Which is not so much a criticism, it’s more of an observation of the way things inherently are on playbikes like these. Kristen is a USA Cycling certified coach and loves to share her passion for biking with other families. Blair is a bike geek, mechanic, and mountain bike junkie. My son moved downhill pretty quick, but not as rapidly as on his Trailcraft. He managed to get through the rocky, technical sections of our local test run and did have a smile on his face. It is still a rigid bike and that shows in the speeds and ability to descend.
Specialized’s Rockhopper Elite 27.5 is our favorite mountain bike for beginners, with a hardtail design that many of our experts recommend for those just starting out on the trails. In testing, we liked that it easily conquered technical climbs uphill for a stress-free, controlled ride. We also found that it seamlessly transitions between gears, delivering mongoose racing bike consistent, reliable performance. The bike’s aluminum frame looks sleek but is still durable and easy to handle. During testing, we noticed that the thick tires allowed us to confidently cruise over gravel at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. The Colton also performed well up and down hills, and we like that the handlebars are comfortable to grip.
Mountain biking can be challenging for beginner cyclists, but don’t let that scare you off—look for mountain bike paths that are relatively flat, straight, and smooth to help you get started. One of the best downhill bikes we’ve found, Yeti’s SB 160 T1 GX/X01 Eagle Mountain Bike handles easily without compromising on climbing ability. The suspension creates a smooth ride, cruising effortlessly over different routes and providing control on almost any trail. Built to handle the most craggy, rugged routes, it’s designed to reduce vibrations for a fun ride. Pivot’s Switchblade Pro XT/XTR Carbon Wheel Mountain Bike is the best multipurpose mountain bike we’ve found.
Choose from two colors and two sizes to find the combination that’s right for you. Best for intermediate and advanced riders looking to rip up steep downhill descents, intense climbs, and straight speed on dirt trails. The Rockhopper’s lightweight alloy frame, paired with a drivetrain and brakes from the high-quality cycling brand Shimano, make it easy to handle. For newcomers seeking a sturdy bike to help them learn the ropes, we think this bike reigns supreme. Choose from three colors and three sizes to find the right model for your outdoor cycling journey.
She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. The bike has also doubled (trebled?) as a pub bike and a camping holiday rag-around bike. By its very nature (and diminutive stature) that any family member or friend can mongoose racing bike grab it and use it to go to nearest thing they need to go to it on (shop, bar, toilet etc). This bike has lived with a lock permanently attached to it somewhere (seatpost or handlebars usually). The Mongoose Argus Trail is most certainly a unique bike that meets the needs of an extreme niche.
Solid, stable, and less expensive than many of our other picks, it’s a great mountain bike for riders seeking a dependable ride. The widest wheel/tire widths, typically 3.8 in (97 mm) or larger, are sometimes used by icebikers who use their mountain bikes for winter-time riding in snowy conditions. The critical angles in bicycle geometry are the head angle (the angle of the head tube), and the seat tube angle (the angle of the seat tube). These angles are measured from the horizontal, and drastically affect the rider position and performance characteristics of the bicycle.
To be honest, I don’t think my son has ever used a front derailleur until now. One-by systems have all but taken over the mountain bike market. Taking the Argus out was a different experience than the norm and we both had fun.
SRAM’s new 1×12 gearing was introduced in 2016 as SRAM Eagle. This gives a single chain ring bike better ability to climb. Looking to inject some excitement into your low-impact workouts?
They slowed my son’s riding down when needed but functioned as any mechanical brake set would. They 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. 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.