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 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.
Tour the town or ride dirt trails through your favorite park, a hybrid bike can handle it all. The tires are made of aluminum alloy for a lighter and sturdier ride, with a no-slip tread for safer riding over wetter terrain, such as slush and mud. And many reviewers say the seat is very comfortable. Plus, it has the mechanical brakes that make it safe to stop quickly and on slippery or uneven surfaces. The seat height can be adjusted for any kids between four and five feet tall, and it’s smooth to ride uphill on because there are seven speed gears to choose from.
The Mongoose Switchback is best for riding pavement, bike paths, and gravel roads. It’s fine for most green- and beginner-rated trails, though when it comes to trail riding, I recommend choosing smooth ones. The Mongoose Switchback Expert is capable of popping off small roots and rocks in the trail, and it has proven to be durable on the landings.
I like the WTB Trail Boss tires so my advice is to just keep ’em. The rims aren’t taped inside, and they’re drilled for Schrader valves, so IMO going tubeless isn’t really worth the hassle, either. Explore trails that aren’t on the app but clearly existright here, right now, in real life. Pack extra water and a sandwich in case things go right and you’re havingtoo much damn fun to head home.Make epic happen.
Buying a bike is all about finding the right mix of price, performance, and yes, style. The Mongoose Switchback Expert strikes a fine balance for riders looking for an affordable and simple entry into the world of riding bikes off road. At the time of publication, the Mongoose Switchback Expert was selling for $549 compared to $399 for the Switchback Comp.
At its full retail price of $949, the Switchback Expert is overpriced. At the current $549 price, I’d say it’s priced about right. Tires are usually an inexpensive upgrade that can make a huge difference in the way a bike feels, but here again, buyers likely won’t want to bother. The included wheels feature narrow, 18mm rims that are even narrower than what you might find on a gravel bike today. For that reason, it doesn’t make sense to run anything wider than the 2.25″ tires specced despite what appears to be plenty of frame clearance.
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 mongoose fat bike 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.
There is nothing you can’t do on a Mongoose and almost nowhere you can’t go on the Malus. Their fat tires do an exceptional job of dispersing weight and maintaining balance, making them perfect for snowy winter rides. 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.