It’s rare to see a bike in this price range offered in four sizes—small through extra large—rather than just one or two sizes. Like more expensive bikes, the Mongoose Switchback Expert specs smaller 27.5″ diameter wheels on size small bikes and 29er wheels on larger sizes. To find the right size, check that you can stand over the bike with at least an inch or more between your crotch and the top tube. Then, check that the seat can be set about even with your hip while standing mongoose dirt bike beside the bike.
Mechanical disc brakes make use of 160 mm rotors. One of the main components of any bike is the drive train. The Argus’ drive train uses a 2×8 mongoose bicycle system with a Microshift derailleur in the front and a Shimano Tourney in the rear. Taking the Argus out was a different experience than the norm and we both had fun.
The rear end of the bike also has quick release dropouts with 190mm hub width. There aren’t many kids fat bikes on the market, and generally this is for good reason. Fat bikes are heavy and not ideal for every day riding.
If you want to ride trails as fast as possible, you’ll likely progress beyond the Mongoose Switchback Expert rather quickly. 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. I like the WTB Trail Boss tires so my mongoose racing bike 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.
In my experience, this is pretty common for bikes in this price range. 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. 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. They slowed my son’s riding down when needed but functioned as any mechanical brake set would.