If you’re determined to get an upgrade for your current mountain bike no matter what the cost, we recommend the Giant Stance 1.

Giant is a popular bike brand that has multiple outlets around Manila, and a handful of authorized dealers. They have a store in Greenhills, San Juan and in Parañaque.

It is built beautifully with its lightweight, alloy frame. The Giant Stance 1 has full, rear suspension which is perfect whether you’re a seasoned mountain biker or a trail newbie.

The suspension is the lock you’ll find on the wheel of the bike which allows it to bounce. For most mountain bikes (MTBs), the suspension is only at the front, but this model has one on the rear, making the bike have a way more comfortable, less bumpy ride.

What makes this bike shine is that it’s equipped with a high-quality groupset, the Shimano SLX. This groupset makes it easier for you to shift to lighter gears, which help you bike more easily in steep, rough terrains.

We also love that the Stance 1 has hydraulic disc brakes. Hydraulic brakes are generally better than mechanical brakes because they have a tighter stopping grip, which makes them a whole lot safer.

Smooth braking mechanisms are crucial to avoid accidents, especially when you find yourself going at fast speeds and need to decelerate.

The Giant Stance 1’s peak performance is felt going uphill, but downhill the bike may feel less stiff or stable than expected.

The biggest drawback for this model is its price, which is close to 100,000 Php. If you’re working with a budget that big, it could open doors for other brands and specifications. 

Given the Stance 1’s topnotch specs, real biking enthusiasts understand why it comes with such a hefty price tag.

If bigger is better for you when it comes to tires, you’ll definitely want to feast your eyes on this particular model from Cult.

The Cult Everest has a durable frame that can cater to 27.5 or 29 x 2.10 Kenda tires. 29ers (the slang for 29-inch wheels) are big tires, so much so that if you run over a twig in your path, you won’t feel an ounce of discomfort.

Generally, thicker tires are great on mountain bikes for a safer ride that promises more traction and stability.

Another great thing about the Everest is that it’s a quick-release type of bike, which makes it easier to remove and replace its wheels. It also has hydraulic brakes and a 2×9 speed gear option, which means it has 2 gears in the front, and 9 gears at the back.

What we love about the Cult Everest is that it’s got internal cabling, which basically means that the MTB’s design puts the wires inside the frame to give it a cleaner look. 

You also won’t have to worry about your wires getting caught in protruding branches or any other mishaps on the trail.

If we were to nitpick aspects of the model, its frame and tires make it slightly heavier than the other bikes we reviewed.

The Microshift MX9 RD Speed shifter also isn’t the most exceptional groupset, but it’s at least enough to help your bike shift to higher gears when you’re going uphill.

All in all, this makes the Cult Everest an overall great pick, one that’s well-suited for long rides. 

For condo-dwelling bike enthusiasts who love biking to work but wish to retreat to the trails any chance they get, we’ve found the perfect bike that doesn’t take much space and nor does it stretch the budget.

The Kemilng folding mountain bike has a sturdy carbon steel frame that makes it both mountain and commuter-friendly. Its quick release clip makes it easier to fold, remove and change the wheels, transport, and store the bike at home or in your car.

It has a double-disc brake and its design is unisex. It has a 3×7 speed, meaning it has 3 gears in front and 7 gears at the back.

This provides you with a lot of shifting options when you’re going uphill.

What we love about the Kemilng is that it is a full suspension folding bike––it’s bouncy on the front fork, and has a second spring and damper between the rider and rear wheel.

This full suspension makes it able to withstand the elements of rough roads and bumpy trails, adjusting to its environment and shock absorbing both ends of the mountain bike.

Its 21-speed groupset is handy but average, and the Kemilng MTB only has mechanical brakes. While its frame is compact and durable, it makes the folding mountain bike considerably heavier than its non-folding counterparts.

If your ideal mountain bike is sleek, strong, and comfortable––look no further than the Avia 26er Mountain Bike for Ladies.

Presenting itself at a very attractive and affordable price point, the Avia MTB is perfect for female cyclists because of its curved frame.

Typically mountain bike frames aren’t slanted or curved, and even if the frame size is small, its design makes it more difficult for women or even shorter people to ride on it.

The Avia 26er’s carbon steel frame has a nice, sleek yet aggressive geometry to it, which will make it comfortable for women to ride and dismount from.

One of the best things about the Avia 26er is its saddle. It’s remarkably comfortable and we’re convinced it will help you endure a century ride (if ever that’s on your bucketlist!)

This Avia model comes with a lockout suspension fork, which can make it bouncy and rigid when you need it to be.

It comes with a base-level Shimano groupset, which still makes it a quality one for its price. It has a 3×7 speed which offers you a great deal of shifting options.

The downside of the Avia is because of its steel frame, it may be a little bit heavier than the other ones we reviewed. It’s crucial for you to maximize the bike’s higher gears during an ascent, so that the bike feels lighter.

It also only has mechanical brakes, so if you want a bike with hydraulic ones, you’ll have to make an upgrade.

If you’re in the market for a premium mountain bike upgrade to conquer your next climb, you’ll be thrilled with the SAVA Deck 2.0 MTB.

It offers a great balance of light weight and a good-quality groupset. Regardless of whether you’re built big and burly or slight and slender, we found the Sava Deck 2.0 to be a very responsive bike with an excellent strength to weight ratio.

The Shimano Altus groupset it uses is good, with a 3×9-speed with a front and rear derailleur. This 27-speed bike is terrific for uphill climbs because of its huge array of shifting options!

This model from Sava has a hydraulic suspension lockout fork, which translates to a better compression rate and a more comfortable ride.

What definitely makes this bike shine is its high-carbon frame which is both light and durable, basically designed for rough mountain bike terrains and long rides. The SAVA Deck 2.0 is the perfect steed to conquer the steepest peaks!

It offers a lot at a cheaper than expected price point, but it’s still one of the more expensive mountain bikes out there. Its groupset is also just of OK-quality, not top-of-the-line for its brand.