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Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | anywere offroad | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Kilarney BIke shop | | Strengths: | Mega tough frame. awesome tyres, the tread is great for sand/dirt and after more than 5 years they havent worn out | | Weaknesses: | I bent that crankshaft but i think it was more a rider issue :) Pedal locking nut has fallen off. caused me a half hour ride home with 1 pedal. $1.50 to fix but i needed grease and a lot of muscle to get it back tight again. steering column is slowly coming loose..........Forks havent got enough travel | | Similar Products Used: | giant stp2 | | Bike Setup: | stock except handlebar grips | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic frame, really takes a beating, has a good centre of gravity. tyres and brakes last forever (5+ years). The forks need to be longer and for a 21 speed the gearing is a bit all over the place. I highly recommend the bike to people jsut getting into it. fantastic for dirt riding and light downhill. not the greatest for dirt jumping or drops because of forks but its an awesome offroad/road bike......best buy for the money | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Brampton, Ontario
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Spokes n' Slopes | | Strengths: | Rigid Ride, good geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Stock Parts need to go. | | Bike Setup: | Marz Z-1 Bomber, XTR Rapid Rise Rear/XT Front, Syncros Crank, Race Face B/B/Head Set, Scott LF Bar, Mavic CrossMax Wheelset | | Bottom Line: | Great frame, I bought this as a complete bike, switching out the fork immediately. The rest of the components came gradually. I upgraded to a new frame and sold the frame to a buddy who used for 6 years. The new frame cracked and became a wall decoration, so I got the frame back from my buddy and rebuilt the bike - wow! The frame is still in tip-top shape and the ride is still what I remember. I recommend this frame to any intermediate rider who has good components or can find one for cheap to build up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Rail Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | CyclePath | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | Nothing | | Bike Setup: | Everything is stock | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line? Its 2006 and Im still ROCKING the 1997 Rockadile SX. Its almost time for my baby's 10 year anniversary and I might actually buy her an upgrade. Ive not had to upgrade a single thing yet except the tires and handgrips because of wear. My gripshift rubber is rotting but still functional, and one of my spokes is loose. I keep the bike clean and I lube the chain and fork well. That goes along way.
For me this bike is an emotional experience. It all started the day I saw her. It was love at first sight. The chrome frame glistened in the store light, with the bold yellow logo, and the aggresive look. I asked for a test ride and when I got on, even though I hadent adjusted the seat yet, it fit like a glove. I guess thats the IBOC geometry? Since I had test riden 10 bikes over the last month this was a shock to me and I immediatly bought the bike, right there on the spot.
Only 10 years later am I able to appreciate what a fantastic, fantastic bike this is. It is the supurlative all arounder. I have a 19.5 size and it's not bulky on the trails but somehow it's also fantastic for long distance trail riding. Someone mentioned in here how they put slicks on this bike and competed in a road race. The frame is just dialed that you could actually do that, then turn around and go downhilling the next day. For the city somehow the frame remains taught enough for urban bashing with tons of bunny hopping over curbs, cats, whatever. Really there is no need for me to buy a road bike, or a more aggresive mountian bike, the 1997 Mongoose Rockadile SX is the jack of all trades.
This bike is indestructable. It has a triangle geometry built into the tubes that helps with strutural rigity. Ive been pounding the tar otta this bike for 10 years and it laughs at me. The only thing that can stop this frame is a smelting factory.
Everytime(I mean every single time too) I sit on the bike I think of how great the bike fits me and how well it rides. Im going to go on a trail ride right now of maybe 30 miles. I LOVE this bike.
MONGOOSE SX I LOVE YOU, you are my favorite and always will be! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James G
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern Indiana
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Still looking | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle One in Gahanna Ohio | | Strengths: | Comfy frame.
Fit
| | Weaknesses: | Cracking headtubes | | Similar Products Used: | Huffy 10 speed. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Review by proxy.
This is my wife's bike. She's on her second frame. After about 1 month of riding she noticed a crack in the headtube.
Pity too because the bike fit, had a comfortbale ride, was not twitchy or slow in handling.
Bike was replaced. Fast forward several years of easy riding. Getting ready to upgrade to V-brakes and a few goodies, noticed another crack in the head tube. Frame is toast.
Will contact 'Goose tomorrow. Don't expect they have an equal bike anymore.
Can't complain too much, got the bike in 1997. But it should have lasted for many many more years. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Ostergaard
a Weekend Warrior
from Pleasant Grove, UT USA
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Great Western Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | AAA Pawn & Loans | | Strengths: | Frame, components | | Weaknesses: | ugly paint - purple | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Raleigh, Diamond Back, GT | | Bike Setup: | trigger shifters, (can't remember) | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Rockadile back in 96 from a pawn shop for $100 bucks. It was pretty beat up but I took it to a bike shop and they replaced the cables and gave it a tune up. I don't know how old it was, it just jumped out at me because it had a good set of components and who could go wrong for $100? I usually ride the same set of trails and I've ridden 5 different bikes on the same trails. The Rockadile was absolutely the best dang bike of them all. Best climber, best downhill, best shifting, best braking, and best riding, hands down! Dumbest thing I ever did was to let that one go, I wish I still had it. Out of the bikes I've ridden and owned this one gets a 5 all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Powell, TN, US
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Norris or Haw Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Drakes in Maryville, TN | | Strengths: | Timeless Looks, Integrity, Workmanship, Materials, Handling | | Weaknesses: | Tioga Tires BLOW!!! Get a set of Ritcheys. Also the stock forks are bit weak. | | Similar Products Used: | NA | | Bike Setup: | '97 Rockadile SX--Upgraded forks to Manitou Palmer 80mm Strokers, 1" riser bars, | | Bottom Line: | For the money, you can't go wrong...but sadly, I won't get another Mongoose (at least a new one) since they aren't really Mongooses any more. You can't really beat a hardtail, especially if you're over 200lbs. I'm going a slightly different route by saying that I have actually taken great care of this bike and it has served me well, but I'm sort of catching full suspension fever. If you can find one for $250 like some of these guys, you're getting a great bike! How can you not give this bike 5 chilis--try finding a bike now for that money that has the same look and quality...you can't! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
audrey
a Weekend Warrior
from indy
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | town park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | very strong frame
looks good | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | alivio cantilever brakes
xt
ahead stem
transx x bar
alex rims
| | Bottom Line: | well I thought this purchase was my mistake. The bike arrived with a cracked frame steerer receiver. I didn't notice until I had the bike a week. I secured it with a tight overlay and decided to go ahead a break it. Well to my surprise, it hasn't failed. I had just purchased some deore for it(because I like the way it feels on my iboc). I will save the xt and alivio parts. If the bike fails, I will replace it with the titanium mongoose no doubt. Wanna no when and how it fails? or any other questions, feel free to e-mail. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
djonko
a Cross Country Rider
from Zwolle, Holland
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gulpenroute Limburg, Holland | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | strong frame, good geometry, weight of frame is acceptable
lx-rear der. | | Weaknesses: | Weak components especially that poor sugino crank, heavy goose tires(garbage), paint on the frame. | | Similar Products Used: | GT zaskar/avalanche, Giant ATX/NRS | | Bike Setup: | red '96 rockadile, Marzocchi Z3, RockShox seatpost,xt/xtr drivetrain, Profile equipement, Gore-tex | | Bottom Line: | Since '97 ,when I bought this bike,I changed every component beccause the bad quality.
The frame is very strong and it has a good geometry. It's also very stiff. 5 chili's for the frame and 3 chili's overall | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manny
a Weekend Warrior
from Fall River, Ma., USA
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Arcadia Forest, RI | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | Crosby Cycles, Fall River, Ma. | | Bottom Line: | Bought the Rockadile SX new 4yrs. ago. Fell in love with it the moment I saw it at the bike shop. Once I rode it, I had to buy it. The Aluminum frame is great. Handles amazingly well on all types of riding. Have been upgrading components over the years as they wear out, and love the bike even more. It is like a fine aged wine. I had a Cannondale CAAD 3 frame bike I picked up cheap, and ended it up selling it after a few months for it doesn't compare to the Mongoose. It is a shame what happened with Brunswick buying Mongoose and ruining its reputation, but I stand behind my rig 100%. I'm not sure of their quality of bikes now, but my "97" Rockadile SX has been too hell and back. Crosscountry, Downhill, and Urban Assault riding. Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail at Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike & Hike | | Strengths: | Strong responsive aluminum frame, Wellgo clipless pedals, great buy for the money | | Weaknesses: | Spec'd with some stx-rc parts | | Bike Setup: | SRAM 9.0 drivetrain and brakes, XT hubs and cranks, Manitou SX-R fork, Bontrager Mustang rim (front) and Velocity Aeroheat (rear)Shimano M-545 clipless pedals | | Bottom Line: | Though the bike is a '97, it was brand new, never ridden. Bike came with Deore LX rear, and stx-rc front derailleur, cranks, and hubs. Answer Manitou Pro front shock, and Mavic rims. It rode very well with my 200 pounds and lower end components. It now rides flawlessly with all the upgrades I've put on. It delivers everything I ask of it, and takes some punishing hits. While it will never be the greatest bike ever, for the money I've put into it (less than $1000) I'll put it up against any hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eduardo
a Weekend Warrior
from Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The Ejidos nearby | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | from local bike shop | | Strengths: | Strong and responsive frame, light cromolly | | Weaknesses: | Some of the orignal parts make the bike somewhat heavy. The orignal setup had a Duotrack front shock. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper, K2 ZedX, Trek | | Bike Setup: | Shimano STX components, Sun rims, GT tires | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Rockadile Sx about 4 years ago from a kid who never even shifted the bike's gears so it was brand new
and have rode through snow, ice, mud, 5 feet of water (reservoir), and just about every material a trail can be made of, including 5 feet drops and the frame never gave up. Just last year, after 4 years of hard biking I noticed a tiny crack near the crank set. My bike shop added a few drops of welding and since then I didnt have any more trouble. From normal use and abuse I have replaced the rear dereileur, crank set and front shock at least once, but the bottom line is this is a great bike, and I hear Trek and Specialized and Giant frames cracking and bending, but every Rockadile owner I have met (2) rely on frame stenght.
Another very important characteristic of Mongoose frames: Confort and responsiveness. The frame design is very confortable.
I'm about to buy a new bike to replace my Rockadile with another Mongoose but I will hang this baby in my room wall!
I give it 5 flamin' chilis or whatever for value and overall, because any bike that withstands 5 years of trashing and then some deserves it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Hanson
a Cross Country Rider
from East Maitland
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything with bumps | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Teds bikes ,East Maitland | | Strengths: | Great bike I bought it for the crome-molly frame and just to own a mongoose $439 aust good value | | Weaknesses: | Just cant get the front de-railers to work more than 3 or 4 times in a row,seem to be adjusting the brakes twice a day the front forks(Mozos) are theeeee stiffest will be upgrading to Shimano XTR/XT components and hopefully a disc on the front or if to pricey another set of forks | | Similar Products Used: | Sons Mongoose Balistic 1.5 dual suspension | | Bike Setup: | Stock standard except for better brake shoes and bar extensions | | Bottom Line: | Good looking bike but for a bike not even 2 months old you would exspect it to change gears more than once or twice without going back to the shop to be adjusted.Took a big fall about a week ago the bike came out with out a scratch pity I didn't | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Drew
a Weekend Warrior
from Fenwick Island , Del, USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I bought it primarily for the frame, very durable and light wieght. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | I have customized the bike a lot, but would recommend it to anyone just as it came from the factory. I ride it mostly into Ocean City on the boardwalk to work, about 20 miles a day round trip, but
I have had it on some very rough trails in Northern Maryland. Not even the daily dose of salty sea air has effected it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Burlington, Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kelso | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Strong frame, good geometry | | Weaknesses: | Old stiff forks, stx-rc parts | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Club Roost riser bars, Deore V-brakes, Tioga and Manitou tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a great freeride bike, if you upgrade the fork, and put riser bars on it. The frame is nice and strong and it has a nice feel, especailly for downhill, because of the long cockpit. The only weaknesses are the Quadra 21R shocks, and the stx-rc rear derrailleur, both of which I'm planning to upgrade very soon. If you want to buy this bike used, like I did, make sure it's in decent condition. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bull
a Weekend Warrior
from Ephrata, PA, 17522
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Way Home Trail (TWH) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | One heck of a solid frame. Nice bike for the money. Got mine for $630.00 including tax and didn't change a thing.
| | Weaknesses: | Cracked after five years of abuse | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Replaced the rear tire with somethiing a little better for in the mud since I got a bad punture in the old one. | | Bottom Line: | After about four years of riding I finally realized the frame was cracked at the headtube. Had hairline fracture at the top at bottom. Also cracked it down at the derailer. Clean trhough to the threads. Mongoose is replacing the frame under warranty and I am looking at getting a ful ssusp. one also.Solid all around bike that I could have taken better care of. Still ran great even though I didn't do so. The Goose will always have a spot in my heart. Had rapid fire plus shifters, shimano stx/rc al the way around and I think alivio brakes.
SHOP AROUND BEFORE YOU BUY. SAVED $200.00 FROM ONE BIKE SHOP TO THE NEXT. The one guy said he paid 800.00 for his. 630 including tax. Buy from the Mennonite farmers bike shop that sell Mongoose, GT, K2, etc. They give really good deals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirty Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Markham Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Just about anything with dirt on it | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Fast & stiff | | Weaknesses: | Stiff & dosn't wiegh 3 lbs | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain | | Bike Setup: | XT, XTR, SID, RaceFace & all the other crap. | | Bottom Line: | This thing accellerates like a bulit, and climbs like a monkey. I bought the frame and built it up from parts from my old Rocky, and this is a much nicer ride than the old Rocky Mountain frame that I had. To bad they don't make 'em like this anymore, because it just goes like snot! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
randy
a Racer
from Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Mongoose Rockadile SX is a really good sturdy bike for crosscountry racing. Light bike for the standard components.
| | Weaknesses: | The standard tires are not the greatest but with new tires it becomes a excellent crosscountry bike.
| | Bottom Line: | Overall for under $1000 dollars it is a very well setup bike. weather you ride hard or a occasionally rider it is a good bike. A racer should try this bike at a race if you have not already | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PANAYIOTIS KACHIHTIS
a Cross Country Rider
from SPARTA GREECE
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Handling.It corners like it's on rails.
The climbing.The first time i rode it i could'nt believe it. | | Bottom Line: | Now i see why so many people love their mongoose bikes.The rockadile is the first Goose i bought and it is awesome.After i upgraded it with Shimano LX and XT components Mavic 217SUP rims , a GREAT Marzocchi Z2 fork ,Time ATAC pedals ,and Mythos XC tires , it has completed 2500 kms with absolute reliability. I have thrown it everything , races , rides , LONG rides (Mount Taygetus is great) even a ROAD race with slicks.And i didn't come last.
In summary a very happy owner.
FIVE STARS - MONGOOSE RULES. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Beno
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Sali, NC | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
That old Mongoose feel | | Weaknesses: |
Standard Rock Shock Quad 5... | | Bike Setup: |
Upgraded to Manitou Mach 5 w/in month of purchase..Upgraded to LX components. | | Bottom Line: | Loved the frame until it cracked on me at the headset. Great ride for the money at the time of purchase. Second Mongoose I've owned and very happy with it. Mongoose is going to replace same frame for me under warranty after 4 years. Hope it lasts as long as first one did. It's a Shame Brunswick bought them out...Used to be proud to ride a Mongoose! Plan to keep bike as a loaner or mud rider...Planning to purchase new bike this fall. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly Matheson
a Cross-Country Rider
from Minnesota
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
River Bottoms | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
I really to like the frame, it has a smooth ride and it handles as well as I have ever used. In addition to off road, it has been a great commuter with slicks. | | Weaknesses: |
It tends to be sluggish when shifting. I have been caught several times where it will not shift down quick enough. Perhaps un upgrade is in order. | | Similar Products Used: |
I previously owned two Raleighs, and they were not as comfortable to ride. | | Bottom Line: | Great frame, it is definately a keeper. I think with a little money it could be a great bike for the worst conditions. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fancy-Nancy
a weekend warrior
from Grand Blanc--Michigan
Date Reviewed: February 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I am very pleased with my Rockadile. I got it at a bike shop on the clearence rack, since I am a cheap person. By boyfriend put the bike together for me. It has a Rock Shock Judy Downhill fork, and has a crochless set(kind of sucks), but I guess it beats a Huffy with a blown out seat and only two working squeaky gears which I do not feel like talking about right now. During the summer I road about thirty miles a day. I kind of got addicted to ridding, and I am yet to enter myself in a race. I love my mongoose, and I hope it last me forever.
About that first guys review; the one with the piece of shit bike= you have to take care of your bike, that is why the thing is such a piece of shit. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
speed demon
a cross-country rider
from Eatonville, Wa
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my 96 Rockadile SX in Feb of 1997. Since then everything has broken. The nipples holding in my spoke in the rear rim are starting to pull out, my Manitou Mach 5 is starting to stick, the rear brakes dont work very well do to a bad design in the rear, and the shifting flat out sucks. Another review posted on this page by Brian Hensal has got it straight. He has replaced the whole bike. I on the other hand am going to sell my bike for whatever some fool will give me and buy a new bike to fly on. I am a pretty big guy, but for $800 I expected a little more. It was a good bike to start racing with, but I need a better bike if I ever want to when the races. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cam
a weekend warrior
from Downunder
Date Reviewed: January 12, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
It's a GOOSE so it must be great. Only topped by the GOOSE NX 9.7
G'day to all you GOOSE lovers.
Five Chillies because this burns.
Bloody unreal!!!!!!!
Just cause I 'ave to fill the word count, it's a bloody ripper!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Graham
a
from WA
Date Reviewed: January 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I absolutely recommend this frame even though the year is was sold is gone.. it is an absolute jewel.... I upgraded it as much as possible and got MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY miles out of it... however i retired this frame to my wall of fame in my room now... but it was an excellent bike... loved the ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a cross-country rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Okay. The Mongoose Rockadile is one SOLID bike. I have been riding and racing mine for a year now. I have just generally been taking it to the sickest stuff that i can possipally find. I got the straight rockadile (97 version) and man is it sweet. For less then $1000 Canadian dollars its hard to beat. The frame geometery is extremely strong utilizing their Ca2 metal matrix frame geometery. The actual frame is made out of 7005 aluminium. The same alumnium that you would find on a bike for hundreds of dollars more. And if you feel that the stock bike is not enough then you can always upgrde it. My bike is a joy to upgrade. Right now im running stxrc/xt with bontageur mustang asym rims, xt hubs, magura hydraulic brakes, a kona DB riser bar and lots of other small upgrades. I have never had any problems with this bike. Its an EXCELLENT ride. The suspension specific frame is very supple and bites into the corners like you were on rails. And for durabillitys sake.. well you dont even have to ask. i have seen lots of frames crack, bend and bust.. but NEVER a rockadile. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Cannon
a weekend warrior
from RI
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I upgraded to this awesome ride after one year on a hardbody. Although I have beat the living sh*t out of this machine, it keeps coming back for more. Last night I finally ripped the front derailer off. I'm not a tuneup freak, so I find the rear shifting is slow sometimes. Maybe a Rollamajig is in order.
I was worried about the frame, and yep, it is stiff, but I love the light weight feel and handling of this solid performer. I've ridden lots of friends bikes and I'm happy with the goose.I don't plan on racing professionally (that's a joke), so I'll just replace whatever breaks and keep this baby till the atoms split.The only problem I have is I spend too much time on the bike and not enough time with my girlfriend - a man's gotta make hard choices in life.Four chillies - nothing's perfect in life and that leaves room for improvement. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kerry rixon
a cross-country rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: April 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've only just bought a Rockadile second hand right now. There's no modifications as far as I know but I've used it in lower level races and have been totally happy with it. The forks are the only thing I'm watching out for because I've heard the catridges are easily blown. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a racer
from RI
Date Reviewed: February 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got A Goose in May. I love it. Got mine for 800. Best deal I could find. Not that heavy mine tips the scale at 26 lbs. The tioga tires suck!! Gettin rid of them and puttin on Wild gripper sprints. I ditched the Goose handlebar and put on Answer. I also upgraded the pedals to TIME ATAC. No real problems with the frame except for the fact that it is just to good. This bike is also an excellent dual slalom bike. For slalom I have a riser bar and I take off the inner rings and put on a longer travel fork. This baby rocks. Its too bad Goose doesn't have a race team for X country. This is also the same frame our good ol buddy BRIAN LOPES uses for dual slalom. If he uses it it must be good.
No more time to write I got to go for a little ride now. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Hensal
a weekend warrior
from State College, Pa.
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
First of all I am a 18 year old senior who plays football, leaving the spring and summer open for biking. I had a Specialized Hardrock for a year and really got hooked on biking. However I beat the thing up and I needed something TUFF with a UFFIt came down to a Giant or a Goose sx. I test rode both and tought that the mongoose was much stiffer and it felt a lot lighter. I have put many modifications on it since like:Marzocchi z2 Bombers
Shimano SPD 747 Clipless Pedals
Shimano XTR Font and Rear Brakes
Shimano XT Shifter/Brake Levers
Shimano LX Font Derailer
Mavic 217 SUP Sunset Finished Rims
Shimano XT Front and Rear Hubs
Not to Mention my New Camelbak Mule!
_ I have ended up putting a whole bunch of X-mas and birthday money into it. With the chrome finish, and a few cool stickers this bike is unbelievable, light, sturdy and plush. It was all worth it. I would recommend it to any WEEKEND WARRIOR....I gave it a four star cause it is not a Klein Mantra Pro!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
José Manuel Delgado
a cross-country rider
from Caguas, PR
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I choose this bike from a bunch of 3 bikes: the Mongoose, Gary Fisher Montare and a red Specialized M1. All came with almost the same componets: Avid Brakes, Manitou Pro SX and other cool stuff...The Montare was the lightest (my friend was a mate gray one, darn thing looks like it came from a Wal-Mart or Toys'R US: IT SUCKS!!!)...but the Goose was the only one that came in a polished finish...I LOVE IT!!! It handles like a dream...I rode the other two but the Rockadile blows the away! Only add end bars to it, change the shifters if you don't like the G.Shifts like me and get it to the nearest trail. I will race it next weekend. :) WEEEEEEEEPAAAAAA!!!(I gave it 4 chillies, 'cause nothig its perfect folks! Je je je)
MONGOOSE RULEZ ALL THE WAY!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nigel
a weekend warrior
from Westwood MA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a further entry to my first review of this bike.Well, I've ridden the 'goose more now, and a few things are becoming apparent; first, I really do love this bike...... I love the handling, the gear changing, the way it feels, the whole thing. But like life, nothings perfect:-I've changed the brakes and brake levers to Diacompe PC8s and Tektro cantilevers (I'll probably describe the angst about setting these brakes up another time, but suffice to say, there're on the bike and properly adjusted)-they are now far superior to the original Acera X jobbies, which were just terrible. I was lucky; my local bike store gave me a great deal. I'm now very happy with the brakes -haven't tried V-Brakes yet, but as cantilevers go, these are the best I've ever had.I got the polished frame -good idea? Well now I'm less convinced. The frame is polished, but there is a thin coating on top which tarnishes easily once anything rubs on it -I have a Mountain Bike pass in the form of a plastic tag which does this. I have questions about the longevity of this finish now -I'm going to start to protect and polish the frame with polish/wax stuff from now on (hey, wait a minute, isn't that what paint is supposed to do??). Looking back on this now, the frame looks great at the moment, but the polished frame cost me extra -perhaps I would have been better saving some bucks and sacrificing fashion for good old fashioned paint.Also, after reading reviews on mtbr.com, I succumbed and bought a Rollamajig -yep, the shifting is better. Put on a couple of cheap bar ends too.Now that I see more closely the specs that came with the bike, and my above comments, there's no way I could ever justify giving the bike five chilli peppers based on its price. But the good news is I love the frame, it feels great, strong and does look great. If you could get this bike for less, and you love the ride, then its the bike for you. Because I really enjoy riding this and because it's clearly a quality bike with a great frame and just suits me well, I'm still sticking with four chilli peppers for the rating. I'd recommend anyone to test ride any bike before they decide what to buy -there are better deals than this out there, but hten again if you get this bike, you won't be sorry! | | Overall Rating: |
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