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Submitted by
john rivas
a Weekend Warrior
from australia
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | all is good never have had a problem. | | Weaknesses: | the rear suspenion is a little stiff other than that i havent fond any weeknesses. | | Bike Setup: | stock with WTB Enduro Raptor tyres. | | Bottom Line: | it has never failed me, it is a strong bike and cheap.plan to have the bike for years to come. this bike is good for all rounders, good for xc. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Clements
a Racer
from San Carlos, CA
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Diablo | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Frame & wheels | | Weaknesses: | components, gear ratios | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Fisher, Iron Horse | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I used this bike to complete La Ruta de los Conquistadores, the longest, toughest and most brutal mountain bike race on the planet. The fact that this bike survived the race -- unlike other more expensive bikes that broke frames or wheels -- says a lot.
The only problem it encountered is that the fork tubes filled up with mud & grit which locked up the front suspension. The bike was many times completely submerged in water and mud. When I got home I disassembled, cleaned out & regreased the forks and now they are working perfectly again.
Because this bike got me through the toughest mtn bike race on the planet where other bikes 10 times as expensive broke, it gets a 5 out of 5 for value (and 4 out of 5 for overall for the fronk fork problems).
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich Reyes
a Cross Country Rider
from arlington,va
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | Full suspension bike at entry level price. Now, one could find one for under $400.00 brand new.
Killer frame...definitely upgradable.
Did I mention killer frame. | | Weaknesses: | Sorry ass town and country wheels...switch them out for Panaracers fire comps, you'll know the difference. They come in red too.
Soft rear spring but I weigh 165lbs. 5'7" so I cranked that bad boy down and it seems to do the trick.
The RST 281 front forks are now no longer part of the bike,be careful my left spring collapsed while on a trail
so I've replaced them with a set of Manitou Mars 1 air shocks. Worth the money and now I'm amazed at the weight difference as well as control. You can by these forks on sale now considering Answer inc. has new products out.
Hated the handle bars, upgraded to Easton EA270 flatbars.
Components,components,components....I don't have the time nor the words. These will definitely be replaced.
| | Similar Products Used: | Always bought mongoose frames, and built what I wanted. | | Bike Setup: | Trail | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this, I was impressed with the frame and that was my selling point. I bought the bike for under $400.00 and luckily have been running into deals to upgrade. If you take the time and effort you'll end up with a great aluminum full suspension mountain bike for under a grand. So, Who'll be the wiser scab peeler then? Hmmmmmm? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | -Great for entry-level full-suspension
-NOT related to the bootleg Mongoose bikes in department stores
-Manitou Spyder fork isn't as good as the Magnum,but is decent
-Feels plush
-Handles well
-Awesome frame-well worth upgrading
-Can be found in Dick's for cheap | | Weaknesses: | -Yes,drivetrain is cheap(STX)--but isn't terrible
-Many parts are generic or Mongoose-brand
-Not much suspension adjustability
-Flat bar
-Cheapie wheelset
-Semi-slick tires!!They suck!Get knobbies!! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper FSR,Jamis Dakar Sport | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Rockhopper A1 | | Bottom Line: | This bike was one of my considerations.It's a nice ride for the money,but plan on swapping out quite a bit of stuff.You really should expect to pay $850 and up for good full-suspension,but this bike suits the entry-level rider well.Just plan on upgrading stuff as your skill levels increase,as the sweet Newman frame is worth what you pay for.Get one if you seek a good,affordable dual-suspension ride,but if you are looking for maximum value at this price I suggest buying a hardtail--they have better parts for the money.
NOTE:This is NOT a MGX,Mongoose's bootleg Wal-Mart "full-suspension" bike.What a fiasco!!That P.O.S has badly tarnished Mongoose's once-good reputation.Which brings me to the following warning:DON"T BUY DEPARTMENT STORE BIKES,EVER!!YOU MIGHT AS WELL SET YOUR WALLET ON FIRE!!!IT'LL BE LESS PAINFUL IN THE LONG RUN!!
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Dulkiewicz
a Weekend Warrior
from Buffalo, NY
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | what are trails?! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | The frame is ALL aluminum!! Nice welds for a "cheap" bike!! Totally upgradeable!! Comes w/ all quick releases!! | | Weaknesses: | Comes w/ a heavy steel handlebar... ugly/uncomfortable seat... no bar-ends... plastic pedals... weak rear spring (bottoms out alot!!). | | Similar Products Used: | I had a GT Team RTS (totally loaded) which recently got stolen... & since I don't ride as much I decided to get a "cheaper" bike that was upgradeable... | | Bike Setup: | At the moment it's all stock!! | | Bottom Line: | For the money... this is not a bad bike!! Tag price was $700 & I got it for $330. Like I said... the frame is ALL aluminum & is totally upgradeable!! For a stock bike... it's kinda light... I'd say about 28 lbs. I'll be slowly upgrading it so it's lighter. Any questions or comments just click on my name!!! =) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J-Dogg
a Weekend Warrior
from Monterey Park
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Nice components, suspension works great... includes RST front suspension forks, breaks stop on a dime. For the dollar, this was the best bike I could find on the market. I followed the other guys review... I asked if I could get a lower price since the new 2000 models were out, and the store reduced the price over $300. For this price, this bike is well worth the money. After a few small investments, this bike was cruising with the big boys. | | Weaknesses: | The rear spring was a little too soft, I ended up cranking it all the way down. The seat was really uncomfortable. The bike came with semi-treaded tires, which are no good for offroading. | | Similar Products Used: | Thus far, I've replaced the rear spring with a stiffer one, replaced the seat with a gel seat, and purchased nice offroad tires. This bike rocks. | | Bottom Line: | I really think it was a good investment. There are so many no-name brands for the same amount of money... but, I feel comfortable with a brand I grew up with.
This bike is considered entry level, but i rode the same trails as the big boys, kept up, and did fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quentin Cobb
a Weekend Warrior
from Bragg Creek
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Moose Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Cheap Full Suspension bike, I bought it at the end of the season from a sports supermarket and got it half price whiach was great value. I've cycled a lot but not done much mtn biking this was definitely in my price range! It was cheaper and lighter with better equipment than many rigid bikes.
The aluminum frame and supsension is well put together with no slop. The rear spring is too soft for me and I would like to put a stiffer one in (or lose 50lb) The equipment and frame is all alloy - except the bars. It comes with RST 281 forks which are OK | | Weaknesses: | Came with semi-slick tires which is stupid for a bike like this. I got the shop to swap them for real tires. I also swapped the straight steel bars for an amoeba risers. | | Similar Products Used: | I rented a Kona FS mtn bike for a trip down Moose Mtn. The Mongoose was nearly as good at my skill level. | | Bottom Line: | I like it. It's obviously entry level for full supsension - but you don't have to give anything up or pay a lot to get it. It bounces down Moose Mtn very nicely (the trail starts 1km from my house) The suspension manages to soak up big bumps in comfort and control and is much nicer for downhill than a rigid bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Downhiller
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | Great entry level bike!!! | | Overall Rating: |
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