Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Buffalo NY
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008
Strengths: Frame is bullet proof
Decent setup for beginner
Weaknesses: On the heavy side for a hardtail
thredded headset
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike 8 or 9 years ago before I really got into cycling. It was pretty clunky compared to the top of the line bikes however it was a good value. Once I started getting more into trail riding this bike grew with me. Over the years I have thrown on better components and shaved alot of weight. Now only the frame is left. I have always told myself that I would ride it till the frame failed and I am still waiting. The thing takes everything and keeps going. It now serves as my backup bike since it has developed some creaks. Overall it has been a great bike and you can't ask for anything more than it gave at that price. Back in the day before mongoose sold out they had some decent bikes.
Similar Products Used: Demoed just about everything sometime or other
Other mt bike is a Rockey Moutain
Road - Spec Allez
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z1 Bomber 100mm
Full xt drivetrain
tru-vitiv firex cranks
Rino Light xt rims
avid speed 7 brakes
Kore/ lightspeed stem, handle bars, seat post
clipless pedals
wtb saddle
panaracer xc fire 2.1
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Darth
a Downhiller
from Corrimal, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2008
Strengths: Frame strength, Rapid fire shifters, Rim strength.
Weaknesses: Front Chain rings, Handle bars, Ugly frame.
Bottom Line:
I've been using this bike for 5 years now and it was a bargain for AU $50 on ebay. I use it all the time, city riding and off road and it performs well. I've had many stacks and only busted tubes and chains.It came with the rock shocks But i recently had to change the crankset. Overall i'm thoroughly impressed with this bike.
Bike Setup: Custom DH hangers, Alivio Crankset, Maxxis Dirt Tyres, Rock shock Indy J
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Wautoma
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2006
Strengths: Durability, Smooth Ride
Weaknesses: Maybe the weight
Bottom Line:
I have ridden this bike for 7 years, about 4,000 miles, and it has held up really well. I ride to and from work, the store, and also use trails. This bike has handled it all, and keeps going. I have to admit that since Mongoose sold to Pacific Cyclery I haven't been impressed, but this was a Brunswick bike and it is a good one.
Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Ignatius, MT, USA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2004
Strengths: the frame didn't bend on a 7 foot drop. that's pretty good. it was cheap and i could afford it when i was 14, so i bought it.
Weaknesses: everything else. marginal components, crappy shock (bottomed out on the seven footer), stock wheels (rear looks like a taco now but did alright up to 4 feet)
Bottom Line:
ok for first xc bike. don't ride off your garage roof on it. didn't really notice the weight thing everyone else is talking about. by the way, the reason the for the 7 foot huck on this weakling was i needed a new bike anyway.
Submitted by
Anthony
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2003
Strengths: Cromoly frame, PRICE, Components
Weaknesses: Weight, Stock Rock Shox Jett Fork, WHEELSETS ARE TERRIBLE
Bottom Line:
This bike gave me mountain biking fever, and the upgrade bug aswell! It's a great bike to upgrade. I do recommend you ditch the jett fork though, and the wheelsets. But overall this bike is awesome. I dont kno why soo mmany people are having trouble with the derailluers, just keep em lubed and adjusted.
Bike Setup: Many upgrades: Kore Lite 3 stem, Kore XC bar, RS Judy C fork, Cane Creek headset, WTB laserdisc wheelset with Momentum front hub and XT rear hub
Strengths: Good solid frame and geometry, decent component mix for the this price range, decent brakes
Weaknesses: Shock, wheels, neck
Bottom Line:
I've literaly beat the crap out of this thing keepin' up w/ my crazy friends, taco'd the stock rims doin drops, bounced down many brain rattling hills and this cheap little POS still keeps up even though it is a tank for a hard tail.
Strengths: 100% Steel. When you get on a super light bike, you WILL go flying! Moves when you push on the pedals, turns when you move the steering wheel, increases speed on declines, stops when you put feet down.
Weaknesses: 1. It has been manufactured by Mongoose 2. It is comparable in price, size, and the lookes to huffys. 3. Switches gears when it feels like it. 4. It has the tendency to roll backwards down hills. 5. The breakes wear down quickly. 6. Estimated living time for a real mountain biker, one ride. 7. Bends, scratches, and chips easily. 8. Existed. 9. It is available at K-mart, Target, ToysrUs, and Walmart. 10.Christmas tree kinda gift. 11. Santa's kina bike. 12. Santa's kinda budget 13. Cheapo freako bikeo 14. Ugly bike 15. Bad Componets 16. RockShock Jett! 17.MSRP A pocketfull of change 18.Have you seen a black Mongoose. It has NO LIFE AND NEEDS YOU TO FIND IT! 19. If you have seen my bike please ELIMINATE OT AS SOON AS POSIBLE.
Ten Things That Just Moght Possibly Mean that you have a Horrible Tate When You Bought A Bike. 1. You like to ride around your neighborhood on your time off 2. You have checked outotherbikes and decided to buy a mongoose. 3. You are blind 4. You are a weekend Warrior. 5. You think Mongooses are as good as they get. 6. You are under 13 7. You like to BMX,also 8. You are a skateboarder 9. You have no job 10. You have a limited income.
Bottom Line:
I am not crazy. I like Treks. You are the members of the jury, so decide.
Bike Setup: Tires, Limited Brake Capabilities, Limited Shifting Capabilities, Annoying Squeaking noises coming from EVERYWHERE, Help me help me help me!!!!
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Submitted by
Joseph Beddows
a Cross Country Rider
from Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001
Strengths: Shimano gears, rapid fire shifters, handleing/
Weaknesses: the A-head set and wieght and also the rock shox jett c shox
Bottom Line:
i payed $950 australian dollars for this bike and i have upgraded it heaps. its now worth about $1500 from all the extras i got for it. its good for begginers but if you do it up its worth it because you will have a great bike that will last you a long time and wont screw up.
Similar Products Used: gt, avanti, cannondale, other mongoose
Bike Setup: bar enders, new shox(rock shox 5.6" travel)racing a-head set HED wheels
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Submitted by
Big Barry B
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingsport, TN
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2000
Strengths: Price, Frame Strength, Brakes
Weaknesses: Weight, Crank, Handlebar and stem
Bottom Line:
I bought two of these puppies about 2 year's ago for me and my wife to start Mtn. biking. I have since upgraded to a Specialized FSR xc. The Mongoose has done fine. My only complaint is the weight. It weighs more than my FSR does. As I have been upgrading my FSR the Mongoose gets the Specialized parts. The Suntour crank on the Mongoose sucked and the handle bar weighed about 2 tons. When I swaped that bar out it was like riding a new bike. Overall a good beginning bike. However, please only buy real Mongooses, not those cheap piece of crap lead sleds they sell at Wal Mart or Costco or other dept. stores. Only buy bikes from real bike shops, you'll be glad you did in the long run.
I really like this bike. It is fun to ride and i recomend it to any beginner. The fork could be a little more plush also. The rims kept popping my tubes. It was really annoying to end my trip early. I think this bike is a great deal for the price
Submitted by
Murray
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000
Strengths: Solid entry level bike. Good brakes for a cheap bike. Solid frame. 24 gears.
Weaknesses: Saddle. Chain. Rims can develop wobble.
Bottom Line:
What I wanted was a steel hardtail to do the 40kms to work. The Jett C does not cut it as a mountain bike fork but it is ideal for what I use the bike for; road training. In fact it sold the bike as the comparable cheap forks all had bad bounce characteristics when panic stops were needed. The steel frame gives a good soft ride, ProMax brakes are easy to set up and work well, saddle was OK for 20kms but after 50kms....well, it got changed. My personal preference is for Gripshift but the Rapidfires work OK. My short left thumb is a problem changing up. The budget running gear works and is all one can expect on a bike of this price. In short it is a good solid entry level bike that works, with good bang for the buck value. As a road trainer it is brilliant, and is one I can dive off road on with no problems.
Similar Products Used: No hardtails. Usual ride is a DBR V link
Bike Setup: Marin riser bar. GT bar ends. Vuellta saddle. Slicks fitted.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Mo'town NJ USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000
Strengths: Shocks are good for everyday riding. Very easy to pedal, as long as you stay in pretty much the same gear.
Weaknesses: Shifters seem to want to throw the chain off. Tires wear down very easily (but that just may be the ones that came with mine).
Bottom Line:
For the price I got ($185 due to a huge ad mixup at "Dick's"), this bike is very well built and is way ahead of other bikes with the same price. Good for someone who rides offroad a lot but on asphalt as well.
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Frisco baby
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000
Strengths: dude, this bike is darn cheap $350. so it is a fun bike for any beginner. the RS Jett works ok... front wheel is on the heavy side but i never had to true the wheel(front). plus the bike is kinda light too... 29lbs. after $200 of modification
Weaknesses: hehhehehehe.. weaknessees? well, you can't bring this crap to any race(29lbs?) BB and the crank sucks. i had spend 40 buck last year just fixing that stuff. broke my chain after 200 miles(i will never buy any shimano chain again). in addition, i bent my rear wheel after a 2 foot drop(!) so i replaced it with a new ritchey OCR. lastly, i found a crack betwwen the seat stay and the seat tubes(i only weigh 150 lbs).....
Bottom Line:
this bike is a great MTB for beginners. for 350 dollars, you can get a quality frame(ummm.. just don't do any crazy stuff>> drops?no) and some nice components, such as a RS fork, shimano stuff and somewhat cool tires. cro-moly frame gives you a good feelin' when you roll over rough terrain. but overall, this bike will be a good bike for any new MTbiker>>> you just have to check the whole bike more carefully more often...
