Strengths: when bought i felt that the rear shox was alright
Weaknesses: good luck finding a drop out for this bike
Bottom Line:
i love the feel of the bike, great paintjob,very statisfied except for the drop out problem..... if anyone knows where to purchase on please contact me.... kookie_crazy_sean@hotmail.com
Bike Setup: pretty much everything on my bike is modified from the pedals to the shocks.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
casey
a Cross Country Rider
from south lake tahoe, nevada
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2004
Strengths: the frame is so solid, rides like a dream, can go over anything with no problem
Weaknesses: rear spring too light, bounces too much, I already bent the front Mavic wheel, the stock fork--Manitou Six sucks
Bottom Line:
In my parents summer home here in Lake Tahoe, this bike stays in the garage all winter long and when summer comes I beat it death on steep trails and it still works--except that lame Manitou fork and front rim. I say its a good bike.
Bike Setup: changed fork to longer Rock Shock Duke and put Avid disk brakes on.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
the real fatcat
a Cross Country Rider
from los angeles
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2004
Strengths: After over 2 years, the frame hasn't cracked or has creaks anywhere. The bike was the last f/s trailbike designed by the old Mongoose company, so its pretty decent. No warrantee now, but after many many rides, it still rides/looks good.
Weaknesses: There are so many parts that are crappy, where do I begin? The wimpy fork, rear shock, seat, brakes, crankset and shifters.
Bottom Line:
If you are doing some fireroads and riding on asphalt, keep the bike stock. If you are a serious dirt freak, get a new fork w/ at least 100mm travel, find an old RockShock CoupeDeluxe rear shock and 4" long spring (it will fit like a glove) or a Fox Float shock. Also utilize the rear disc brake tabs and put on some disk brakes. I know its a Mongoose, but it has a very nice 4 bar link rear (Specialized patent) and it will be a totally different bike. I am broke myself and can't afford a $3000 dream bike, so with some used parts from mtbr.com and bay and new disc brakes, I turned this low-buck thing into a decent 33lb, 5" x 4.3" travel bike. It rolls over ruts and rocks like butter and climbs like a goat, thanks to the 4 bar link and new stiff 700 lb rear spring and shock.
Bike Setup: Old Marz. Z1 5" fork, rear RockShox Coupe Deluxe shock and 4"long, 700Lb spring--added 1" inch travel and stiffness. Bike is now 5" front/4.3" rear travel. Deore mechanical disks/hubs and a bunch of other crap that makes this ToysRUs bike a trailbike contender.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Howe
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawndale, NC
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2003
Strengths: Frame is great, strong and looks good.
Weaknesses: Stock seat is hard as a 2x4.
Bottom Line:
This is a great frame. This was my first serious mountain bike (first was Xmart special). Over the years everything has been replaced for better quality and lower weight. First to go was the Front shock. Changed to a MarsC and the difference was unbelievable. Next, rear shock to a Risse Racing Air shock. Everything else is now Aluminum alloy, titaninum, PTFE, or Carbon fiber. This is now a truely awsome bike. Jumps like a deer, very well balanced, nimble in the technical stuff. Doesn't bob excessivly, and is comfortable. Over 1500 miles and 3 years and the frame pivots and bearings show no wear. Paint still looks good as new. I'm doubt anyone will ever read this now, but, if you are looking at this bike used, grab it if the price is right as a base frame.
Bike Setup: Everything has been replaced except the frame. XTR, Velomax, top end parts all around.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Max Villeneuve
a Weekend Warrior
from Beloeil/quebec/canada
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003
Strengths: they are good bike but for a guy who ride it day after day and who ride it like it had to be ride.... will know that it's not the good bike for it...
Weaknesses: the frame look like to be hard but a rider who ask to much will know from is own experience that the aren't really hard !
Bottom Line:
Got 2 nx 8.1 the first : a 1998, very good bke for jumping, very fun to ride, but the parts are a bit bad, I broked the frame 2 1/2 years later under the b.b the second : a 2001 Good bike but a bit too long, very bad parts when you buy it from store but I had My own part so it changed up the entire bike but I just Broked the frame just before the place that keep the 7mm axe after 2 years of riding...
Bike Setup: -Rock shox indy C long travel -FSA orbit xl2 headset -Race face grip -Specialised DH handelbar -Shimano 105 front shifter -shimano deore rear shifter -sun rim rhino lite / DT swiss comp spokes / deore disc. -gary fisher seat -bmx style pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Max Villeneuve
a Weekend Warrior
from Beloeil/quebec/canada
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003
Strengths: they are good bike but for a guy who ride it day after day and who ride it like it had to be ride.... will know that it's not the good bike for it...
Weaknesses: the frame look like to be hard but a rider who ask to much will know from is own experience that the aren't really hard !
Bottom Line:
Got 2 nx 8.1 the first : a 1998, very good bke for jumping, very fun to ride, but the parts are a bit bad, I broked the frame 2 1/2 years later under the b.b the second : a 2001 Good bike but a bit too long, very bad parts when you buy it from store but I had My own part so it changed up the entire bike but I just Broked the frame just before the place that keep the 7mm axe after 2 years of riding...
Bike Setup: Very bad when you buy it from store but I got it because I smashed my old one so I got just the frame... and I never seen any bike like this because I,m from canada
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
fatcat dj
a Cross Country Rider
from hollywood, calif usa
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Strengths: This is a follow up...I changed the front fork to a used Marzocchi Z.1 Drop Off I bought from a friend. Its a 5" travel fork and you can tell the difference from 100mm to 130mm. I highly suggest a Z1. I also put Deore disc brakes/ Deore Disc hubs/Mavic 222 wheels on the bike. It also sports a 100mm Specialized stem and Kore downhill bar and a pair of "Tenderizer" Primo flat pedals. I must change the seat, it sucks but I have no money left. The bike went from a XC oriented bike to an all-purpose trail bike. Kind of like the Kona Dawg or Kona Bear was. Its cool. But if anything, change the front fork to a Marzocchi Z1, it will change the bike's handling dramatically.
Weaknesses: Rear shock--I have no money, but if I did, a Romic or Fox Vanilla will be a bit stiffer.
Bottom Line:
The frame being a 4 link, really helps this bike handle. The pivots are high quality with a sealed bearing on the main pivot. It helps control that rear wheel bobble when braking on singletrack descents. Yet, as I mentioned before, it does have some bobbing when pushing it uphill. But I paid $600 for the whole bike, and when it was first introduced in 2000, it MSRP's for $1000. If you see one new at a bikeshop, snatch it up, but don't pay over $900 for it.
Bike Setup: $300 of improved parts, some new, some used.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rik
a Weekend Warrior
from Yorkshire, England
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002
Strengths: A fair mix of quality components - Titec stem, Deore shifters, rear mech and rear hub, Mavic rims and WTB saddle. Rugged box-section frame that can REALLY take the hits!
Weaknesses: Entry level Manitou fork needs to be replaced, along with the Sugino 350 X cranks. Not a true 4-bar design but rear suspension works well enough.
Bottom Line:
Apparently Mongoose have a bad rep but after owning this for 2 years I fail to see how. Quality components at an affordable price and plenty of scope for upgrades to a well built frame. A good starting point for newcomers.
Bike Setup: Stock aside from Wellgo SPD pedals. Plans to upgrade to XT throughout, Hope mini-discs, Manitou Black Comp forks and Fox Float rear shock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
fatcat dj
a Cross Country Rider
from hollywood, calif. usa
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002
Strengths: semi-boxed frame ensures sturdy frame. boxing a frame esp. aluminum helps strengthen rigid rides. Value--this is one of the most decked out bikes for the price, I've ever seen.
Weaknesses: front fork is entry level Manitou, nowhere to place water bottle.
Bottom Line:
Can NOT bag on this bike! For the price you get Shimano Deore, Titec, Wellgo clipless pedals, Mavic wheels and other name-brand goodies. Only other bike company that does that is Giant, but thats it. Mongoose and Giant bikes are "MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK" bikes.
Similar Products Used: diamondback X20, specialized fsr
Bike Setup: stock except--wider Maxxis 2.35 tires, XT shifters, XT brake levers Dore crankset.. Will soon upgrade wheels to disc and Upgrade fork.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
andrew morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from breadalbane,nsw australia
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Strengths: mountain goat rims good, overall capabilities for first fs bike seemed pretty good till about a week ago.
Weaknesses: first thing I changed was the manatu spyders for some black comps with adjustable travel and pressure,heaps better,then the handlebars after they snapped,had to replace the cranks which worked great until the frame snapped on the welds just above the bottom bracket.Only good thing to come out of that is now i get to buy a new bike!
Bottom Line:
it was a pretty good bike when i bought it but things kept failing on it, perhaps i was a tad hard on it but i didn't think the frame would break.
Basically the bottom line is, whatever people say about mongoose doesn't matter this bike is an absolute legend. It has a great set of parts. Sure the magnums are very basic but what do you expect from a mid range fs bike. The frame is butted so it is very strong in the places it needs to be and very light in the others. Even the mighty fsr cannot boast the solid design this bike shows in its pivots. Rugged as ballbearing pivot with fat stays. This frame is brillant because it is virtually the same design as the downhill version, prooving that it must be strong.
Basically the bottom line is, whatever people say about mongoose doesn't matter this bike is an absolute legend. It has a great set of parts. Sure the magnums are very basic but what do you expect from a mid range fs bike. The frame is butted so it is very strong in the places it needs to be and very light in the others. Even the mighty fsr cannot boast the solid design this bike shows in its pivots. Rugged as ballbearing pivot with fat stays. This frame is brillant because it is virtually the same design as the downhill version, prooving that it must be strong.
Basically the bottom line is, whatever people say about mongoose doesn't matter this bike is an absolute legend. It has a great set of parts. Sure the magnums are very basic but what do you expect from a mid range fs bike. The frame is butted so it is very strong in the places it needs to be and very light in the others. Even the mighty fsr cannot boast the solid design this bike shows in its pivots. Rugged as ballbearing pivot with fat stays. This frame is brillant because it is virtually the same design as the downhill version, prooving that it must be strong.
Submitted by
Guy Boyer
a Cross Country Rider
from CHCH New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001
Strengths: Very light and loves to be thrown around. Takes OFF from any lip or jump in its wake. Makes the cycle couriers turn their heads when ya go past...nice paint job and excellent value
Weaknesses: Poor drink cage placement...installment of a front mudguard necessitated buying a CamelBak and losing the under-frame cage. It looks nicer now anyhow.... Hard to sling over a shoulder!!
Bottom Line:
This is a scrumptious entry-level FS bike!!! -Plenty of room for upgrades if desired -Beautiful frame design,welding and paintwork -Very light, responsive and a plush ride
4 years ago I could never have afforded a FS bike...I thought I was doomed to ride Hardtails forever...now I am converted! A light, plush ride matched with great stopping power from hydraulic brakes makes this bike thump down hills. It is just as comfy tackling tricky technical stuff beside the lake.
Similar Products Used: Comparable to a fully-sprung chariot of the gods.
Bike Setup: Manitou Magnum forks, Magura Hydraulic Rim brakes, Deore, Maxxis Calibos on Mammoth Sun Rims (these R great),Johhny-T DH bar (mmmmm...yellow), Easton Fasttrax R-Shock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Laptewicz
a Cross Country Rider
from Chelsea, ME, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001
Strengths: Excellent frame. Beautiful and smart designing. The Deore components are great for the price. The tires, Maxxis Krakken and Calibos, are in a word, amazing. Great stem, seat. Rims are nice.
Weaknesses: Magnum fork, rear shock. Awkward bottle holder placement. STX front derailleur.
Bottom Line:
This bike has been absolutely perfect. I've had no problems with anything (except the STX derailleur), and there is always room for upgrades. Light frame, very agile. I get looks everywhere i go. For the price i dont think you can beat it. i had compared this to a stumpjumper comp, and the stumpjumper didnt even come close to matching the specs on this one, and it would've costed $200 more. If youre looking for a great trail rider bike, this is the bike. If you're looking for a XC racer, here ya go. This bike will do whatever you want it to.
