Well, there are many different "BEST" lists in each price range..
I would classify them like:
Best High-End Mountain Bikes (5k or above)
- Santa Cruz/Ibis
Best Mid-End Mountain Bikes (under 3k)
- YT/Trek/ Santa Cruz/ Giant Stance
Best Budget Mountain Bikes (under 1k)
- Schwinn/Trek/Giant Stance
Maybe my classification isn't quite correct like we can separate in under 5 000, under 3 000, undre 1 000 and under 500 usd bikes. But there is not so not much difference between a $890 and $1220 mountain bikes.
Most review websites do not classify MTB gear by price range, they may compare the high-end Yeti SB130 TURQ that costs about $7 k and mid range Giant Stance in one and the same article. That's what I can't understand...
And that is reffered just to all types of gear; helmets, backpacks, day packs, bladers etc...and all of the review website I found on the web...Shame...