The component build is competitive, keeps cost down, and functions as needed. 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. A Sunrace cassette and KMC chain round out the drive train. The Mongoose Argus Trail frame is comprised of 6061 aluminum. There is also a steel version sold at a slightly lower cost.
Best for intermediate or advanced riders who want to tackle their whole mountain ride—from uphill climbs to downhill drops—with the highest-end tech. Best for seriously experienced riders with a need for speed and cornering control on thrilling rides. Best for riders of all skill levels—this is a go-anywhere, ride-everything mountain bike. To be frank, I think it’s a good idea to not to overly bothered about the bike and the parts that it’s built up with. Apart from the suspension fork, I don’t think think there’s any component on this bike that would be significantly improved by an upgrade. Both of those ideas being somewhat related to riding another bike to ‘help’ your performance when you get back on your normal mountain bike.
These models are also built for high-performance rides on uneven terrain, and many have similar features to our tested favorites. The rigid frame works well for snow and sand riding but loses ability in comparison to a suspended mountain bike. In the end, bikes are fun and if you are a fat biking family then I would highly recommend picking up an Argus to get your budding pre-teen out there with you having snowy adventures. The Argus just so happens to be capable enough for trail riding too. After testing dozens of bikes, Specialized’s Stumpjumper Comp Alloy is our favorite mountain bike thanks to its exceptional performance and durability across different terrains.
He did say that he noticed a difference in the handling with the big tires and it felt kind of like his Kawasaki KLX 110. The components all functioned well with minimal adjustments needed and served their individual duties. The traits of handling and stability will most certainly transition to snow riding as well.
I live in a part of the world where the local council has gone bananas for pump tracks. Mainly because I am aging mountain biker and that’s a gear we slip into very easily. But partly because riding this bike did have me experiencing a strange kind of ‘muscle memory’. Arms and legs bent out as far as possible, neck cricked upwards to see what lay ahead, legs aching was not-ever-sitting-down. That said, there are plenty of families who need a kids fat bike for niche riding either in sand or in snow. For those select families, there is the Mongoose Argus Trail.
When it comes time to select your mountain bike, there are a few key features to consider, like height and weight capacity, seats, materials, brakes, and wheel size. To simplify the process for you, we’ve consulted cycling experts and hit the trails to test dozens of bikes in the real world. We evaluated our top picks based on their ease of assembly, stability, performance, comfort, adjustability, and overall value. Consider gearing up with one of these top mountain bikes to conquer all the thrilling routes you love to explore. Since the 1980s,[22][23] mountain bikes have had anywhere from 7 to 36 speeds, with 1 to 4 chain-rings on the crankset[24] and 5 to 12 sprockets in the cogset.
I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, mongoose fat bike I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines. 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.
The seat is adjustable using the dropper post, which allows you to switch your riding position between technical trails and steep descents. Even better, it has a lockout feature that allows you to temporarily lock the bike’s suspension on flat stretches of dirt. Plus, unlike other bikes on our list, the Roscoe 7 comes in six colors and six sizes, making it easy to find the right combination for your height and style. Although we didn’t test these mountain bikes ourselves, we still think they’re worth considering.
My son is also still a child and I don’t want to torture him too much. We will definitely stick to mountain biking with his Trailcraft, but I am excited to get my son out on some decent snow rides. It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s that road bicycle companies started to manufacture mountain bicycles using high-tech lightweight materials, such as M4 aluminum.