Submitted by
GottaGo
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2011
Strengths: Upgradeability and looks.
Weaknesses: The original fork was very flexy. I weigh 190....
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike 2nd hand for my son when he said he'd ride with me if he had a bike. We rode together once.... I started using it because it was available and like its fit and finish, but the fork was a dog from the get go. As a result of some trickle down bike parts, I upgraded the fork and started using the bike more and more. At some point, I started canibalizing other bikes to improve the ride because I was using it so much.
The Sommet's now my main bike. I ride 2-3 times a week, a couple hours at a whack. Its a great bike. I really can't say enough about it! I also love it's simple, spare look.
I've learned Mongoose made a whole line of bikes based on the same frame (Grand Marquis, Massif, Triomphe, Fairlane, and the Sommet), just different component groups. The Sommet is the least expensive model. I would encourage anyone who has the chance to buy any one of these models to do so, you will be able to upgrade it into your own "customized" ride, if its not good to go as is.
Bike Setup: Manitou Minute Absolute fork. Shimano LX crankset (external bottom bracket). Fox Float R rear shock. WTB Pure seat. Avid BB7 brakes. Rolfe Dolomite wheels. ControlTech stem. Still using original shifters/levers, derailleurs, seat post and handlebars.
Update from last year: I have put this bike through a lot of hard riding in the past year (two 24 hour races, 4 day races and trail rides about 3 times a month). It has held up tremendously as its components were upgraded. The bike can be lightened significantly as mentioned below by some other fellow riders. I was worried about upgrade compatability but it takes to upgrades well (no King headseat to fit it though). I recently needed to rebuild the rear suspension (bushings were a little worn, and I could have just tightened the bolts but opted for the safer route of a rebuild) but Mongoose was really helpful. A rebuild kit contains EVERYTHING (bolts, brackets, bushings, I mean the whole shibang, as well as extras you will not need since the kit is for 4 different models) you need to do a rebuild on the Hotlink suspension and only costs $24.00. Since the Sommet has been discontinued, I would suggest just getting one or two kits and keeping them handy if you are interested in getting more years out of the bike. With the rebuild, the bike is truly like new --nice and tight. I could not be happier with this frame. It floats over obstacles as well as any other high end dual suspension bike and certainly does not deserve the "store-bought" stigma.
Bike Setup: Fox 100RLT; Cane Creek Cloud 9; Thomson stem and post; Cane Creek ZS-6 headseat; Avid Ti rear V-brake (rear); Avid Black Ops V-brake (front); Mavic 221 rims and LX hubs and rear cassette; Kenda/Bontrager AC tires; XT front and rear derailleur; XT Hollowtech crankset (Race Face bash plate); Titec Ithys-Gove seat; Crank Bros. Candy SL pedals; LX shifter/lever combo; and EA50 flat bar.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
larry c
a Cross Country Rider
from royal oak,mich.
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2004
Strengths: update from earlier post/exc. frame
Weaknesses: rear triangle bushings need anti-seize;mine were dry as could be-started to wear a grove into the bushing.now after lubing the rear moves very freely.also rear shock spring as to go.
Bottom Line:
after a 1000lb. Eibach rear spring the bike is completely transformed.rear shock has over 1k miles & still works perfect.I weigh 170 & the Eibach completly transformed the bikes ride for the better.much more rideable longer than my NRS.hope mongoose has not abandoned the hotlink PRO bikes.....
Bike Setup: nothing as stock but seatpost-front der.,rear RST 22a shock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Juan
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004
Strengths: Frame, since everything else has been upgraded
Weaknesses: I didn't like the tires or the brakes
Bottom Line:
This Bike has been completely renewed, I upgraded the hell out of it since I liked the way the frame looks. I used it stock for a while but since I kept getting better (and rougher) at cycling, the components that came on it started to get out grown. Mainly the front fork, I wanted to try a lock out and belive me it makes a world of difference, and you loose a few pounds at it too, The rear shock is also another thing to get rid of, I went with the Cane Creek AD 5 because of my budget at the time (plus its light) so then came the other things that I upgraded mainly 'cause of looks. Before I upgraded the shocks I did upgrade the drive train, then the crank and bottom bracket, don't get me wrong the ones that come on are fine but you loose some weight with upgrading and it does help, especially when you climb or sprint. I have had a few people ride my bike, some were roadies other moutainbikers and both type have loved how it sprints. Even when I first got it it would sprint pretty good, but when you bring it down from about 31 to 32 lbs stock to about 25 to 26 lbs like mine is at the moment, you begin to notice how you can ride faster and climb easier. If you can get your hands on this bike I would definetely its cheaper than most of the other bikes on the market and it has almost the same specs as the gian nrs frames. Its been about a year and a half for my bike. I've crashed, jumped and rode the hell out of it and it keeps going and going. I don't live in the area anymore but when ever I am able to go to Newport beach I try to get to El Morro Cayon since I can climb and climb, it's a good chance to use my bike for what I upgraded it. Like I said, get one if you like, ride it, enjoy it, and have fun with life. Work Hard, Play hard, but ride even Harder!
Bike Setup: Cane Creek AD5,ZS2 Headset, '03 Manitou Skareb Super, Mavic 3.1 tubeless laced to XT Disc Hubs, DT 2.0 Spokes, Answer ProTaper Carbon fiber riser bar, Thomson stem and post, selle italia flite gel, Truvativ Stylo team crank, Egg Beater S pedals, Shimano XT drivetrain, FSA Platinum Pro TI BB, Avid Disc Brakes, Avid Mag Levers and Flak Jacket cables Panaracer FireXC Pro Tubeless tires.
I agree - great platform to upgrade, and race (or in my case, ATTEMPT to race) if you can lighten it up. Dick's makes you think you're getting a deal though by listing MSRP at $1099. It's $550 because the stock components are either low quality or heavy; but what the hell - ride it till they give out and upgrade. Stock Mosquito tires actually great for the muddy trails out here in PA. I have had a lot of spills and collisions (mostly due to inexperience) but the frame and Mavic rims have held up well through it all. No probs thus far with stock rear shock or front shock (despite consumer recall by the feds), but hope to go lighter on this one day...unless the wife threatens to leave me.
Weaknesses: front and rear suspension, tires are junk and rims are junk
Bottom Line:
Ok, I have had this bike for over a year now. The tires and rims are horrible, but pick up some good ones and you'll be set. While your at it, pick up new front and rear suspension. Overall, it's been a great bike. the frame has remained true on many spills and rides throughout the west. I doubt you can find this bike anymore, but if you do buy it. it really is a good bike. The frame is comparable to any 2000 dollar bike, I promise. Replace the tires cause they will start to pop your innertubes you know. Ride hard and have fun.
Submitted by
J. Craig Mayer
a Cross Country Rider
from Winchester,Ky
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003
Strengths: Great lightweight frame.Can not beat the price!Great platform for up-grading.
Weaknesses: The cheap department store brand reputation.The stock rear shock is so-so
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike as a 2002 left-over.The list price was $1198.00.So it was already a great deal at half price. This was my first full-suspension bike,so I didn,t want to spend a fortune because I wasn,t sure I would like it.I had tried other full-suspension bikes first and wasn,t pleased with the weight.This bike has more than pleased me!With about $600.00 of up-grades from e-bay,I have trimed the weight down to a sub 27 lbs bike!I can ride all day and not get tired.So far,everything is holding up great.The bike handles very good,nimble and predictable.Can,t say this bike would be good for freeride or downhill,not enough suspension travel,but what a awesome cross-country bike it has been.For less than $1200.00 I have invested I would put it up against any $2500.00 cross-country bike!If you can find one I would highly recomend buying one. And no, Mines not for sale.
My first FS bike. Even with the so-so, spongy shocks, this bike is solid. I took it on a 40 mile beast of a ride (huge drops and many spills) and barely a stratch. Great upgradable, starter bike. Climbs/descends great (the spongy shocks are awesome on descends). If you can find this bike for aroudn $500, BUY IT!
Submitted by
Beta Max
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003
Strengths: Nicely worked, solid frame! Suspiciously similar in ride and build to Giant NRS. At heavy discounts, a bargain builder!
Weaknesses: Front fork (fragile, lots of play, just plain cheesey). Make sure yours has been "modified" by dealer so it does not explode in pieces!!! Rear shock (same as above). Other componentry (decent, but not great).
Bottom Line:
If you can find this bike at a HEAVY discount, typically $500 to $650, go for it, especially if you don't have $1500 or more to drop better equipped bikes and you want to postpone pedaling.
It has a very upgradeable frame, and most original components will at least get you out there while you bargain hunt for better parts(Bargains everywhere for those who are patient and persistent). I cannot think of another complete bike with similar componentry and build in this price range. While I wouldn't attempt really tough trails until some upgrades, upgrades that suit your personal taste and style, this bike is a vast improvement over department and sports mega stores.
compared to my NRS the sommet is very comfy.minimal pedal bob & soaks up the bumps real well compared to the giant.was on sale + dicks took $100 more off because the front der. was not alighned!if you can still find one on sale its a great frameset to build on.other frame builders are using the HotLink style in '03.worth a test ride.....
Submitted by
cheese head
a Cross Country Rider
from WI
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003
Strengths: Lightweight at 31 lbs for large frame. Nice cross country type bike. Solid construction, reasonable components. I think the brakes are very good. No problems with derailleur or bottom bracket. It's not a freeride bike and you can trash it (if you're a moron), but you can't beat the value. The back suspension really does work well and does not bob significantly when you stand on the pedals. The full-suspension set-up does make you concentrate on your pedalling style so you don't cause it to bob.
Weaknesses: Front fork kinda sloppy, but very soft and responsive. Dicks doesn't assemble the bike very well, so it required some tweaking.
Bottom Line:
You can't find a better bike for the price. Buy it if it's still around.
Weaknesses: lower level parts (to be expected at this price point) stigma of riding a "store bought" bike
Bottom Line:
i shopped the world over looking for a replacement for my FSR. it seems that i can make even the most expensive bike frames flex when i climb, resulting in ghost shifting. on a whim, i rode this bike. i've not been able to get it to flex as yet. but i've only given it about six hours of trail time.
i am absolutely amazed by how well this bike climbs. it feels like my cyclocross bike when i accelerate. no bobbing that i can notice.
the part spec is deore. i have all new LX waiting to swap but the deore parts all work 100% as expected (except for the brakes). you can't beat the avid arch rivals for ease of use and power.
on purchase, i took it home and set it up correctly before riding it. this involved: tightening all bolts, shortening cables and housings, tensioning the wheel spokes. to save $500 - $1000 it seems a reasonable trade off.
overall, definitely better ride and value than the cannondale jekyll 500, fsr, and sugar 4+. and it weighs less as well. save the extra $500 - $1000 and but a full xt kit and a sid fork to put on over the winter.
5 for value 4 overall. it is a great trail bike at a great price. no regrets.
Similar Products Used: specialized fsr, voodoo zobop, trek hardtail
Bike Setup: stock with avid arch rival brakes
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
p robbinson
a Racer
from livonia, mi , usa
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003
Strengths: Price
Weaknesses: First bike I bought chain broke, derailleur flew into rear wheel and I went over the handle bars;returned it for a replacement and that bikes' bottom bracket went bad.Both of these bikes had less than 100 miles.
Bottom Line:
I returned the last bike for full credit,but I am disapointed with the quality of this bike. I would never reccomend it.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Moab, Mongoose dx 6.7
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Aubrey Milstead
a Weekend Warrior
from Vinton, LA
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2003
Strengths: Price, design, most of the components
Weaknesses: Front derailleur (hard to keep adjusted), rear shock
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. It handles the trails I ride with confidence and has made me a much better rider. All of this for about half the price of something comparable.
Has anyone tried replacing the stock RST-22A coil shock of a Mongoose Pro Sommet? will a Marzocchi Air R '07 fit? are all shock's bodies standard sized? Available sizes include eye Read More »
Not sure if this is OK to do but it seems other spams are not removed by the moderator as long as the ad is in the classified.
I have a Mogoose Sommet frame with Fox AVA shock, Read More »
I have what I believe to be a complete rebuild kit for the Sommet. And it may also fit several other 3.5 inch hotlinks mongoose bikes. It has all the bushings, bearings, even a f Read More »
I have a '03 Mongoose Sommet frame that i am looking to replace the integrated headset on. Because of the age of the frame, I think the OEM headset maybe was an early version the t Read More »
