Mountain bikes

I think I'm contrary to everyone else here. I think the Huffy might be the better bike. I don't know if he described the bikes here but he showed me that the Huffy is a hardtail and the Mongoose is a full suspension. So I think he should stick with the Huffy - it'll be simpler and lighter.

CoalDigger - post a picture of that Schwinn. Is it an adult bike - you might have a winner on your hands with that one!
 
Ah....if the Mongoose is one of the newer ones with FS then it's not what I was picturing. Given that I might agree with you, those newer Mongoose aren't what the older ones were.
 
wintermute said:
I think I'm contrary to everyone else here. I think the Huffy might be the better bike. I don't know if he described the bikes here but he showed me that the Huffy is a hardtail and the Mongoose is a full suspension. So I think he should stick with the Huffy - it'll be simpler and lighter.

CoalDigger - post a picture of that Schwinn. Is it an adult bike - you might have a winner on your hands with that one!
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Yes it is an adult bike but I have no pics :o
 
BlackHills said:
Ah....if the Mongoose is one of the newer ones with FS then it's not what I was picturing. Given that I might agree with you, those newer Mongoose aren't what the older ones were.
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The MonGoose was purchased new in early 2000~2003 maybe ???
 
It's hard to say for sure w/o seeing pics. You might as well get the Huffy since it's free and fix up the Mongoose. That way you can pick whichever one suits you on that day. It's always nice to have an extra bike or 3 around. :D
 
If the mongoose is full suspension, and the huffy is hardtail, Id choose the huffy... Where was the mongoose purchased from?
 
ok guys I just got the MonGoose out from under the shed, it's dusty & got a few webs on it but it will clean up nice. I'm going to forget the Huffy & just fix this bike up. I forgot how cool it looks. it will take some TLC but it will be a fun project.
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What do you think & what should I do First ?
 
I'd probably replace the chain and all the cables for the first thing. You might save the chain but a new one is pretty cheap so I wouldn't bother trying. The cables probably all have rust in them and things will work a lot better with new ones. It probably wouldn't hurt to replace the tubes as well.

I still say get the Huffy too....if for no other reason than to have a back up. It's free so why not?
 
I agree. Replace the chain and cables. Look at the wheels and check for any broken spokes, and put new tubes in the rims. Strip the wheels off it, and give everything a bath and look over the frame for cracks and bends etc...

Id just say get the Huffy at this point man. If all you are wanting is a cruiser and a recreational fitness ride type thing, I wouldnt waste money on the mongoose, and just get the huffy. Its new, and after fixing up the mongoose, it will still be about the same as the huffy.
 
this thread rocks...:thumbup:

here;s a pic of my trusty steed.... she's a recovering single-speed, turned eight speed....:o i love this bike.... it's like a BMX on seroids...:D

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Great bike Bro. Youre gonna have to let me take it for a spin when Im out there...

What size is your frame?

I see youre runnin platform pedals too. Cool. :cool:

What kinda seat are ya using?

I am using a THE seat, and am having troubles gettin use to it. Its like a free ride type seat. Narrow.
 
j williams said:
Definatly a little sadist, and nuts. :D I rode bikes with gears for many years. Grew up riding up at big bear and other places in So Cal. Well, about 6 or 7 years ago, I decided I wanted to try something differant, and started reading up on singlespeeds. I converted my bike about 5 years ago, and rode 20miles a day 5 days a week on it, including a granny gear 24hr race, and various trails around missouri. Im hooked. I love the ease of maintnance, the quietness of the bike, and it really helps me focus on manuvering the bike and not so much on shifting. Hasnt needed a tune up on the drivetrain in 5 years. My bike is much lighter now, easier to pedal, quieter, and in Missouri underbrush, I havent had to deal with snaging my rear deraileur, or chain. Which sucks when you are 15 miles into the great unknown trying to bend back a deraileur hanger. Its also a great bike to just hop on and go for a cruise. :thumbup: It really is not for everyone, but the guys who I have convinced to give my bike a try, really enjoyed it, and some lost their gears even! I know its totally not for everyone, and thats fine. It brought a new joy to mtn biking for me, along with new challenges. I respect everyone who puts time in the saddle, yes even roadies. :rolleyes::D Id love to share a ride with some of you guys. :thumbup:
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Yeah, that does sound like it would be fun just because it's so simple. I hear you about the ease of maintenance, and since you rode it up at Big Bear, my hat is definitely off to you!

I lived in the San Bernardino area for 3 years, and used to ride the Santa Ana river trail a lot on my mountain bike. That trail is a blast, but it's hard riding, too. I used to park at the post office part way up Hwy. 38, then ride from there.

Sometimes I'd take my dirt bike up there and ride up to the top at Big Bear. It was interesting to see how much less power I had up at Big Bear, compared to back in town. My XR felt like I'd lost about 200 cc's, and when I got it home it felt like it was supercharged. Pretty country, though.
 
It is an awesome ride up the Santa Ana. I lived in San Bernardino for a few years. Amazing how the air gets up there. I love that whole area. Wrightwood, big bear, lake arrowhead.... Awesome scenery.
 
I fear that by the time you get that Mongoose up and running, you'll have spent more than that particular chunk of iron is worth.
We have dozens of those (with various stickers on 'em) floating around the university.
The components are the cheapest possible, almost everything is steel, and that rear "shock absorber" might be better described as a spring holder. I assure you that there is no damping effect whatever.

Better to save a few bucks and buy a used "entry level" bike from one of the major brands.
 
Well I went ahead & placed the order for my Huffy today, it will take about 3weeks to get here. I'll post pics when it gets here. After I ride a little I'll see about getting a "Real" bike;) Is there anything I can do to this bike to make it better when it gets here ? it's a 15spd, steel frame, steel unicrown fork, steel one piece crank, steel side pull breaks. 26"
 
The best thing you can do is to learn proper riding form and techniques. I've had mountain bikes for many years and thought I had a pretty good idea of what I was doing. Just for kicks, I recently attended a mountain bike skills class put on by CORBA. The instructor was a well-known former racer and mountain bike author. Boy did he open my eyes! In just 4 hours I learned a lot about body position, riding techniques, etc. that will really help for more difficult terrain.

When the instructor demonstrated one technique, he borrowed about a $100 discount store bike from a 10 year-old girl. It was obviously a POS that didn't even come close to fitting him. However, in his hands it handled the obstacles with no problems.

So my point is that proper training can allow you to get a lot out of a modest bike. Perhaps CORBA offers some classes not too far from you.

DancesWithKnives
 
Oh man. I just put carbon bars, Xt cassette, Xt shifters, XTR chain, and new grips on my bike over xmas. Too bad I'm 3000 miles away until the end of May!!!

I can't wait for the summer.

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This is a pic from my favorite ride last summer with my brother. Came out great for low lighting and high speed.
 
My comments about the Mongoose will apply to the Huffy. You find this to be a very heavy bike, with essentially no alloy components. Weight (I would speculate) well in excess of 30 pounds.

Often, these bikes are assembled by snot-nosed kids who know next to nothing. When you pick it up, go over everything (or have someone experienced do so) and make sure everything in properly assembled, adjusted, and tight.
The best thing you can do with such a machine is make sure it's fitted to you as well as can be.
Again, get someone with some experience to check your saddle height, reach, and other standard measurment items.
 
mtnfolk mike said:
this thread rocks...:thumbup:

here;s a pic of my trusty steed.... she's a recovering single-speed, turned eight speed....:o i love this bike.... it's like a BMX on seroids...:D
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Nice Chameleon setup there, that's probably one of my favorite hard tail frames. I have a '02 Bullit built up for freeride and downhill. I keep abusing the thing it just keeps asking for more. :)
 
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