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Submitted by
Brian DelVecchio
a Racer
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere here now | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's | | Strengths: | Incerdible durability | | Weaknesses: | No hovering mechanism | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback | | 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. | | Bottom Line: | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
larry c
a Cross Country Rider
from royal oak,mich.
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any w/out motor vehicles. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks sporting | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | nothing as stock but seatpost-front der.,rear RST 22a shock. | | 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..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juan
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | El Morro | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Frame, since everything else has been upgraded | | Weaknesses: | I didn't like the tires or the brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS | | 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. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian DelVecchio
a Racer
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere in Deutschland | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Price, frame, "upgradability" | | Weaknesses: | Stock components | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback dual suspension V-Link (I think from 1998) | | Bike Setup: | Derailleurs and crankset 2004 Shimano XT now. Titec Ithys Gove Seat w/ Thomson Elite post. Avid ti V-brakes. Mavic 221 rims. Egg Beater pedals (these are friggin' great!). | | Bottom Line: | 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. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cornfedmidgetoflove
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$570.00 | | Purchased At: | internet | | Strengths: | frame | | Weaknesses: | front and rear suspension, tires are junk and rims are junk | | Similar Products Used: | other bikes | | Bike Setup: | stuff on it | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. Craig Mayer
a Cross Country Rider
from Winchester,Ky
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Capitol view park,Frankfort | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks sporting goods | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first full-suspension bike | | Bike Setup: | Fox float-R rear shock,noleen mega-air forks,ti bottom bracket,XT deraillieurs&cassette,stylo crank,Avid ti brakes | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Allen park MI
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | FRAME | | Weaknesses: | WHEEL SET | | Similar Products Used: | GIANT WARP, TREK AND MONGOOSE HARDTAILS | | Bike Setup: | FACTORY, WILL PUT MY OTHER WHEELSET ON IN A FEW WEEKS | | Bottom Line: | FIRST RIDE THE BIKE HANDLE WELL, WILL REPOST AFTER MORE SERIOUS USE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from CO
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Frame; Price | | Weaknesses: | Front/Rear Shock | | Similar Products Used: | K2 Attack 3.0 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Beta Max
a Cross Country Rider
from Miami
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the last one I was on | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$590.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | 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).
| | Similar Products Used: | Giant, Jamis, even crappier Mongooseseses. | | Bike Setup: | Next LP crankset, M540 wheelset, Conti traffic treads, magnesium platforms;FRONT FORK!!!-Black Elite;REAR SHOCK!!!;Cane Creek Cloud Nine, blah blah blah | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
larry c
a Cross Country Rider
from royal oak,mich.
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | all w/no cars. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks sporting goods | | Strengths: | exc. welds,large alloy tubing,HotLinks rear susp. | | Weaknesses: | none for the$$$/ | | Similar Products Used: | '02 NRS3 | | Bike Setup: | sxR fork,850lb. rear spring,geax reverts,xt 8sp. shifters,brakes,lx rear der. | | Bottom Line: | 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..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cheese head
a Cross Country Rider
from WI
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Older front suspension bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | You can't find a better bike for the price. Buy it if it's still around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
endoh
a Cross Country Rider
from claysville, pa
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the path less travelled | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | dick's sporting goods | | Strengths: | light weight, pedalling efficiency, ride quality | | Weaknesses: | lower level parts (to be expected at this price point)
stigma of riding a "store bought" bike | | Similar Products Used: | specialized fsr, voodoo zobop, trek hardtail | | Bike Setup: | stock with avid arch rival brakes | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
p robbinson
a Racer
from livonia, mi , usa
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hanson Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | 550.00 Dicks Sporting Goods | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab, Mongoose dx 6.7 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aubrey Milstead
a Weekend Warrior
from Vinton, LA
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Price, design, most of the components | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur (hard to keep adjusted), rear shock | | Similar Products Used: | K2 hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Stock except xtr rear derailleur, cane creek shock, avid SD mag brakes, and wtb speed v race seat | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Francois Mezei
a Weekend Warrior
from Grenoble
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | The frame,the saddle, the components | | Weaknesses: | the rear shock | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose sommet with psylo sl, the rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awesome.The frame is really stiff, and the KORE components are really strong. The rear shock is ok, I completely broke mine (not riding it), and it still works pretty well. If you change the fork and the rear shock, youn can really get some freeride performance, the bike will handle 3 to 4 foot drops on flat even with the RST shock. Now considering the price, this bike is the best you can get for this price range. And never mind that dumb*** robert, below me, I know him and he doesn't even own a bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
k miller
a
from yankee springs, mi, usa
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | yankee springs rec area | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | frame, value | | Weaknesses: | brake calipers, schrader tubes & rims | | Similar Products Used: | i mostly ride road time trial bikes | | Bike Setup: | stock from supergo.com | | Bottom Line: | The Mogoose Sommet from Supergo arrived well packaged. Everything was wrapped to protect from scratching and everything was bundled together so nothing could rattle. It almost took longer to remove the packaging than it did to put the thing together. Other than truing the wheels (they were not true when received which is typical) all that was needed to put the bike together was a 4 & 5mm hex wrench. Someone who has tinkered with bikes a little would have no problem putting it together.
The bike looks very nice. The best part about the bike is the frame. The frame is impressive and looks / feels high quality. The welds are perfect. The front and rear derailer are Deore; typical for this price. The worse part of the bike is the brake calipers. They look cheap and junky but they work okay. The fork looks quality and feels nice for this price range.
The wheels look nice and no problems with them, but I was disappointed that they are drilled for and supplied with Schrader tubes. Schrader reminds me of something that belongs on a bike you ride around the subdivision. Not only that but I want to share the saddle bag from my Cervelo P2K and the CO2’s will not work with Schrader. So I switched the tubes to Presta and used a rubber grommet to compensate for the larger hole in the rim. The grommet is a pain to install but without it dirt can get inside the rim. I like the Hutchinson Mosquitoe tires, they are very light weight. However the lightweight rubber compound used in these does wear quickly. The wheel / tire combo is lighter than I expected.
I also like the saddle more than expected. It looks and feels nice, has long rails and good flex and good padding. Nicer than the saddle that came on my $2300 Cervelo.
The cranks look pretty cool and feel stiff. They are the same Shimano cranks I saw on many of the bikes I shopped. They are sub Deore quality but meet my needs. The supplied pedals are basic but will be fine if you like SPD.
The rear shock is cheap (I found it is around $65 new), as you would expect for a dual suspension bike of this price, but it looks decent and the adjustibility works pretty well. There are 9 pivot points in the rear suspension. I am not an expert but to me this says that it is not a cheap suspension design, it is pretty elaborate and it provides a controlled compliant ride.
To summarize, for $580 (incl. Shipping) you can’t have it all but in my mind this bike puts the $$ in the most important places, namely the frame. I shopped around and even with an “insider deal” at my local shop I couldn’t find anything close as far as bang for the buck. For $580 it is a serious bargain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo.com | | Strengths: | Frame. Price. | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock, tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Rode most entry-level ($1300 and less) full suspension's on the market | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Followup.
Ride great. A bit of bottom bracket flex under heavy pedaling. Suspension design fine. Can't beat it for the price. Go get one.
This bike is great. It comes mostly assembled, I think you can do all the assembly with hex wrenches. I also took the chain off and cleaned off the lube and put on better grease.
The tires don't really inspire confidence, but they might be fine, after I learn their limits. Otherwise I can afford to buy some new ones!
Fiddling with the rebound on the rear shock still, it has *some* effect, but it certainly is no air shock.
Nothing can touch this bike in this price range, or even within several hundred $ more.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cornfedmidget
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | price | | Weaknesses: | tire, rear shock | | Bottom Line: | Ok, this is a follow up to my other one. the bike is great for the price. I just got back from a tough little ride and the bike held up great on some steep and rough downhill. Go get the bike for 579 bucks. you can't beat it, and you won't regret getting the thing. I am impressed, and pleased. This bike should get 6 rocks for value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Juan
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim, California
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Fullerton LOOP, Chino Hills, El Morro | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Weight, Design (like the Giant NRS), Disc Brake Mounts (Front and Rear), Component level, Price! | | Weaknesses: | Rear Shock, Brakes, Rims, and Tires | | Similar Products Used: | Giant NRS 1 | | Bike Setup: | XT Front and Rear, New front rim, otherwise stock. | | Bottom Line: | I found this bike to be a great deal, I rode a Giant NRS 1 and was thinking of buying another one and an NRS 3 for my fiance, but when I saw this one, found that it was in the same basic category as the NRS 3 (componentry level) I decided to buy two of them since buying the NRS 1 and 3 would be about 3000 for both I found that for less than half that price I could have a new bike for her and my self.
The bike is great I compared the frame to the giant nrs and found that the specs and even the welds are in the same spot. Seem very much like giant made the frame for mongoose. Now for the components, I upgraded the derailleurs to XT right off the bat I kept the shifters because the brake lever is attached to it and I didn't want to spend extra money for the seperate parts. They work great with the crank (which is lower than deore) and the cassette (which is sram 7.0). The rims are great until you crash, I bent my front rim on a crash and could not find another Mavic X139 for it. So I bought a X221 replacement now the rims don't match because the x221 is silver and the x139 is black, oh well I will buy another silver one later.
The Kore stuff is good, light and feels stiff, my stem seems to creek a little but it is only at times that it does that. The rear shock (RST 22-A) works fine but it is some what heavy compared to most air shocks, plus it is an oil and coil shock. The manitou six elite front for is good for now, works good when going over stumps and ruts not the best for climing though, I feel good when I ride my bike, I find it that the more I ride it the more I like it.
This bike is great for someone on a budget that want to get a light bike and have some performance out of it. Like I said earlier the frame seems to be a giant or atleast it has the same specs to it, just the cable routing is on top and not the bottom. If you dont like some of the componets they can be upgraded (The rear shock for one) It rides good it feels pretty stiff and you won't feel the hit in your wallet! Not to sound cheap because I'm not but if you are not racing or have the necessity for the top end bike, then it is a great deal. Have fun, and Ride Hard!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cornfedmidget
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | haven't found it | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$579.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | The price
The price
The price
and the good frame...good one | | Weaknesses: | rear shock, lame tires | | Similar Products Used: | a long time ago, performance no suspension moutain bike
have ridden a giant iguana a time or two | | Bike Setup: | aluminum frame, shimano and a lot of Kore stuff, (never heard of it) but bike is solid | | Bottom Line: | Ok, the bike is a good one for the price especially. The design looks like the Giant NRS. The bike is inexpensive. I wanted to get a Rocky Mountain, however even their economical models weren't economical to me, well my poorness. So, I saw the Sommet on supergo. I said ok, looks decent, however it's Mongoose, the walmart bike. well, I did research found out it was a good bike. And I disagree with one bike editor that said the bike bobs when climbing, sorry my friend, but I weigh 185 pounds, and the bike didn't bob...maybe mine is better?
People, if you want a good deal, go out and get this bike, you have to tweek it yourself. But when it is all said and done, you have a decent bike. I am taking it down to southern Utah in a week and half for thanksgiving, I think it will handle anything the $2000 dollar bikes will. I know it is sad that mongoose isn't the same company, but in this bike they still make a good one. Take it easy and keep smiling | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$580.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | Disc brake mounts on fork and frame. Sturdy feel. Machined rims. Price. Nice suspension feel. Very much like the Giant NRS3. Easy to coordinate with silver and black cosmetics. | | Weaknesses: | Psuedo V-brake spec'ed. RST 22A rear shock. Budget tradeoffs made on a lot of the components, but it was only $650 with shipping and tax. 30 lbs. in a medium | | Similar Products Used: | Test rode NRS3, Cannondale Scalpel, Gary Fisher 4+. This is my second full suspension bicycle. My 1996 Specialized got ripped off a few weeks ago. | | Bike Setup: | Bone stock. Haven't even put on a water bottle holder yet. | | Bottom Line: | In this world of you get what you pay for, this bike might be an exception. Out of the box and casually rolled around the neighborhood, it feels great. I will post a follow-up once I get it on a trail. This is just a quality/price posting. Since there wasn't much pub on this model on the internet (I looked), here's the skinny from someone who has seen and ridden one, if briefly.
Sizing - I'm 5'11" and 170. My inseam is 31". The medium is maybe a hair small for me. I like a more stretched out position. That said, the standover is over 29", so I couldn't really get a large anyway.
Components - I was surprised to find the shock was an oil/spring shock. This one is a Manitou Six Elite Super, with 80/100 mm travel-it is adjustible if you disassemble the shock. Nice bonus, I thought it was 80 only from the ad. Sure it's heavy, but this is a $600 bike. The v-brakes are pure cheese. All the drivetrain stuff is Shimano Deore. The rims look nice. The tires look crappy. The rear shock IS crappy, but it does have a rebound control - who knows if its functional. Lots of Kore on this bike.
Frame - Nice. I don't know about the "Hot Link", but the frame is true, the welds are pretty, and the feel is quality. Has rear disc mount. Definitely bonus in this price range. A frame I'd feel comfortable upgrading over time. I am very surprised by this - I was going to treat this as a disposable bike.
Ride quality - I love to ride off curbs and see what kind of rebound the rear gives me - some rebound you right off the seat. Some bottom out and hit you hard. This is a nice in between. I'd say one of the better rides for curb dumping. There is not loads of travel back there. Maybe 3". Maybe. Of course the shock is not broken in etc. The front end is quick - faster than my old bike (which was longer). Feels stable and controllable - I am surprised. I got in the big ring and pounded it, watching the swingarm - there was some movement, but not a ton. I didn't feel any feedback. Haven't been on a hill in the small ring yet to test that.
Vendor - Shipped the next day, delivered the day after (I live 20 miles from their headquarters though) - don't be jealous, I had to pony up 8% sales tax on top of $30 shipping.
Bottom Line after 1 day - go get yourself one. For the money there isn't a better bike on the market. Now for $400 more, there are better bikes on the market. But that's a wetsuit and surfboard. One has to have priorities. . . . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Sutton
a Cross Country Rider
from Yokota Air Base, Japan
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1070.00 | | Purchased At: | Kamiya Cycle mates | | Strengths: | weight approx 30Lbs, and suspension | | Weaknesses: | None found yet | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for two items listed below | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my previous evaluation. I have put some good long mile in on this Mongoose sommet and I can say truthfully that the more I ride it the better I like it. I as stated before changed the seat the first day I got it home and the only other thing I have changed is the stem. Not that the old one was bad, I just wanted one with a little more lift so I purchased a 130mm 40 degree pitch stem. At some time in the future I plan on purchasing disc brakes but that will not be until I wear the V-Brakes out. The suspension can be tuned both front and back and that really comes in handy when you ride on different types of terrain. The tires are well suited for XC riding and the bike handles well in all situations I have placed it in. I ride normally three times a week for at least an hour and a half and then put a long trail ride in on the weekends. I have enjoyed the ride and the feel of this bike moreso than any other I’ve owned. I still rate it Five flamin Chilis! It still Rocks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Sutton
a Weekend Warrior
from Yokota Air Base Japan
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Local res trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1070.00 | | Purchased At: | Kamiya Cycle mates | | Strengths: | Lightweight, good components, I really like the suspension setup. | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat seemed too slim. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is still really new; I’ll have to do a follow up review later. I am glad I found this bike. I was considering a Sugar 3+ or a Trek fuel 90. I found this bike in a local shop here in town and am glad I did. The suspension is similar to the Trek and NRS. Multiple pivot points. The bike is a cross-country / single-track bike not meant for high jumps or downhill riders. For my type of riding (cross-country / single-track ) 3 to 4 day a week approx 20-40 kilometers per trip through the woods to the reservoir it rocks. Well balanced, light weight, good value. I'm 6 foot 200 lbs and this bike is a med and fit me very well. Five flamin Chilis for overall rating!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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