Submitted by
Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from Hazleton PA US Date Reviewed: August 15, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Pete's Bicycle Shop
Bottom Line:
Basically the bottom line is that this one of the best bikes out there today. In fact, if anyone even reads this, I am selling one on EBAY for $500+49.99 shipping if anyone is interested. Just do not have the time anymore for riding. Thank you, to everyone, for your interest!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from fort wayne, in Date Reviewed: May 27, 2004
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
summit city bikes
Strengths:
Still going strong
Weaknesses:
Paint chips
Similar Products Used:
many
Bottom Line:
Not that anyone reads a 4 yr old post, but if you run across this bike for a good deal, buy it. I originally wrote a review which was, and is, accurate by my accounts. I have ridden this bike for a long time. It is a pre sell-out Moongoose and they are excellent bikes. Very strong frames, good componets, still working fine. Mongoose bashing is for the people that have not had a good pre sell-out Mongoose. Seats, pedals, and grips have been replaced, thats it. Thats it, I dont do 10 foot drops, but I think it could handle them, I know it could. Guys that write horror stories about the frames got bad bikes, it happens sometimes. I got a good one, most people do.
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Submitted by
Jim Woodwared
a Downhiller
from Peoria, IL 61614 Date Reviewed: February 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Dirksen
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Bellview
Strengths:
This bike is a tank yet reasonably light. I'm 6'3" and 230 lbs.I've put this goose through some serious riding all over the midwest with no failures. In 3 years of owing this tank. Only normal wear and tear applys. Still all original with the exception of a new cog, chain, break pads and rear tire.
Weaknesses:
Mongoose itself. They are on a path of self destruction. My last purchase and reall sorry to see such a fine product sell out to a _(*%(&%)*)%* chain store ! Mongoose...you sold out.
Similar Products Used:
Fisher joshua
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
a superb bike..and I can attest cause of some of my wipe-outs. Nice price and performs better than some $3000,00 bikes. It's just sickining Mongoose sold out !
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jonathan hartman
a Downhiller
from san diego Date Reviewed: January 7, 2002
Favorite Trail:
sweetwater trial
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
1150
Strengths:
Great frame, you can feel the strengh. It flexes with you and fells good. I like the control on the rear shock. I really like how it climbs and performs on fast and steep downhills. It jumps good on only some vert jumps. I also like the four bar suspention.
Weaknesses:
Needs better parts, better suspention. It could use a little bit stronger shock and frame.You shouldn't buy this bike if you go off big dropoffs jumps.
Bike Setup:
Bike has good setup and only needs very fiew improvements.
Bottom Line:
This is a good trial riding bike and feels strong. For a good xc bike this would be perfect. I have always liked mongoose and still Overall Great buy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jai brasher
a Downhiller
from townsville, qld, aus Date Reviewed: November 6, 2001
Favorite Trail:
mt Stuart
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
toys'r'us
Strengths:
frame is really strong strong wheels, awesome deurailler
Weaknesses:
front forks bottom out easy,seat is very hard
Similar Products Used:
i used to own a santa cruz super 8 with 12" rissie big foot and mavic dee max wheels but the mongoose is not quite as good. (it got stolen)
Bike Setup:
upgrated the front forks to the rissie big foot and thats about it.
Bottom Line:
when i went down mt louisa it handled really good but the front forks bottomed out constantly, that why i upgraded the forks.
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Submitted by
cameron allen
a Cross Country Rider
from north carolina Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
pee wees mountain bike park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
from a friend
Strengths:
good strong frame and fork its fairly light has good front shocks. A perfect bike.
Weaknesses:
THIS ISNT A WEAKNESS REALY I JUST WISH IT HAD A QUICK RELEASE SEATPOST
Similar Products Used:
NONE ITS MY FIRST FULL SUSPENSION BIKE
Bike Setup:
I CHANGED THE ROCK SHOX JUDY C TO MANITOU SPYDER A ROCK SHOX COUPE IN THE BACK. EVERTYTHING IS REGULAR EXCEPT FOR THE FORK
Bottom Line:
ITS A GOOD BIKE I BOUGHT IT FROM A FRIEND AND HE FINISHED THIRD IN THE STATE ON THE BIKE. I use it now to ride trails and to freeride it hasnt bottomed out yet for a to year old bike its perfect. It would last forever if you took care of it. Ive ridden in canada with it and the 4.5 inch travel has never bottomed out when i drop at least 8 to 12 feet. Ill probally never get another bike i love it so much ill just upgrade and upgrade. If you like to free ride its a good bike for you if you trail ride its good for you and downhill course its ok just as long as you keep the breaks working. IFyou dont like full suspension then dont get this bike its got good suspension. ITS JUST PERFECT!!!!!
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Submitted by
Johnny D
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
north shore
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
spokesnslopes
Strengths:
it's a really good beginner bike for someone who wants full suspension. I think it comes with pretty components for the price. all around, it's a good buy
Weaknesses:
not too many, other than the fact that the bolt holding the seat on has brock about 3 or 4 times.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Spice,
Bike Setup:
I've upgraded many things, the fork to a 00 Z5 fly light air , the wheel sets to, sun rhino lits, the stem, the bar, and lots a other crap.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that it's a good all around bike for the price. It's gotta be the toughest bike i've ever ridin. I've done Ten foot drops with this bike, and it keeps going, Don't worry about the mongoose frame. It's tough as nails. So if your in the market for a good all around x-country bike, the 8.3 is a good choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Reid MacDonald
a Weekend Warrior
from burlington ontario canada Date Reviewed: January 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
kelso trails milton ontario
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
spokes and slopes
Strengths:
AWSOME bike to ride. Lovin' the soft tail world cause of this. Light as a feather(not quite!!!). Good on all trails with the back suspension, except for going up the glen eden ski hills.
Weaknesses:
looks expensive causing older people to try and beat me up and steal it from me 'big people' cant stand them. not much travel in the rock shox indy xc. Can never get it clean enough!!!!
Similar Products Used:
none really just a hard tail raleigh vps 2 (my friends too bouncy in rear)
Bike Setup:
rock shox indy xc, shimano deore rear derailler, shimano stx rc front derailler, shimano xt shifters and lots of other cool stuff. No name rear sus.
Bottom Line:
Cant get enough of this bike always on it even in my basement. Didn't get out on the trails much cause i didn't get it until late in the season but always doing some trials stuff after school yes in the winter, unlike kyle "it's to cold out" Bottom line everone should have a mongoose bike!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Strout
a Weekend Warrior
from Montgomery Village, MD, USA Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Shafer Farm
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Great value for $$ spent, nice set of components, mongoose name keeps prices low.
Weaknesses:
Mongoose name, lousy manual, and telephone support
Similar Products Used:
Trek 820, old cannondale, road bikes
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike about a month, and have ridden it 6-12 miles every day since I got it. I also entered my first beginner class race with it last weekend. I've been very happy with it so far. I have jumped it, dumped it, covered it with mud, crashed & slid down a hill, endoed and otherwise abused it with nothing breaking, creaking, or bending.
Weight and components are not bad for the price. Once I replace the heavy Judy C fork with a SID, it'll be right on par as far a weight for racing.
The only downsides are 1.) the mongoose name (people tend to think k-mart, but screw 'em) and 2.) the manual & telephone tech people don't tell you anything about how to set up / adjust / maintain the suspension.
Buy one if you are just getting into MTBs, great entry bike, good enough for beginner racing class, fun on trails.
Don't buy one if you want bragging rights or want to impress other folks, as this won't do it.
-1 chillis for support and manual, bike itself is a 5.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from fort wayne,in Date Reviewed: June 3, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Good frame geometery, for me. Not a strictly race machine, gives a good ride in the park and a good "tuck behind the saddle and go down the hill fast, really fast" riding posotion. Pretty light except the judy c fork.
Weaknesses:
Decals suck, The fact that you can buy a moongoose from Target also makes one think, ooooohhhhh, nice bike.
Similar Products Used:
many others
Bike Setup:
rs suspension, f&r. LX/XT, Avid,Mavic
Bottom Line:
Under a grand, whole bike, with decent suspension & componets, I can not complain, I did get a good price though, but I think it would take $1500.00 to get the same level of goods from any other deal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vladimir
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Date Reviewed: May 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Lysa Hora, Beskydy, Czech Republic
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
frame
Weaknesses:
rear shock
Bike Setup:
STX RC, Deore LX, Manitou SX-R 80mm front fork, Tek Pro V brakes, currently changing rear shock to RoxShock SID
Bottom Line:
gooood bike, but You have to change couple thinks as rear shock, front shock, but still You can get better price than buying higher level bikes already with this setup I have. Sure I can have bike for 4000 bucks, but honestly, who from You who are talking to much about high end bikes can really , but really ride a terraine and ride style tose bikes are designed for .? Enjoy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ Date Reviewed: December 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
all of 'em
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Solid, good handling basher bike.
Weaknesses:
Mongoose customer service, lack of dealers.
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose VRS 3.0 GT Pantera AL Nishiki Colorado
Bike Setup:
Warranty frame built up with parts from 3.0, 97 Judy XC, Speedsprings, Kenda downhill tires.
Bottom Line:
This bike was a replacement for a VRS 3.0 which broke in half at both chainstays. I built it up with the parts from the dead bike, a new wheelset and a Judy XC. Mongoose was an absolute pain for the frame replacement which took many months and many phone calls from me and the dealer. That being said... I can find no fault with the bike. It's a great climber and a bomber descender- when you get in over your head, the bike is stable enough to get you through most stuff. It's a good all around trail bike. I ride it hard and often, on long desert and mountain adventures. After a season of hard riding, I could recommend the NX to a friend. I couldn't get any pivot maintenance information from Brunswick and neither could the shop- I am on my own in that respect. So far, the frame has required minimal maintenance and is creak-free with just basic tightening. Creak-free is a good thing! I have experimented with the different shock mounting options. The low standover height is a good thing on techy trails, and the swingarm appears to be stronger than the VRS types that preceeded it. Bottom line- Great bike, questionable company. Subtract one star for the lack of a useful manual for maintenance and sixty minute hold times at Mongoose customer service.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg hufnanpufin L.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Knoxville,Tn Date Reviewed: December 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Pisgah forest.all of n. mills river
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Kore stem,Mavic rims219,rock shox coupe deluxe rear shock and some carbon fiber profile riser bars.also i like the wired red paint on the aluminum frame that has also with stood some beating.
Weaknesses:
requires lubicating of pivots on rear suspension as i guess all full boingers do.
Similar Products Used:
GT BACKWOODS,SPECIALIZED HARDROCK. THE SPEC. FIRST THAN THE GT. BOTH UPGRADED SIGNIFICATLY.STILL HAVE GT. GOOD BIKE.
Bike Setup:
HAVE ONLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH A SHIMANO LX DERAILER AND A SET OF MANITOU SPORT SHOX I HAD ONCE UPON A TIME. BLOWS SEELS TO EASILY AND TO MUCH MAINT.ONLY ROCK SHOX FOR ME.
Bottom Line:
I AM 34 AND HAVE RIDDEN BIKES FOR MANY YEARS.IN THE PAST 7 I HAVE HAD 3 BIKES.This Moongoose 8.5.Has so far for me has been a excellent ride .very tuneable front and rear shox,not heavy at all to me.when you start with a entry level bike,up grade it ,till you feel like you would like to upgrade to something nicer,upgrade it and then spend the most you ever have and way more than you thought you would ever spend on a bike than you start to appreciate the better than average deal your life time friend cut for you being the shops owner on your new ride,oh yes! its dark out and cold and i want to ride!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Philippe Marseille
a Cross-Country Rider
from Blainville, Pq Date Reviewed: March 20, 1999
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
NOTHING except the stem and the seat
Weaknesses:
EVERITHING
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose nx8.3 (nothing really similar to this bad thing)
Bike Setup:
Original + Shimano spd-636 + michelin wildgrippers
Bottom Line:
I really did not like this bike(I just sold it for a Trek 8000) the handling is POOR it is heavy as a dump truck I would give 0 strars but the minimal is one so......
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Marius Sollie
a weekend warrior
from Norway Date Reviewed: February 9, 1999
Bottom Line:
I now have the NX 8.5 frame, which is practically the same as the NX 8.3. The frame was given to me as warranty replacement after breaking 3 swingarms (in less than half a year) on my previous VRS 5.0. The VRS again was a replacement for frame that I originally bought, namely the Amplifier II, of which the swingarm broke after only 3 weeks. I have set the bike up with a 98' Z1-Bam fork, Syncros and Race Face parts, Maguras and a XT-package. Rear shock is RS Super Delux which produces +3.5' on the rear wheel. Frame weighs in at almost 3.1kg/7lbs, and overall weight is about 13kg/29lbs, I guess.Thanks to the Z1 and the Super Delux, the ride is quite plush. I recommend a progressive setting of the rear shock (front downward position), so the rear is soft and sensitive like the Z1, but hard to bottom. There is some bob when climbing stiff hills, but notting much to notice or worry, due to the fine pivot placement. The frame feels stiff and solid, especially the front triangle. Some flex can be felt and in the chainstays at low speed, however. My frame is a little short for my in the top tube, so I have to compensate with a longish stem. That's why it isn't a great downhiller for me, especially in steep technical decends, but it is nice though. The bike climbs quite well however, and it is performing great on fast singletrack.The quality of the very nice looking frame is unfortunately just as poor as Mongoose's previous FS-bikes. I have only had it for less than a year, and the main pivot bearing is sticky and the rest is sloppy. Worse is that I got 3 cracks in the swingarm. This time, it is not even in the weld! Do you admit a problem now, Mongoose? The swingarm is a shitty construction, and you'd have expected them to learn a bit after having failed with all of their previous models. But no! Even though the NX 8.5 frame weighs almost 2 pounds more than the Amplifier II, it still can't keep me running, not even for a year! Note that I don't race, and ride only 1-2 times a week, but always in hard terrain and maintain my bike carefully. What and who is this FS-mtb really ment for, if it can't take this?Mongoose's customer support really is not goods too. I have been waiting a lot more for replacement frames and parts than I have been biking. It has taken months for my local bike shop to even get some response from them, and they promise more than they keep. Don't hold your breath waiting for a reply if you send Mongoose an e-mail, cause they won't bother answering them. Hopefully I will get a new swingarm before the summer. Probably I will get myself a new bike (a real bike) long before I see any new swingarm or perhaps a new 99' cracker 8.5 bike...I give the NX 8.5: 4 chilies for the ride/performance and the looks 1 chili for the construction/quality 1 chili for the customer supportTotal: 2 chilies
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Allen
a weekend warrior
from Montreal Quebec Date Reviewed: January 15, 1999
Bottom Line:
I just got my Mongooes NX 8.3 half way through the 1998 season and have found it to be a good ride. I ride hard on and aruond Mt. Tremblant Que. where there is plenty of rocks to were things out rapidly and so far the only thins that have givin way are the front shocks. The froke for starters was a long travel Indy XC, it simply couln't stand op to the terrain. It was replance by a 97' Judy XC and I have been happy since. The 99' Bike will already have a Judy on it so this won't be a problem.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Kelly
a cross-country rider
from Fredericksburg, Va. Date Reviewed: January 7, 1999
Bottom Line:
This is a continuation of my ordeal with Mongoose. The NX8.5 was sent as good faith on a warranty claim for a broken swing arm on a VRS3.0. It took 16 weeks to resolve the claim. I rode the NX8.5 Hard for 6 months, at times in the GW National Forest. I ride an average of 10 times per month. averaging aboiut 10 miles per ride.....Nothing fancy. I hammer OK, but I'm no super extreme rider. On December 23 I was crossing a dry stream bed when I went OTB and hit my head on a slow speed log crossing. I was knocked out. Multiple concussions to the head and I'm off the bike for three weeks for evaluation to my brain...Head injuries are not to be taken lightly. Something didn't feel right just as I tried to cross the log, but two weeks later I noticed that the swingarm had cracked at the pivot/ pinch clamp. I remember that I tried to shift to my middle chain ring before I tried the log crossing, but I got drive train lock. I was unable to get to the proper gear, and now I wonder if it isn't because of the swing arm making contact with the crank arm......Which is how I found the crack over the weekend while cleaning the bike....... Mongoose Needs to get their together (READ BRUNSWICK!) because they have serious design flaws. I am a 32 year old professional with lots of time and money to spend chasing this down. They better hope I check out ok with my Neurosurgeon! This is frame number two in 6 months period of time......H-E-L-L-O!!!!!! Mongoose do you hear me? The bike is currently at a shop for review for a warranty claim.....Poor quality Mongoose.....Poor, Poor Quality......One chili is too much.....Hey Mongoose, You guys gonna take another 16 weeks to settle this claim to? I had to post this here after another poster mentioned the potential to race this frame at amature downhill events. That would be dangerous with this or any other OEM mongoose FS frame. I've broken two in less than a year riding single track in Virginia, nothing too crazy........How do you think it would hold up on a true downhill run? Mongoose has a product liability issue that will be addressed with me.....Or my attorney! Hey Brunswick, you out there? I'm coming.....
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
R Noble
a racer
from Maryland Date Reviewed: December 27, 1998
Bottom Line:
At first, I was a skeptical at the previous reviews for any of Mongoose's Newman Full Suspension bikes. But I finally had a chance to look and briefly ride one at a bike shop.1. The bike is pretty neatly spec'd. By looking at the specs of Mongoose's other bikes, I was a little turned off at the hodge podge mix of parts, three levels of Shimano? But the NX 8.3 is has a pretty solid parts pick for the price.2. From my previous experience with the hardtail NX 7.1, I thought this bike was going to be a boat anchor. Surprise, surprise, this bike is actually lighter than the hardtail. A Large framed NX 7.1 weighs in at almost 30 Pounds! The NX 8.3 wieghs in around the neighborhood of 28 pounds. Not bad considering that it has a frame durable enough to be upgraded to amateur downhill competition. Not quite as light as a comparable Specialized, but it probably can take more abuse. And compared to the GT LTS or I-Drive, it's probably a better deal for the money and not as bland.Now, for $1299, it is a good deal, if you consider upgrading to some sort of set up leaning more toward downhill/freeride. However, the main reason that is keeping me from buying this bike is Brunswick. Yes, the same ones who make Roadmasters. For one thing, the value of a bike goes down when the brand is available through mass merchants. If Huffy made a race bike every bit as good as any race bike made at about the same price, would you buy it? That's what I thought, no matter how good a bike is, being a Huffy still detracts from its value. And what's up with Mongoose cutting off sponsorship for Leigh Donovan? Well if Mongoose is going to focus more on selling crap at dept. stores and not the improvement of their products, then my money is going elsewhere.Overall 4 for the bike design, but minus 1 for the Mongoose sticker slapped on the side of the bike.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dantang
a weekend warrior
from malaysia Date Reviewed: November 9, 1998
Bottom Line:
Steady as she goes..up hill,down hill and XC all in a days' play....superb control all the way!Worth all the $$$ and then some more....simply put; a delightful bike to own.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bear....................
a cross-country rider
from SINGAPORE Date Reviewed: November 1, 1998
Bottom Line:
Well,from what i have tested....this is a MARVELLOUS & SUPERB bike.It went through all the toture i gave it & from what i see , it is still hungering for more.Although it has a nine speed cogset,it still performs very,very,very........well.For all u SERIOUS mountain bikers out there,THIS IS THE FUTURE DREAM BIKE OF YOURS.............go get 1,YOU WON'T LIVE TO REGRET IT. TRUST ME...........
Overall Rating:
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