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Submitted by
Mara
a Weekend Warrior
from Romania
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | every... from road to mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | can't remember the d | | Strengths: | LIGHT, durable frame and parts, likes to climb, cheap, really easy to ride, smooth riding and very fast (on the same gear my friends were sweating to keep the speed), the v-brakes just didn't want to die | | Weaknesses: | pedals (replaced them from the first second), a little too small for me (my fault) witch caused a tricky position on downhills, the rear hub (first part to replace after one year, and then after 5 years again), the fork became rigid in time (6 years of use) and not adjustable, shifters a little bit slow | | Similar Products Used: | magellan hydra only one month (stolen) | | Bike Setup: | pedals, longer seat post to fit the size of the bike, rear hub, new tires after 5 years | | Bottom Line: | i loved it from the first second, so light and easy to ride, i didn't even fill the pedals. And when climbing it was like i could not stop it. Used it for commuting every day and xc in weekends. No main problems with it, really easy to repair and adjust. I did take care of it when home (clean, lubricate) but on the trail .. no mercy. Long trips like 60 -100 km were just fine for it and I never had a flat tire.
I just moved from Ro and I'm sorry I couldn't take it with me (looking forward to buy a new one that can replace it). If I could I would buy it again. I just love it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jesse Busby
a Weekend Warrior
from Ocoee(Orlando) FL
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | West Orange Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Brother | | Strengths: | Good lighterweight frame for the price
Mostly alluminum
easy to upgrade
| | Weaknesses: | Rims
Handlebars
BB and hubs cheap
| | Similar Products Used: | Royal union bikes fuji bikes trek bikes | | Bike Setup: | Sakae custom handlebars
Ultragra BB/hubs
Time Pedals | | Bottom Line: | Good to begin with upgrade it and it will last a while...
To bad mine was stolen(at least i had it without my upgrades on it when it was taken) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Willi
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | -inexpensive
-solid frame
-tires have good grip on street and dirt
-nylon peddles won't chew up your shins | | Weaknesses: | -fork is non adjustable, spring is too soft for street use
-frame color is too...wild/mixed
-crank rings are 48/38/28, good for street, bad for trails
-wheels are not strong enough for trails
-nylon peddles won't hold onto your shoes | | Similar Products Used: | 02 Mongoose Zero-G (same exact components on a suspension frame) | | Bike Setup: | currently: 03 Marzocchi EXR Pro fork, Deore shifters and derailleurs, LX cassette and chain, Hayes HMX-1 disc brakes w/6 inch rotors, Truvative Hussefelt Bar and Five-D crank, Deore disc hubs, Sun Mammoth rims and Kenda K-Rad 2.3" tires | | Bottom Line: | This bike is not made for rugged trail use. The first major problem I had was a taco'd rear wheel from going down a small fifty degree rock and dirt cliff wall into a creek bed. Replaced it with a similar type wheel and it taco'd again. If you intend on trail riding I highly suggest a stronger wheelset.
As with all entry level bikes, the suspension fork has no adjustments. even a simple preload adj. that lets you increase spring tension a little would make the bike easier to use on the street, which is where most new bikers ride. The fork is ok for light trail use but its short 76mm(3") travel is not enough for steep declines and its soft spring causes the front end to bob on hard climbs.
The best thing about this bike is the frame. I have torn up and replaced just about every part on my Rock AL But the frame refuses to die. I got the bike with a small 16" frame after a disappointing few months on my large 20" Zero-G (dual suspension frame absorbed all peddle energy and I straddled the top bar on a climb I couldn't complete)
This is a great "beginners" bike! But remember, if you want to ride hard you are going to need some stronger components. If this is your first mtb bike purchase, I highly recommend it, or any bike like it; i.e. hardtails. Entry dual suspension bikes may look cool but cause riders to exhaust early from the lack of suspension features in the rear shock.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Milo
a Weekend Warrior
from Vic, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$310.00 | | Strengths: | The Frame - its the best part, also the handle bars and grips have been good too.
2. Option for discs
3. The tyres I got with the bike were surprisingly ok
4. Wheel set is ok
5. The shifters and brake levers were good. | | Weaknesses: | 1. Brakes - had endless trouble, replaced them with Deore V brakes
2. Lower End Shimano products used. EG SIS, Altus and whatever the cranks are
3. Resin Pedals. They are the first thing that need to be upgraded
4. Chain. Snapped first time i took it off the tarmac
5. Rear axle. Bent within 3 months, of basically road use - on and off foot paths.
6. Bearings in hubs. When i removed the back axle, about 7 bearings fell out of the back hub | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XTC2. It was a mate's
Some KONA DH machine | | Bike Setup: | Shimano DX pedals, full LX groupset, Shimano MH540 wheelset
Will replace the forks when i get some more coin. Continental Goliath Semi Slick Road Tyres;
Continental Cross Country tyre | | Bottom Line: | I have given the bike a hard 6 months, travelling over 1500 kms in 6 month. However this was predominatly road use, with the odd bit of urban assault and XC. HOWEVER, that was no excuse for my back axle to bend, nor for the crappy Z Brand chain to snap. Had to scoot back 10 km to the dealer, not happy.
The first thing i replaced were the pedals, which improved the bikes performance heaps. I also had huge problems with the crappy Radius brakes, which I replaced with Deore.
However, these parts are obviously not meant to be used doing up to 100km a week. I have upgraded my bike fully (apart from the forks) and have saved over $700 for what i would spend on a new bike with the same components.
The mongoose frame is great though. Slightly heavy, but I don't race, thus don't really care about weight. If you are wanting a cheap bike, with a good frame as an intro to MTB'ing and want to upgrade if you enjoy riding your bike then this bike is a great option. Just be prepared to spend the money on upgrading, as the parts aren't made to be ridden hard. This bike has done what i initially wanted it too, but i now want it to do more.
PS - if you are riding on the road, don't go past the continental goliath. Worth every cent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris earnshaw
a Weekend Warrior
from bolton
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | edgworth to Ramsbottom | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | action bikes | | Strengths: | very comfortable riding position, reasonably lightweight, forks not bad but no adjustment (good factory setup) | | Weaknesses: | crappy bottom bracket.. had endless problems with dealer repairs and warranty until decided to go to another local bike shop and let them have a look... fixed with sealed shimano BB. Also V-brake adjusters must be handled with care... cant see them lasting long. Paint work a bit iffy | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh Memphis.... late 1980s... now has child seat on back but had less problems in 10yrs than new bike in 6 months | | Bike Setup: | as factory except new BB | | Bottom Line: | Good to get me back into sport I always enjoyed but now looking for better things after 6 months.... no point in upgrading .. i will start again | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Foro
a Weekend Warrior
from NY
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$247.00 | | Purchased At: | Coxsackie Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great Beginner bike
Pretty Light weight
mount for disk brakes | | Weaknesses: | somewhat of a rigid ride on tough terraine
pedals need to be changed if you ride on trails and such, your feet will slip off of the stock resin pedals | | Bottom Line: | Overall a great bike for the beginner, probably would outgrow or at least want to upgrade a few things if you become an advid rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light Strong 7005 Aluminum Frame, Attractive Bike | | Weaknesses: | Lower End Components | | Bike Setup: | Added Bar Ends, XT Front, XT Rear Derailleurs | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a great upgradeable bike. The basic setup is strong light and good for most riding. I upgraded the components and have been able to ride at all levels with this bike. I have riden many different bikes, but was looking for an great value on an aluminum frame that I could upgrade and this definately fit that. Definately one of the best $/Value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CHRIS BLOGG
a Cross Country Rider
from MARDI NSW AUSTRALIA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | great north trail somersby to yarramalong | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Kincumber Bike & Skate | | Strengths: | Fairly Lite easy to lift over things you car`nt ride over Quick fire shimano gears are good | | Weaknesses: | it`s a cheap bike so there are some cheap parts crappy pedals,gooseneck & tyres.But you can replace it with better products when they wear out.Bad chain slap chips the hell out of the paint on the rear arm.Runs out of gears when going down hill fast | | Similar Products Used: | first moumtain bike i have owned | | Bike Setup: | changed the pedals to platforms cause i would`nt have been able to keep my feet on th standand ones.Moved the bottle holder.Bit silly having it behind the front wheel,Every time you go for a drink you get a mouth full of mud. | | Bottom Line: | Good value bike for the money.Australian version of this bike is different to american but i think the basic running gear is thw same.The price on this bike is entry level for a alloy hardtail bike.I spent about 2 months checking out every other model before deciding this was the best one for me.Quick release hubs,seat post & being all alloy make it easy to throw in the back of the car.It behaves its self off road as well as on.Body position is good i can ride up to 110klm`s in one stint & i dont get a sore lower back or shoulders.It is the perfect general all purpose bike.great for road & fire trails but not for hardcore downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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