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Each of these place different demands on the bike, requiring different designs for optimal performance. MTB development has led to an increase in suspension travel, now often up to 8 inches (200 mm), and gearing up to 13 speed, to facilitate both climbing and rapid descents. 1x gearing reduces overall bike weight, increases ground clearance, and greatly simplifies the process of gear selection, but 2- or 3-ring drivetrains are still common on entry-level bikes.
This ready-to-race bike is best for more advanced riders who like to take on longer adventures at high speeds. Best for riding around the neighborhood with friends or crushing local dirt trails. Best for beginners looking to take their next adventure on the road, gravel, or local dirt trails. And we appreciate how responsive mongoose dirt bike it feels, allowing us to quickly maneuver through twists and turns. Best for beginner and intermediate riders looking to tackle a mix of routes, like local trails, intense climbs, or steep drops. Despite ‘amusingly’ saying A+E in the headline of this review, the Mongoose Fireball Moto never caused me to visit the hospital.
We like that this cross-country bike climbs hills efficiently and can easily take on quick descents. Plus, it can fit three water bottle cages to help you stay hydrated while you ride. It comes with a lifetime warranty, so you can ride knowing you (and your bike) are protected.
Its sturdy suspension is anchored by a solid rear shock, ensuring stability and control on uneven ground. Paired with a carbon frame, this bike can navigate off-road with precision around large obstacles and tight turns. There’s even storage built right into the frame—the small compartment can hold tools and other essentials while you focus on the path ahead.
This provides a smoother ride as the front and rear wheels can now travel up and down to absorb the force of obstacles striking the tires. This is because when the wheel strikes an obstacle its tendency is to bounce up. Due to some forward energy being lost in the upward movement some speed is lost. Disadvantages of rear suspension are increased weight, increased price, and with some designs, decreased pedaling efficiency, which is especially noticeable when cycling on roads and hard trails. At first, early rear suspension designs were overly heavy, and susceptible either to pedaling-induced bobbing or lockout.
Not so cheapy or cost-cutting as to impair the bike handling but not so verly fancy as to make you worried about(ab)using this bike the way it’s supposed to be (ab)used. The rear wheel has stayed up in the track end dropoouts. The brakes have been perfectly adequate and have not required much – if any – maintenance. It’s hard to quantify exactly but yes, I think it has. It’s certainly reminded me to stay off the brakes (unless/until you really have to use them) and to get more over – and lower down – at the front of the bike. As terrifying as it may be at first, you really cannot ride this bike without being really over the front tyre’s contact patch.