My Honest Mongoose Mountain Bike Review
Specifically, I will discuss the Mongoose XR-Pro and the Mongoose Blackcomb that are available at Walmart (yes, Walmart, but read more before you judge) in this Mongoose mountain bike review.
Yes I know what you’re all thinking. I bought a cheap bike and now I’m going to write an article about how much I hate it. Actually, it’s the opposite.
I had a few struggles deciding between the two and wanted to share my experience about how I came to my final decision.
Read on to find out what I loved (and didn’t love) about the bikes, and how I got into biking.
So, what was my situation? I had done some riding in my teens and early twenties. But work and life took over and I did less and less over time.
After going to a friend’s wedding and struggling to get into the suit I had been fitted for just 3 months previously, I realized things were going in the wrong direction and I needed to lose some weight and get fitter.
My first decision was which bike?
Budget was the first criteria that came into play.
I didn’t want to spend a fortune on a bike just for it to sit in the garage after a couple of weeks of riding going rusty, never to be ridden again.
I needed something affordable.
A bike for $2000 or more was out of the question and I really didn’t want to spend more than $500.
Naturally I found myself at Walmart by recommendation of a friend. I was told that Mongoose was one of the best brands available at mass retailers.
After some perusing, I narrowed it down to the Mongoose SR-Pro and Blackcomb.
They both appeared to have a great specification for the price, less than $400:
- Both full-suspension bikes
- Had disc brakes front and rear
- Both were equipped with 24 gears and speed-shifters
- Had lightweight (relatively) aluminium frames
Comparing the two, I decided to go with the Mongoose XR-Pro for two main reasons:
Look and feel of the Mongoose XR-Pro Mountain Bike
The second was purely personal preference for the way the two bikes look (you can tell I’m a casual rider, not an expert).
I just wasn’t as keen on the heavy-looking I-frame of the Blackcomb. In my opinion, the XR-Pro just looks better.
Some might laugh at me for that, but I’m just trying to be honest.
The final criterion was that the Mongoose XR-Pro seemed like a bike that could grow with me as my fitness and skills improved.
I certainly didn’t want to be in a situation where I had to buy a new bike in six months (assuming I was still riding regularly).
The XR-Pro seemed to promise the opportunity, with a few component upgrades, of being a far better bike than the ticket price suggested.
Upgrading the shocks, forks, brakes, chain-set, etc. wasn’t on my immediate agenda, but at least I knew it was an option down the line (and my wife wouldn’t notice $50 here and there, I hoped).
So, I guess the important bit, after buying my Mongoose XR-Pro, is what do I think? I have to say, I am really pleased.
It does everything I want it to do. I don’t go on really hard-core trails, and it handles the easy and intermediate trails very well.
The front forks are a little soft and dive quite a bit over really bumpy ground, but it has never bottomed out and it absorbs the shock of bumps, so my elbows, shoulders and neck don’t have to (I’m getting older, what can I say).
View On Amazon.com
Good shock absorption
Likewise, the rear shock takes the strain off my knees and lower back really well. On the other hand, though, it can be a bit “skippy” on really rutted tracks or going over tree roots.
I’ve taken it down some pretty steep tracks and it’s more than up to my skill level – I generally feel I reach my limits before the bike does.
The skippy-ness appears to come from a lack of damping in the rear shock. I think that might be my first upgrade next summer.
In fact, the weight almost seems like an advantage. It gives it some stability and momentum that compensates for the flexibility of the dual suspension frame.
The XR-Pro even handles a bit of “air”.
The gear shift is precise, selecting all the gears without grinding or jumping.
The brakes are not as good as I expected them to be but still far better than standard brakes.
They bite and stop when I need them to but not so harshly that I fear going over the handlebars.
Talking of which, I like the width of the bars and the grips are comfortable too.
In fact, I love the riding position full stop. At 5’8”, it suits me perfectly and is comfortable for a day’s riding.
Six months on, after one full summer, I’m really enjoying it.
I look forward to every weekend when I can get out for an extended run.
I was happy with my first bike decision
In conclusion, for a casual rider, like me, it’s more than up to the job.
Don’t let the fact that it’s from Walmart turn you off because I personally think Mongoose bikes live up to its name.
It you commute by train, you will see Mongoose bikes everywhere–fat tire mountain bikes to regular mountain bikes.
To know more about fat tire Mongoose Bike, check this: A Good Type of Fat: My Mongoose Dolomite Mountain Bike Review
The XR-Pro especially makes riding everywhere easy.
The 24-gears makes changing resistance really smooth. The disc brakes and lightweight aluminum frame make handling and stopping secure and simple.
What more can you ask for from a simple and affordable bike?
onesportninja.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for websites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.