The 12 Best Mountain Bikes

Best for Hardcore Explorers: Surly Krampus

~$1,500
Testers rode this 3-inch wheel model into some tough conditions in Nevada. Pure fun, easy handling, and apocalypse-worthy construction come well under $2,000 in a 29-inch frame. Krampus rolls through (and over) nearly any obstacle in the deepest woods or battered pavement of the biggest cities.