Strengths: Great frame for taking on the Italian country-side. Unbreakable construction. Gears is smooth, all 27 of them. Rockshox is cushy enough although not the best around, it takes on the trails with ease.
Weaknesses: Not much to complain about, except the saddle which is not really a problem.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, buy it for the frame. Puts many others to shame.
Strengths: Love the oversized frame. Meaty enough to eat up whatever the road gives. Reasonable weight. Good component group.
Weaknesses: Some cheap parts here and there. Planning on turning it into a sturdy bike for the road (already have a full-suspension for all my off-road desires).
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money I paid. Do not let the Mongoose name fool you. As everyone else has said, this is no department store bike. Great bike for beginners or those looking for a well-priced bike that's easily upgradeable.
Similar Products Used: Never owned a hardtail before. Only full-suspension and rigid-frames.
Bike Setup: Went with an Avid setup for the brakes and levers. Threw away the stock saddle and replaced with a Selle Royale. New front wheel, Ritchey TGV grips, and a big Deore LX upgrade in about 15 days (I'm kind of excited). Goin' with a new handlebar, stem, seatpost, LX crankset (w/ new BB), LX chain & casette, and LX front-derailleur. Keepin' the shocks.
Strengths: Smoothness of Ride. Deore Componentary. Jett Rock Shox Value for money Bulletproof frame
Weaknesses: Saddle (very bad on nether regions for long treks) Can't get into 27th gear (highest) Sometimes slips from the 3rd chain rung to 2nd. Maximum Size of Frame Oversize frame and exposed wire connections can be problem when wanting to attach D-Locks
Bottom Line:
Best Value for money on Earth A thoroughly enjoyable ride when on a budget Possible invest in a new seat, if you plan for procreation Buy it if young and is first bike
Purchased At: 2nd Hand through paper (norm. US$550)
Similar Products Used: Repco Maxtracks 3 (Sorry all cyclists!)
Bike Setup: Same as Australian Brand New Model, Deore Hubs, Shifters, Deralluires, Jett Rock Shox
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Liberty, MO USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001
Strengths: VALUE!!! Great performer..especially for the money! I am 5'6". This machine offers a perfect fit for me (18" frame). The 27 speed offers the most useable range I have encountered. Plenty of low end range for long hill climbs and plenty of high end for downhill thrusts. I love it!!!
Weaknesses: SEAT!!! It's OK at best. The front derailler has to be used with ease. Rock Shox suspension OK (again, great for the money)
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I feel great about my purchase. Components are very good (especially when considering the price paid and the way I ride--weekend warrior). Just remember to use your front shifter with ease. I would strongly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a killer machine under $500. And now...good luck finding one.
Purchased At: Dicks Sports (I know, but remember $212 and I got ALL THIS)
Similar Products Used: Trek 4500.
Bike Setup: Stock bike. Changed tires from Maxxis (saved tires for loose dirt) to Michelin Wildgripper Rock (most of my riding is on hardpack). Considering changing front suspension (?)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Glenide, PA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001
Strengths: -Frame -component group -great feel:aggressive yet easy to manuever
Weaknesses: -seat -brakes -Note: I have no beef with the jetts, they are decent enough
Bottom Line:
You are lucky if you own one of these. In my research, nothing beats it for the cash. Nothing. With features such as a Deore drivetrain, deore rear hub, deore rear deraileur, decent cranks, decent rims, decent tires, decent forks, and a freakin' great frame that is a freakin' work of art!! Be proud and ride and enjoy. This is not a damn "Wal-Mart special" It's a great machine and hopefully Mongoose can keep building these worthy ATB's.
Similar Products Used: -2000 Specialized Hard Rock Comp A1 (which I own) and I like this more. It's faster and climbs better -1997 Rockhopper FS (this is much better)
Bike Setup: -I put a deore LX front derailuer on it. The Alivio one sucked. -new Topo saddle
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Taiwan
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2001
Strengths: Great frame, the best in its class. Worthy components, 27 speed Shimano Deore. Entry level Rockshox suspension, 65mm travel.
Weaknesses: Some cheap stuffs here and there, like the saddle.
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike, the frame alone will made it all worth while. It is not exactly light but it sure can take a beating. Top it up with Shimano 27 speed and Rockshox suspension, this is the best buy for the money.
Submitted by
James caswell
a Cross Country Rider
from brisbane
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2001
Strengths: It has great tyres. I went for a 6 hour endour race today and didn't get one flat. It has great gear change, nice Brackes. sweat fram (super over sized), great value for money. and there are lots more to be mentioned
Weaknesses: not very comfy seat
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is it is a great bike it is built with pride and strenght, it loves to be pushed to the limits. it is sold for a great price so i would recomend you buy one thay are just what every xc racer needs
Submitted by
PAUL
a Cross Country Rider
from SWINDON, UK
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2001
Strengths: Well specced for the money - other bikes I looked at for the same mpney had much lower spec Shimano components. A great frame - looks well made and the sloping top tube gives plenty of stand over room
Weaknesses: The saddle was very uncomfortable to start with but I'm getting used to it. The front fork bottoms out quite a lot. I thought it had a lifetime frame warranty but reading the small print it only applies in the USA.The handlebar is very narrow - get some bar ends.
Bottom Line:
Excellent value for money - we pay more for bikes in the UK than you do in the States but I got it in the Sales for nearly 40% off - the UK list price is US$560. I would recommend it without reservation.
Strengths: -VALUE!Comes with well-made 7005 aluminum frame and 27-speed Deore deraillers for around $500(sometimes less--find one on discount at Dick's) -Worth the upgrades that you will undoubtedly give it -Maxxis tires -Arguably better-spec'd than ANY bike in the $400-$500 bracket -NOT A BLUE-LIGHT SPECIAL!!!
Weaknesses: -The company itself(weak service) -Typical and obvious skimping in the brake,wheel,and saddle department(trust me,you can expect this on any bike in this price range) -The Jett fork(it sucks--little travel,bottoms often,no damping) -Comes with a flat bar -The frame rides STIFF--this is to be expected from a low-end aluminum frame with monster-size pipes,so get used to it
Bottom Line:
Don't be scared of the Mongoose name--pay less attention to the brand,and look closely at the bike it's attached to.The DX 4.0 is a GREAT bike for this kind of money,and it is built with QUALITY--which is so obviously lacking in Mongoose's department store offerings.
If the bike is built well(Dick's is kind of iffy--look closely at the bike before you buy it),then it's a great bargain.Note the deraillers,tires and frame--it's all good,baby.True,the wheels,brakes,and saddle aren't great,but they aren't much better on my Rockhopper,which cost close to $150 more.The only really dumb component on the bike might be the RockShox Jett fork--an outdated hunk of junk that I strongly advise you replace--'cause it'll break anyway.
Bottom Line:The DX 4.0 is a great bike for the beginning enthusiast.5/value,4/overall(because they spec'd a poor excuse for a fork!)
Similar Products Used: Trek, Specialized and Nikkei steel
Bike Setup: Changed the saddles only. Riser will be next
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Vincent
a Cross Country Rider
from M'sia
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2001
Strengths: Stiff and strong 7005 frame. Rockshox Jett shocks works fine. Shimano Deore 27 speed. What more could you ask for?
Weaknesses: Some obvious cost-cutting here and there. Like saddles...
Bottom Line:
Beautiful bike, with Rockshox shocks and Deore 27 speed. From where I'm from this is already a dream. Climbs fine with Maxxis XC tires, accelerates effortlessly and I could go on and on and on...
Submitted by
Vincent
a Weekend Warrior
from S'pore
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2000
Strengths: Super strong butted aluminium frame. The massive oversized bi-oval downtube make sure it is absolutely bombproof. Rockshox front shocks works great, not too stiff or plush. Also, the Deore rear derailluer shifts fantasic and it's the best value 27 speed bike to be found around town.
Weaknesses: Could do with better brakes set and saddles.
Bottom Line:
If cash is what you're lacking, then this is what you're looking. Gives the most bang for the buck. Go give it a look.
Strengths: JOY JOY JOY Frame... Solid ride on this baby, comes with decent components and 27 speed. Double wall rims for extra strength and the frame is T7!!! The frame is very oversized and welded very well.
Weaknesses: Get rid of the pedals for some platforms, get rid of the handel bars for some rise bars, and the shocks, BIN THEM!!! Jetts suck. The brakes are no names but do the job very well... You might wanna get some new tyres for it to, they come with maxis which are good for the rode but dont hold on gravel to well.
Bottom Line:
The bike kicks ass, i have seen bikes which cost almost doulbe and are not even that much better than this beast. Once again the frame is what is good on this baby, but if you are if you are just a weekend warrior this bike is all you need.
Similar Products Used: The only other product i have ever used is a REPCO Max Tracks... scary i know, not to similar at all.
Bike Setup: Deore changers, 27 speed, maxxis tyres, no name brakes, xc rock shocks, eastern rise bars, mosh platform pedals, sugina drivetrain... preety good for the price
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dr Plains
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth Australia
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000
Strengths: hell cheap, sick frame, great componenents for price...
Weaknesses: jetts suk, grips suk, pedals suk
Bottom Line:
kill the jetts, buy yourself some rise bars and some decent pedals and you got yourself a joy bike!! i hated the grips too..too thin etc so i bought some serfas ones...cheap too i love a FAT tyre so i went hyper and bought a 2.1" oh another thing about the jetts, their duds..only one side has an actual carttridge!!1 so watch out..dont be doing any dropoffs etc or ull kill urself theres nothing much else to say....i paid $655 AUS for this beast and its great..i use it for XC (-ve the Kujos) , a bit of DH and mostly hacking around and its hell good
