|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh, Pa, USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hartwood Acres | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Dicks Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Great Frame and brakes! The stock Alivio components perform well. | | Weaknesses: | Alex riims! My rear rim bent on my first ride. It was replaced for free and I haven't had any further problems. The front derailer can be a difficult dhift, especially after two or three hours on a trail. I think an LX upgrade is in order. | | Similar Products Used: | Several Diamondbacks | | Bike Setup: | Stock, however I am planning a Deore LX upgrade | | Bottom Line: | I thought I made a mistake after the purchase, especially after the rim bent. However, since then the bike has performed flawlessly. Don't sell the RST shocks short either. I ride 4 or 5 times a week and have never been disappointed in it. Some people look down on Mongoose cause they are sold in discount stores. This bike is one of the Mongoose Pro bikes. They are worth a look! If your looking for an entry level bike, this is the one for you. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vince Capoloni
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Austalia
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Dee Why beach cycles | | Strengths: | This is for the LTD (the one up from this one) but they didnt have it so this will do. A great entry level mtb that pedals really well. For the price $1000Aus you get judy TT's thats a great fork so far taking up 5 foot stair drops, not bad for 80mm travel. Deore gearing Avid V's and a sturdy, chunky, lightish frame. | | Weaknesses: | The tires it comes with, you'll wana change those and my seat got bent badly in the first 2 months but thats all small stuff. The deore gearing isnt great and if you ride it hard you'll be back to the bike shop in the early days of the bike. Also get a chain device casue if you gettin into the rougher stuff the chain loves to fall off. | | Bike Setup: | LTD frame, XT gearing, marzocchi z.1 drop offs, nija DH tires, Truvativ Holzfeller pedals, hayes HFX 8" n 6" if you wondering why i got lots of good stuff on an entry level frame its cause i gettin a big hit expert frame real soon and switching it all over. | | Bottom Line: | A great entry level bike that can handle upgrades well, like fork n disk's. So if your starting out and you wont something to do jumps (does that well), smaller drops like launching off 10 steps (with the TT's) technical trails it does nicely and with the upgrade of brakes fork and gearing you can even do some smaller downhill, just get a chain device.
For starting off i love this bikes, if you starting out and your on a tight budget like i was this bike will give a lot of fun. the top rating is just with some small upgrades. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony Oliver
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | venman | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$304.00 | | Purchased At: | capalaba cycles | | Strengths: | good frame, looks awesome and is very light. | | Weaknesses: | none as yet | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4500 (not very good) a friend of mine has one and it fell apart on a ride.
buffy 22t - custom, only test ridden | | Bike Setup: | standard | | Bottom Line: | good bike for the money but if your after something better get a more expensive one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
N
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | 300 | | Strengths: | Components good. Good commuting bike, not bad offroad. | | Weaknesses: | Frame sucks. I cracked the steer tube. Mongoose is replacing it.
Forks suck. Bottom out _very_ easliy. Bike is very low. Hits everything, pedals hit ground when cornering easily. | | Bike Setup: | I've replaced the forks with Marzocchi z2's. The extra length has raised the bike to a good height. | | Bottom Line: | It's a nice entry level bike, but the frame and choice of forks on it let it all down. I've also heard that Mongoose have recalled some frames very recently. In future I will be wary of the 'made in taiwan' sticker.
If you want to progress in your MTB skills, pay more! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from York, England
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Karbitz in Boroughbridge, UK | | Strengths: | I would say that the mongoose frame itself is it strongest asset. It isn't just super strong but looks the business aswell. The forks (mine has RST Gamma Cl's) work well and are not too bouncy. It took a while to get the set up right, but now I am well chuffed with it. What's more, no one else seems to have one like it around here so it always gets an interested stare. | | Weaknesses: | Well, I had a clicky thing going on with the front derailleurs and after many trips to the shop I had the front chain rings replaced, as adjustment just shifted the problem to other gears! The pedals, as you would expect, were pants and after a replacement set also fell apart, I upgraded to V8's. The mongoose badge seems to be stuck on with a sticky pad. I have a feeling it will be seat that goes next! | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Have replaced pedals with DMR greaseport V8's, have repaced seatpost with a Titec Knockpost (and shim) and added some cheap QR skewers (seat and wheel) in black by Xbrand just to look pretty. I also add a splattering of mud on a weekend! | | Bottom Line: | Despite the problems I have had, I would not have chosen any other bike for the price. Yep, I love it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damo
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | 80 Acres | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong frame, good travel length for forks, reasonable price for entry level bike. Brakes and componentry do the job. | | Weaknesses: | Stock tyres are too thin, seals on forks less than average (dirt and water get in tightening travel), pedals are crap. | | Similar Products Used: | Avanti Montari, Avanti Barracuda, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Michelin comp16's, V8 pedals, the rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | For a beginner it does everything you need. Takes a beating (5 ft drops no probs). Despite bad rumours about the Alex rims, I havent had any worries. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vince da pogi
a Weekend Warrior
from kankaloo city Philippines
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | cartimar | | Strengths: | good color combination (blue and black for LEX model) | | Weaknesses: | well...don't know yet!!! | | Similar Products Used: | GT avalanche 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | pazzaz handle bars, shimano lx group set, amoeba handle post, alex rims, bontrager jones 2.1 tires, manitou super six fork | | Bottom Line: | good frame for first timers but if you are into some serious downhillin' action (I mean real downhills!!!)try buying some full suspension instead. However, I tried using it in 50 degree downhill angles and voila!! left me still alive and kickin' for the next day.My advice is, if your too much finicky bout frames... check your skills first!! :P
five flamin' hot chilis for Mongoose!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Mac
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mount Vic | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | VIC Cycles | | Strengths: | Bike seemes to be a great frame, with good forks, and everything else is just begging to be upgraded, The brakes and componetry are pretty basic, but do seem to work well esp' the brakes, which are quite powerfull (at least in the dry!), Oh and it has got disc brake mounts, so discs are an easy retro fit. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap front derailure, skinny tyres, weak seat. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain yak 450, ( New Zealand manufacturer) old school bike! | | Bike Setup: | Formula hydraulic front disc, XSIV disc hub, sun mammoth front rim. Maxxis high roller 2.5" (front). | | Bottom Line: | In standard trim, It is a sweet handling play bike, with a VERY rigid frame, If youre used to crome moly, you are in for a bumpy ride!
With a few mods, esp front tyre, It ROCKS!!! Great value for your $$$$ Jumps really well, (too well) ended up on my arse on my frist ride! Frame looks very strong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joe coghjm
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | beach | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | Trax | | Strengths: | good frame and headstem and also bars goes pretty quick and the suspensions pretty good for RST and the price | | Weaknesses: | the rims suck i am just a weekend rider and they stuffed up after about 2 months the gears also rub a bit and there hard to get right | | Similar Products Used: | giant rinocon | | Bike Setup: | as per manufacturer | | Bottom Line: | Top bike with a few upgrades perfect for the weekend all round rider | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zach
a Cross Country Rider
from chapel hill NC usa
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | This is a good solid entry level bike. period. good starting components, decent fork, good looks, very upgradable, disc mounts. frame looks bullet proof | | Weaknesses: | a little on the heavy side, saddle is uncomfortable. the alex rims from my experience are almost always weak. a little on the expensive side for the stock components | | Similar Products Used: | tassajara, iguana, response, hardrock | | Bottom Line: | I am seriously thinking about getting this bike for a hardtail. if i get this bike i could upgrade it, install it, and ride the bejesus out of it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rohan battersby
a Weekend Warrior
from australia
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | trak cycles | | Strengths: | a comfortable bike that handles well. good balance and general feel. the extra travel on the front suspension is handy(80mm) | | Weaknesses: | when i first test rode the bike I found that when in 24th speed 3:8 there was a ratchety type sound when pedalling. This was simply the chain rubbing on the front deraileur mechanism and was easily adjusted by my dealer. Tends to make me think the bikes are 'slapped' together from some cheap company who got the contract for assembly and did't know a thing about it. Could be a harsh judgment but Ive heard similar reports from a mate | | Bike Setup: | as per manufacturer | | Bottom Line: | This is my first bike and I am impressed with its performance | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 379.99
