I tested a size extra large and found it’s a pretty close fit, though even at full extension the saddle is a bit short for me. Safety-wise, these bikes are equipped with a reliable braking system that offers excellent stopping power in all weather conditions. This, combined with the enhanced stability and control of the bike, ensures a safe riding experience whether you’re a seasoned pro or a cycling newbie. In addition, with 24-inch wheels, my son’s bikes are getting big enough that I am able to ride them without damaging anything. I’m not taking them off jumps or going for sustained rides, but just trying to get the feel and experience of the machine. The components as a whole function as they should.
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.
They are not hydraulic and even I could feel that when testing myself. The job is getting done but there is more mongoose bicycle arm pump and fatigue when wrestling more weight with a lower grade brake system. Mongoose’s website just says “aluminum” for their unbranded brakes.
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.
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.
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.
Similarly, for beach rides in the height of summer, these bikes are able to traverse sandy terrains with ease, something many standard mountain bikes struggle with. This gives riders the freedom to enjoy cycling year-round, making a Mongoose fat tire bike a versatile investment. The Mongoose Switchback Expert is an aluminum hardtail mountain bike with 100mm of suspension travel up front. It has eight speeds and 29er wheels with 2.25″ wide tires. The Mongoose fat tire bike is designed to withstand the challenges of different terrains, whether it’s snow, sand, or rocky mountains.
Brands include Specialized, Mongoose, Polaris, Kona, Gravity, Kawasaki, Borealis and more! Manufacturers are creating frames out of tons of different materials including aluminum, carbon, titanium, bamboo, real steel, and Wal-Mart steel. Most fat-bikes that you will come across have a fully rigid frame. However fat bikes with front fork suspension and full-body suspension have started to emerge. Compared to bikes from other major brands like Specialized and Trek, the Mongoose Switchback Expert offers a pretty similar value.
Gradual climbing up our neighborhood trails was OK for a while. Eventually he would tire out and need the tow rope. As you can imagine, my 70-pound child really struggles pushing 50% of his body weight uphill with the Argus. The Trax tow rope was an absolute must with this bike.