It’s fine for most green- and beginner-rated trails, though when it comes to trail riding, I recommend choosing smooth ones. The 8-speed drivetrain with a single chainring up front promises ease of operation, though some buyers might find the gear range limiting, especially on steep or long uphill climbs. My chain fell off the chainring on one particularly bumpy descent, but otherwise, it held up pretty well despite lacking a narrow-wide chainring or a clutched derailleur. However, if you’re like many of my non-bike friends asking for a bike recommendation and want to ride on the road, and maybe off road a little, the Switchback Expert could be a good fit. The drivetrain is generally pretty quiet when pedaling on smooth surfaces, though things start to clang the faster (and rougher!) you ride.
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. Not that I had many mongoose fat bike bikes to compare my ’96 to,(only my old huffy pro thunder), but it is so light and quick and really responds quickly to every turn when I ride it. I guess no one knows when they started making them in Taiwan and if mid school bikes are made stronger than old school bikes. I just gathered that they were from the hundreds of posts I have read here.
Now, Mongoose is one of the brands of Dorel Industries, which also owns Pacific Cycle, Schwinn, and GT Bicycles. As of 2018, you can find Mongoose bikes at Pacific Cycle in Madison, WI. The key part is to be gentle with the bike; don’t jump it off curbs, etc. and it’s more likely to last. My guess is that the weak point will be the spokes breaking in the wheels, but a bike shop could handle the replacement. A well-known fictional mongoose is Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, who appears in a short story of the same title in The Jungle Book (1894) by Rudyard Kipling. In this tale set in India, a young pet mongoose saves his human family from a krait and from Nag and Nagaina, two cobras.
The coil fork isn’t all that responsive, and unlike a fork with an air spring you can’t adjust it to customize the feel for your weight and riding style. I found I needed to keep my speed in check to keep the front wheel tracking and in control. If you want to ride trails as fast as possible, you’ll likely progress beyond the Mongoose Switchback Expert rather quickly.
From helmets and gloves to bike locks and lights, we prioritize safety without compromising on style. Plus, our expert staff are on hand to provide personalized recommendations and ensure you have everything you need for a smooth ride. Embark on an adventure like no other with our extensive selection of bikes and cycling gear.
If you’re deciding between the two, the Switchback Expert is going to be the better choice for riding a bit more aggressively, thanks to the more powerful brakes and one-by gearing. 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. With the included flat pedals, the Mongoose Switchback Expert weighs 33.9lb (size XL) which isn’t too far off what a more expensive full suspension mountain bike might weigh. The Mongoose Legion L60 Bike is a good entry level BMX bike for someone on the slightly taller side.
In September of 1974, Skip Hess started BMX Products, Inc. out of his home in Simi Valley, California. His first bicycle was the innovative Motomag One Wheel, a cast aluminium mag wheel. Bell Sports bought American Group in 1995 and sold Mongoose to Brunswick Outdoor Recreation Group in 1997. There are many things to consider when buying a bike.
With a 21-speed derailleur, you’ll have a wide gear range to tackle ground conditions as they arise. Front and rear disc brakes mongoose fat bike deliver the swift, clean stop you need, and textured mountain tires easily grip tough trails to propel you forward. All the while, the padded seat keeps you comfortable as you navigate the wilderness. A far-superior Mongoose line can be found on the official Mongoose website. These bicycles, which comprise specific models for BMX, mountain and urban biking, are offered with better-made frames and higher-level components. They are also much more expensive than the department-store Mongoose bicycles.