Finding an inexpensive bike is a great way to encourage a healthy active lifestyle, so Mongoose manufactures several models of mountain bikes such as the Montana that are intended for the entry level rider. This bike is a classic hardtail mountain bike, without the bells and whistles, for riders in search of a simple, familiar looking, bicycle. At an affordable price, the Montana is great for men and women that are shopping for a basic bike. However, you do get what you pay for here.
The Montana is made affordable by the manufacturer by reducing production cost through the incorporation of introductory level components. The Shimano derailleur and shifters paired with an SRAM drivetrain gives the Montana reasonable climbing power and speed. This bike is not designed for, or intended, to perform under extreme duress. That means that this bike will not do well in extremely difficult climbs, or extremely steep descents. This is an entry level mountain bike designed to handle to rigors that a commuter encounters on the city streets with the option of driving through urban trails or off-road bike paths.
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Mongoose has been producing the Pro Wing Comp mountain bike for a few years, and the components vary significantly between generations and model years. It is not necessarily the quality of components that varies, but rather the inclusion and configuration. The core of this mid-level bike’s design has stayed the same throughout the years, which means the ability to upgrade is consistent despite which Mongoose Wing you purchase.
The frame construction is a unique combination of metals. The majority of the frame is 6061 aluminum, which is aircraft grade tempered metal. However, the rear triangle of the swingarm assembly is alloy steel. It is not typical to join two different metals like this, but here it is actually a highly resourceful decision Mongoose has made. The two sections are attached by the four-bar assembly to the rest of the frame so there is no danger of mixed-metal fatigue. Due to the swingarm’s constant movement, constructing it from steel gives it greater durability in handling the endless terrain vibrations, which can warp aluminum.
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The Mongoose Maxim is a dual-suspension mountain bike that is available at an entry-level price but offers room for learning and growth as a rider. The key to appreciating the Mongoose Maxim is to recognize that this is an stylish-looking beginners bike with the potential to be upgraded to an intermediate bike as a rider’s skills improve. Mongoose has employed this strategy for many of its more widely distributed bikes because it gives customers the opportunity to get started in mountain biking with a lower budget.
This should not be misinterpreted to mean that Mongooses are “cheap” in design quality, but instead that the manufacturer has made some decisions that reduce the overall cost. For example, the Shimano components tend to reduce the price because they are a little less durable. The twist shifters make finding the right combination the 21 gearing options fairly easy to learn. This gives the rider access to the three piece crankset and the 11t by 34t cassette for good mechanical advantage in the downhills and the climbs.
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