Comfort and safety are two key considerations for any bike ride, and Mongoose fat tire bikes excel in both departments. The wider tires act as natural shock absorbers, providing a smoother, more comfortable ride even over bumpy trails. This also reduces the impact on your joints, making it easier to enjoy longer rides.
Mongoose has given the “go-ahead” to do a long term review to assess the handling and function of the Argus once winter comes. So if you’re curious about how the bike performs in the snow, stay tuned….. Since our founding BMX has been the cornerstone of who we are.
I tested a size extra large and found it’s a pretty close fit, though even at full extension the saddle is a bit short for me. Safety-wise, these bikes are equipped with a reliable braking system that offers excellent stopping power in all weather conditions. This, combined with the enhanced stability and control of the bike, ensures a safe riding experience whether you’re a seasoned pro or a cycling newbie. In addition, with 24-inch wheels, my son’s bikes are getting big enough that I am able to ride them without damaging anything. I’m not taking them off jumps or going for sustained rides, but just trying to get the feel and experience of the machine. The components as a whole function as they should.
I don’t know of many that go smaller from there either. Hopefully some training will allow him to be able to climb on his own for some of the ride. Sticking to flat nordic type trails for fat biking in the snow might be our best bet. Really, this frame is most likely a back up bike for a family of enthusiasts that want their child to join the fat biking they do in the winter. While the Mongoose Argus Trail is trail worthy, there are other bikes that do trail riding better. There is a low level shimano hydraulic disc brake kit that is SO NICE compared to the cable disc brakes.
Gradual climbing up our neighborhood trails was OK for a while. Eventually he would tire out and need the tow rope. As you can imagine, my 70-pound child really struggles pushing 50% of his body weight uphill with the Argus. The Trax tow rope was an absolute must with mongoose racing bike this bike.
When break-in didn’t help, I installed Shimano SM-RT56 Disc Brake Rotors (6-Bolt, 160mm) and Shimano BR-M375 Disc Brake Calipers. Was tempted to go mongoose dirt bike hydraulic, but didn’t want to spend the money for possible over-kill. My son was apprehensive to let loose with the rigid platform. He did say that he noticed a difference in the handling with the big tires and it felt kind of like his Kawasaki KLX 110.
The drive train is setup for either snow or sand riding and my son seemed to ride comfortably. Mongoose made a sound decision considering the weight that a child must pedal. Having a wider gear range makes for a versatile bike that can conquer the terrain. Shifting worked out of the box and functioned well.
Luckily, we have tow ropes to mitigate the complaints. My son has grown to like down hill riding better than cross country. When we climb he lets the complaining come flying out. Mongoose utilizes house branded parts to cover contact points like the grips, pedals and seat.