Submitted by
WaterDogMan
a Cross Country Rider
from San Carlos, CA Date Reviewed: September 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Water Dog Lake Trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$330.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bicyles
Strengths:
Heavy bike that can take some hits, good seat.
Weaknesses:
Heavy bike (35 pounds), disc brakes have been locking up for me and had to be replaced under warranty. Even with new brakes I don't think they have good breaking strength. The handle bar is also very wide (27.5") and feels like you are steering a truck.
Bottom Line:
This bike certainly got me back in shape on the trail due to its weight. It makes a good beginners bike, but once you start to appreciate rough terrain, you will be looking for something better and lighter (I am). It's a bit hard to maneuver on switch backs going down hill, and the brakes are not the best quality.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jay Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia Date Reviewed: July 14, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Cairns Uni Track
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$490.00
Purchased At:
Bike Man
Strengths:
Looks good. Strong frame. Very comfy seat. Good tyres. Strong rims.
Weaknesses:
Sram x4 rear shifter broke after 5th ride. Cheap plastic crap. My mate bought the same bike and broke the front shifter. Barrel tentioner on the shifters broke too. Shop would not fix under warranty. The forks are very springy and dampner dial very stiff to set up. Forks need replacing. Weak braking system
Similar Products Used:
First xc bike
Bike Setup:
Fork: Suntour XCT MLO 100mm travel, mechanical lock out, preload adjust. Front Derailleur: Suntour XCM202
Rear Derailleur: SRAM SX4
Shifters: SRAM X4 triggers 24 speed
Freewheel: Shimano HG30 11-32T, 8-speed cassette
Chain: KMC Z72
Rims: Alex PC19 double wall alloy w/ wear indicator
Front Hub: Formula Alloy QR 32H
Rear Hub: Formula Alloy QR and freehub 32H
Spokes: 14G stainless
Brake Levers: ProMax Alloy w/ adjuster
Handlebar: Mongoose alloy riser 31.8x30x635 mm ( 685 mm
Stem: Mongoose alloy 31.8 x 90 mm
Grips: Mongoose Dual density Kraton w/ gel insert
Saddle: WTB Speed V sport
Seat Post: Mongoose alloy w/ micro adjust clamp
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike because the xc bug bit me. I have made a few negative comments but they are justified. A mate of mine bought the same bike a few days after me and has had similar problems.
The forks are bent and need replacing and are the worst forks I have ever used. I had nothing to compare it to before starting to mtb. Since then I have test ridden many other bikes. At the end of the day you get what you pay for. I will now upgrade to Marzocchi forks 120 travel and Sram x7 shifters, cluster etc. when the x4 are totally shot. The frame is extremely tuff and with new component upgrades should feel like a new bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
OSM
a Downhiller
from Stanford, Ca. Date Reviewed: April 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
L I F E
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
frame found behind d
Strengths:
this review is of frame only. NO components. ULTRA strong frame. good geometry. works well for XC or racing DownHill. even big dirt jumps.(not recomended on a cheap frame like this)I stacked a 20' gap with 9' drop, but held on to fall hard! I took a rik riding this frame. but it lasted. I took the parts off to inspect for cracks after the fall. the frma is GOOD.
Similar Products Used:
Haro Zero, Steel head, KaraKoram. steel Rock Hopper,
Bike Setup:
a bit heavy for a hardtail. but it's my all- mountain rig....DJ3 fork. profile cranks, SRS- Mag 30 rim.
Bottom Line:
this frame will handle everything U can thrw at it. I was a little sketch for a long time, but I can say it is plenty strong. I weigh 220+ lbs. riding for 15 years, take my word--but the bike sucks $330- wtf
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
teracon
a Weekend Warrior
from Waldorf, MD, USA Date Reviewed: March 20, 2009
Favorite Trail:
W&OD
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$320.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bikes
Strengths:
Craftsmanship, ability to upgrade, styling, disc brakes, mostly Shimano parts
Weaknesses:
Cheaper entry-level Shimano parts (crankset and derailleur). Crankset was not true out of the box and creaked almost instantly. Front wheel needed to be trued since it too was off out of the box. Front fork (spring)lacks preload.
Similar Products Used:
None - First time riding since 1993!! Came from a Eliminator One and Murray X2 Turbo - late 80's period.
Bike Setup:
Upgraded crankset to Deore M510, Forte Puncture Resistant Gotham Tires (narrower), Pyro Scoper tele-seat post, Softail (gel) seat.
Bottom Line:
Not a bad bike for $300. While it is entry level, it has held up on long paved trail rides (250 miles since 1/18/09). I am planning on upgrading both front and rear derailleurs. The front suspension fork is entry, but takes moderate bumps well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bobdude16
a Weekend Warrior
from Roswell, GA Date Reviewed: August 10, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$288.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bikes
Strengths:
Frame, Tires, Saddle, Acera works great for basic riding. Oh, and it looks nice too.
Weaknesses:
Fork, Crankset, Brakes feel weird.
Similar Products Used:
None, first real bike.
Bike Setup:
Factory, soon to be upgraded with Deore LX crank and derailleur, maybe some Avid BB7 brakes.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2008 model. This is my first real mountain bike, and I am loving it. There are a few minor problems here and there, but overall, the Mongoose Tyax Comp is a great value bicycle. My crank seems very cheap and often makes creaks or clicks. The fork is VERY plush, basically, if you weigh over 160 pounds(I weigh 175), the SR Suntour XCM fork is extremely springy, but the lockout feature is great for riding on the road. The disc brakes, by Promax, seem very iffy(they feel strange or weak, it's hard to explain), but they get the job done. However, the Shimano Acera components work very well for their price. The seat is comfortable for those long rides. The Kenda Komodo tires are tough, and the wheels are now doubled walled(previous models have been single walled, causing much buckling). I've only put 150-200 miles on it, but so far, everything is good. This bike as a sum of its parts makes for a very solid feeling and sturdy bike. As far as the bottom line, this bike is excellent for any beginner, espically for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DevUK
a Weekend Warrior
from UK Date Reviewed: July 1, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$440.00
Purchased At:
Albany Cycles, Coven
Strengths:
Good frame and reasonable components for the price.
Weaknesses:
Chainset kept comming loose, even after some super tightening. I wasn't comfortable with the forks either and the wheels buckled every time I sneezed.
Similar Products Used:
GT Avalanch.
Bike Setup:
Upgraded to Hope M4 front + rear (meaning new Shimano Deore shifters). Upgraded rims to Mavic X317 Disc rims with Hope hubs. Truvative FireX chainset. Upgraded forks to Marzocchi OEM forks from a friends Specialized Hardrock.
Bottom Line:
Good frame, good price and got me back onto bikes. With upgrades has survived a lot of abuse from me, a bat fastered! If you're looking for a cheap bike that you can use as a good base for upgrades then this is for you :)
Overall rating is based on stock bike. As my bike is at the moment I'd give it 4 chillies (a bit heavy at the mo).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anthony Willetts
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia Date Reviewed: July 25, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Mt leonard
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
local bike shop
Strengths:
Awesome frame, brakes work great once they are adjusted properly, SRAM cassette produces super smooth shifting
Weaknesses:
Crankset, handlebars, forks and single wall rims(buckle way too easy)
Similar Products Used:
raliegh M600, Giant Rincon, GT avalanche 1.0
Bike Setup:
my new bike is a shogun floater with alex DM18 rims, alivio drivetrain, SR suntour XCR 100mm forks, Hussefelt crankset, Giga pipe BB, Odysey BMX pedals, tioga alloy handlebars/stem/seatpost, tioga Freeride seat
Bottom Line:
this was an awesome bike to ride but i buckled the back wheel ALOT, only slightly crooked landing caused it too warp dramatically. The handlebars bent downwards while i was on a 150km MTB trek which caused sum problems and i didnt like the forks at all but if u just want a commuter/light trail bike then this is great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Gardner
a Weekend Warrior
from Indianapolis, IN, USA Date Reviewed: July 15, 2006
Wal-Mart mtb purchased at a pawnshop, Trek 4500 loaner from a friend
Bike Setup:
bone stock
Bottom Line:
Outstanding first bike, excellent value! Not the best out there but is light years ahead of my old ride. After tuning it and adjusting it to my 6'0" body, the 20" frame felt very comfortable. Shifting is very smooth and consistent, no ghost shifting (so far). Although I have only ridden it a total of 22 singletrack trail miles, it has exceeded my expectations. Naturally, to save $$ not all stock components are top shelf. The RST Gila T6 fork seemed to work well, but appears to have only preload adjustment. Owner’s manual has no information on fork adjustment or maintenance procedure. Tires should be the first thing to replace, and maybe upgrade the wheels if you can spare the bucks. The Kenda Komodos are OK for putzing around town or an occasional off-road ride, but for serious XC riding better upgrade to beefier rubber. Once the brakes are properly adjusted, they work very well, and squeaked only occasionally. I like that the frame is upgradeable to disc, but you'll need to replace the hubs, and with the so-so wheels and tires, it would make sense just to purchase all new wheel/tire assemblies if you upgrade to disc brakes. Not that you would need to since the stock V- brakes work very well, but you could if you had a bunch of money burning a hole in your pocket. I'm sure as I ride it more, little problems may arise that require upgrading components. But for someone who wants to try out mountain bike trail riding, this is a good first bike, and would make a very good second bike when one wants to move up to full suspension. Or for the hardtail lovers, a great base bike to install upgraded parts, or even convert to single speed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Downing
a Cross Country Rider
from Wiltshire, UK Date Reviewed: January 16, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Marlborough Downs
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Bikes and Boards, Devizes, Wilts
Strengths:
A very good entry level bike for the money. Fairly light with an excellent frame. Everything works well but I would expect over time (a year +) that some of the components would need replacing, but at this price I would expect that. Semi-Racing posture as the top tube makes this more XC than a street ride.
Weaknesses:
Forks are a bit spongy. Rim brakes - but I didn't really want to carry the weight of discs for the sort of riding I do. I don't plug away in deep mud, so the clogging factor doesn't worry me and I can fix buckled wheels myself.
Similar Products Used:
Giant steet hybrid (Daughters bike.) A road hybrid I've made up from a racing bike with straight bars and a deore MTB freewheel - weighs 20 lbs..
Bike Setup:
As built at Mongoose.
Bottom Line:
Good price. Look great in royal blue. Components are basic, but functional - and they don't effect the way it rides or the weight too much. This is a good solid bike that's a great first XC'er at an outstanding price. I'll give it a 5 in it's price range as there are other bikes from last year, or old stock that would probably beat it - if you can find them in dealers. But for a 2006 bike, I didn't find anything better at this price - and I probably over analysed the research for weeks - good luck if you think you can do better!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Newcastle,Australia Date Reviewed: October 11, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Glenrock national park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Strengths:
A good first bike thats not to exspensive with good Components for the money, great frame that can be upgaded as you gain more experience if you like or left as is for transport and moderate trail use .
Weaknesses:
Front forks work ok but would like to upgrade later when iam able to pick the difference.Single wall rims,had to have back rim fixed after jumping high gutter on a angle
Similar Products Used:
First cross country bike
Bike Setup:
Maxxis Ranchero rear tyre
Bottom Line:
This is my first xc bike, asked dealer for entry level bike to ride to work and do some cross country rideing for exercise. For the money you cannot go past this bike, so far it has had no problems have done over 2000ks on the road, riden some moderate single tracks at glenbrook national park and completed an adventure on the great north road from wisemans ferry to 10 mile hollow 40ks through the wildness.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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