I'll keep it simple:

• 32
• Burlington, North Carolina
• Mongoose MTB being used as a road bike for endurance training
• I need a good/cheap road bike, which is why I am here (research)

Here's a link which has proved very interesting and useful--mind you, your mileage may vary :

https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/237231-review-gmc-denali-bicycle.html

Mind you, it could take you a few days to read all this.

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Thanks for that. It may prove to be just what i'm looking for.

Also, if you are at all mechanically inclined, I always suggest Craigslist and/or the local thrift shops. A good vintage steel bike can be quite inexpensive, and will last you a lifetime.

East Hill

Craigslist has proven to be of no help locally. The local lists are full of bikes, but the owners are VERY proud of them, and not ashamed to show their pride by their asking prices.

Ah yes, the Magna worth $400... .

East Hill

Not only that, but since I am unfamiliar with anything except the most-often mentioned manufacturers, I have no idea what kind of bike, or what it is worth based on a name. Sometimes I see nice specialized or other comparable bikes listed at a very reasonable price, but if those aren't caught right when they are listed, they are usually sold by the time I find them. My Mongoose is very old, has front suspension (which I hate), TD-Pro shifters,a nd derailleur. I spooned some smoother street friendly tires on it, but it doesn't help much. The cranks are made of plastic as well.

Plastic cranks? Or plastic pedals? Plastic cranks sound very dangerous.

Yeah, I spent quite a bit of time lurking in the Classic & Vintage forum learning what a decent bike was before I ventured out in search of anything on CL .

East Hill

Both, plastic cranks and plastic pedals. I snapped a few pics this weekend. I wonder if it would be cheaper to change all of the crappy stuff out on this frame for an upgrade, or buy new. My only mechanical problem would be finding a fixed front fork to fit the steering head.

Oh, tough call. Is the Mongoose cro-mo? Do you like the bike except for the pedals/cranks/fork? It may very well be better to upgrade than to get a new bike. I have to confess that I like that colour, too.

East Hill

Yes, it is a steel frame, and I really dig the orange. It looks much better in person, and I stripped off all the stickers. How do I find forks, and what are the measurements I will need?

Now you are beyond my expertise and ability!

Ask in the Bicycle Mechanics forum. How old is the bike, by the way?

East Hill

ummmm, good question. I want to say I bought it in 2001 maybe. I know I bought it at Sports Authority instead of being smart, and finding one at a bike shop.

If you got it in 2001, and it's still working--you've done well. Anyway, ask the folks in the Mechanics forum--they'll either tell you it's not worth it, or they'll let you know how to do it. I still like the colour.

East Hill

Thanks for all your help. I posted in the mechanics section to see what kind of advise I can get. Hopefully I can replace all the components, as I like the steel frame, and I like the color as-is. I did find out there is a recall on the Ballistic 105 forks. Maybe mongoose will replace it with a fixed front?

Ressurection of this thread for a good cause. After much thought, I took a jaunt down to the not-so-local bike shop, and returned from my lunch hour with a new ride. This is mostly for fitness and recreation, but for the price, I could not pass it up. It is ten times better than my six year old Mongoose, and I could immediately tell a difference from the test ride after the shop correctly fitted me to the frame. My Mongoose was a 17.5" frame w/ 26" wheels bought from a big retailer. This is a 20" frame with 700c wheels, and I can't believe how much more enjoyable and easier it is to ride than my old clunker. Thanks to everyone (Especially East Hill) for all the tips, and wisdom passed to a bicycle newb.
https://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1310000&f=27

Thanks for the update, Motorcyclist! I'm glad everything turned out well after all, although I still like the orange Mongoose .

East Hill