Submitted by
sean
a Weekend Warrior
from rosemere Date Reviewed: June 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
lorraine
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
sponcered racer
Strengths:
when bought i felt that the rear shox was alright
Weaknesses:
good luck finding a drop out for this bike
Similar Products Used:
specialized hard rock
Bike Setup:
pretty much everything on my bike is modified from the pedals to the shocks.
Bottom Line:
i love the feel of the bike, great paintjob,very statisfied except for the drop out problem..... if anyone knows where to purchase on please contact me.... kookie_crazy_sean@hotmail.com
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
casey
a Cross Country Rider
from south lake tahoe, nevada Date Reviewed: July 27, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
local bike shop
Strengths:
the frame is so solid, rides like a dream, can go over anything with no problem
Weaknesses:
rear spring too light, bounces too much, I already bent the front Mavic wheel, the stock fork--Manitou Six sucks
Similar Products Used:
specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
changed fork to longer Rock Shock Duke and put Avid disk brakes on.
Bottom Line:
In my parents summer home here in Lake Tahoe, this bike stays in the garage all winter long and when summer comes I beat it death on steep trails and it still works--except that lame Manitou fork and front rim. I say its a good bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
the real fatcat
a Cross Country Rider
from los angeles Date Reviewed: January 3, 2004
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
After over 2 years, the frame hasn't cracked or has creaks anywhere. The bike was the last f/s trailbike designed by the old Mongoose company, so its pretty decent. No warrantee now, but after many many rides, it still rides/looks good.
Weaknesses:
There are so many parts that are crappy, where do I begin? The wimpy fork, rear shock, seat, brakes, crankset and shifters.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Dawg
Bike Setup:
Old Marz. Z1 5" fork, rear RockShox Coupe Deluxe shock and 4"long, 700Lb spring--added 1" inch travel and stiffness. Bike is now 5" front/4.3" rear travel. Deore mechanical disks/hubs and a bunch of other crap that makes this ToysRUs bike a trailbike contender.
Bottom Line:
If you are doing some fireroads and riding on asphalt, keep the bike stock. If you are a serious dirt freak, get a new fork w/ at least 100mm travel, find an old RockShock CoupeDeluxe rear shock and 4" long spring (it will fit like a glove) or a Fox Float shock. Also utilize the rear disc brake tabs and put on some disk brakes. I know its a Mongoose, but it has a very nice 4 bar link rear (Specialized patent) and it will be a totally different bike. I am broke myself and can't afford a $3000 dream bike, so with some used parts from mtbr.com and bay and new disc brakes, I turned this low-buck thing into a decent 33lb, 5" x 4.3" travel bike. It rolls over ruts and rocks like butter and climbs like a goat, thanks to the 4 bar link and new stiff 700 lb rear spring and shock.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad Howe
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawndale, NC Date Reviewed: December 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
South Mountain
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
LLbean
Strengths:
Frame is great, strong and looks good.
Weaknesses:
Stock seat is hard as a 2x4.
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose D40
Bike Setup:
Everything has been replaced except the frame. XTR, Velomax, top end parts all around.
Bottom Line:
This is a great frame. This was my first serious mountain bike (first was Xmart special). Over the years everything has been replaced for better quality and lower weight. First to go was the Front shock. Changed to a MarsC and the difference was unbelievable. Next, rear shock to a Risse Racing Air shock. Everything else is now Aluminum alloy, titaninum, PTFE, or Carbon fiber. This is now a truely awsome bike. Jumps like a deer, very well balanced, nimble in the technical stuff. Doesn't bob excessivly, and is comfortable. Over 1500 miles and 3 years and the frame pivots and bearings show no wear. Paint still looks good as new. I'm doubt anyone will ever read this now, but, if you are looking at this bike used, grab it if the price is right as a base frame.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Max Villeneuve
a Weekend Warrior
from Beloeil/quebec/canada Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anywhere
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
néron
Strengths:
they are good bike but for a guy who ride it day after day and who ride it like it had to be ride.... will know that it's not the good bike for it...
Weaknesses:
the frame look like to be hard but a rider who ask to much will know from is own experience that the aren't really hard !
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
-Rock shox indy C long travel -FSA orbit xl2 headset -Race face grip -Specialised DH handelbar -Shimano 105 front shifter -shimano deore rear shifter -sun rim rhino lite / DT swiss comp spokes / deore disc. -gary fisher seat -bmx style pedals
Bottom Line:
Got 2 nx 8.1 the first : a 1998, very good bke for jumping, very fun to ride, but the parts are a bit bad, I broked the frame 2 1/2 years later under the b.b the second : a 2001 Good bike but a bit too long, very bad parts when you buy it from store but I had My own part so it changed up the entire bike but I just Broked the frame just before the place that keep the 7mm axe after 2 years of riding...
Hope to have an other one from mongoose
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Max Villeneuve
a Weekend Warrior
from Beloeil/quebec/canada Date Reviewed: October 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anywhere
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
néron
Strengths:
they are good bike but for a guy who ride it day after day and who ride it like it had to be ride.... will know that it's not the good bike for it...
Weaknesses:
the frame look like to be hard but a rider who ask to much will know from is own experience that the aren't really hard !
Similar Products Used:
n/a
Bike Setup:
Very bad when you buy it from store but I got it because I smashed my old one so I got just the frame... and I never seen any bike like this because I,m from canada
Bottom Line:
Got 2 nx 8.1 the first : a 1998, very good bke for jumping, very fun to ride, but the parts are a bit bad, I broked the frame 2 1/2 years later under the b.b the second : a 2001 Good bike but a bit too long, very bad parts when you buy it from store but I had My own part so it changed up the entire bike but I just Broked the frame just before the place that keep the 7mm axe after 2 years of riding...
Hope to have an other one from mongoose
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fatcat dj
a Cross Country Rider
from hollywood, calif usa Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Strengths:
This is a follow up...I changed the front fork to a used Marzocchi Z.1 Drop Off I bought from a friend. Its a 5" travel fork and you can tell the difference from 100mm to 130mm. I highly suggest a Z1. I also put Deore disc brakes/ Deore Disc hubs/Mavic 222 wheels on the bike. It also sports a 100mm Specialized stem and Kore downhill bar and a pair of "Tenderizer" Primo flat pedals. I must change the seat, it sucks but I have no money left. The bike went from a XC oriented bike to an all-purpose trail bike. Kind of like the Kona Dawg or Kona Bear was. Its cool. But if anything, change the front fork to a Marzocchi Z1, it will change the bike's handling dramatically.
Weaknesses:
Rear shock--I have no money, but if I did, a Romic or Fox Vanilla will be a bit stiffer.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Bear
Bike Setup:
$300 of improved parts, some new, some used.
Bottom Line:
The frame being a 4 link, really helps this bike handle. The pivots are high quality with a sealed bearing on the main pivot. It helps control that rear wheel bobble when braking on singletrack descents. Yet, as I mentioned before, it does have some bobbing when pushing it uphill. But I paid $600 for the whole bike, and when it was first introduced in 2000, it MSRP's for $1000. If you see one new at a bikeshop, snatch it up, but don't pay over $900 for it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rik
a Weekend Warrior
from Yorkshire, England Date Reviewed: December 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
ANYWHERE!!!
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$750.00
Strengths:
A fair mix of quality components - Titec stem, Deore shifters, rear mech and rear hub, Mavic rims and WTB saddle. Rugged box-section frame that can REALLY take the hits!
Weaknesses:
Entry level Manitou fork needs to be replaced, along with the Sugino 350 X cranks. Not a true 4-bar design but rear suspension works well enough.
Bike Setup:
Stock aside from Wellgo SPD pedals. Plans to upgrade to XT throughout, Hope mini-discs, Manitou Black Comp forks and Fox Float rear shock.
Bottom Line:
Apparently Mongoose have a bad rep but after owning this for 2 years I fail to see how. Quality components at an affordable price and plenty of scope for upgrades to a well built frame. A good starting point for newcomers.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fatcat dj
a Cross Country Rider
from hollywood, calif. usa Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Station
Strengths:
semi-boxed frame ensures sturdy frame. boxing a frame esp. aluminum helps strengthen rigid rides. Value--this is one of the most decked out bikes for the price, I've ever seen.
Weaknesses:
front fork is entry level Manitou, nowhere to place water bottle.
Similar Products Used:
diamondback X20, specialized fsr
Bike Setup:
stock except--wider Maxxis 2.35 tires, XT shifters, XT brake levers Dore crankset.. Will soon upgrade wheels to disc and Upgrade fork.
Bottom Line:
Can NOT bag on this bike! For the price you get Shimano Deore, Titec, Wellgo clipless pedals, Mavic wheels and other name-brand goodies. Only other bike company that does that is Giant, but thats it. Mongoose and Giant bikes are "MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK" bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andrew morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from breadalbane,nsw australia Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:
woologoorang ck wandara
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
turners cycle centre
Strengths:
mountain goat rims good, overall capabilities for first fs bike seemed pretty good till about a week ago.
Weaknesses:
first thing I changed was the manatu spyders for some black comps with adjustable travel and pressure,heaps better,then the handlebars after they snapped,had to replace the cranks which worked great until the frame snapped on the welds just above the bottom bracket.Only good thing to come out of that is now i get to buy a new bike!
Similar Products Used:
kona stinky
Bike Setup:
tioga headset,felt bars,manatou black comps,hutchinson squals,mountain goats,dv 8's
Bottom Line:
it was a pretty good bike when i bought it but things kept failing on it, perhaps i was a tad hard on it but i didn't think the frame would break.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jono
a Racer
from Australia Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Shop
Bottom Line:
Basically the bottom line is, whatever people say about mongoose doesn't matter this bike is an absolute legend. It has a great set of parts. Sure the magnums are very basic but what do you expect from a mid range fs bike. The frame is butted so it is very strong in the places it needs to be and very light in the others. Even the mighty fsr cannot boast the solid design this bike shows in its pivots. Rugged as ballbearing pivot with fat stays. This frame is brillant because it is virtually the same design as the downhill version, prooving that it must be strong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jono
a Racer
from Australia Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Shop
Bottom Line:
Basically the bottom line is, whatever people say about mongoose doesn't matter this bike is an absolute legend. It has a great set of parts. Sure the magnums are very basic but what do you expect from a mid range fs bike. The frame is butted so it is very strong in the places it needs to be and very light in the others. Even the mighty fsr cannot boast the solid design this bike shows in its pivots. Rugged as ballbearing pivot with fat stays. This frame is brillant because it is virtually the same design as the downhill version, prooving that it must be strong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jono
a Racer
from Australia Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Shop
Bottom Line:
Basically the bottom line is, whatever people say about mongoose doesn't matter this bike is an absolute legend. It has a great set of parts. Sure the magnums are very basic but what do you expect from a mid range fs bike. The frame is butted so it is very strong in the places it needs to be and very light in the others. Even the mighty fsr cannot boast the solid design this bike shows in its pivots. Rugged as ballbearing pivot with fat stays. This frame is brillant because it is virtually the same design as the downhill version, prooving that it must be strong.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Guy Boyer
a Cross Country Rider
from CHCH New Zealand Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Worsley Spur, Christchurch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
from a motoX racer
Strengths:
Very light and loves to be thrown around. Takes OFF from any lip or jump in its wake. Makes the cycle couriers turn their heads when ya go past...nice paint job and excellent value
Weaknesses:
Poor drink cage placement...installment of a front mudguard necessitated buying a CamelBak and losing the under-frame cage. It looks nicer now anyhow.... Hard to sling over a shoulder!!
Similar Products Used:
Comparable to a fully-sprung chariot of the gods.
Bike Setup:
Manitou Magnum forks, Magura Hydraulic Rim brakes, Deore, Maxxis Calibos on Mammoth Sun Rims (these R great),Johhny-T DH bar (mmmmm...yellow), Easton Fasttrax R-Shock
Bottom Line:
This is a scrumptious entry-level FS bike!!! -Plenty of room for upgrades if desired -Beautiful frame design,welding and paintwork -Very light, responsive and a plush ride
4 years ago I could never have afforded a FS bike...I thought I was doomed to ride Hardtails forever...now I am converted! A light, plush ride matched with great stopping power from hydraulic brakes makes this bike thump down hills. It is just as comfy tackling tricky technical stuff beside the lake.
Buy one today :)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Laptewicz
a Cross Country Rider
from Chelsea, ME, USA Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
L.L. Bean
Strengths:
Excellent frame. Beautiful and smart designing. The Deore components are great for the price. The tires, Maxxis Krakken and Calibos, are in a word, amazing. Great stem, seat. Rims are nice.
Weaknesses:
Magnum fork, rear shock. Awkward bottle holder placement. STX front derailleur.
Similar Products Used:
this is my first dual suspension bike. Before this I had an Iron Horse MT 100R complete hardie.
Bike Setup:
replaced wellgo pedals with Ritchey Comp V-2s, had to replace tires (worn out) with IRC Mythos XCs, new grips (WTB), bar ends
Bottom Line:
This bike has been absolutely perfect. I've had no problems with anything (except the STX derailleur), and there is always room for upgrades. Light frame, very agile. I get looks everywhere i go. For the price i dont think you can beat it. i had compared this to a stumpjumper comp, and the stumpjumper didnt even come close to matching the specs on this one, and it would've costed $200 more. If youre looking for a great trail rider bike, this is the bike. If you're looking for a XC racer, here ya go. This bike will do whatever you want it to.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Racer
from Australia Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Shop
Strengths:
great
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
specialised fsrs scott
Bike Setup:
as purchased
Bottom Line:
this bike is a legend it performs well and kicks arse. I would highly recomend this bike to anyone who wishes to purchase it race it or dont, its great
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: March 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Makara Peak
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Pins Cycles Wellington
Strengths:
Strong light xc frame with little horizontal movement, ballbearing pivot, great sellection of parts
Weaknesses:
The shocks I first had were Magnums which are a very recreational shock.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSRs Scott
Bike Setup:
xc with Z5s
Bottom Line:
A solid bike for beginers which is good for advanced riders it is a fast fun machine
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Laef Hosking
a Weekend Warrior
from Central Coast, AUS Date Reviewed: January 21, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Willougby Big Bike Shop.
Strengths:
Mongoose have a bad rap in the US, but we don't get their K-mart bike in Australia so I bought this bike before I knew of it's poor repuation.
So far it's great. I keep up with mates on Specialised FSRs, Giants & Treks. The bike hasn't broken yet. 3 months is early I know, but I think people who bag Mongoose do so out of ignorance.
Weaknesses:
Product assembly: For some reason the shop didn't pick up the Manitou forks were missing a grease nipple. They fixed it pretty quick though.
Similar Products Used:
Giant ATX 960, Specialised FSR.
Bike Setup:
Stock - Manitou Magnums - Fox vanilla (I've replaced the grips though!)
Bottom Line:
If I had more money I may've bought a Gary Fischer Sugar or a Kona Mako... but I didn't.
This bike does everything I ask of it, & provided the frame doesn't break, I expect to be going toe to toe with bikes that ciost twice as much for a couple of years yet.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
El Torro
a Cross Country Rider
from Moscow Date Reviewed: July 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Krilatskoje
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Excellent upgradability - frame is much better than other components. Design - how this bike looks like. Equally good behaviour on any terrain. Especially good for road racing among Full Suspension XC MTBs.
Weaknesses:
Bottom bracket is placed slightly low, close to the ground. This is the worst thing i found. Another thing i dislike - i can't switch off rear suspension. Frame is perfect for riding but it doesn't for carrying anything including drink, pump and case for tools.
Similar Products Used:
Merida Cobra, Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage 3, Scott G-Zero FX-3.
Bike Setup:
stock except front derailleur (STX), pedals (alluminium no name with toe clips) and grips (Oury)
Bottom Line:
Best price/quality ENTRY LEVEL Full Suspension Bike for any terrain on the market now. I strongly recommend this bike to anyone who's seeking for a versatile and reliable entry-level full suspension MTB. You definitely wont regret about the frame and you'll appreciate the mix of components that is good enough for your first serious full suspension MTB. Keeping in mind that this bike is entry-level one, I easily give 5 points.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kurt
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: March 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Nasho, Helensburgh
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Good component mix for price.
Weaknesses:
Shape make it difficult to shoulder if needed. Front end is a little difficult to control, particularly up hill.
Similar Products Used:
First full suspension bike.
Bottom Line:
Good first full suspension bike. Deore components are great, could do with better front suspension than the Manitou Magnums.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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