You might find you’ll want to upgrade to something lighter sooner than you’d think. If you are planning on using the bike in rain or bad weather, we do strongly advise choosing a model with fully sealed bearings all round. Race bikes are designed specifically with the track in mind, they are nimble lightweight machines for putting down quick lap times. Typically, they are constructed from lightweight materials like aluminium and carbon fibre to keep the weight down and the rider at the front of the pack.
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. Although this may seem like a brilliant feature, it does come at a price! Freecoaster hubs feature a “Slack” before engagement while pedalling forward. This means that you can turn the crank a set amount (Usually an adjustable amount) before the drivetrain engages.
The Schwinn Axum is a bike that’s priced similarly to the Mongoose Switchback Expert (the brands share a parent company), though it weighs more and is only offered in a couple of sizes. However, the Axum mongoose dirt bike comes with a dropper post and features wider and more stable 2.6″ tires. One of the selling points of the Mongoose Switchback Expert is the tapered head tube, which the Comp version does not offer.
Just like it’s predecessor, it features a durable 4130 Chromoly Supergoose loop-tail frame with retro-style top tube pad for ultimate radness. The single speed drivetrain is simple to use and maintain, while the DiaCompe MX brake kit delivers super-fast, reliable stopping power. Plus, the new Supergoose offers the same unique Mongoose Pro Class drilled aluminum rims for superior performance that won’t weigh you down.
In the premier event for Team USA, four women made up the eight-person gate in the Elite Women’s finals. Alise Willoughby (Saint Cloud, Minn.; Team Toyota/ Daylight Cycle Co.) was first out of the gate and never looked back winning her third World Championship title and securing her nomination for her fourth Olympic Games. Made for maximum comfort and colorful looks, these bikes bring some chill to warm-weather rides. Mountain bikes are a great way for the adventurous to take their ride off the pavement and into the great outdoors. Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking, plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week. I received my test bike directly from Mongoose and needed to do some of the final assembly myself.
Get special offers, exclusive product news, and event info straight to your inbox. 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.
Pack extra water and a sandwich in case things go right and you’re havingtoo much damn fun to head home.Make epic happen. Felicia Stancil (Lake Villa, Ill.; Factory SSquared/Answer) looked fast all day, finishing fourth in the main event. Carly Kane (Guilford, Ind.; Huffy Bicycles) had an incredible run making the elite main event and finishing in sixth.
Axios Pro is a bike inspired by the BMX racing scene, and it is perfect for riding in bike parks, pump tracks, or for your first tests on BMX tracks. In quarter-finals, Cameron Wood (Peoria, Ariz.; Mongoose Bicycles) got crashed out by a competitor right out of the gate, ending his day earlier than expected. In the next heat, Corben Sharrah (Tucson, Ariz.; Daylight Cycle Co.) got caught behind a rider heading into the first turn and would not advance to the next round. Jeremy Smith (Seminole, Fla.; Hyper Bicycles) had a fast lap in the quarter-finals finishing third, but a crash in turn one of the semis left him out of the main event. 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.