VAG Driver

my LBS is doing a hard sell on Mongoose bikes, telling me they are totally different than the ones you find at Wal Mart. They look decent with shimano components, but I am VERY weary. Anyone know about these bikes?

WannaGetGood

I wouldn't go for them. They don't seem like a high qualty brand to me. See what others say.

valbowski1980

They are miles different. I have an ALD Pro that was purchased at my LBS for very reasonable money and I am very happy with it. Don't let the brand name fool you, they are fine bikes.

flair1111

i dont know if they are different other than Ive heard they are all cheaply made since 98 or so. Before I knew that though i bought a 250 from Wal Mart and it lasted for only 45 miles before the back gear set broke. i wouldnt buy it if it were me. Get something different and try another LBS. I could be wrong though. JMO.

VAG Driver

this is all pretty much what I thought. I worked in my grandpas bike shop in the early/mid nineties and I remember when mongoose took a dive.

DylanTremblay

I think mongoose is comming back...they have so really nice bikes now! I heard that they are trying to start building good quality bikes now. Could be wrong however.

iamthetas

https://www.mongoose.com/index.php they have come a long way since the days of being known as xmart bikes only.
Pacific bicycles owns them, GT ,Schwinn and others and makes two distinctivley different lines of bike.
the Teocali is basically the GT i-drive set up.
so that they can get back the market they lost, Pacific is making Mongoose with top end componemts and selling them at entry level prices.
if you get a Mongoose from a local bike shop you will not be disapointed with the quality you get

CrashVector

The Mongoose bikes sold at wal-mart and the Mongoose bikes sold at actual bike shops are NOT the same bikes.

The ones sold at bike shops are actually pretty decent bikes. It's no Cannondale or Kona, but it will be lightyears ahead of the Wal-Mart bikes.

Basically, they produce two lines of bikes: one line of cheap, crappy bikes that they market to big box stores like wal-mart and academy sports, and a totally different line of good bikes that they sell to bike shops.


The Mongoose you buy at an actual bike shop will be a good, quality bike that will not disapoint you in terms of its quality.

Pink_Ninja

Yeah, I reckon they are great. I used to see mongoose and think "crap bike, run away from this shop" but now that I've heard different and seen so many at so many different downhill races (a few in the elite class too) I think differently.

Alrocket

https://www.dorel.com/product.htm#leisure

"Dorel markets its Recreational/Leisure products under the Schwinn, GT Bicycle, Mongoose, Pacific, Dyno, Murray, Flexible Flyer, RoadMaster, PowerLite and InSTEP brand names. "

Hopper

Mongoose bikes from a LBS are actually a very nice ride. I am riding a 2002 Mongoose DH (only sold in Australia) but the newer Black Diamond series are a pretty nice ride (but they are not the best) and the even newer Eric Carter series are very nice. Their top level XC bikes are also an awsome ride. Mongoose is bringing it's name back into the MTB world, don't be afraid.

filtersweep

That is the most stupid business model I have ever heard. I wouldn't buy from any company that dumb. They really should use a different name for their higher end offering after ruining the Mongoose name.

Agent B

I may be wrong, but from what I see here in South Africa, There are two different ranges of Mongoose bicycles. The standard recreational range, and the Pro range. The standard range are ok bikes for recreational and light off road riding, if you want a decent bike then go for the Pro series See https://www.mongoose.com/index.php for their range. My racing partner rides a Teocoli Comp. which seem really well built and has almost all the same components as my Giant and was only a fraction of the price. I would say go for it.

valbowski1980

This is why I really like brands such as Mongoose and Ironhorse.... the quality all the right parts are there, but at a more reasonable price than the more famous names.

I am with you on that one! They really should have differentiated the product lines better.

InOrderToBeAble

I bought a mongoose full suspention new in 2000, I weigh over 250lbs 6'4'' and Ive riddin HARD for 6 years. It has held up very well. I think the only stuff Ive added to it is a front wheel, seat post, and pedals. Not much has gone wrong.

dauphin

that dorel web site is just creepy...just more of the giant corporations owning everything...

free_pizza

i donno about you guys, but i think this is a damm fine looking bike...

VAG Driver

That is a damn fine looking bike. Too bad it's not available in the US.

taylor p

you could say that again

DylanTremblay

I prefer the Mongoose EC-D...but thats just me

roccobike

This is a very good point and it raises another important question/point. RESALE
If you intend to buy a bike and use it for many years and not move to a better bike, then no problem, go with the Mongoose. But, if you think you will want to upgrade to a better bike in three or four years, it's tough to sell a Mongoose because most people will associate the bike with the box store version and pay only a fraction of what it is worth. This is something to consider because old Treks, Specialized, Gary Fisher, Giant, etc that are five or six years old will resell for 30 to 50% (sometimes more) of their original selling price. Short term, it would be better to go with the LBS only brand names.

FOXMTBing

i wouldnt get one

Killer B

I think they (like DiamondBack) are careting to the "General Public",
with low-end bikes almost anyone can afford @ WallyWorld...

Both companies make higher-end bikes that are great IMO.


Mongoose Black Diamond


DiamondBack Strike DH

Flak

The chances of someone buying a LBS quality Mongoose is directly proportional to how vain they are.

soccerun8728

I have a LBS quality Mongoose bike in the 2006 Black Diamond Triple. I love it so far have had it about 5 monthes now. I hate when people compare Walmart bikes to mine because they aren't even close to each other. If you buy a Mongoose from a LBS then chances are you will be happy with it. This is my second Mongoose from an LBS and my next bike will probably be a Mongoose. It has been a wonderful bike and when you spec them out against a bike that is the same price range the Mongoose has the better components