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. Mongoose’s website just says “aluminum” for their unbranded brakes.
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. Having a wider gear range makes for a versatile bike that can conquer the terrain. Shifting worked out of the box and functioned well.
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.
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. 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.
Kid sized fat bike frames are rare so taking him out this winter will be a mongoose bicycle unique experience. With that said, it was fun seeing my son experience something truly different on the dirt. Given my profession as a mountain bike journalist and product reviewer, it’s not unusual for friends and neighbors to ask me for bike recommendations.
The Mongoose Argus Trail frame is comprised of 6061 aluminum. There is also a steel version sold at a slightly lower cost. That is the seat I bought to replace the stock torture device. The new seat is about 13.5″ inches wide and the horn is a lot shorter. It is a lot more comfortable. As far as I can tell, the Malus and Dolomite are essentially the same bike, just with different rims and colors.
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.
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.
Luckily, we have tow ropes to mitigate the complaints. My son has grown to like down hill riding better than cross country. When we climb he lets the complaining come flying out. Mongoose utilizes house branded parts to cover contact points like the grips, pedals and seat.
When break-in didn’t help, I installed mongoose bicycle Shimano SM-RT56 Disc Brake Rotors (6-Bolt, 160mm) and Shimano BR-M375 Disc Brake Calipers. Was tempted to go hydraulic, but didn’t want to spend the money for possible over-kill. My son was apprehensive to let loose with the rigid platform. 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.