Submitted by
sentour69
a Downhiller
from nyc,ny us Date Reviewed: November 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
up state new york
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
ordered threw a bike
Strengths:
i'm a fan of the newman modle it's a very good frame ,,,
my nx 9.7 pro got me soled.
Weaknesses:
none that i can find at this time.
Similar Products Used:
know comment.
Bike Setup:
lets strat off by saying she dressed up with adjustable head tube,bmx race redline fokeriser cruser bars black, kore neck shorty, fork by answwer manitou xvert tripple crown,dics brakes by hayes hydrolics, rear shock by rock shock super deluxe, roll-a-majig equipped xtr rear derailleur, mavic 317 disc.
Bottom Line:
the best thing evermade on the planet for 1999 to present. yours truely sentour 69.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shane Williams
a Downhiller
from upstate CT Date Reviewed: July 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
120 mile long logging/dirtbike trails "fife minutes from my house"
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$350.00
Purchased At:
ebay man, total steal, i should be arrested
Strengths:
I GOT IT FOR 375 bucks!!! Thats right, thank you ebay. It has a great feel of power and agility, very durable, i dont do too much hardcore downhill, more of courses that go down or around mountains with anything and evrything from logs and rocks to broken down beetles as obsticals. So i havnt realy put it to the ultimate drop test, but it is a great bike and even though i somehow meraculusly got it for 350!!!!!!! And yes i am 100% positive it is this exact year and make. no k mart special has rox shocks boxxers
Weaknesses:
nothing at all, that i can think of, besides it only comes in one color who cares?
Similar Products Used:
nothing, my first real good bike, my old stiffy gt just doesnt cut it so i decided to buy something ok but cheep off ebay, never knew id find this sweet deal.
Bike Setup:
1999 Mongoose nx 9.7, sold the boxxers got worse 300$ manitou shocks "needed the $", romic double d rear suspension, MAGURA HYDROLIC DISK BREAKS "615$ for the set", shimano deor xtr evrything, wtb tires, selle italia seat, advent riser bar,CANNONDALE PX3 single ring crank,welgo magnesium petals, dice tire valve caps, oh yeah and last but not least, a little pink basket on the front "defintately sarcasm"
Bottom Line:
this bike is sick, too bad only 200 were made, i got one of them for less then one of the disk breaks alone costs by some strange act of god, im very lucky and proud to own one of these. if mongoose didnt sell out and become kmart special pu$$y bikes, you would probably be seing them in more bike shops then you see canondales and specializeds.
This bike rocks, and thats the bottem line.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joshua
a Downhiller
from LaCrosse, WI USA Date Reviewed: November 26, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Strengths:
Great strength, stability, manuverability, and looks.
Weaknesses:
33 lbs.
Bike Setup:
Hayes Hydro Brakes, race face and FSA products as well as Chris King headset
Bottom Line:
I highly recommend this bike. I have had no problems and I beat the tar out of it. It is industructable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
C. Robinson
a Downhiller
from West Dover,Vermont Date Reviewed: August 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mt Snow-ALL!
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
eBay! Brand new in box!
Strengths:
Value. Plain and simple, this bike is the biggest "sleeper" out there. The bike listed for $5,000.00 in 1999 when it was introduced. I "stole" this bike from a seller on eBay for 1,200.00!!! And it was BRAND NEW IN BOX! There were only 200 of these bikes made worldwide. (Not many, which I think is great). When Brunswick sold the company, there was apparently some "wharehouse cleaning" going on and lots of distributors were given these "finds" for a SONG..they in turn BLEW THEM OUT (a couple NX 9.7's ended up on eBay). I was lucky enough to buy one from a bike shop who had NO interest in the bike except to turn it quickly and make a couple hundred dollars.
After trying SO many different DH bikes and frames in the last 5 years, I finally learned, it's not how much you spend, it's how much you get.
$1,200 for a BRAND NEW complete bike with a $1,000.00 wheelset - MAN!!
Immediate riding impression? LIGHT for a DH rig, and SO easy to pedal (For a DH rig)...you can hammer this bike out of the saddle with reasonably good results. The DEEMAX wheels really helped its acceleration. I have ridden this bike EVERYWHERE in the last year. DH, Urban, Trailriding, even road riding... I have actually gone on 30+ mile road rides with it (I swear!). It is a do it all sort of machine,.....makes a great Urban freeride bike. Pedaling around the city with lots of travel, looking for hits is so fun!
The other thing I noticed IMMEDIATELY is that the wheelbase is SHORT. Very easy to wheelie. Hurts its high speed stability on paper - never noticed it in the real world at some pretty high speeds at Mt Snow. Meanwhile, it is very agile feeling in technical sections. You can pop the wheel up and over any obstacle with ease. Rock gardens for instance are fun. With the excellent Hayes stoppers, you can actually play around "Trials" style at low speed.
Rear end is twisty when pressed..no getting around that. The flex wouldn't be noticed by most folks or lighter riders, but I can feel it on occasion when I ride it DH. It's no Intense or Turner. (After riding a Turner DH, EVERYTHING feels flexible.)
Weaknesses:
- Immediate riding impression? This NOT 7" of rear travel. (As it would prove later - see below.)
- Rear linkage "kisses" the frame (Seat tube supports) at full bottom. It's actually the shock bolt (and nut) rather than the linkage. The Linkage just clears the tubing. You hear (feel!) a loud knock when you bottom out completely. Can be remedied, but irritating that nobody caught this in designing the frame.
The name "Mongoose PRO" meant something in 1999 - visit the local Walmart today and you will see that Pacific (New owners of Mongoose - bought the company from Brunswick) puts "Mongoose Pro" on EVERYTHING - this includes helmets, cheap riding gloves, floor pumps(??), and a SLEW of cheaply made BMX bikes. The name Mongoose and now "Mongoose pro" has been reduced to worthless. Absolutely ZERO snob appeal. (Almost embarrassing to say that you own a Mongoose - even this one - unless they SEE IT.)
Similar Products Used:
Name it.....I've owned a San Andreas DHS, a Super 8 (older version), a Shockwave, a Diamondback, a Cheeta prowler, and a list of other hardtails.
Bike Setup:
This bike is speced to the nines right out of the box.....as GOOD as it gets. Deemax wheels, XTR everything, Fox RC coil, Rock Shox BOXXER forks, Mr Dirt chain guide, azonic bars and stem, HAYES full hydraulic brakes,......there is nothing to upgrade,.....EXCEPT,......see below.
Bottom Line:
Okay, so this supposed to be 7" of travel? I'm blowing through 7" of travel off of small 4-5 foot drops with a 600 pound spring.....I only way 175 pounds with gear and I know how to land a bike,.....hmmmmmm. Either the leverage ratios are way off or something is not right.
I locked the bike in a floor stand and dismantled the rear shock. I reinstalled the shock with NO spring so that I could cycle the rear end and see what was going on with that ghastly "Knock" I was hearing (and feeling). And to measure travel at the rear wheel. As it would prove, FIVE INCHES TOTAL TRAVEL. I mean a DEAD 5". After fiddling with all the linkage and frame adjustments (and there are MANY), I could only improve the travel by 1/4 inch only. Disapponting, but this would explain quite a bit (Why I am bottoming, why it doesn't feel "plush", etc etc)
The good news?? Well, the frame IS capable of delivering 7inches of travel, but not with the stock RC shock. You need to get your hands on a 8.5" length x 2.5" travel OR a 8.75" x 2.75". The stock 7.78 length RC shock just doesn't do it. (I was wondering why the rear end looked like it was sitting so low). Apparently Leigh was using a LONGER shock on this frame in 99.
In the meantime, while you are saving up for that shock, get your hands on the CORRECT spring for your weight and style of riding. Use this as a reference point: I am 175lbs and I love drops....I was running a FOX 850 pound spring. Little (to no) preload and and lots rebound damping (8-9 clicks out). Compression is at only 3 clicks (Always use as little compression as you can get away with). The ride was the best I could get out of 5". It was the best quality 5" anywhere (especially with those smooth cartridge bearings). But the quality improved drastically with the longer stroke FOX RC.
The knock from the shock bolt hiting the seat stays can be nearly eliminated, as I found, by running the rear shock mount in the middle/front position. There are 6 holes to choose from back there. This would be the front row, and the middle location (In a vertical row). Travel is identical in this location or the hole above it. There is only a mild change in head angle which can be compensated for by lowering the front forks in the triple clamp.
Some guys (I have seen) have taken a grinder to the bolt head and the nut - not necessary, just choose the middle position.
If you have discovered anything else about this bike, or have any improvements, I'd love to hear from you....it's a keeper for me! It has been one year and hundreds of miles....NO CREAKS, nothing broken, nothing bent, DEEMAX are still round with no flat spots. Love this bike! Best 1200.00 I ever spent!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Adelaide Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Andersons
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Weaknesses:
seat posts,head stem
Bottom Line:
I am 12 years old and I waigh 45 kg and is a great frame for me and I can do 7 foot drop offs with out snapping the frame. Great frame light weight, great rear shock. by if you want great frame and deal.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Downhiller
from Auckland, New Zealand Date Reviewed: March 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
The Goose is reasonably cheap for a DH rig. It comes standard with some real nice stuff. It's quite lightweight, and can be adjusted easily
Weaknesses:
The frame has too many structural weakpoints. The 'seatstay' on the disk mount side of the bike is real prone to snapping due to tortional pressure from the brake (haven't broken mine, but I know heaps of riders who have). The rocker knocks into the frame when bottoming out, the head tube's real short, and as for flex, well ...
The geometry is a bit off for a DH rig. The wheelbase is short, which makes the bike manouverable in the tight stuff, but SKETCHY at speed. The bike tends to trash rear axles (even Deemax ones) due to the flex in the rear end, and it doesn't have too much clearance. Rear wheel travel doesn't feel that plush compared to other rigs.
Similar Products Used:
Have ridden (not owned): Avanti ADX D8 (check the Avanti website: www.avanti.co.nz); Giant ATX 1; Foes Slammer
Real good entry level DH rig, but not too hot if you're a 'heavy rider'. My Goose has lasted almost 18 months without breaking, but I'm quite slight. My brother who's 100 plus kg's, has had his for the same length of time and is onto his third replacement frame (thank god for warranties!) Heavy and/or very agressive riders should be warned. These bikes were real good at the time they became available as they made DH riding an affordable dream for lots of folks. Thanks Mongoose! As for me, I'm off to pastures with longer wheelbases, more travel, less flex and plushness!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Downhill Kidd
a Downhiller
from Montreal, Quebec Date Reviewed: February 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Strengths:
Awesome ride. Not heavy for a downhill bike. Awesome parts, DEEMAX rims are crazy. Fork is great. I love it!
Weaknesses:
Chain Guide is the worst piece of shtick ever. I broke off the bottom part, i`ll have a Gizmo soon. Seat post is wierd, dont like it. the linkage hits the seat tube when i bottom out. Other than that nothing else is bad. Oh and I get funny looks because im 16!!
Bike Setup:
Stock with, Race Face DH stem, Intense 2.7 tires and 2.4 tire in the rear. Gizmo guide, Yellow awesome Yeti grips. Answer dh handlebar.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike so much. It is a great Dh bike. I drop 10 foot gaps onto flat pavement landing and it doesn`t hurt much. It was a great buy too, because it was new but an older model. I really like it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
William Chan
a Downhiller
from Waterloo, Ontario Date Reviewed: February 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Blue Mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2700.00
Purchased At:
Spokes n' Slopes
Strengths:
Greatride plush as ever got it for a great deal last year very tunable rear shock infintely adjustable frame geometry/shock position XTR parts are amazing splined crank is indestructable
Weaknesses:
fork need heavier oil. waaaaaay heavier oil actually lots of mods are needed(see bike setup) crappy tires, and a bunch of other stuff oh! my shock linkage hits my frame as i bottom out (real bad but not risking structural integrity) short headtube may raise some durability concerns bu tit is well gusseted
Bike Setup:
15wt fork oil (i'm only 120lbs) Blackspire 36t chain ring w/ guard primo super-tenderizer pedals bontrager 50mm stem Maxxis mofo tires short, straight seatpost Azonic Lounge seat (very, very nice)
Bottom Line:
i got this bike for a great deal and tit is pretty much flawless the way i have it set up now. some of the changes i made were quite essential though (what were they thinking with some of that long stem and laid back post?maybe tit was because the frame is real short, but that is good for me since i'm sortuv small). i love this bike, love the wheels, love XTR(though when it gets wrecked-which it will-i'll be sorry). don't regret a thing with this. i plan on racing next year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MAKO DIABLO
a Downhiller
from NEW ZEALAND Date Reviewed: May 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
maunaloa, Hawaii.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong tough thrashable to the max,awesome gear well set up and thought out bike..
Weaknesses:
changed seat to a lighter one ...and thats all.
Similar Products Used:
Raven 2000 ,Giant ATX team no match at all
Bike Setup:
As above except new light seat...
Bottom Line:
One hell of a bike ,there is no better honest you can beat it till you bust,cause it wont,sit down hold on and leave the brakes alone,point for the bottom and hang on ...wwwoooosssssshhhhhhh---->>>
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
david erwin
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto canada Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
hilton falls,escarpment
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
excellent parts package,xtr,fox shox, boxxer.short wheel base for descent feed back.awesome flexibility for rear linkage setup.never do endos agian, front wheel stays in front because of head angle
Weaknesses:
not designed for anything but dh.chain guide is horrible.mine got sheared, took it off. get yourself a real chain guide
Bike Setup:
stock. my dealer retro fit a front derailer and now any trail is do able.
Bottom Line:
once the front derailer was set up my downhill depression was gone and tight rock combos were easily tackled.so much bottom bracket clearnce and a chain gaurd. l have yet to find a log or rock that l can not clear.32 pounds have never seemed so light.short wheelbase allows for a sugar like climb.the canadian distributer wanted out and my dealer picked up the bikes cheap. $3700 cdn. thats less than u.s. funds.at that price l could not resist the front derailer custom job.l'm sure a better bike exists ,but the flexibilty of a front derailer allows this vehicle to conquer all terrian,dh or xc with travel l will never use.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ritchie
a Downhiller
from Adelaide, South Australia Date Reviewed: April 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Kuipto Forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great frame construction and rear linkage setup. Not TOO heavy. Great for bombing through rocks through to taking sharp corners at speed due to suspention setup.
Weaknesses:
The price. Got mine on sale though. If you want 3 chain rings on the front, you cant.
Similar Products Used:
FSR Extreme Foes LTS Stinky Deelux Fasttrax
Bike Setup:
9.7 frame with FSR Extreme parts. Manitou xvert R forks.
Bottom Line:
Great frame. Good for custom setups. Excellent for serious downhilling and cornering and not bad for flatland pedaling. Will review again after 6 months.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Melissa Norcross
a Downhiller
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: August 5, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Unbelieveble bike. A perfect chioce. You can try any dh trail with this bike. Rock solid. A little bit upgrade and you can even race in professional events.
Weaknesses:
Well, I can't find anything to say. You can find cheaper bikes but...
Similar Products Used:
Trek YSL 300
Bike Setup:
Mongoose NX 9.7, Rock Shox Boxxer
Bottom Line:
The pro's choice.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Crasher
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Excellent front and rear shocksgood amount of travel
Weaknesses:
price is the only downside
Bike Setup:
Bottom Line:
This is a terrific bike. The best i've ridden. Although not for the begginner or non-agressive rider
Overall Rating:
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