Best Direct to Consumer Mountain Bike Brands

I was really interested in mountain biking, but I was let down after finding out how damn expensive it is. The prices of high-end carbon bikes have reached $5k+ territory, which is absurd, and an average full suspension mountain bike still costs thousands. It’s extremely expensive when it comes down to it, and who knows if the bike industry even cares.

With the rise in popularity of online shopping, many companies have switched their business model to consumer-direct. As a result, some companies cut out retail stores entirely.

For those who love bike culture, there’s no place like a good bike shop. From fixing your ride to getting some drinks and snacks after work or class, these establishments are essential in our lives as they provide just about everything we need from service at its finest. Unfortunately, buying a bicycle from a local bike shop (LBS) can be quite expensive, and that’s why we’ve made this list of the best DTC brands like YT, Canyon, etc. and it’s all so you can save a couple of bucks for other things.

The best way to get the most out of your cycling experience is by finding a bike that fits you just right. So take time with this process and spend some extra cash on getting a bike fitting because it will make all other aspects like riding more enjoyable. If the bike does not fit you, it could lead to injury from improper posture at high speeds.

Down below is a list of our favorite DTC brands out there, along with some honorable mentions.

YT Industries

YT Industries is a German company that began to provide competitive, entry-level mountain bikes but has since expanded its lineup to include high-end bikes. All YT’s bikes are developed in-house before being put together, ensuring quality control and durability on each bike they produce. This means there is no risk for buyers who want nothing less than perfection from their purchase.

The name YT stands for “Young Talent.”

Markus Flossman always knew he wanted to do things differently. He was tired of having his bike passion become an afterthought, so when the opportunity arose for him to start selling them directly without any retailers taking a cut in return, well, he took it. The company has some of the best budget-friendly options in the industry, and they didn’t enter into America until 2015 with Aaron Gwin as their first signing. The move paid off: he won one World Cup downhills championship on a YT bike.

You can choose an aluminum or carbon bike frame on most of their lineup, but some don’t include aluminum at all and instead use carbon hybrids as they call it. The AL full-suspension mountain bikes are pretty affordable if you’re looking for something closer to your budget. Their new bike is a road bike, well technically a gravel bike but it’s the same to me, just a bit different tires.

Here is a list of all the bikes from YT Industries:

• Izzo (Trail)
• Jeffsy (All Mountain)
• Capra (Enduro)
• Tues (Downhill)
• Dirt Love (Dirt)
• Jeffsy Primus (Junior)
• Decoy 29 (E-MTB All Mountain)
• Decoy (E-MTB Enduro)
• Szepter (Gravel)

Canyon

Canyon bikes are like the Apple of biking, putting out quality products with high-end components that can compete against other brands at any price point. The German company’s direct sales model is mainly responsible for this. It lets them offer you what others don’t without you paying a whole lot for it.

Canyon is a world-class manufacturer of bikes, with a factory in Koblenz, Germany. The company has sponsored several professional teams. In addition, the company uses 3D engineering programs to design light but robust frames for any serious athlete.

Canyon bikes are all about cutting out unnecessary costs. With its direct sales method, Canyon sells its products online and delivers them right to your door. Customers love that it saves them money on overhead expenses so they can enjoy more riding for their dollar spent than ever before.

Here is a list of all the bikes from Canyon:

• Road
  • Speedmax
  • Inflite
  • Ultimate
  • Aeroad
  • Endurance
• Gravel
  • Grizl
  • Endurance
  • Grail
• Mountain
  • Strive (Enduro)
  • Torque (Enduro)
  • Spectral (Enduro, Trail)
  • Grand Canyon (Trail, Cross Country)
  • Lux Trail (Trail)
  • Neuron (Trail)
  • Stoic (Trail)
  • Exceed (Cross Country)
  • Lux (Cross Country)
  • Sender (Downhill)
  • Torque (Downhill)
  • Stitched (Dirt)
  • Dude (Fat Bike)
• Hybrid
  • Roadlite (City, Commuting)
  • Commuter (City, Commuting)
  • Pathlite (Touring)

Commencal

The founder Max Commencal originally started making BMX bikes for a company called SUNN in 1984. However, he decided to leave in 2000 to start his own bike company called Commencal Bikes. The first bike to come out of his newly founded company was the Doctor, a full suspension that looked modern for its time. In 2002 they released a hardtail called Pasta (a silly name I know), and after that, a long travel full suspension Pasta Power. Finally, together with BOS Engineering, Commencal developed Supreme DH, which was one of their best bikes to this day.

The 2005 Meta heralded a new era for Commencal, one that they have maintained ever since. The bike was quickly adopted as the flagship model of its lineup. This led to Remy Absalon winning Mega in La Reunion on the Meta and Anne-Caroline Chausson becoming world champion of Downhill racing aboard Supreme DH frame.

Here is a list of all the bikes from Commencal:

• Downhill
  • FRS
  • Supreme DH
• Enduro
  • New META SX
  • META AM 29
  • CLASH
  • META HT AM
• Trail
  • META TR 29
• E-Bike
  • New META POWER SX
  • META POWER 29
  • META POWER 27
  • META POWER TR
  • MAXMAX POWER
  • META POWER KIDS
• Kids
  • Push bikes
  • Little bikes with pedals
  • 20″ / 115-130 cm
  • 24″ / 125-140 cm
  • JUNIOR / 135-150 cm
  • XS / 148-160 cm
  • META HT Kids / 115-160 cm
  • New CLASH Kids / 115-160 cm
  • ABSOLUT / 135-155 cm
• Dirt
  • ABSOLUT
• City
  • FCB

Fezzari

At Fezzari, they’re always looking for ways to make the experience better. Their team of industry professionals and cycling enthusiasts knows that great customer service will help you reach your goals more easily. That’s why their main goal is building high-quality bikes in class with personalized support from someone on staff who understands what each person needs. It also helps them keep costs low by selling direct, not through third parties or distributors, thereby cutting unnecessary overhead fees.

Fezzari is a one-stop-shop for all your biking needs. With detailed measurements and customizable options, you can find the perfect bike to fit your body with Fezzari’s help. They will ask for precise body measurements on their website and let customers customize the size of their purchase or even upgrade parts with extra upgrades like dropper posts, tubeless tires, etc., and it’s super easy. They also sell accessories like water bottles, helmets, and so on.

It’s easy to get a refund on your bike if you’re not happy with it. The folks at Fezzari want their customers satisfied, so they offer 30 days for you to test the bike and decide if you want to keep it or return it. If you do decide to return it, they’ll cover the return shipping and refund you.

The Fezzari bike company offers a wide range of bikes to suit the varying needs and riding styles for any type of cyclist. They have full suspension mountain bikes, road bicycles, and even electric bikes. The full suspension uses their powerful TetraLink suspension platform, rattle-proof cable guides, and proprietary derailer hanger.

Here is a list of all the bikes from Fezzari:

• Mountain bike
  • La Sal Peak (Enduro, All Mountain)
  • Wire Peak (All Mountain, E-MTB)
  • Delano Peak (All Mountain)
  • Abajo Peak (All Mountain, Cross Country)
  • Wiki Peak (All Mountain, Cross Country)
  • Cascade Peak (All Mountain, Cross Country)
  • Signal Peak (Cross Country)
  • Solitude (Cross Country)
  • Wasatch Peak (Cross Country)
  • Lone Peak (Youth)
  • Kings Peak (Fat bike)
• Road
  • Empire (Performance)
  • Shafer (Gravel)
  • Murdock Apex 1x (Hybrid)

Intense Cycles

Intense Mountain Bikes is a Southern California-based company that has been producing high-performance mountain bikes for over 25 years. They are known for their innovative designs, use of top-quality components, and commitment to producing some of the best bikes on the market. Their bikes are designed for serious riders and are used by some of the top professional mountain bikers in the world.

Intense offers a wide range of mountain bikes for all types of riding, from cross-country to enduro. Their bikes are designed to be fast, agile, and responsive, with a focus on providing excellent handling and stability. They use a combination of cutting-edge materials and advanced manufacturing techniques to produce bikes that are both strong and lightweight.

In addition to their mountain bikes, Intense also offers a range of accessories and components, including wheels and more. They are committed to producing products that are not only high-quality but also environmentally friendly. Intense is a company that is dedicated to providing riders with the best possible equipment, whether they are professional athletes or weekend warriors.

Here is a list of all the bikes from Intense:

• Downhill
  • M29
• Enduro
  • Tracer S
  • Tracer 279
  • Tracer 29
• Trail
  • Primer S
  • Primer 29 Expert
  • Primer 29 Pro
  • Primer 275
  • 951 Trail
• XC
  • Sniper Pro
  • Sniper T
  • Sniper T Elite
  • Sniper XC
• E-Bikes
  • Tazer S
  • Tazer DVO
  • Tazer Fox
  • Tazer MX

Guerrilla Gravity

Guerrilla Gravity is a Colorado based mountain bike brand that was established in 2011 with the goal of creating high-quality, direct-to-consumer bikes at an accessible price point. The brand’s philosophy is centered around offering riders the best possible riding experience, no matter their skill level.

One of the key features of Guerrilla Gravity bikes is their modular frame design, which allows riders to easily swap components and adjust their bikes to their specific needs. This level of customization is unique in the direct-to-consumer mountain bike market and sets Guerrilla Gravity apart from its competitors.

In addition to its highly customizable bikes, Guerrilla Gravity is committed to providing riders with a top-notch experience. The brand offers a comprehensive customer service and support program, ensuring that riders have the resources they need to make the most out of their bikes. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, Guerrilla Gravity is dedicated to helping you reach your full riding potential.

Their bikes frames are backed by a lifetime warranty, ensuring that riders can enjoy them for many years to come.

Here is a list of all the bikes from Intense:

• Enduro
  • Gnarvana 29
• All Mountain
  • The Smash 29
• Trail
  • Trail Pistol 29
  • Shred Dogg 27.5
• MX Enduro
  • Megatrail 27.5
• Hardtail
  • Pedalhead 29

Honorable Mentions

There are more DTC brands out there. These are just a couple of my favorite ones. You can find more in the table below, and if there are some that I’ve missed, write them down in the comments, and I’ll add it.

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