Submitted by
Jake Bullet
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2004
Strengths: Good ride. The geometry of the frame gives a little added clearance for the crotch region when you're standing over it... lets you go with a slightly larger frame size, if that's your thing. VRS (Variable Rate Suspension) was a good idea at the time, but I've barely used it. Plus it just takes a little too much work to change it up when going from road->off-road so I usually just leave it where it is.
Weaknesses: Rear triangle: at some point after the first year the rear triangle developed a stress fracture. It was not at a weld joint either... right in the metal frame. Took quite a while to track them down and to pay for the replacement part (back in 1998). No problems since.
Bottom Line:
With good maintenance it's still a good bike almost 7 years later!
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GA (formerly Albany, NY)
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003
Strengths: Has been quite sturdy and handles pretty well. Came with some excellent components, including White Industries crank and Avid brake levers. Welding is impressive as well.
Weaknesses: Indy front doesn't do the job as well as my old bike's Marzocchi air/oil. This, plus the rear setup make the bike seem bouncy on occasion. The chain gets stuck between the smallest chainring and the bb, which can become quite annoying. Front shifter literally fell off on a ride, leaving me to shift manually for several miles.
Bottom Line:
Good bike, not great. I liked my old 'goose hardtail better, but it got stolen. However, I can't imagine the effects on my back had I been riding a hardtail for the past six years. I've taken this bike all over the country, and it has held up well. Could have better suspension, and the geometry isn't perfectly suited to my body - it's a bit too far between headtube and seatpost for me. But, I will miss it when it comes time to part...
Purchased At: someone won it online and did not know how to ride a bike - sold new for $750!
Similar Products Used: Owned two 'goose hardtails before this full-suspension.
Bike Setup: Standard, but with new Deore/Mavic wheelset and new bars/stem. I also threw on some bar ends.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Richwood, WV, USA
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2003
Strengths: Good climber, agile on tight trails, Variable Rate System suspension lets you adjust travel. Looks cool. Takes a beating a keeps going.
Weaknesses: No Mongoose dealer in West Virginia now. A little heavy.
Bottom Line:
This is one amazing bike. I've been riding it for 6 years and it has never given me any problems. Every says to buy a new bike, but I just can't justify it. This bike does everything I ask it to and keeps coming back for more. I have upgraded it over the years, but not because I had to. Soem people have experience the chainstays breaking but this was probably from riding downhill courses. Not what this bike was designed for. This is a great cross-country bike. It also has design features that bike companies are ust now touting on their bikes. I just hope when I have to eventually replace it I get a bike that will last as long as this bike.
Bike Setup: Mongoose VRS 3.0, Rockshox Duke XC, Cane Creek Cloud 9, Easton E50 stem and seatpost, XT derailer, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires, ODI Lock Jaw Yeti grips, Pazzaz riser bar, Cane Creek Aeroheat SG wheels, Specialized Body Geometry seat, Speedplay Frog pedals.
Just broke the chainstay after 4 years. Mongoose is unreachable. Their 1800 number is unreachable from my area. They are no longer at the address shown on the website, nor are they still in Madison WI by the name Mongoose, as per the directory information operator.
Managed to do some super sloothing and found Pacific Cycles is their importer. PC has been prompt in replying to my emails and has requested I send them the busted parts. We'll see what comes of this. Will they be big about things and send me a new one?
I loved to ride this bike, and has done me so well over the years. Other than replacing the bushings, the rear hub, the bike is will be in great condition once the parts arrive. Both rims are pretty banged up too (hey 4 years of rocks and logs). I replaced the seat, and pedals on my own accord/preference.
Bike Setup: mongoose 3.0 VRS. front suspension:rock shox indy XC rear:rock shox deluxe
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bob Thompson
a Cross Country Rider
from Morgan Hill, Ca
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001
Strengths: good climber Looks good good Ride
Weaknesses: rear triangle A little heavy Rear triangle broke STX rear hub Bottom btacket
Bottom Line:
This has been a very good bike. It is fun to ride. It has a solid feel that I find lacking in many other bikes. The rear triangle broke after 3 years. Mongoose was slow to answer the phone but the replacement part was available. The bike is out of warranty now. The part was only $35 plus shipping. It was on my doorstep in 3 days. It has a reinforcing plate over the welds that caused the original break so their should be no more problems. I've wornout the rear hub, bottom bracket and numerous brake pads. The bushings on the rear shock have some wear. the other bushings are still in excellent condition I want to buy a new bike, for no good reason, but will probably keep this one that has been so good to me..
Weaknesses: I just broke the frame at the chainstay. You really want a bike from K-Mart?
Bottom Line:
I was excited about finding a crack in the frame, anticipating engaging the proposed lifetime warranty and receiving a new frame. I was hoping Mongoose would allow me to upgrade to the new Ti DX 10.9 frame. I raced this full suspension frame for two years (I always got my Arse handed to me by hardtails) and am ready for an upgrade to a racing hard tail. I hope Mongoose will not be as difficult to work with as some of the previous posts have indicated. i would think they would want some riders with experience on their bikes, not just K-Mart Shoppers.
Weaknesses: Everything. shit bike is poor i rode an FSR today is blows this bike away,
Bottom Line:
Buh.. Go with FSR, if you have any comments or questions about the bike contact me over icq 27510985 BTW i cracked the frame at the chainstays soo...... go with the amazing Palmer choice FSR!!!
Similar Products Used: FSR,Ellsworth,Litespeed,Norco,Kona,GT,Ironhorse.
Bike Setup: I have the manitou xvert 98' rims 521 almost evrything else is XT other then my sweet ass RaceLine Maguras
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross-Country Rider
from Southbridge
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1999
Strengths: handling, braking, jumping
Weaknesses: warranty from brunswick!!!
Bottom Line:
This bike is great. I have been killing it for 2 1/2 years with only normal maintenance. I recently traveled to Killington VT. for a downhill weekend and crackedthe rear triangle at the weld behind the front chainring. This is a MANUFACTURING DEFECT!!!! Mongoose is now taken over by Brunswick out of Ohio and they SUCK! All of these other reviews are correct when they say it takes forever to be serviced. Between My local shop Sotar Bicycles and myself we have been able to hound these F--king people and supposidly my new rear triangle has been shipped. This has been a 8 week situation. Two of my friends have broken and recieved new frames within a week of the report. Mongoose is a company who looks for money only! they make or made great bikes. but now they are simply not service oriented. go to toys R us or large sports and toy stores and you will find these bikes there. Hopefully my part will come in, but never again will I or anyone I know purchase a Mongoose. They are a great bike but management there needs some serious overhauling! Be cautious of purchasing a GOOSE!
Similar Products Used: cannondales,specialized, treks, diamond backs, GT's
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Burnham
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson AZ
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999
Strengths: good handling bike, see previous review.
Weaknesses: Frame broke in half.
Bottom Line:
It has been eight weeks since I broke the frame, and I just got the replacement last week. Dealing with Mongoose was frustrating. Sometimes I was on hold for nearly an hour waiting for a tech rep to tell me when I'd get my frame. Mongoose eventually did the right thing and sent an NX8.1, but the original fork steerer was too short. Mongoose also agreed to pay $70 to modify the fork, but I must wait another week and a half for the parts to arrive from Rock Shox. Sabino Cycles handled the warranty and have been great throughout the ordeal. I would advise everyone to ask a lot of questions about a bike factory warranty when considering different models. Four stars, I guess. A good design, and Mongoose finally took care of it.
Similar Products Used: All types of dualies, my friend's bikes.
Bike Setup: Factory setup, Kenda Kinetics tires, 747 pedals.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
D. Burnham
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tucson AZ USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 1999
Strengths: Good handling bike, low standover height. Great climber, stable descender. Can accept huge tires.
Weaknesses: Pivots require much maintenance. Chronic chainsuck. Cheap ass front derailleur. Matte ice color is awful, but who cares? Rear section broke in half.
Bottom Line:
This bike was a part of my body, an extension of my nervous system. A trusted friend, a beast of burden a great adventure bike. When I got in over my head, I could just hold and let the bike ride out the rough stuff. I would recommend them to anyone untill....THE FRAME BROKE IN HALF. The chainstays snapped at the weld, forcing me to walk two miles in the desert. I will be digging out the receipt and hoping that the Mongoose/Brusnswick customer service has the right attitude about such things. If they're a good company I will get an apology and a new frame out of this awful incident. I am a thirty five year old rider- I don't do extreme jumps or any silly crap that could break my collarbone again, yet the rear section snapped in half after two and a half years. I hope this adventure in warranty-land goes well. When it's in one piece, it's a great bike design. Four peppers when it's working, subtract two for the long walk home with the broken frame.
Similar Products Used: A great many of my friend's dualies.
Bike Setup: Factory setup, with Kenda 2.38 downhill tires, 747 pedals.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jason
a Cross-Country Rider
from southbridge
Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999
Strengths: Stiff rear suspension climbing power braking control
Weaknesses: chainsuck! Handling at high speed
Bottom Line:
I love my bike. Definitely hate the chain suck but if you finess your shift into granny you can manage it 95% of the time. THis bike is a great all around ride for people who love to ride cross-country and maybe an occational visit to MT. Snow Vermont or Killington.
Similar Products Used: Diamond back X-link Specialesed groud control Cannondale V
Bike Setup: Goose 3.0 Judy XC Club Roost compII bars cheap but affective Nashbar Clipless Tioga tires
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a cross-country rider
from Knoxville,Tn
Date Reviewed: February 28, 1999
Bottom Line:
My Newman 8.5 nx(wired red).Is my third bike behind a Specialized and a GT.Liked each of them.But this bike gives new meaning to mountain biking for me.I know the guy that owns the shop and was out the door for 950.00.This is a full suspension withRock Shox coupe deluxe with3.5 in. travel on rear.Rock Shox T2 with 3 in.travel on front,Mavic preta stem rims,clipless pedals,wtb sst sadel ,lx components,Kore stem,added the carbon fiber(profile)riser bars from my hard tail GT.There are alot of things i like about this bike,the weight is the same or less than the GT BACKWOODS i have ,you can adjust the dampening on the suspension on front and rear,like the cable routing so it wont get mudded up and this bike is plush and fast and looks good and a great price all at the same time.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Kelly
a cross-country rider
from Fredericksburg, Va.
Date Reviewed: January 6, 1999
Bottom Line:
I bought a New VRS.3.0 in March of 1997 and started Rding it regularly on single track. For 9 months I had no Problems. I broke my ankle in a low speed crash in snow in January of 1998 and wasn't able to ride for three months. The second ride into 1998 wasin early April and on a small climb I noticed a little loose wiggle in the swing arm....The swing arm at the chain ring was broken. I ride agressively on singletrack, but I am not an extreme rider, it was definately a problem with the bike. It took 16 weeks to resolve. Mongoose finally got sick of me calling them and sent me a NX8.5 1998 frame. They couldn't get another swingarm. This was good and bad, because I had to buy parts to make the frame work and the front shock I had at the time was inadequate for the new frame..... Their service was bad and it took way too long.......I was really close to buying another frame when that one was shipped.....Read my review on the NX8.5 I broke that frame December 23rd. Mongoose.....GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS! Two Swing Arms in 6 mounths is a problem.....I only weigh 180#......The bike should hold up much better........
