The Switchback Expert currently costs $125 less than the Specialized Rockhopper and is the better choice, in my opinion, based on the geometry and parts specs. Exploring the great outdoors is truly a treat with a Mongoose fat tire bike. This type of bike is designed with the adventurer in mind, providing numerous benefits that make for a superior cycling experience. Seasonality is a common problem for cyclists, with many finding it challenging to ride in snowy or icy conditions. These bikes are designed to conquer any terrain, in any season.
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.
I don’t know of many that go smaller from there either. Hopefully some training will allow him to be able to climb on his own for some of the ride. Sticking to flat nordic type trails for fat biking in the snow might be our best bet. Really, this frame is most likely a back up bike for a family of enthusiasts that want their child to join the fat biking they do in the winter. While the Mongoose Argus Trail is trail worthy, there are other bikes that do trail riding better. There is a low level shimano hydraulic disc brake kit that is SO NICE compared to the cable disc brakes.
They mongoose dirt bike are not hydraulic and even I could feel that when testing myself. The job is getting done but there is more arm pump and fatigue when wrestling more weight with a lower grade brake system. Mongoose’s website just says “aluminum” for their unbranded brakes.
Mongoose offers an array of models that are specifically designed to suit different riders and terrains. Here are some top models in the Mongoose fat tire bike series that you might consider. With that said, the bike handled as a fat bike should.
The stem and handlebar are also branded as Xposure components. A Sunrace cassette and mongoose racing bike KMC chain round out the drive train.
Maximum tunability with 3 separate adjustments all with the flip of a chip. Pick and choose your wheel size, suspension progression, or rear center length for how you want the bike to ride. GT’s pedal-assist electric bikes are designed around going further and discovering new places.