I received my test bike directly from Mongoose and needed to do some of the final assembly myself. Replaced it with a Sunlite Cloud-9, Bicycle Suspension mongoose dirt bike Cruiser Saddle, Cruiser Gel that you can see in the first photo. Since its introduction in 2014, Grade has pushed the boundaries of adventure riding.
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 hydraulic disc brakes are a more powerful upgrade over the mechanical brakes on the Switchback Comp, though generally speaking they’re not as easy to maintain or repair. This bike comes with the same features as the other Mongoose models, only this one is made for kids (ages six and up) as well as adults.
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. 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. If you want to glide across sand along the coast or down rugged trails in the mountains, then it’s worth taking a peek at this fat bike.
It has both front and rear brakes, with the front ones being able to absorb shock on impact. Whether you’re new to riding or experienced, this fat bike is described by many people who bought it as being fun to ride. Similar to the previous bike, many reviews say that this is a good bike for the price, especially if you make minor upgrades on a few of the parts. One of the selling points of the Mongoose Switchback Expert is the tapered head tube, which the Comp version does not offer. The idea is that a buyer could upgrade the fork down the road to something better, but honestly it’s not going to be worth the expense.
The coil fork isn’t all that responsive, and unlike a fork with an air spring you can’t adjust it to customize the feel for your weight and riding style. I found I needed to keep my speed in check to keep the front wheel tracking and in control. If you want to ride trails as fast as possible, you’ll likely progress beyond the Mongoose Switchback Expert rather quickly. Experienced riders may want to upgrade by adding a dropper post to the Mongoose Switchback Expert. The frame features internal routing so you could install a dropper post yourself for about $199 or so. This is one change that could make sense for some buyers, though percentage-wise, it’s a big addition.
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. Specifications are subject to change without notice.All bike and frame weights are based off pre-production painted frames. Weights may vary in final production.Jamis is not responsible for typos or misprints.
I worried about flat tires so I added a bit more pressure than I usually run on my other bikes—about 20-25psi—and I recommend buyers do the same. The drivetrain is generally pretty quiet when pedaling on smooth surfaces, though things start to clang the faster (and rougher!) you ride. If part of your calculation for buying the Mongoose Switchback Expert is that you might upgrade parts over time, I say look at another bike. If you just want a bike that you’re going to ride as-is for as long as possible, the Switchback Expert could be the right choice.