GT Connect is a simple way to link you with local shops for professional bike builds, accessory sales, and service when needed. By signing up for GT Connect after you purchase a mountain or gravel bike over $1000 from GTBicycles.com, you will be eligible to have your new GT built for free. Buying a bike is all about finding the right mix of price, performance, and yes, style. The Mongoose Switchback Expert strikes a fine balance for riders looking for an affordable and simple entry into the world of riding bikes off road.
Since its introduction in 2014, Grade has pushed the boundaries of adventure riding. The first ever purpose-built carbon gravel bike, made major waves when it was launched, winn… Whether you’re after an all day adventure or sneaking out for a quick lunch loop, size up new lines on old trails with the ready-for-anything Sensor range. I received my test bike directly from Mongoose and needed to do some of the final assembly myself. If part of your calculation for buying the Mongoose Switchback Expert is that you might upgrade parts over time, I say look at another bike. If you just want a bike that you’re going to ride as-is for as long as possible, the Switchback Expert could be the right choice.
Discover how many more trails you can grind your way up, how many out-of-the-way p… Zip between classes and haul your stuff with ease on a hybrid. With features like cargo racks and suspension forks, they combine function and comfort for the perfect campus ride. However, the Axum comes with a dropper post and features wider and more stable 2.6″ tires. At the time of publication, the Mongoose Switchback Expert was selling for $549 compared to $399 for the Switchback Comp. At its full retail price of $949, the Switchback Expert is overpriced.
At the current $549 price, I’d say it’s priced about right. Experienced riders may want to upgrade by adding a dropper post to the Mongoose Switchback Expert. The frame features internal routing so you could install a dropper post yourself for about $199 or so.
If you want to ride trails as fast as possible, you’ll likely progress beyond the Mongoose Switchback Expert rather quickly. Tires are usually an inexpensive upgrade that can make a huge difference in the way a bike feels, but here again, buyers likely won’t want to bother. The included wheels feature narrow, 18mm rims that are even narrower than what you might find on a gravel bike today. For that reason, it doesn’t make sense to run anything wider than the 2.25″ tires specced mongoose dirt bike despite what appears to be plenty of frame clearance. I like the WTB Trail Boss tires so my advice is to just keep ’em. The rims aren’t taped inside, and they’re drilled for Schrader valves, so IMO going tubeless isn’t really worth the hassle, either.
The Mongoose Switchback is best for riding pavement, bike paths, and gravel roads. It’s fine for most green- and beginner-rated trails, though when it comes to trail riding, I recommend choosing smooth ones. There’s a slight wobble as the front wheel rolls, which I noticed right out of the box, and the wobble has become more pronounced over time.
Plus, with Mongoose, you also have the option to customize your bike. You can choose different gear settings, adjust the mongoose fat bike seat height, or even add accessories like fenders or baskets. This way, you can make your Mongoose fat tire bike truly your own. It could be swapped for a shorter stem to add some downhill stability. Moreover, the fat tires kind of drag in the dirt, a shorter stem could slow down the steering too much, so maybe we will try it out and test for the long-term review.
Bikes are expensive, you see, and there are just too many options. To the uninitiated, a $400 mountain bike looks pretty similar to a $5,000 bike, so why wouldn’t you just get the cheaper one? Maybe even the Mongoose Switchback Expert, on sale at your local Dicks Sporting Goods department store. Moreover, the stability isn’t just about the ability to stay upright over rough terrain; it’s also about the confidence that these bikes instill in their riders. With the superior grip and balance, even novice riders can venture off-road and tackle trails they would never have tried before. Very few bike companies build 24-inch fat bikes.