meme

I guess Mongoose doesn't get discussed too much in this forum. Is there a reason for this? I'm looking for opinions on the Mongoose Pathfinder as an entry-level, one step above Wal-Mart, type of bike. Supposedly, its suggested retail is $499, but I found it being sold at $185 new. I know that many of you scoff at the idea of a FS for less than $1000. But, again, for an entry-level, what do you think about the quality?

Here is a link:

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...1292&cp=713103

Thanks

Stubacca

Here we go again...

If you're going to ride around the neighbourhood every now and again, go for it.

If you want to ride on a trail, save up a few more dollars and buy a decent entry-level hardtail. The Mongoose you linked to has very entry level components, useless suspension, and isn't really designed to be an off-road mountain bike. A tiny step above most of the Wal-Mart bikes, but you're far better off with a quality entry-level hardtail.

Raiyn

That's because the designs and components you get on a $200 FS bike aren't worth the powder to blow them back to the firey pit of Hell where they were forged from the fecal droppings excreted by damned souls when they realize where they ended up.

Seriously save your money and go to a REAL BIKE SHOP (Dick's ISN"T one) and find a nice hardtail FS designs aren't really worth it until you get into the $1000 neighborhood

madbiker555

Did you read what it said at the bottom of the page?

Sounds like good quality to me.

Raiyn

Anymore even the good brands are made in China and Taiwan

meme

O.K. How about this bike for about $300?

https://www.diamondback.com/items.asp...35&childid=326

Raiyn

A better choice. What brands are availiable in your area? Also have you gone through the $500 bike thread. (even the last say 5 pages?)

Stubacca

Not necessarily a bad bike particularly if bought from an LBS. If you're looking to buy it from Dick's, the biggest issue is the assembly quality and the post-sales support. For people who don't know a lot about bikes, buying from an LBS is a good idea. Not only do they have skilled mechanics (well, most do) to assemble the bikes safely, they will help you with servicing, and many will even teach you a bit about how to do things to the bike yourself.

Personally, I think you can do better for the money e.g. entry level Trek/Specialized/Giant hardtail.

meme

Yes, I've been to the $500 thread and it was helpful. After I ruled out the Mongoose based on responses from this site and elsewhere (and based on the little I have learned about bikes in the past week, plus some common sense), I came across the Diamondback and thought it looked like a pretty good deal. I can get pretty much anything around here. Off the top of my head, I know all of these are available in about a 10 mile radius from my house:

Bianchi
Cannondale
Diamondback
Gary Fisher
Giant
GT
Haro
Iron Horse
Mongoose
Trek
Raleigh
Schwinn
Specialized

Of course, many are out of my price range.

Raiyn

Even for those of us who DO know a lot about bikes buying from a shop is a good idea.

Raiyn

All of these have great bikes in your range. If you can hold out a bit and save, your options do get better

meme

The Dick's by my place isn't that bad. I know it is hit or miss with these types of places, but both of the guys in the department have a background in bike sales and one in competitive racing (at least, that is what they tell me) and they both were very helpful and very honest about the quality (or lack thereof) of their bikes. This is one of their showcase stores - it is in a very popular retail area - so they do have some good help in most departments.

Plus, there are two LBS's within a few miles of my house that carry Diamondbacks.

Stubacca

I'd buy from the LBS. Background in bike sales and racing does not necessarily a good mechanic make!

Plus, what self respecting bike mechanic with any skill would take a job at Dick's?

Stubacca

True, but sometimes half the fun of the bike is building it yourself from bargain priced bits.

Raiyn

Exactly

willtsmith_nwi

Dick's doesn't have Iron Horse??? If your jonesing on Iron Horse, you can buy them online. Just remember that if your not a good mechanic, you will be SOL if you have problems with your bike. The local bike shop will fix stuff when it goes wrong. Mail order/Dicks/Sportmart will shrug their shoulders.

BTW, I am very dissapointed because Dick's bought out Galyan's, formerly my FAVORITE outdoor sports store. Used to live in Indianapolis where they were headquartered and they had some VERY cool stores there.

I can only hope that Dick's will try to channel some of the Galyan's coolness (without the premium prices).

Dannihilator

If it looks like crap and it rides like crap, then what is it?

Crap.

Stubacca

A Chevy?

chris_pnoy

hmmm... It seems like you guys are against the idea of getting that bike. Oh well. I was looking at that one too. So what is the worst part about that bike? I was planning on upgrading the components and stuff on it...

I will try a LBS though.

PWRDbyTRD

here's the thing man...if you want that bike, and then want to upgrade...don't bother, figure decent wheels, a new fork, and a new rear derailleur...110, 250, and 50 ...your 300 dollar bike is now 710 dollars. You can get more bang for you buck if you wait.

ckleps

what is that thing behind the rear wheel? It looks like its part of the frame and its perpendicular to the ground. Is it a kickstand or something with the rear "suspension"?

PWRDbyTRD

*sighs* it is indeed a kickstand

ckleps

okay, that was my suspicion, isn't it a good rule of thumb that if a bike has a kickstand it isn't for road or mountain use but is a tootle around town bike? I mean how many of us pop down the kickstand in the middle of the woods to order a double soy chai latte?

PWRDbyTRD

Kickstand are a preference on most bikes, except for dept. store bikes...they tend to always have them.

meme

Well, I got the Diamondback response '05 for under $300. I liked the feel of it and I think it serves my limited purposes well. I could have bought the Topanga (the girl from that stupid tv show? ) for about $500, but I didn't.

https://www.diamondback.com/items.asp...=14&itemid=132

I know the Topanga is a much better bike and a better value to boot and I know that there are other makes that I could have purchased in the $500 range, but for the time being I am going to be riding paved trails with the wife and weak dirt trails at the local state park. Since money is a little tight right now, I'll wait a couple years and then buy a better bike.