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Submitted by
Charles
a Cross Country Rider
from Thailand
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Singapore | | Strengths: | Got the bike in S'pore and rode it all the way home to Bangkok. What can I say? It kick butt!! | | Weaknesses: | The saddle kick my butt too, if u know what I mean... | | Similar Products Used: | All of them perhaps--I live to ride. | | Bike Setup: | Mainly stock, except for the saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Enuff said.
Plan to ride it all the way to Hong Kong. Watch this space for more updates. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alberto Zacxavier
a Cross Country Rider
from Milan
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | Great frame for taking on the Italian country-side. Unbreakable construction. Gears is smooth, all 27 of them. Rockshox is cushy enough although not the best around, it takes on the trails with ease. | | Weaknesses: | Not much to complain about, except the saddle which is not really a problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Just about everything there is. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, buy it for the frame. Puts many others to shame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Cortez
a
from Beaverton, Oregon
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Kneebal Springs | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Love the oversized frame. Meaty enough to eat up whatever the road gives. Reasonable weight. Good component group. | | Weaknesses: | Some cheap parts here and there. Planning on turning it into a sturdy bike for the road (already have a full-suspension for all my off-road desires). | | Similar Products Used: | Never owned a hardtail before. Only full-suspension and rigid-frames. | | Bike Setup: | Went with an Avid setup for the brakes and levers. Threw away the stock saddle and replaced with a Selle Royale. New front wheel, Ritchey TGV grips, and a big Deore LX upgrade in about 15 days (I'm kind of excited). Goin' with a new handlebar, stem, seatpost, LX crankset (w/ new BB), LX chain & casette, and LX front-derailleur. Keepin' the shocks. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money I paid. Do not let the Mongoose name fool you. As everyone else has said, this is no department store bike. Great bike for beginners or those looking for a well-priced bike that's easily upgradeable. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Clark
a Racer
from Australia
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Shepherds Hill Reserve | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd Hand through paper (norm. US$550) | | Strengths: | Smoothness of Ride.
Deore Componentary.
Jett Rock Shox
Value for money
Bulletproof frame | | Weaknesses: | Saddle (very bad on nether regions for long treks)
Can't get into 27th gear (highest)
Sometimes slips from the 3rd chain rung to 2nd.
Maximum Size of Frame
Oversize frame and exposed wire connections can be problem when wanting to attach D-Locks | | Similar Products Used: | Repco Maxtracks 3 (Sorry all cyclists!) | | Bike Setup: | Same as Australian Brand New Model, Deore Hubs, Shifters, Deralluires, Jett Rock Shox | | Bottom Line: | Best Value for money on Earth
A thoroughly enjoyable ride when on a budget
Possible invest in a new seat, if you plan for procreation
Buy it if young and is first bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Liberty, MO USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Katy Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$212.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks Sports (I know, but remember $212 and I got ALL THIS) | | Strengths: | VALUE!!! Great performer..especially for the money! I am 5'6". This machine offers a perfect fit for me (18" frame). The 27 speed offers the most useable range I have encountered. Plenty of low end range for long hill climbs and plenty of high end for downhill thrusts. I love it!!! | | Weaknesses: | SEAT!!! It's OK at best. The front derailler has to be used with ease. Rock Shox suspension OK (again, great for the money) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500. | | Bike Setup: | Stock bike. Changed tires from Maxxis (saved tires for loose dirt) to Michelin Wildgripper Rock (most of my riding is on hardpack). Considering changing front suspension (?) | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I feel great about my purchase. Components are very good (especially when considering the price paid and the way I ride--weekend warrior). Just remember to use your front shifter with ease. I would strongly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a killer machine under $500. And now...good luck finding one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Glenide, PA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wissahickon/Valley Green | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's (I know) | | Strengths: | -Frame
-component group
-great feel:aggressive yet easy to manuever | | Weaknesses: | -seat
-brakes
-Note: I have no beef with the jetts, they are decent enough | | Similar Products Used: | -2000 Specialized Hard Rock Comp A1 (which I own) and I like this more. It's faster and climbs better
-1997 Rockhopper FS (this is much better)
| | Bike Setup: | -I put a deore LX front derailuer on it. The Alivio one sucked.
-new Topo saddle | | Bottom Line: | You are lucky if you own one of these. In my research, nothing beats it for the cash. Nothing. With features such as a Deore drivetrain, deore rear hub, deore rear deraileur, decent cranks, decent rims, decent tires, decent forks, and a freakin' great frame that is a freakin' work of art!! Be proud and ride and enjoy. This is not a damn "Wal-Mart special" It's a great machine and hopefully Mongoose can keep building these worthy ATB's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Taiwan
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | Great frame, the best in its class. Worthy components, 27 speed Shimano Deore. Entry level Rockshox suspension, 65mm travel. | | Weaknesses: | Some cheap stuffs here and there, like the saddle. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Wheeler, Giant. | | Bike Setup: | Mainly stock except for the saddle. | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike, the frame alone will made it all worth while. It is not exactly light but it sure can take a beating. Top it up with Shimano 27 speed and Rockshox suspension, this is the best buy for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James caswell
a Cross Country Rider
from brisbane
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Stretton state forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | In AUS | | Strengths: | It has great tyres. I went for a 6 hour endour race today and didn't get one flat. It has great gear change, nice Brackes. sweat fram (super over sized), great value for money. and there are lots more to be mentioned | | Weaknesses: | not very comfy seat | | Similar Products Used: | GT,Treck | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is it is a great bike it is built with pride and strenght, it loves to be pushed to the limits. it is sold for a great price so i would recomend you buy one thay are just what every xc racer needs
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PAUL
a Cross Country Rider
from SWINDON, UK
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | Well specced for the money - other bikes I looked at for the same mpney had much lower spec Shimano components.
A great frame - looks well made and the sloping top tube gives plenty of stand over room | | Weaknesses: | The saddle was very uncomfortable to start with but I'm getting used to it. The front fork bottoms out quite a lot.
I thought it had a lifetime frame warranty but reading the small print it only applies in the USA.The handlebar is very narrow - get some bar ends. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Outpost FS, Trek 4100 | | Bike Setup: | Standard apart from bar ends | | Bottom Line: | Excellent value for money - we pay more for bikes in the UK than you do in the States but I got it in the Sales for nearly 40% off - the UK list price is US$560. I would recommend it without reservation. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | -VALUE!Comes with well-made 7005 aluminum frame and 27-speed Deore deraillers for around $500(sometimes less--find one on discount at Dick's)
-Worth the upgrades that you will undoubtedly give it
-Maxxis tires
-Arguably better-spec'd than ANY bike in the $400-$500 bracket
-NOT A BLUE-LIGHT SPECIAL!!! | | Weaknesses: | -The company itself(weak service)
-Typical and obvious skimping in the brake,wheel,and saddle department(trust me,you can expect this on any bike in this price range)
-The Jett fork(it sucks--little travel,bottoms often,no damping)
-Comes with a flat bar
-The frame rides STIFF--this is to be expected from a low-end aluminum frame with monster-size pipes,so get used to it | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS(own it),Jamis Exile(wish I bought it) | | Bottom Line: | Don't be scared of the Mongoose name--pay less attention to the brand,and look closely at the bike it's attached to.The DX 4.0 is a GREAT bike for this kind of money,and it is built with QUALITY--which is so obviously lacking in Mongoose's department store offerings.
If the bike is built well(Dick's is kind of iffy--look closely at the bike before you buy it),then it's a great bargain.Note the deraillers,tires and frame--it's all good,baby.True,the wheels,brakes,and saddle aren't great,but they aren't much better on my Rockhopper,which cost close to $150 more.The only really dumb component on the bike might be the RockShox Jett fork--an outdated hunk of junk that I strongly advise you replace--'cause it'll break anyway.
Bottom Line:The DX 4.0 is a great bike for the beginning enthusiast.5/value,4/overall(because they spec'd a poor excuse for a fork!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnson Kim
a Cross Country Rider
from South Korea
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The woods behind my backyard | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Purchased At: | Seoul | | Strengths: | Very beautiful bike. First time I tried suspension and it felt great. Shimano Deore drivetrain is real smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Hard saddles giving me numb butt. Can be lighter if not for some low end parts. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Specialized and Nikkei steel | | Bike Setup: | Changed the saddles only. Riser will be next | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for the money. Paintwork is outstanding with 27 speed and Rockshox shocks. One of the best I've owned so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vincent
a Cross Country Rider
from M'sia
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Desaru | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | K.L. | | Strengths: | Stiff and strong 7005 frame. Rockshox Jett shocks works fine. Shimano Deore 27 speed. What more could you ask for? | | Weaknesses: | Some obvious cost-cutting here and there. Like saddles... | | Similar Products Used: | Nope, first MTB. | | Bike Setup: | Pure stock. | | Bottom Line: | Beautiful bike, with Rockshox shocks and Deore 27 speed. From where I'm from this is already a dream. Climbs fine with Maxxis XC tires, accelerates effortlessly and I could go on and on and on... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vincent
a Weekend Warrior
from S'pore
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ubin | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Strengths: | Super strong butted aluminium frame. The massive oversized bi-oval downtube make sure it is absolutely bombproof. Rockshox front shocks works great, not too stiff or plush. Also, the Deore rear derailluer shifts fantasic and it's the best value 27 speed bike to be found around town. | | Weaknesses: | Could do with better brakes set and saddles. | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Kona | | Bike Setup: | Full Deore drivetrain and brake set, Specialized Body Geometry saddles, riser bars | | Bottom Line: | If cash is what you're lacking, then this is what you're looking. Gives the most bang for the buck. Go give it a look. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MT2 God
a
from Perth Australia
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any where fast and with jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$645.00 | | Purchased At: | AUS | | Strengths: | JOY JOY JOY Frame... Solid ride on this baby, comes with decent components and 27 speed. Double wall rims for extra strength and the frame is T7!!! The frame is very oversized and welded very well. | | Weaknesses: | Get rid of the pedals for some platforms, get rid of the handel bars for some rise bars, and the shocks, BIN THEM!!! Jetts suck. The brakes are no names but do the job very well... You might wanna get some new tyres for it to, they come with maxis which are good for the rode but dont hold on gravel to well. | | Similar Products Used: | The only other product i have ever used is a REPCO Max Tracks... scary i know, not to similar at all. | | Bike Setup: | Deore changers, 27 speed, maxxis tyres, no name brakes, xc rock shocks, eastern rise bars, mosh platform pedals, sugina drivetrain... preety good for the price | | Bottom Line: | The bike kicks ass, i have seen bikes which cost almost doulbe and are not even that much better than this beast. Once again the frame is what is good on this baby, but if you are if you are just a weekend warrior this bike is all you need. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dr Plains
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth Australia
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Baden Powell | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | hell cheap, sick frame, great componenents for price...
| | Weaknesses: | jetts suk, grips suk, pedals suk | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn... | | Bike Setup: | + Azonic rizers, free agent platforms, kujo DH 2.1", roxshoxxx indy C | | Bottom Line: | kill the jetts, buy yourself some rise bars and some decent pedals and you got yourself a joy bike!! i hated the grips too..too thin etc so i bought some serfas ones...cheap too
i love a FAT tyre so i went hyper and bought a 2.1"
oh another thing about the jetts, their duds..only one side has an actual carttridge!!1 so watch out..dont be doing any dropoffs etc or ull kill urself
theres nothing much else to say....i paid $655 AUS for this beast and its great..i use it for XC (-ve the Kujos) , a bit of DH and mostly hacking around and its hell good | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
diyj
a Weekend Warrior
from Collinsville, VA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | low price, lifetime frame warranty, good components for it's price range | | Weaknesses: | seat not real comfy, but not really any weaknesses as long as it's compared to bikes in the same price range | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock FS Comp, GT, Giant | | Bike Setup: | stock except for Profile riser bar | | Bottom Line: | Great little bike, has performed well. Sure it doesn't compare to a $1,000+ bike, but no $550.00 retail bike does. I got mine for just over $400.00. Great bike for a bigginer or someone not wanting to sink a fortune into a bike. A big step above the Walmart Mongoose bikes. Five flamin cowpies when compared to other bikes in it's class. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Cooke
a Downhiller
from Columbia Md, USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Avalon @ Patapsco Md & Snowshoe slider | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Rigid, Solid feel, Lightweight, Extremely manageable in harsh conditions and affordable. | | Weaknesses: | To many oversized decals and factory grips could be of higher quality. | | Similar Products Used: | GT,Trek | | Bike Setup: | OEM Factory / Showroom floor with minor ajustments. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike and for the price even better. Mongoose has been in business for many years and knows how to weld a bike frame. These bike are between $480 -$500 and remember mongoose is a frame only even they use 3rd party products, which can be replaced as you get a feel for what you want. If you’re like me you will have two bikes in the event one is not available or set up different. Two great bikes for the price of one think about it. Two Mongoose DX4’s for $1000 or one yuppie bike for $1000+. Happy trails ride safe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Parma Hts, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Shocks work great, great Rims, good shifter, great brakes | | Weaknesses: | none Ive found so far | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose dx3.5 | | Bottom Line: | I used this bike for a 12 hour excursion today, I took it on a trail that was about 5 miles long and had it in and out of thick mud about 6-10" deep. I didnt get stuck once, the bike holds the ground very well and gets very good traction. I was riding a downhill section and was going about 20MPH or so over tree roots and the Rock Shocks absorbed a lot or the impact. I was quite impressed. I also drove in a creek unintentionally the shocks abosrbed quite a drastic impact then, they are quite good. All and All, this is a good bike for $500. I would recommend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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