Takeaway: This is a comfortable entry-level hardtail that’s at home on trails or bike paths.

  • The suspension fork with 100mm of travel smooths out rough terrain.
  • Upright positioning is comfortable on your back, neck, and wrists.
  • Wide Kenda Booster tires keep you planted and stable through corners and on wet trail.

Price: $500
Weight:
32.6 lb.

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This hardtail from Scott is a great gateway bike for roadies ready to venture onto dirt, or all-new cyclists looking for a comfortable, stable ride. Take it from a rider who herself is moving toward mountain biking and is a novice bushwhacker: pedaling the Contessa Active 50 down local trails reminded me of the first few times I rode a bike by myself—and just how great that taste of freedom was.

scott-sports.com Contessa Active 50

Contessa Active 50

scott-sports.com Contessa Active 50

$500 at scott-sports.com
Credit: Courtesy Scott Sports
Pros
  • Affordable beginner mountain bike
  • Sturdy, stable ride
Cons
  • A bit heavy
  • Stiff saddle

Confidence-Inspiring Components

The Contessa Active 50 featured a hefty alloy frame that stayed planted on the trail and comes with wide Kenda tires that provided superb stability—a necessity for riders like me considering the transition from roads to loose trails or dirt paths. The 100mm Suntour fork had enough travel to keep me riding comfortably on most smooth trails, but it’s worth noting that opting for a bike with suspension does have its downsides—the cost of a cushioned ride is the loss of energy I experienced when pedaling up an incline (however, the fork has a lock-out feature that allows you to stiffen it completely if you want to take the time to stop and engage it).

The rubber grips on the handlebar were super cushy and impressively tacky, allowing me to stay in control even when I was working hard and my hands were sweaty. I was also a fan of the Shimano Tourney drivetrain, which offered enough gear options (24, to be exact) for finding a comfortable cadence on any hill, even steeper inclines.

It also helps that shifting was easy and intuitive: I was able to change gears to suit my riding conditions without having to adjust my hand position or press super hard on the paddles I needed to shift up and down. Plus, the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes brought me to a smooth stop at a moment's notice—like when a wayward squirrel zipped out in front of me—without any jerky movements. Riders will also appreciate that the internally routed shifting protects the cables from wear, minimizing maintenance needs and keeping the frame clutter-free.

5 Things We Love About the Scott Contessa Active 50
Scott Contessa Active
Comfy Grips

They stay grippy through sweaty hands or gloves.

Trevor Raab
Scott Contessa Active
Wide Range of Gears

An 8-speed cassette with a triple chainring gives you 24 different gear options.

Trevor Raab
Scott Contessa Active
Clean Lines

It has internally routed shifter cables and a paint job we love.

Trevor Raab
Scott Contessa Active
Grippy Tires

The Kenda Boosters keep you planted through corners on the trail or bike path.

Trevor Raab
Scott Contessa Active
Rain-Proof Brakes

They’ll stop you even when your tires are covered in mud.

Trevor Raab

I also loved that the wide handlebar afforded a greater feeling of control over the bike giving me the confidence to take curves faster that I ever would on a road bike. The saddle is decent but began to feel stiff after only minutes of riding. If you plan on riding this bike for jaunts longer than 20-30 minutes, consider upgrading to something more adept at supporting your sit bones against bumpy terrain.

Contessa Active 50 Components

Frame Aluminum Alloy
Fork
Suntour XCE28 with 100mm travel
Drivetrain
Shimano Tourney RD-TX800 w/gear indicator
Brakes
Tektro hydraulic disc with short reach lever (160mm rotors)
Crankset
Shimano triple 42t / 34t / 24t with chainguard
Cassette
Sunrace 8-speed 11-34T
Rims
Syncros X-20 Disc
Tires
Kenda Booster 2.4" / 30TPI
Grips
Syncros Women Pro
Seat
Syncros Savona 2.5 V-Concept
Pedals
Flats

Bike Geometry

I liked the upright position this bike put me in because it allowed me to embrace a more aggressive posture when necessary. This came in handy when enduring a climb—but also for relaxing when I was cruising. I also appreciated that I was able to easily adjust my position on the bike, which helped alleviate excess pressure on my back, neck, and elbows.

A High-Quality Entry Level Ride

The absolute joy of cycling is amplified by Scott’s mountain bike. You can’t ask for more quality—or fun on two wheels—at this price point. The dependable ride allowed me to relax and worry less about wiping out, which in turn meant I could focus more on the plain old fun of riding. Coming down a descent on the Contessa Active 50 brought back the pure exhilaration I felt as a kid shredding down hills and cutting through yards to make it home in time for dinner.

The hefty weight and average saddle are really the only issues that I had with the Contessa. Otherwise, it was a dream on two wheels, ready to ease any rider into on-the-go adventures. Whether you want an affordable option as you explore trail riding or you’re just looking for a reliable and comfortable ride for your local bike path, the Contessa Active 50 is here to give you exactly what you need.

Headshot of Daisy Hernandez
Daisy Hernandez

Daisy writes for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics. She received her MA from ESU and loves all things pop culture, dinosaurs, cooking, and reading.