Submitted by
mario maenza
a Cross Country Rider
from fl Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
bikes usa
Strengths:
frame, height and weight
Weaknesses:
components, could have been at least one more rung up the ladder. thank god it didn't come with gripshift.
Similar Products Used:
trek
Bike Setup:
stock, azonic bars, wildgripper front and stock irc slick rear.
Bottom Line:
fits perfect, paint has not faded for me. i weigh over 200 lbs and frame as held up prefectly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from NH,USA Date Reviewed: November 4, 2001
Favorite Trail:
lots
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
from friend
Strengths:
The frame held up beautifully for 2 years with no problems. The indy c shocks were fine too cept after a while...derailer is nice
Weaknesses:
the wheels were not exactly ok after a season of dirt jumping and i replaced the springs in the shocks. Paint chips/sun bleach
Similar Products Used:
not much... Giant
Bike Setup:
cannondale crankset indy c shocks factory wheels
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike if you are looking for a tough, light xc ride. It works pretty well on jumps and handles well on hairy decents but i reccomend replacing the wheels if you are really into that type of thing. It requires little matinence and climbs great. It makes you want a to spend money on biking, and got me hooked. If you are an entry level xc rider this is the bike for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
brian bivens
a Downhiller
from littleton Date Reviewed: August 31, 2001
Favorite Trail:
dakota ridge/red rocks
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$740.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
awsome frame great paint, it faded in the sun, but now i get more comments on the way it looks then before. i ride hard, and i sent this bike flipping into a large tree and aside of paint chips no bends or breaks at all!
Weaknesses:
the components, dont get me wrong for an entry level rider the bike is great, but now i find i need more.
Similar Products Used:
gt backwoods, but no hard tail even compares as far as frames go
Bike Setup:
race face seamless gooseneck xt brakes,cranks, cassettes, derailers, psylo xc fork and an alien 2" travel seat post with shimano rims and bright green michilen wild grippers for my tires
Bottom Line:
this bike is incredible, and if i ever broke mine i'd buy a new one, for an xc bike this does it for me after you replace the components, get ready for a light fast manuverable machine thats tougher than a bag of nails!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike B.
a
from Greensburg, PA Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
singletrack
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Bottom Line:
Here is a follow up to my below post. I just got some Manitou SX-R shocks ('99 model from Pricepoint), some new LX v brakes, a new core 120mm 0 degree rise stem, and Answer hyperlite handlebars and this puppy rocks!!!! I don't think I'll be riding anything else for a few years!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jameson
a Downhiller
from scottsdale, az Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
frame design
Weaknesses:
average components
Bottom Line:
don't get the complaints about the paint job. mine is natural aluminum with a shiny clearcoat. it looks totally amazing and hasn't failed on me yet. i bought it totally for the frame but who doesn't upgrade their components anyway. once thats done, look out.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Greensburg, Pa USA Date Reviewed: October 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Any Singletrack
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$400.00
Strengths:
Frame, looks
Weaknesses:
Components especially the grip shifts, brakes, and shocks
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh M500 aluminum, Schwinn Moab 3
Bike Setup:
XT rapidfire, xt hubs, lx hollow cranks, mavic 517 rims, Core clipless pedals. The bike still has the tektro brakes and the sorry indy forks
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike for only $400 at a local sporting goods store of all places. Mine is a '98 model that I bought two years ago. This bike is ok if riding on occasional weekends, however if you want to ride harder, you need to upgrade. The first thing I did was to upgrade the shifters to xt rapidfires and upgraded all of the deraillers to xt. I also replaced the cranks with lx hollowbodies. I bent the back wheel in half, and upgraded to mavic 517 rims with xt hubs. The sorry thing that I haven't done is upgrade the shocks and brakes. In Colorado, the tektro brakes gave me fits as I took this bike downhilling. For the price I paid, I have to say that I am pretty happy with what I got considering other bikes in the $400 range. If I would have paid close to the manufacturer's suggested price, I might have a different reaction, however.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Cross Country Rider
from Stillwater, MN, USA Date Reviewed: June 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anything with big hills
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Cool looking frame, and big knobby tires.
Weaknesses:
Crap components, only thing good were the deraileurs. Everything else is generic crap, but at least it hasn't broken yet...
Bike Setup:
stock everything
Bottom Line:
I have a 98 or 97 model, I can't remember, and it hasn't broken yet. I like to ride very rough terrain on the weekends and light stuff after work. The only problems I have had with my bike is that the orange paint faded in the sun, so now it looks kinda weird, but I seem to be the only person who notices. The other problem is that the chain slaps so much on mine I don't have any paint left back there.
I wish I knew something about components when I bought the bike a couple years ago. Back then I saw a cool looking bike and bought it. Now I wish it had better components for how much money I spent on it. I feel a little ripped off by Mongoose. At least it looks cool though...
The one thing that has been good is that I haven't broken the bike yet. It is getting to be time to replace parts because of wear and tear, but nothing is physically broken.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
smack
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000
The frame is solid. I bought this bike on sale for $550 before I really got bitten by this awesome sport. Now that I've done my homework, I realize that the components on the bike are sub-par. Aside from the crappy components (which are systematically being replaced), I'm pleased in general with the actual frame and have decided to forgo spending the money on a FS frame and build this baby up right (Thudbuster seat post alone was a great investment). I will love this ride as soon as I replace the crap wheelset (ZAC) and pathetic shocks (Rock Shox Indy C).
My only real complaint with the frame is the paint job. I'm beginning to wonder if they forgot to put this bike in the oven to finish baking. It was shiny and blue when I got it and after less than 3 months I am considering tearing it down and having it repainted. There are pit marks all over and if you look at it crooked-eyed, raise your voice, or address it with a harsh tone, more paint chips off. I've worn more durable nail polish.
I highly recommend the frame (aside from the paint issues), but would suggest buying it separately and building it up from there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Alexandria, VA, USA Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000
Favorite Trail:
none yet
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
really cool lookin', some good components, good solid entry level bike
Weaknesses:
shimano stx front derailleur which gave me problems from the beginning...crappy crankset.....
Similar Products Used:
none....entry level
Bike Setup:
all stock, except....topo 6061 aluminum bar, profile stiffy stem, and deore lx front derailleur....
Bottom Line:
actually, mine is a 98' model...I got it for 500 dollars new just recently....I am a beginner, but this seems to be a pretty good entry level bike.....I am upgrading parts slowly to make it lighter and more durable....I will upgrade the alivo crankset, bottom bracket, and also, the seatpost and saddle......right now it is 27 pounds and rides very nice.....recommended for entry level bikers...I hear that the frame is very good too so you can upgrade without worrying about whether you should have just bought a new bike....******
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Glen Bugden
a Cross-Country Rider
from Canberra - Australia Date Reviewed: January 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Issacs Ridge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Excellent frame
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Giant 860
Bike Setup:
I bought just the frame and built up from there. I use LX/XT components and RST forks.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the best I've ridden and owned, admittedly I used different everything on the 7.1 frame, but it's nice and stiff and looks sweat as well.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dan
a Weekend Warrior
from newcastle Date Reviewed: October 24, 1999
Favorite Trail:
glenrock
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
standover clearance design characteristics (oval to square seat and chain stays - bridges on top and bottom of rear triangle - huge down tube & reinforcment rings on heasd tube
Weaknesses:
none really
Similar Products Used:
most big names
Bike Setup:
z1's on front, tioga saddle, the fender, syncros & azonic cockpit - very sick looking machine
Bottom Line:
jumps really well - and rails way better than any dual suspension bikes I've ridden - more predictable line. JUst way more fun at half the price
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christian Miller
a Weekend Warrior
from Buffalo NY Date Reviewed: June 30, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Letchworth Park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Derailleurs (F&B) Balance
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
This is great on all terrains. I am not a professional rider, but I am very recreational on and off the road, and this bike is absolutely great. Very recommended for all.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore Date Reviewed: May 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Bukit Timah Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Real good... damn shiok... value for money.
Similar Products Used:
Safari.
Bike Setup:
Mongoose 7.1 wif Marzocchi Z2 Atom Bomb, XTR front & back derailleur, AMP disc brakes, Chris King headset, Litespeed titanium stem n Spinergy wheels.
Bottom Line:
Real good.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nepok
a Cross-Country Rider
from SGP Date Reviewed: May 10, 1999
Favorite Trail:
nil
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
The frame is definately strong
Weaknesses:
padel front & rear derailer
Similar Products Used:
mongoose NX 8.3
Bike Setup:
I change my brakes to magura and the padel to 747 and derailers to XT
Bottom Line:
I suggest you change the padels and derailers the originals are really lousy. Overall the bike feels go and is definately the bike for me.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from farmington hills Date Reviewed: April 1, 1999
Duration Product Used:
tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
seen Orange Pearl ones at Costco for $600 bucks
Weaknesses:
bAd reviews
Similar Products Used:
Bridgstone MB6
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
good price compared reviews quoting $750
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Philippe Marseille
a Cross-Country Rider
from Blainville, Pq Date Reviewed: March 20, 1999
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
the rear derailleur
Weaknesses:
everithing else!
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose nx8.3
Bike Setup:
original + shimano pedals(spd-636) and michelins wildgrippers + Avid 2.0 brakes
Bottom Line:
I did not like this bike, it really sucks and the 8.3 is not really better....
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bike freak
a racer
from St-jerome , QC ,Can Date Reviewed: February 23, 1999
Bottom Line:
Hey guys... I don't even own one of those but let me tell you one thing.... Mongoose doesn't suck... Brunswick does .... sucks real bad !!! I raced those bikes for 4 years and loved them but since Brunswick has bought Mongoose they're heading downhill... I mean the brand name is...... This bunch of stoopid bureaucrats should stick with bowling.... idiots... For those you don,t agee... NX 8.5 (98) had a XTR rear der. paired with a STXrc rear hub .... cool set up isn't it?????? FOR FUTURE MONGOOSE OWNER.... MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET HOOKED ON THEIR EYE CATCHING LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!So how much star...... before brunswick.......4.5 overall NOW................ -5 OVERALLL !!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Xtreme Biker
a cross-country rider
from Date Reviewed: February 9, 1999
Bottom Line:
I bought a 98' 7.1 and love it. Especially the frame as it's stiff and has low standover heighth which is great for someone short or still growing. The component mix is ok but I would recommend replacing the peddles with some spud's and switching the bars and stem with something a bit lighter. But other then that I think that the NX 7.1 is a great bike for some one starting to race cross country.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cow
a cross-country rider
from the pie filled field Date Reviewed: February 9, 1999
Bottom Line:
This bike feels really good when you sit on it in the shop, or even ride it out on the sidewalk. But jump off a curb or rip the dirt and this frame is too stiff. It handles well but it is heavy and it is too stiff for me. The component mix is a little on the sly for this price. Whatever happened to the Iboc mongoose used to make, that was one of the best bikes ever made. Mongoose has good entry level bikes, this one is not enty level, and good high end titanium bikes but their middle of the road bikes suck. Newman frames too stiff unless thats what you really like. handles really good but that is offset by wight and stiffness, I mean I want to ride, not ride and get beat up.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mullet
a weekend warrior
from Northern Territory Australia Date Reviewed: January 30, 1999
Bottom Line:
After riding about 8 different Hardtails i settled on the 'goose for the frame alone, I love frames that are built with a large amount of their weight fairly low so they corner well and launch even better, this is one thing the 'goose has spot on. The component mix is suckfull at best but as they break they go over the shoulder to be replaced by more durable gear.Mongoose built this bike as an entry level hardtail and i reckon they got it fairly right...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Applefield
a weekend warrior
from U.S.A Date Reviewed: January 20, 1999
Bottom Line:
I found the NX 7.1 to be the perfict bike for the weekend plesure ride. I am quite formilier about the compeditors of Mongoose. I have tried Bikes from Trek and dispised it greatly. My Trek had such big problems that the guy at the bike shop could not fix it.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Racer X
a racer
from Maryland Date Reviewed: November 15, 1998
Bottom Line:
Hmmm, it seems Mongoose is not quite focusing on it's hardtail program. Their latest offering is mediocre at best.Ok, what's up with this Newman frame thing? Stronger and stiffer, yes, it does the job. Lighter? Yeah, right (being fecetious)! Mongoose obviously spent serious time and money on this frame, judging fromt the parts package (more on this later). The frame is stiff, energy definitely transfers into forward motion. But how stiff is too stiff? This bike bites back. Hey, going fast also means that you are not so beat up at trying to absorb all this shock. The frame is stiff yet feels dull and muted. Cornering was fine, but a little on the nervous side. I guess this is what you get from listening to Brian Lopes, more of a downhiller/bmx'er rather than a XC racer.The parts pick on this bike is sad. The best part is the IRC tires, other than that, the bike is a hodge podge of Shimano and taiwanese parts. At least they tried to make it look expensive by having cool looking lacing patterns for the front and rear wheels. I'm asking myself how a bike costing $750 is heavier and has poorer specs than the $650 Moab 3 from Schwinn. Overall, I'm not impressed with this bike. Poor component selection and a frame that is more suited to a BMX track than a MTB trail. If you are looking for a bike in this price range, take a closer look at other offerings from Schwinn (Moab 2 or 3), Specialized, or Trek.
Overall Rating:
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