Cheap Mongoose BMX Bikes

Mongoose Beast, readily available only at Walmart

Title is apt, though we’re in addition planning to begin calling this rig the “JunkBike.” The single-speed, coaster-brake-equipped Beast is founded on a simple cruiser bike design, though it was designed to accommodate huge knobby tires.

Very first just take? Mongoose made the Beast indeed as a department-store create with the most affordable parts offered. A big kick-stand and decals that are currently peeling off — and of course an excellent quill stem, low priced seat, and bubbly welds — left a great deal to be desired.

And also the weight… undoubtedly a monster, this bicycle crushes scales at nearly 50 weight.

Actually, however, we knew what to expect. At $200, absolutely nothing here is gonna scream high quality. And whom cares? Let’s get this thing buttoned up and get trip!

Beastly fat tires

A freak April 11th snowstorm blanketed Minneapolis with 3 ins of wet snow the night before our Beast appeared. Assembled and prepared, we rolled out the front door and down a tiny trip of measures like they weren’t even here. All is well so far.

Out on the road, some labored pedal strokes got us to cruising speed in a jiffy. A smile formed and lasted for several blocks, damp snow building back at my cheeks.

But as miles ticked on while the path begin to slant up just a bit, I noticed I was beginning to get winded. This thing sucks the energy from its host’s feet like a 50+ pound leech, and this had been on pavement!

Test operating the JunkBike

We deterred the paved path and into a wooded lot that harbors a key set of dirt leaps. This could be the initial off road test for the Mongoose. My speed slowed to a barely manageable crawl and soon I experienced to take a break. I’m no racehorse, but I’m not a slouch into the seat either — this bicycle is very difficult to run straight down a snow-covered trail.

The bike’s gearing (36-front/18-rear) is much too tall for offroad riding and actually isn’t truly ideal for on-road biking both. I’ll be swapping that back cog for a big, easier-to-pedal option shortly without a doubt.

We believe the complete GearJunkie team will undoubtedly be itching to swap different components with this bike. The Beast could stick around for a time. As noted, we’ve already dubbed it the “JunkBike” and now we have actually plans for this thing.

Heavy, low priced, weird, and, must admit, a bit enjoyable (for the cost at the least) tend to be my first impressions for the Beast. We’ll have more into information on another review.

In case you go out and purchase one? For novelty element, possibly. For a critical rider. . . not really. If you’re likely to use the Beast in real fat-bike circumstances — in snowfall, beaches and sand, or for rolling over big things within way on dirt — the Walmart bicycle is gonna dissatisfy.

But keep tuned in although we try this bike in impractical circumstances, attempt to allow it to be less of an item of junk with different components, and usually observe much enjoyable we can press through the mass-produced Mongoose ride.