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Submitted by
ricky351992
a Downhiller
from Corona CA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | skyline | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | some guy that never | | Strengths: | solid frame
| | Weaknesses: | weak pedals
rims tend to taco easily | | Similar Products Used: | Kona stinky/ kona kikapu/stinky delux/kona blast/Forge sawback/sawback 5x | | Bike Setup: | Rst storms up front and dnm dv22 shock in back/ felt drop zero stem/redline bars | | Bottom Line: | honestly i dont see any problem with this bike. its very cheap so you cant complain about upgrading it because your still gona spend less than most bikes and you can still end up with a decent bike. I rode the bike stock for about 2 months(only changing tha rims) and it held up fine. the only reason i decided to upgrade it is because i do alot of difficult trails and the original suspension didnt have enough travel. after upgrading the shocks the bike handle perfect. i cant complain. after everything is said and done i have a very decent softail for less than 1000 bucks. so to everyone out there that is complaing i think u should stop biching, suck it up and spend the extra 500 dolars | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Waterbury Center, Vermont, USA
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Halfway House Run | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1675.00 | | Purchased At: | Old Guy Behind Halfway House | | Strengths: | Looks SOOOOOOOOOO COOL!!! | | Weaknesses: | Every part on the entire bike has either broke off, or is cracked in multiple places-except the grips, those puppys are damn strong... | | Similar Products Used: | Other various dependable, strong, reliable, good Mongoose products bought at Ames. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except seat - I had to have one of those seats with the litle hole in the middle because the way the bike was set up, it hurt so much. | | Bottom Line: | If you have bought this bike, it is way too late. If you ever consider buying this bike, or are reading reviews to learn if this bike is the one for you, go away. The price wouldn't be low enough if Mongoose gave you $100. The quality may be Awesome - yes i know Awesome - but still it is not worth it. If there was a way to only rate this bike at ZERO CHILIS, i would. (and by the way, i actually do own one baby) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain view, CA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | montero | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Stiff, heavy frame good for downhill, nice shifters, value | | Weaknesses: | shocks have little damping and travel, low ground clearance, pedals, rims | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 900 lbs rear spring and reinforced metal tubing above Bolt, WTB VelociRaptor tires, stronger rims, crotch friendly seat | | Bottom Line: | I have owned and abused this bike for 4 years.
The thread of the rear bolt suspension faded after all those dirt jumps and stairs.
If you are 140 lbs like me, change the shock to 900lbs.
If you are over 200 lbs and ride like me...get a bike with a more reliable rear suspension or reinforce the Bolt with metal tubing OR lose some weight. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomm
a Weekend Warrior
from Essex Junction, VT, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | COSTCO | | Strengths: | bang-for-the-buck. Frame can take a pounding and stay true. | | Weaknesses: | assembled by sweatshop kids (Read: needs heavy tuning once aquired). Rims deform easier than expected. | | Similar Products Used: | none. My GSXR doesn't count ;| | | Bike Setup: | bone stock w/ a gel seat, rat traps, and "sand" tire up front | | Bottom Line: | The price I payed for this MGX grx 6.5 is pretty good considering the fact that the frame is so well built, and it has full suspension. I've read other reviews in this forum, and I agree, if you're a 6'1" 300+ pound guy who insists his mass is "muscle" then yes, you may find faults with this and any bicycle. Me? I'm content to toss my 6'2" frame and all 170lbs of my mass around the nearest wooded area and have a blast. I actually overshot a huge tabletop and fractured my arm 2 years ago (I couldn't get my feet out of the rat traps in time so I went down with the ship), and the bike suffered no damage whatsoever. Yes it's heavy, no the components aren't race worthy, but who cares? If you were really pro you would buy an expensive bike anyway. This bike is for the weekend warriors...period. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dimtri beauliere
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver Washington
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | cost-co | | Strengths: | looks nice in the store | | Weaknesses: | every thing, to many to list dont bother with this bike just walk were ever your going | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock, except a grandpa seat | | Bottom Line: | why cant i give it no chillis. bike is pile of burnning feccies. no, burrnig feccies more fun its burrnig. well first off im a big guy(6'1" 320lbs no joke not a fat 320 ethier im prety muscular) i konw that stuff has a tendancy to beak when i use it but it happes when my friends use my bike to, so i know my size had something to do with it but still the sprockets on the back slipped untill i got a monkey wrench and tightened the back suspenson all the way down but after one very relaxed ride started to slipp again. shifters broke flat out broke will no longer shift efective ly turrning it into a scooter with a seat. my friend and I have found a new creature the tire monster it will jump out grab your rear tire for long enough for you to go over the hadle bars then let go and disapear till it decides to garb it again my friend and I couldn't figure out what caused the phenomenon but it hurts. You will also find that the back tire tends to taco quickly to the point were its almost imposible to remove it after wrenching down the suspension i was in my friends back yard waiting for him i decided to hop around alittle cause i haddint been on the bike in a while then the tire bent like butter, just no ressistance, if you took a pice of tin foil shaped like a tire and bent it thats about what happened. handle bars always come loose no mater what you do you put your hands on the horn dellies ( dont know what there called) and about a 1/10 of a second later your lookin at the tread on your front tire. the seat horrible i had to get one of those over sized grandpa seats because the stock one kept riddin up mu butt | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Downhiller
a Downhiller
from Utah
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | styling, inexpensive, good entry level bike. | | Weaknesses: | Poor components. Weight. Slipping gears, cheap pedals, requires additional $$$ to make the bike into something to take pride in. | | Similar Products Used: | various Schwinn cycles. | | Bike Setup: | hayes disc brakes, Shimano XTR Mega 9 Cassette, Race Face North Shore DH Crank, Sram ESP 9.0 Shifters/derailleurs Shimano 545 Pedals, Cane Creek AD-12 Rear Suspension, Marzocchi Z1 X-Fly Fork, & misc other parts from the shop. | | Bottom Line: | When i first got this bike i was riding and had the chain slip on the casette and then jam, sending me flat on my backside. I've been downhilling for 3-4 years now, and have had this bike for a little over 2 years, I was LIVID when this happened 3 days after purchase/tuning. Rather than swear the bike off and empty my wallet on something with a better name I figured it has a decent frame, great styling, and with some work could be just what i needed. Pretty much all that's still stock is the seat, frame, and skewers.
At first this bike is what you pay for: a CostCo consumer-end cycle.
I love the bike now. And I haven't had a problem with it since the suspension fork was acting up, which i quickly fixed with a few dollars and some elbow grease. I love the way the bike looks. It's a real eye catcher to both the adept and novice now. Once i removed all the mongoose emblems and decals and put my own on there it really took the bike up a notch (i hate things with labels plastered all over them).
Only downfall is that it weighs a lot. so biking up hills can get exhausting. In replacing a lot of the cheap, heavy, stock components you lose some weight, but not nearly enough if you're into cross-country.
This bike suits my riding style a lot better than most. Maybe someday if my liking for downhilling goes past more than just a hobby i'll upgrade. But for the amatuer (in the olympic sense of the word) rider it's perfect.
2 flaming chilis for when this is right off the costco floor, great bike for it's class.
then some work, money, and lots and lots of riding (1200+ miles), and it's a great cycle.
4 flaming chilis for the potential of the cycle. But since it's a CostCo clunker, it can't ever touch 5.
Great bike, but I wouldn't have it as your dream cycle. If you're looking to get into downhilling as a way to spend your weekends, and don't mind dropping some additional money into the bike - go for it. If you're a professional, get something that suits you.
Granted i've put a bit of money into mine, but i'm into this for the fun, so I figure i could drop the same amount of money into a $1200 cycle, or just drop it into the $200 cycle and put up with a few extra pounds. Look at it this way: it will help keep those lovehandles from ever coming back.
- Nathan -
Downhiller from Utah | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcello Malfanti
a Racer
from SAntiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Curva 15, Farellones | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Altered | | Strengths: | Frame, Brakes, Components (Acera, Alivio, Deore, Amoeba, RST, Shoick Works), Price | | Weaknesses: | The principal weak of this bike is the frame's weight. It's more heavy than the similar products | | Similar Products Used: | Haro. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano Acera, Alivio and Deore drivbetrain and shifters. Shimano SPD pedals, RST 381 AET fork, Shocks Works Hydraulic rear shock, Amoeba tee and stem, Quad disk brakes (rear and front) | | Bottom Line: | A good bike with a reasonably price. A little heavy for hill climbing. Very resistant to crashes.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Tener
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | A River Runs Through It | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | North View Bike shop | | Strengths: | This bike is unbelievable! You can tell you will have the ride of your life the minute you get to the top of whistler and point the thing down the hill. | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely nothing | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Big Hit, Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Wow. I took this bike to a downhill race recently here in the north shore....i came in second out of 15. But it was no surprise considering i was riding an unbelievable bike. I ripped down the trail like a...fast thing...and the suspension was incredibly smooth. I've taken it of some 6 and 7-foot drops, and it's held up fine. The suspension just soaks it all up. Biggest drop so far was 8 and a half feet, with a grass landing. I'm still riding it after a year's worth af punishment, I haven't had to upgrade a thing. I'd reccomend this bike to anyone who is seriously considering hardcore downhill or free riding on the north shore. This bike will certainly not dissapoint even the most hard core rider. I'd give it 50 flamin' chillis, but they're only letting me give five. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raúl
a
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Bottom Line: | The review I wrote yesterday is on the Mongoose mgx grx 6.5
I Insist...Don't buy it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raúl
a
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | You must be kidding! | | Weaknesses: | Everything | | Similar Products Used: | Some mexican stuff better than this crappy two wheeled thing | | Bottom Line: | The Thing sucks! The rear shock has a 1250 lbs spring which turns it into a heavy hardtail. The rear shock bottoms out if you replace the spring with other ones ranging from 650-900lbs. Besides, the bottom bracket is TOO LOW. The bike seems to work better if you are heavy, let's say, Over 90 kilos (200 lbs). The fork sucks as well!
Don't buy it! save your money! Get something better. My country has never been famous for making quality bikes, but even the ones that are mede here are better by far. Don't you think you can improve it by adding a good downhill shock twice or three times as expensive as this thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Herrman
a Cross Country Rider
from Cary NC
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Road | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Wal-Mart | | Strengths: | No Strengths!! Please do not buy this product! | | Weaknesses: | Durability, safety issues, wheels, hubs, bb, cranks (half plastic), shifter, derailliers, frame, suspension, image. | | Similar Products Used: | There are no other products that you could buy that are a crappy as this one. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper Pro, xt/xtr, sid xc, panaracer fire xc 2.1, mavic 222. | | Bottom Line: | Mongoose sold their company to Wal-Mart because they were going out of business. Flashy paint and dual suspension should not lure you into buying this pieceofcrap. Recently, at a Boy Scout camp, I sw a 100 pound boy taco the front wheel of his mongoose fs, and ruin the front suspension, upon examining the bike, I noticed that all of the bearings were rough, the rear suspension had no dampening, (Never did) and the cranks were loose, along with the bb. The bb was non-adjustable, and a replacement would be hard to find. All of this from one week of easy, easy trail riding at moderate speeds. The evet that caused the tacoed wheel was hitting a root about as big as a ferw broomsticks lashed togther, at about 10 mph. The bottom line is, riding these bikes is unsafe, as parts failure during even MODERATE trail riding is INEVETIBLE! I AM SORRY I CANT GIVE THIS BIKE -4 FLAMING #$%^s BECAUSE THAT POOR KID ALMOST BROKE HIS SHOULDER! STOP PUSHING THIS BIKE AND ADMIT THAT IT IS NOT AN MTB! IT IS A 50 LB ROAD BIKE WITH SORTA KNOBBY TIRES AND A BUNCH OF ENERGY SUCKING SPRINGS! If you are going to buy an mtb for 200 dollars, go to a bike store and get a rigids bike from a real company with at least semi reliable components, and stop showing off! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a Cross Country Rider
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$125.00 | | Purchased At: | a guy that abused it | | Strengths: | rims are relatively strong, brakes aren't bad, value. | | Weaknesses: | deureuller, weight, megarange superlow gear is too low to use even on steep climbs, pedals are light but lack strength, and single-pivot suspension sucks a lot of your energy out of you. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | replaced rear deur., hub, seat, and pedals. | | Bottom Line: | it looks cool but looks can be deceiving.
it hasn't been so bad because i got the bike cheap, and got replacement parts cheap, but expect to spend more than retail on this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Cross Country Rider
from Tacoma
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | capital forest | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Cheap. Full suspension. For a low end bike the frame is very solid and 100% aluminum, (I have the grx 6-5 model which appears to have a better frame and components). | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Stripped down this bike weighs about 35 lbs.
Some components inferior. Bike is ussually untuned when you buy it.
Bottom bracket is about 1.5" too low. Ground clearance is poor.
Seat post is too short and seat is uncomfortable.
Cheap pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized hardrock. | | Bike Setup: | I've got it set up for long distance riding on trails and logging roads. Three water bottles, a rear rack, and tires that are practically bulletproof and heavy as hell, (liners+Slime+thorn resistant tubes). | | Bottom Line: | This is a cheap bike and a pretty good value unless you plan on really hammering it offroad. It's great for riding around town and travelling offroads, but if you are really into mountain biking you'll find it substandard. It can't compete with bikes costing three times as much, but compared to the bikes in this price range it stacks up well. There are several different models of this bike with different levels of components on them. Mine is the MGX GRE 6-5 model and has Shimano v-brakes and rapid fire shifters, Shimano 24 speed drivetrain, (cranks, derailers and freewheel), and an all aluminum frame, (front and rear). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from Commerce, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Highland Rec Area | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Low price, good entry level bike | | Weaknesses: | All of the components will rapidly fail if you use it like a mountain bike | | Similar Products Used: | This was my first full suspension bike | | Bike Setup: | Started out stock, upgraded the components as they broke | | Bottom Line: | First of all, read the manual and set the bike up correctly. Dept. store dudes have no clue how do adjust anything, so part of the low price reflects that. Next, bear in mind that a decent front fork alone will cost more than this entire bike, and you get an idea of the quaility of the components. I put a total of 700 miles on mine and in the process replaced just about all the moving parts, but never had any frame or suspension problems. It's a good bike for cash strapped beginners and one thing is certain, When you finally upgrade to a decent bike (I just bought a Klien) you will really appreciate it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Toredo
a Cross Country Rider
from Uninon City,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Coyote Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Walmart | | Strengths: | Low Price | | Weaknesses: | Everything!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bikes not only sucks,it bites the big one!! after only 24 days I run into a ocean of problems...firts the pedals,then the front suspensio, then one day as Im riding my derailer some how the derailer made the chain get stuck between the tire and the "all steel" frame..causing me to fall right on my head, crack my helmet and get mmmm about 10 cuts on my legs....all I have to say to you is...if you buy this bike, buy at your own risk!! and god have mercy of you.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
glen smith
a Weekend Warrior
from S.I., N.Y. usa
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bought used from newspaper ad | | Strengths: | Comfortable seat, Quick release everything, 24 speeds (wow) | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavy frame, tricky shifting.
| | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike used from a newspaper ad, but the previous owner was an old man who said he never rode the bike. I have had the bike for more than 2 years and I have only had to replace the front rim when I took a hard crash.
I haven't had any of the problems all of the other crybabies here complained about here.I ride mainly on roads but I have taken the bike down some sets of stairs and a few trails. So its not like I have pampered the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jarrett Yockey
a Cross Country Rider
from Tehachapi,Ca
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hour's Trail, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | The bike was quick handling at first, but after the first month everything went wrong... | | Weaknesses: | Easily worn out QRs, weak drivetrain, bendable derailluere hanger, thew derailluere's shifting and a short seatpost. | | Similar Products Used: | Huffy X games | | Bike Setup: | stock plus hopeless tlc | | Bottom Line: | No matter how much one can love this bike (my first mountain bike) it still sucks. I pretty much incenerated it the 1st month, and my freind in 3 months. It's not worth your effort. Let this be a waring to all; do not buy department store bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$199.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Hey, It's damn cheap. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap parts, it's a piece of shiat. | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Mongoose MGX 6.5 26" - Shimano parts | | Bottom Line: | After buying the bike, I thought "Yeah, it's cheap, but it's not like I need a real expensive bike." I brought it home, pumped up the tires and made it almost to the end of the street before I ran over a 2 inch crack in the sidewalk. Next thing I know I hear a snap and the pedals are touching the ground. I find out that the rear suspension has totally crumbled and all the threads have stripped. Now I only weight 175 pounds and this piece of crap couldn't even last five minutes, I thought it would at least make it a few months. I'am not saying you shouldn't buy it, but I wouldn't recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RON BREAZEALE
a Downhiller
from RENO, NV
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | NORTHSTAR | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | cOSTCO | | Strengths: | Strong bike with good brakes | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy | | Similar Products Used: | What is similar in this price range? | | Bottom Line: | After changing to Shimano DX pedals and changing to bigger (and better)tires, I found it to be a great bike for the weekend downhiller and single track rider. It isn't a Top-of-the-line bike, but the price reflects that. It's a great entry-level full suspension bike and well worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reebus Cannebus
a Downhiller
from Apple Valley CA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Various in Big Bear | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Nice looking, Brand Name Parts, Dual Suspension, Strong. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy, crappy peddles, bad reputation | | Bike Setup: | All Stock | | Bottom Line: | I found this to be a good bike for learning to ride the backcountry and some trails, it had a constant tire deflating problem, even on paved roads. But I lived through it. It's a good bike to show off to newbies, and a nice ride for a cheap pirce, but if you have the cash I wouldn't recomend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bethpage State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Frame, Shocks, good price | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, gears | | Bottom Line: | I purchased a newer version of this bike called the MGX/GRX 6.5. So far I have taken it out on the trails and it has performed very well. I have ridden this bike off of some large ramps and tricky dirt steps and it has performed at the level of bikes that are 4 times its price. I was on the trails with my friend who has a very expensive schwinn mountain bike. His bike has needed numerous repairs while mine has survived without a scratch. This goes to show you that you don't need to spend $600 for a really good mountain bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | National @ South Mountian Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Great paint job, alloy frame, threadless headset, the breaks actually stop the thing. | | Weaknesses: | How much do the OME comps suck? Let me count. Never mind, it would take too much space! | | Similar Products Used: | None. My 1st & only mtn. bike. | | Bike Setup: | 98 Shimano XT crank, bbracket front & rear derailleurs, Mavic 221wheels W/ LX hubs, DT spokes & alloy niples. Rock Shok Jett fork, Sram chain, Syncros seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | OK, it's a cheap bike W/lousy componets. However, I rode about 500 miles on the orig. comps. until the freewheel! ground itself into shavings. The Mavic wheelset was only $100.00. No big deal. Found the 98 XT parts & the Rock Shok cheap @ local shops so now it's a cheap bike W/way too good stuff bolted to it! I now have about 1200 miles on it and it's still a blast to ride. A great thrasher. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | What??? | | Weaknesses: | SEE MY REVIEW UNDER THE MGX D30 HEADING BELOW THIS ONE,ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE EVEN THINKIN' ABOUT BUYING THIS TOTAL DOG!!!!!!! | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper A1 | | Bottom Line: | As for "Walmart Mongoose"'s MGX line I urge you to go to my first review under the MGX d30 listing.No sense in beating a dead horse--because every MGX is just as crappy.DON'T BUY 'EM!!
P.S.After I read the NX reviews I realized that the REAL Mongoose's reputation has been destroyed by this whole fiasco.
Let me put in a good word for Mongoose's real bikes.I strongly considered a 1999 NX 6.7 FS bike from Dick's for myself(that alone says a lot because I'm a hardtail guy),but it got sold before I got my mitts on it.I test-rode it,however,and realized that it: 1.Was nothing like the MGX,thankfully,and 2.Was a totally worthy aluminum full-suspension bike with mostly solid parts.
Owners of this bike take note:You don't have a lemon here!True,it's entry level,but upgrades will fix that.I would've taken it as-is.
I really did like it.I also considered a new NX 4.0 hardtail--that's a real mountain bike too,but fate led me to my trusty Rockhopper.
Don't base your opinion of Mongoose on the department store crap!Test a REAL Mongoose for yourself before passing judgement on this underrated company.
My ratings below are for the MGX series.The NX 6.7 deserves 5 chilis value,4 chilis overall.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Jacobs
a Cross Country Rider
from Anacortes WASHINGTON USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ????? | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Price. | | Weaknesses: | Fork, Shock, Drivetrain, and shifters. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Torque drive shifters and derailers. RST 281R fork | | Bottom Line: | Not for big mountian bikeing but fine if you don't ride hard. I crashed and totaled the bike i think any bike would have some broken parts from that crash but it should not have done that much damage. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven
a Racer
from Mercersburg PA. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | xloop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Super Wal-Mart | | Strengths: | Looks & PRICE! | | Weaknesses: | Shifting Gears, Rims, seat, & Grips | | Similar Products Used: | Pacific | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I'm 11 & I've had four Mountain bikes & 2 BMX & racing bikes & The d50i is my favorite bike out of all of them so far. I have made a lot of adjustments & I've trued the rims after almost every ride so far. So I'm buying new rims next week. This bike is as good as my big brothers Moab 3, Schwinn . At least that's what I think. This bike is Awesome!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 100 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | This bike has no strengths. | | Weaknesses: | Everything except for the front fork which I have had 0 problems with. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike really sucks. Don't get it it's not worth 250$. I rode the bike once and everything went wrong. I had to replace the axel(which snapped), the derailleurs(which bent), the quickrealease(snapped). The shouldn't be allowed to be sold, for it is a safety hazard. Mongoose woouldn't even warranty the bike cause they said I was jumping but all I did was take it down the trail once, Mongoose Sucks.
No one should waste their money on this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Price, comfort, looks.
| | Weaknesses: | Wheels, shifting components. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Obvoiusly not great when compared to bikes costing ten times what this one did but for the money it's difficult to fault. Shifting can be hit or miss and the wheels are poor. It has managed to withstand considerable abuse from me with and only required minor attention. If you have tons of money skip it and buy something fancy for those who enjoy riding but don't want to sell there car to afford a bike this is good place to look. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David K
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawrenceville, GA USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bull Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Cost, Aluminum Frame, Full Suspension | | Weaknesses: | Rims, shifter | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hard Rock, Trek 800 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | For $260 at Costco, You can't beat it! I wanted a full suspension bike to try out and so far this bike has surpassed all my expectations! I have put over 30 trail miles on it thus far and except for some very minor adjustments I have had no problems whatsoever. I don't care for the twist shift but that's a personal preference. Overall it's a smooth ride that handles very well at an unbelieveable price. A perfect bike for the beginner or a rider on a tight budget. If it ever does break, I'll just buy another updated model for $260 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T
a Cross Country Rider
from MTB areas
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | It's very cheap... can't deny that. | | Weaknesses: | Torque drive pro... worse than SIS componentry.
Not a very light bike. The rims need truing after each ride.
| | Bottom Line: | Whoever wrote:
"Its an excellent deal. Fun bike to ride. The only problem is a bunch of stuck-up posers who thinks more expensive means they are better than you. I have owned a few of the expensive ones and bought this one to get back into it. All I can say to them is that sure their bikes look good, but can THEY ride? Don't buy a bike just because someone says it is a good brand, but it cause you like it and it rocks. This bike rocks. Sure you may have to upgrade some components over time, but its an killer starting point."
Is definately right about the stuck up posers. Although... I don't know about this bike being worth the buy. It's cheap, but it won't put up with a hard ride without falling out of adjustment and needing trued tires. Mongoose has put way too much emphasis on appeal and appearance rather than part quality. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Snotrocket
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Saginaski Slew | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Frame, Ability to handle heavy flogging, seat is comfy, fun on downhills, lack of fear for destruction - If you trash the bike you are only out $250 | | Weaknesses: | Components, Torque Drive system sucks really bad, a tad heavy for hill climbs, wheels are weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Numerous | | Bike Setup: | Shimano Deore XT shifters, levers, and rear deraileur, Ritchey Pro-Lite bar, Pedros Grips, Oddysey Triple Trap pedals, Shimano Cables, | | Bottom Line: | Damn fine bike, for $250! OK, the componentry is bad, but whaddya want for $250? If you want Bomber forks, Race Face, or an XT drivetrain, um spend some more! I bought this as a starter bike, it has a good frame and an excellent place to start building from. The first place to start is the drivetrain, the Torque Drive system is truly horrible. I have since started to peace together better components and it works very well. The shock is a bit Squishy, maybe a Fox Vanilla on the horizon. Blew out the RST forks last weekend, that will be swapped out this week with Rock Shox. I also stripped off all of the stickers for a bit of anonymity among my peers. Bottom line - Great starting point for the light duty or budget minded rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a
from Lake Worth
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | weight to dollar, aluminum frame price$249 geomitry of bike | | Weaknesses: | rims rear derailuer,pedals, weight, 33lbs | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose D40r almost the same accept for rear pivot point and cranks, steel frame and eleven friggin pounds heavier (the big 44) | | Bike Setup: | stock frame brakes pads tires derailuers chain seat post front sprockets headset. All but the crappy weak rims. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike couldnt break the last one and havent broke this one. had problems with bending rear weel other than that the bike has been an economical way to enjoy the high dollar hobby of hard riding big jumping fast dropping root riddled courses. I would buy it ride it and replace whatever breaks with high end parts. The Rims are its weakest point. but 250 for the bike and 250 for mammoth wheels and you pretty much have a $500 bike that will and has in my book stood up and ridden with the high end bikes. Many times I have ridden out while MR CANNONDALE is backpacking it to his truck. anything on anybike will break its just a question of how much money and whats more important, looking good or riding. I had the window to get a 2300 dollar bike but instead Igot rid of my old mongoose and got the D50. And I love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
danny
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenacres,Florida
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | snake ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | frame
brakes
price | | Weaknesses: | everything else | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale super v 500 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | The bike really sucks. Been out to the trails five times and the bike broke everytime. Last time I almost broke my leg when the chain snapped and left me pedalless up a hill.
This bike is not a mountain bike, it's just a dual suspension road bike, don't be fooled. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Peyton
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis, TN United States
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Shelby Farms | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Price, looks, value, and some components. | | Weaknesses: | A few cheap components. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamond Back Racing, Cannondale, Gary Fischer. | | Bottom Line: | Its an excellent deal. Fun bike to ride. The only problem is a bunch of stuck-up posers who thinks more expensive means they are better than you. I have owned a few of the expensive ones and bought this one to get back into it. All I can say to them is that sure their bikes look good, but can THEY ride? Don't buy a bike just because someone says it is a good brand, but it cause you like it and it rocks. This bike rocks. Sure you may have to upgrade some components over time, but its an killer starting point. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Mine Hill, New Jersey, USA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hedden Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Frame Price
| | Weaknesses: | Fork, service | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike!! I need help. I bent my rear triangle and can not find any body to replace it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
j
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: December 25, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
aluminum frame
V-brakes
Saddle | | Weaknesses: |
heavy
very low end components
7 speed | | Similar Products Used: |
univega 900
FSR Sport
FSR-XC | | Bike Setup: |
Fork: RST 281
R.shock: DNM
Shimano SIS derailleur
Shimano V-brakes
Shimano Mega Range 7 speed cassette
Stem: 105mm 6* rise
bar ends: Al
Shifters/Brakes: Shimano trigger/lever combo | | Bottom Line: | Bike has a great price. I have the D50, Costco is now selling the D50i. I think I got lucky cause I got Shimano components, not that crap everybodies complaining about.
I tested the D50i in the store. It's heavier than mine. The D50i's suspension is also different in that the bottom bracket is now part of the main frame. Mine has the bottom bracket on the URT, very close to the main pivot. I also dropped about a pound just by changing out the stem and bar ends to Aluminum ones.
The weight is extrememly limiting. I rode trails at Mt. Pinos. The bike handled the downhills well. I got killed on the climb back up the main road. Each climb up was about 2-3 miles. I think it's because the bike's heavy and the 7 speed cassette. I wanna upgrade to 8. Heard too many probs with the new 9.
I also took the bike to Rim Nordic, near Big Bear. It handled those trails well. The terrain varied from rolling hills to short climbs. Bike performed reasonably well.
I also did a XC type trail in San Diego. It handled that very well. Extremely comfortable, probably because there were no really steep hills. There was a lot of fast flat land with bumps and stuff to test the suspension.
I wouldn't recommend the D50i, but if you can find a D50 like mine, it's a good starting point. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chirs
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clarita
Date Reviewed: December 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
NONE!!! | | Weaknesses: |
Everything!!!!! | | Bike Setup: |
the crap comonents that it came with | | Bottom Line: | I am embaressed that I purchased this bike. It is crap. The fork is crap. The comonents are crap. It is a sorry exuse for a bike. I only purchased it because I have no money and need to mountain bike. PLEASE, DO NOT BUY THIS BIKE, EVEN FOR YOUR KIDS TO PLAY WITH. IT IS A HAZARD TO ALL. Save your money for a good bike. I give it 1 peper because you cannot give zeros or negative ratings. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy k
a Weekend Warrior
from WA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
NA | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Aluminum Frame, Threadless Headset, 24 speed, Alloy rims, Great overall value that kicks the crap out of bikes in its price range | | Weaknesses: |
Som cheap components | | Bottom Line: | Perfect bike for an avid biker on a budget that wants to be able to upgrade to higher end components. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roel Schootman
a Weekend Warrior
from Delta, British Columbia
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Point Roberts, Washington | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Price, looks, weight, frame | | Weaknesses: |
pedals,rear derailleur, bottom bracket, chainrings | | Similar Products Used: |
Rockline | | Bike Setup: |
Preassembled with RST 281 fork | | Bottom Line: | On the 1st day riding the outer chainring bent from going over a log, replaced it with a used chainring,damage control ring, crank, Shimano cartridge bottom bracket & metal sealed pedals with straps. Replaced rear deraileur on the 5th ride with a Shimano Deore LX. Replaced handle bars with riser bar for more comfort. Have not had any more problems except for a squeek from the rear shock assembly. The bike handles and rides quite nicely now. It does take the punishment it gets. Bike was a great Birthday present (aprox.$296) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quacky
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Boulder Park | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Frame
Brakes
Price | | Weaknesses: |
Rims
Tires
Pedals | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek
Univega | | Bike Setup: |
RST 281 R - Front
DMN - Rear
Sr Suntour XR-17 componets
Took off the kick stand, reflectors..and all that extra crap! | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden this bike hard for 3 weeks now. I took it to Boulder Park, Horseshoe, Rowlette Creek Preserve, and LB Houston. I bought this bike realizing it wasn't a top of the line bike, so I don't expect as much out of it. The bike is light and I was impressed at the number of features on this bike. I would prefer the shimano componets to the suntours, but it seems to shift smoothly. The plastic pedals suck, I will have to replace those. The tires are a generic no name. But I am impressed with how well the bike has held up. I bent my rear rim doing an endo at Rowlette creek, don't ask me how. But I think if I get the rim trued it should fix the problem. Basicaly the frame is good, but all the componets are crap. I plan on riding this one till the componets die, then replacing them with higher quality parts. I now wish I had bought the D60i or the D70i they have better componets.A good bike for the money, but it isn't a high end bike. | | Overall Rating: |
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