Submitted by
Kevin E. Baughman
a Recreational Rider
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2010
Strengths: The frame is extra stout. I really like the triple-clamp fork, ( how many of those do you see nowdays ). I never had any problems with the composite ( plastic ? ) pedal crank arms. The suspension & springing worked fine. I rode 42 miles in the winter once, & ice encrusted the front sprockets, but it never stopped. It probably would if I tried changing gears though. I hit a cinderblock with the back wheel & maintained control, but blew a tire. It is a good, all purpose bike that probably wouldn't be as finicky as something more specialized would. Sometimes when it rains, I run it through my yard, or a mud pit by the city compost pile.I also rode it several times off an 18 inch drop by the local bank parking lot several times. I made many 42 mile trips with the first bike that I had, before it was destroyed.
Weaknesses: The bike is heavy, but to me, that is acceptable, because it is durable. Sometimes it seems that the rear-suspension robs power when pedaling, a tradeoff for the rear suspension. I messed up the deraileur system running repeatedly through a mud-bath a couple of years ago, & had it rebuilt with used parts. It is not a high-tech bike anymore. It doesn't have disc brakes, & it has 21 speeds. Sometimes on the highway, I'm sure that I could handle a couple more gears on top. It is succeptible to rust. It was an inexpensive bike. The design is good, but some materials are cheap & prone to rust.
Bottom Line:
I have owned 2 Mongoose d-40's, both yellow. The first one was destroyed when I got hit by a legaly-blind old lady, who still had her drivers liscense.I went over the roof of the car & landed on my headlike a lawn dart, so I was O.K. The first ine actually cost me $220 dollars. I went looking for a replacement, & found one that had been returned to Wal-mart for $ 60 dollars. I just had to get it tuned up a bit.
Similar Products Used: A couple of different hard-tail bikes that I rode into the ground.
Bike Setup: Nothing exotic by any means. A small expandable pack once, & a headlight for night use once, & a gel seatcover that already came apart.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Valhalla-II
a Commuter
from PA.
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Strengths: TOUGH.
smooth ride,
Gearing ratios covers on and off road needs.
Feels solid on down hill runs, and jumps...
..oops,, was that a curb I just hit :) ?
Price - Value,,, Winner....
Weaknesses: Thought working.. not superly impressed with the "TD pro" gear derailers...
Rear "Shock" could be more "Active"..
and at time works against you.
..Did any one mention it was HEAVY ??
Bottom Line:
It's weight is easily compensated by its stability, and tough design.
I no longer worrie about weather
the bike will survive,, now, I'm concerned weather I will be able to carry it back out of the pit after a bad wipe out..
Bike Setup: No frills...
Winter(off road,)tires 26x 2.10
second set for long road trips...
Bear claw pedels
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Tremblay
a Recreational Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001
Strengths: Strong Frame, swift, smooth changes from any gear. Chain rarely pops off, good brakes. good price, shocks are good from cusioning jumps, i used to jump it off of 3ft Skateboard launch ramps 5 f ino the air and did very well in landing, Bright color good in night time road traveling, easy pop off wheels, easy pop lever seat adjustments. 1st gear is great for moving across sand pits and going uphill. The top gears are good for speed, i got the bike up to 37 mph on the highway and 41 down a small slope. and you could use the frame as a boat anchor, haha.
Weaknesses: Bike frame and components are very heavy. only the front suspension cusions the bike, the rear shock really only cusions the rider. The cables on the bike such as brake and gear cables brake easily in an emergemcy stop, which happened to me when my brother on an identical bike did a 360 slide right in front of me going 20 mph. Heavy bike construction makes moving through sand harder in 3rd or 4th gear but 1st is a breeze through sand. the gear changer thing on the back next to the wheel brakes easily and sometimes can go in so far it will rip off spokes right off the rim!
Bottom Line:
This bike was given to me as a Christmas present in late 99'. Its Yellow w. Red Lettering on the side. 21 spd., 26 inch tires.
Similar Products Used: Next Mountain bike ( i think a company of Mongoose, example: Ford, Mercury or Dodge, Chrystler) and a Tonka Dump Truck.
Bike Setup: 21 spd. dual front fork shocks, single rear shock 26" rims, extras such as Bell Speedometer/Odomoeter, and A Headlight.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
adam stone
a Triathlete
from somerset ,kentucky , usa
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001
Strengths: smoth ride over bumps and down steps good brakes and stell rims dont bend easy spin off front wheel shockes keep tires from poping easy gear change through all 21 gears 1st gear is a great gear for up hill
Weaknesses: spin off front wheel for ease of theft hard seat hard to find parts (front & rear gear changer peddel gear front &rear wheel ect ect) non ajust front shockes they are to soft
Bottom Line:
over all a good at allmost any price its a must for people who pop tires on there bikes often due to hard rideing this bike can take any thing you dish outi have even jumped it off a 10 foot wall and it held together great any other bike would have poped the tire this is the best bike i have ever had i recamend it to all
Submitted by
winston
a Recreational Rider
from new york
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Strengths: heavy frame could be used as boat anchor. Bright yellow color looks dangerous.
Weaknesses: This thing is a big pile of junk. Slow and clunky like a garbage truck. poor materials, irregular crank teeth, rusts easily, uncomfortable seat. If you install a water bottle holder, don't use it; on the downstroke your front tire will chew the bottle right out of it.
Bottom Line:
This birthday present from my well-intentioned wife sits in my basement awaiting sale. Perhaps for use by someone with a nice, light bike who wants to build their calf muscles quickly. I must say in it's defence that it can handle stairs like the big boys. That extra cushy front fork and rear spring make it handle bumps like a Caddy.
