The drive train is setup for either snow or sand riding and my son seemed to ride comfortably. Mongoose made a sound decision considering the weight that a child must pedal. Having a wider gear range makes for a versatile bike that can conquer the terrain. Shifting worked out of the box and functioned well.
It’s rare to see a bike in this price range offered in four sizes—small through extra large—rather than just one or two sizes. Like more expensive bikes, the Mongoose Switchback Expert specs smaller 27.5″ diameter wheels on size small bikes and 29er wheels on larger sizes. To find the right size, check that you can stand over the bike with at least an inch or more between your crotch and the top tube. Then, check that the seat can be set about even with your hip while standing beside the bike.
The stock seat/torture device was replaced with an XL wide seat before it was even assembled. Replaced it with a Sunlite Cloud-9, Bicycle Suspension Cruiser Saddle, Cruiser Gel that you can see in the first photo. The first thing I noticed was that braking pulsed because the rotors were not ground properly.
Mechanical disc brakes make use of 160 mm rotors. One of the main components of any bike is the drive train. The Argus’ drive train uses a 2×8 system with a Microshift derailleur in the front and a Shimano Tourney in the rear. Taking the Argus out was a different experience than the norm and we both had fun.
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.
The stem and handlebar are also branded as Xposure components. A Sunrace cassette and KMC chain round out the drive train.
Mongoose has given the “go-ahead” to do a long term review mongoose racing bike to assess the handling and function of the Argus once winter comes. So if you’re curious about how the bike performs in the snow, stay tuned….. Since our founding BMX has been the cornerstone of who we are.
The bike has a clean, modern look thanks to internal cable routing and a short 40mm stem with medium-wide, 720mm bars. The geometry is fairly modern for a department store bike, with a 66.5° head tube angle and a 75° seat tube angle. We started Rascal Rides when Parker was born and we didn’t want to give up our passion for biking. Over the years, we’ve tested hundreds of kids bikes, helmets, bike trailers, and more.