reviews Buy on Amazon
Rockshox Recon Silver TK, Black, 26-Inch Rockshox Recon Silver TK, Black, 26-Inch No ratings yet $249.00 Buy on Amazon
RockShox Unisex's 30 Gold Rl Solo Air 100 29' 9Qr Black, Fast Uppers Crown Adj Alum Str 1 1/8' 51... RockShox Unisex's 30 Gold Rl Solo Air 100 29" 9Qr Black, Fast Uppers Crown Adj Alum Str 1 1/8" 51... 10 Reviews Buy on Amazon
SR Suntour Epixon XC MTB Fork 29' Travel 120mm w/Remote Lockout Air Spring QR 9mm Matt Black Retail... SR Suntour Epixon XC MTB Fork 29" Travel 120mm w/Remote Lockout Air Spring QR 9mm Matt Black... 6 Reviews Buy on Amazon
BOLANY 26/27.5/29 inch MTB Bicycle Magnesium Alloy Suspension Fork, Tapered and Straight Tube Front... BOLANY 26/27.5/29 inch MTB Bicycle Magnesium Alloy Suspension Fork, Tapered and Straight Tube... No ratings yet $122.88 Buy on Amazon
RockShox 30 Silver TK Fork: 26', 100mm, Coil, 9mm QR, Crown Adjustment, 1-1/8' Alum Steerer, Disc... RockShox 30 Silver TK Fork: 26", 100mm, Coil, 9mm QR, Crown Adjustment, 1-1/8" Alum Steerer, Disc... No ratings yet $169.00 Buy on Amazon
BUCKLOS LUTU 26/27.5/29 Air MTB Suspension Fork, Rebound Adjust Straight Tube 28.6mm QR 9mm Travel... BUCKLOS LUTU 26/27.5/29 Air MTB Suspension Fork, Rebound Adjust Straight Tube 28.6mm QR 9mm... 103 Reviews $136.99 Buy on Amazon
SR Suntour Mountain Bike Disc Fork XCT 26' 100mm SR Suntour Mountain Bike Disc Fork XCT 26" 100mm 65 Reviews Buy on Amazon
RST Aerial 29 Mountain Bike Disc Hydraulic Lock Fork 1-1/8' 29er x120mm RST Aerial 29 Mountain Bike Disc Hydraulic Lock Fork 1-1/8" 29er x120mm 34 Reviews Buy on Amazon

Last update on 2021-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5 Best Mountain Bike Forks under $300

Best Mountain Bike Forks under $300

We’ll begin by reviewing forks available below the 300-dollar threshold. Although the price is a bit high, it’s still reasonable enough. Plus, they’re great and worth every dollar.

Manitou Markhor Fork 26″, Matte Black

Manitou Markhor Fork 26, Matte Black

We’re starting off with the Manitou Markhor Fork, a must-have component for many riders, especially if they’re working on new projects to build a 26-inch bike.

This fork comes with additional decals set in a grey color, in case the red models don’t blend well with the bike.

You may encounter the fork to be plush at first and then linear after a while. In due time, you get used to it and start noticing its benefits such as durability.

Even if the bike takes some bumps over rough terrain, the Manitou Markhor Fork puts up a reliable performance.

The fork comes pre-set for disc brakes, meaning that it won’t be the best choice if your purpose is to replace a rim brake fork.

Other than being long-lasting and efficient, the fork is also quite fancy. For instance, the black stanchions and the blue steering tube look pretty good.

Overall, this fork performs like the most expensive models, except that it’s far more affordable than those.

PROS

  • Durable aluminum construction
  • 9mm quick release axle type
  • Offers many adjustments like air pressure and rebound
  • Fancy design & colors
  • Perfect uphill/downhill efficiency

CONS

  • Not a suitable choice for rim brake fork replacement
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

Related Guide: Garmin Edge 200 vs 500

RockShox 29” RECON RL A2 Suspension Fork

RockShox 29 RECON RL A2 Suspension Fork

If this product isn’t among the best mountain bike forks under 300, then it’d be hard to tell what is.

The RockShox Recon Silver RL puts up an impressive performance at an affordable price, providing riders a reliable and strong suspension fork for their rides.

By providing 100mm of travel, this fork is a good pick for anyone looking to upgrade their old suspension. Let’s start with the most noticeable feature, the fork’s build.

Undoubtedly, the materials used for its construction, and its finish, make the fork look incredible.

Once you receive it, installing the fork isn’t hard. Also, to make things easier, there’s a guide included, which helps riders set the right PSI air amount depending on their weight.

Still, a shock pump is an additional tool you’ll need as it’s quite useful for dialing.

Lastly, the purchase includes the rebound key, another convenient tool to adjust the fork and make it respond as needed.

PROS

  • Incredible look & build
  • Comes with an extra set of seals
  • Rebound key to adjust the fork’s response
  • Lockout function included
  • Includes an informative guide
  • Long-lasting and strong over many surfaces

CONS

  • May require the use of a shock pump
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

Related Review: Tubular Tires

RockShox 26″ Recon Silver TK Fork

RockShox 26 Recon Silver TK Fork

The Recon Silver TK Fork from RockShox is a bike’s component that works wonders as a replacement for old, worn-out suspension forks.

Once set up, the fork quickly displays a comfortable performance on both trail and off it.
Particularly, the lockout feature is one of the reasons to love this fork.

It works great, delivering a lot of versatility for your mountain bike. If you had issues before losing force and momentum, the Recon Silver TK is a fork that won’t make you worry about that any longer.

And the fork is pretty easy to adjust too. If you want to adjust the fork’s tension, you’ll have to use a shock pump, which will inflate it to the PSI needed to support the rider’s weight.

Furthermore, the adjustable rebound is perfect to complement the fork tension’s adjustability.

In general, this suspension fork is an incredible replacement to upgrade entry-level forks.

PROS

  • Perfect for trail and off-trail riding
  • Incredible lockout feature for more versatility
  • Keeps you from losing momentum during sprinting
  • The fork’s tension is easy to adjust
  • Adjustable rebound featured

CONS

  • Previous customers have reported missing rebuild kit
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

Suggested Topic: Urban Bike Review

RockShox 30 GOLD RL A2 29” Suspension Fork, 29”

RockShox 30 GOLD RL A2

If it wasn’t clear before, it should be by now: RockShox is among the top competitors in its field.

Here, we have the brand’s 30 GOLD RL 29” Fork, a lightweight fork with many features you’d only see in more expensive suspension forks.

This fork features RockShox’s classic Motion Control damper, which provides riders with outstanding control over terrains.

Also, Motion Control allows you to make the external adjustment for low-speed compression, all of which is possible by turning a knob.

Additionally, the fork features Solo Air spring, another lightweight solution to adjust the fork as much as needed through the use or removal of air.

Once adjusted properly to match your demands, the fork’s remote lockout makes climbing a fun experience instead of frustrating.

Like most high-quality suspension forks, this one uses aluminum and magnesium materials for its build.

The brake compatibility is for disc only, and besides low-speed compression, the fork offers external rebound too.

PROS

  • Light aluminum upper tubes for a comfortable ride
  • Features like the Solo Air spring tech makes the fork easy to set up
  • Different sizes available, including 26 and 29 inches
  • Beautiful black color

CONS

  • Riders may need to buy a shock pump to withstand their weight
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

Suggested Topic: Edge 130 vs Wahoo Bolt

SR Suntour Epixon XC MTB Fork 29″

SR Suntour Epixon XC MTB Fork

For the price, you’ll hardly find another fork like this one. Right from the get-go, the fork shows why it’s one of the best, offering an appealing finish and features easy to use.

After a rather quick installation of the lockout, you’ll be ready to go on and enjoy a fun ride on your mountain bike.

The fork features magnesium monocoque and hydraulic damping to guarantee a comfortable ride on any roads.

Thanks to the 120mm of travel offered, the fork quickly becomes a good replacement for that old, worn-out suspension that doesn’t do it for you anymore.

Similar to most other forks here, this one features the air system and hydraulic remote speed-lock, which also includes rebound adjustments.

For more convenience, the total weight of this fork is 1885g. Even though it isn’t the lightest, it still feels comfortable while riding the bike.

PROS

  • An outstanding matte black finish creates a beautiful fork
  • Features air system to put up with plenty of abuse
  • Travel measurement guarantees good performance on most surfaces
  • Durable materials used for the build of this fork

CONS

  • This fork is a little bit on the heavy side, which could be a problem
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

5 Best Mountain Bike Forks under $200

Best Mountain Bike Forks under $200

Next, we’ll go a bit lower. In this category, you’ll find forks below 200 dollars instead. Despite being more affordable, the products here don’t lose any quality at all, and some of them are equally or even better than the most expensive forks.

BOLANY 26/27.5/29” MTB Bicycle Suspension Fork

BOLANY 26/27.5/29 inch MTB Bicycle Suspension Fork

The best mountain bike forks under 200 should be adjustable parts capable of adapting to meet your demands.

Luckily, that seems to be the case of this fork offered by Bolany, which offers adjustable air pressure value to support riders regardless of their weight.

Not only is this fork highly adjustable, but it’s quite convenient too. Both assembling and dissembling are easy tasks, allowing you to save some time you could use riding the roads.

While you’re out there, the outer tube’s durability and strength prevent dust from interfering with the bike.

For its build, the fork features aluminum alloy plus magnesium alloy, two outstanding materials that provide resistance and strength on the road.

The fork’s capacity to withstand the pressure from bumps and jumpy surfaces secures a comfortable and more fun experience for everyone.

Besides the fork we’re reviewing here, which features a straight-manual design, there are three other types available, including straight-remote, tapered-manual, and tapered-remote.

PROS

  • Appealing finish with great colors
  • Durable aluminum alloy plus magnesium alloy build
  • Easy to assemble and disassemble
  • Air pressure allows accommodating riders of different weight
  • Keeps dust away

CONS

  • Under pressure, the lockout side may strip, leaving the lockout exposed
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

Related Comparison: Rigid Fork or Suspension Fork

ROCKSHOX 26” 30 SILVER TK FORK

RockShox 30 Silver TK Fork

Although it isn’t the most popular suspension fork, at times even overshadowed by the Recon Silver TK, the 30 Silver is still an affordable item worth the money.

It offers the perfect balance between plushness and adjustments that don’t take much effort to make.

The fork features external adjustments such as lockout and damper. While on the road, dialing in the damper, and locking the fork during your rides creates the perfect conditions for a pleasant, fun, and comfortable experience.

Once installed, the fork does a good job over most surfaces. It’s compatible with the classic disc brake system measuring up to 180mm in diameter.

Because of that, the 30 Silver TK is a suspension fork that would be a good choice for entry to mid-level riders.

Other noteworthy features are the QR dropouts, which helps to remove and replace the wheel.

Despite all of its good features, previous customers have complained about the weight support.

They’ve pointed out the softness of the included spring as useless if the riders are on the heavy side.

PROS

  • External adjustments included, like the lockout and damper
  • Compatible with 180mm diameter disc brakes
  • Lightweight suspension fork
  • QR dropouts for easy wheel replacement

CONS

  • The included spring may be too soft
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

BUCKLOS LUTU 26/27.5/29 Air MTB Suspension Fork

BUCKLOS LUTU 26/27.5/29 Air MTB Suspension Fork

The next suspension fork comes from BUCKLOS, and its build is one of the reasons why many riders consider it among the best.

By featuring aluminum for the upper tube and magnesium alloy for the lower tube, the fork becomes a long-lasting part of your bike that works as expected.

Aside from the strong materials used for its build, the fork is pretty good-looking too. It features a polished inner tube with a fluorescent logo.

The colors available are black, and a combination of black and gold.Like most other high-quality forks, this one also offers rebound adjustments.

Through the compression damping, riders can adjust the most suitable air pressure value to match and support their weight and the conditions needed for a fun ride.

Setting up the fork is easy, but make sure to check for any malfunction. A customer pointed out a leak that wouldn’t allow the shock to retain the air, which prompted a ticket to the customer support. Fortunately, the brand was quick to answer.

PROS

  • High-quality materials used for the build
  • Gorgeous color designs available
  • Rebound adjustment included
  • Lightweight

CONS

  • A previous customer mentioned a leak that kept the air out, unable to support the rider’s weight
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

SR SUNTOUR XCT Mountain Bike Disc Fork

SR SUNTOUR XCT Mountain Bike Disc Fork

SR SUNTOUR offers an entry-level fork with its XCT model. It’s a beautiful fork with an appealing finish and useful features such as the mechanical lockout damping.

The main part of the fork is the coil spring, and the XCT is for disc brakes systems only.And the travel distance offered by this fork is between 80mm to 100mm, during which it’ll cover plenty of surfaces and resist pretty good against bumps.

Additionally, the 9mm wide axle is pretty good, although some customers complained the fork doesn’t have a thru-axle.

With aluminum materials used for its build, the XCT fork is durable and highly resistant. In fact, whether you’re going on a quiet riding or doing more intense activities, the fork puts up with the abuse just fine.

As a downside, customers mentioned the weight, which doesn’t seem to be that good. The fork weighs 5.7 lbs or 2.58 kg, and even though it isn’t much really, you do notice the difference if you’ve tried other forks.

PROS

  • Great entry-level suspension fork
  • Incredible aesthetics with black gloss
  • Durable build resists tough conditions
  • Mechanical lockout included
  • Suitable for disc brake systems only

CONS

  • The weight could be an issue for some riders
Check Price On Amazon

RST Aerial 29 Mountain Bike Disc Fork

RST Aerial 29 Mountain Bike Disc Fork

The final product is the Aerial 30 RL, a 29-inch suspension fork created by a brand established in the market for decades.

With a good-looking black coating, resistant materials, and some level of flexibility, this fork becomes a suitable choice for many riders.

Just like the best, this fork offers several adjustments like Air Spring and the hydraulic lock-out. The systems featured are two, oil and air, which are useful to adapt the fork to support the rider’s weight.

And the assembly is quite easy, so you shouldn’t have any issues during the process. Once set, the Aerial 29 rides smoothly over many surfaces, reducing the vibrations caused by bumps.

This fork is compatible with disc brake systems. Also, even though it isn’t the lightest component, it weighs 5.29 lbs, which should be comfortable enough for most customers.

Of course, some riders would find this weight to be an issue.

PROS

  • Outstanding black coating for better look and protection
  • Comes with Air Spring & hydraulic lock-out adjustments
  • Oil and air systems allow the fork to adapt to the rider’s weight
  • Resistant materials against bumps
  • Easy to assemble and dismount if needed

CONS

  • The weight of this fork is a little bit heavy
Check Price On Amazon
Check Price On Ebay

Things to Consider before Buying

Keep the following information in mind before purchasing any suspension fork for your mountain bike.

The Build & Size

Before making your choice, you should know the parts that create the suspension forks. There are five in total, including the steerer tube, crown, axle, spring, and legs.

Most commonly, manufacturers use aluminum and magnesium alloy to create some of these parts, which are affordable and yet reliable materials for the tubes.

However, other models may feature high-end carbon fibers, but they’re far more expensive.
Anyway, the suspension fork requires a trustable build to put up a good performance.

Considering riding a mountain bike could be dangerous, you want the fork to be as resistant and reliable as possible.

Lastly, make sure to get a suspension fork with the right inches measurement. There are many sizes available, including 26 and 29 inches.

Proper Damping

Reliable damping control makes a huge difference in the performance of both the suspension fork and the bike.

Without it, the fork would continue to bounce back and forth indefinitely, making the whole ride a painful and frustrating experience for you.

Fortunately, you can control the fork’s movement by pushing fluid, commonly oil, through the valves to dampen the effect.

Generally, that’s how most damping controls work nowadays, and it should work as a reference in case you consider an alternative.

While some suspension forks come with rebound damping, other models may feature rebound and compression damping mechanisms too. Either way, they’re both effective circuits to manage the shaft speeds.

Travel

Once you apply force to the fork, it moves. That’s what we know as travel, and it’s a decisive element for a pleasant ride.

Now, if you consider a fork with greater travel, there’s no doubt it’ll offer better shock absorption, but they’re also bulkier.

As you probably guessed it, choosing a suspension fork with the right travel depends a lot on the type of bike you ride.

While greater travel would be good, sometimes it could be bad too, as the additional weight could damage the bike’s frame.

Before picking your suspension fork, make sure the travel is compatible and will do well with your bike.

Springs

forks Springs

There are two types of springs you can consider: air springs, and coil-based springs.
The first one, the air spring, features pressure chambers that will absorb the energy caused by impacts.

Coil-based springs have the same purpose, which is to absorb shock, but they’re noticeably heavier than the air springs. That could be a disadvantage for many riders.

Some suspension forks come with both springs included for more versatility.

Budget

Lastly, you want to set an estimated amount of money you’ll be willing to spend for a suspension fork.

If you search deeply, you’ll find some models that are way too expensive, and if you don’t know better, you may end up wasting more money than needed.

Particularly, because of that, we’ve created this article; its purpose is to show you different forks available at reasonable prices.

After reading the offers, now you know whether or not these forks meet your expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are the most commonly asked queries regarding the best mountain bikes:

What do suspension forks do?

What do suspension forks do

On a mountain bike, the suspension fork helps to absorb the shocks while providing you complete control over the wheel to enjoy the ride.

How to fix a mountain bike suspension fork?

After making sure the suspension fork is what’s causing you trouble, you can try the following.

Remove the screws behind the dropouts to detach the stanchion and pull them apart.

Then, use a dry piece of cloth or rag to remove the grease from inside of the sliders, and outside of the stanchions too. Put everything back together afterward.

Which suspension fork should I buy?

Consider buying one that matches your bike’s specifications. Keep in mind features like the fork’s build, springs, weight support, among others.

Are suspension forks expensive?

You could find some high-end forks that are very expensive. They’re lightweight, efficient, and far better than the most affordable models, but you may not even need them.
Even though cheaper models aren’t as good, they’re still capable of putting a good performance.

Are suspension forks durable?

Yes, all of the forks reviewed here proved to be long-lasting. Despite the amount of force you put over them, they still continue to support the riders during their adventures on the road.

Final Words

The suspension fork is essential for every bike regardless of their type, be it mountain or standard. Without a high-quality fork, riding the bike wouldn’t be as fun as it is.

Now that you know which the top models available are, you can choose one fork that meets your bike’s specifications and your demands.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • 5 Best Indoor Cycling Bike Review in 2021 – New Guide
  • The Best Urban Bike Review in 2021 | Top 5 Picks
  • 5 Best Bikes for Men Review | Editor’s Choice
  • SRAM Guide R vs. RS – Comparison in 2021
  • SRAM Guide T vs. R – Comparison in 2021

Footer

Follow Us

  • Dribbble
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

5Cycling.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon(.com, .co.uk, .ca etc) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program.

COPYRIGHT © 2021 · 5CYCLING.COM, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED