I work at Dicks and I’m a bike technician. A couple of things about this bike. First The color purple is considered a “girl’s “ bike only because of the color, I think that’s crazy, I love that color. Second thing, the frames are all the same size, what changes on them is the height of the seat stay tube, it will be longer on a XL frame versus the medium. I think Pacific cycles who makes this bike took a shortcut by doing that instead of actually changing the size of the frame. The GT Avalanche is a better buy for about the same price but has hydraulic disc brakes and really does come in different frame sizes.
So you're saying I won't fit a small because I'm 6'3", but I'll fit a XL because some tube out behind the seat tube is longer? That doesn't even make sense. The top tube would have to be a longer reach to make this possible, as well as other dimensions. The chart I have downloaded even shows the top tube length, seat tube length, even the head tube length change through the sizes.
@@MissingLinkMTB correct. He must mean the chainstay length is the same, because on Mongoose website, all the frame sizes have different measurements for top tube, seat tube, head tube, etc. BUT the chainstay length is the same across all sizes. My son and I checked them out at DSG for S&G and the bikes were all different sizes.
@@barfo281 Possibly, but that doesn't seem to be what he means. Opening with being a tech at Dick's lends legitimacy to his statement so he needs to be more careful when he words it.
@@MissingLinkMTB You are correct and that's why I'm saying that they took a shortcut instead of making the actual frame size different. I put a medium next to a large and it was the same size except for the height of the seat stay tube. crazy! Now the small frame will be a 27.9 instead of a 29er.
Getting back into trail riding at the ripe old age of age 51. Picked one of these up today for $399 and played also played taps for my 17 year old Trek 3700! Thank you Kev for your awesome channel, in particular this review that helped me make a decision, and for all your do in general. Great content- honest, easy to grasp, and helpful!
@@sjanzeir I don't have a problem with the components, I even run the same 8 speed on my current bike. My problem is how much it is. The competition has 12 speed deore, name brand hydros, a nicer suntour fork etc while cheaper. I think 95% of people would agree a 12 speed deore is better than the acolyte
I just don't see the value in this bike like GT aggressor pro. For 600, you can buy a Marlin 5 or Giant Talon (or any entry level hardtails from big companies) with hydraulic brakes and better drivetrains. Warranty and support is also questionable considering Dicks doesn't replace parts. There is just so many good options now, it's hard to see the value in some of these bikes.
I just finished building out my first batch of these bikes...As I built them I was eyeing where (DICKS) specs differed from the Switchback 1 on the Mongoose website. If I were to get one of these for myself...I'm replacing the Tourney with Altus or Acera...I like clipless pedals, and maybe a different saddle for starters. It is a good robust entry level ride...we will probably sell a ton of them.
Nice bike. For that price I’d expect to have a 1 by with an entry level groupset. For this reason, it’s a no buy in my book. You can still find good buys on Schwinn mountain bikes that are a better deal.
No reason to even look at this bike. The Giordano Valor, reviewed here at Kev Central kicks this things butt for only $589.00 , and comes with Hydraulics and 1x10 drive train, you can get the Intrepid for 659.00, you'd have to be crazy to buy this bike. Mongoose is a day late and a dollar short again......but I do like the color.
You make a good point. That valor does keep catching my eye. I really like the look. I have a hard time buying one because I already have the trouvale. Not entirely sure but think it's basically the same frame.
For that amount of money, it's better to find a hardtail with hydraulic brakes and Advent X 10 speed. I think Salsa Rangerfinder sometimes sells for around 600 range price tag.
Agreed. At over $500, you can get an entry-level trek marlin 4. Or probably a marlin 5 if you can get a nice deal. My local shop had a marlin 5 for $550 a couple months ago
I have the no longer available 26 inch (yes, I know) Mongoose completely refitted with the highest-end Shimano components that are compatible with the bike. Even Deore hydraulic brakes. Koozer wheels with nifty skinwall Smoke and Dart. I think I may have invested in total a wee bit more than the cost of this Switchback But not that much more. And it's now much much more than a standard big box. Oh, btw, even found an incredibly priced, hardly used, authentic, made-in-Italy (as in not counterfeit) Prologo Dimension CPC. Nice.
I just paid 800$ for 2 bikes built but DSG. They had a sale, did I get rektd? It’s been almost 20 years I last had a bike. Wifey and I chose these bc we grew up riding mongoose. We aren’t bikers 🙃
🤔 Off Subject But.....I wonder how much tougher an aluminum frame would be. If it was coated in Line-X spray? Line-X is super tough & different/way better quality than regular truck bed liner. Line-X with some rear drop out support brackets. Might make a very durable bike & ebike.
Nice bike but the price is to high. You can't sell me a 2x7 with a freewheel and mechanical disc brakes for 550 usd. At the beginning of 2023 when manufacturers were slapping all kinds of parts to bikes because of the parts shortage, for *650 usd* a Ghost Kato 29er with a 2x10 Deore, Tektro hydraulics, Rockshox Judy coil fork and generic sealed bearing wheel hubs. Originally it was specified with Shimano TX 505 hubs and a Suntour fork but I bought it with a Rockshox fork and the sealed bearing hubs as Ghost put parts which were mostly available. This is in Croatia where prices are higher due to taxes of the EU and local bike shops still need to make a living.
the switchback model up in the line has entry level hydraulic brakes and a tapered head tube. 1 by also. it the front mech works, the smaller rear cogs are better. this comp has a lower first gear than the one by more expensive big brother. 22/34 vs 32/42 much easier to climb with this comp drivetrain. got to be careful with one by
Aggressor Pro is currently on-sale for $200 cheaper than this at DSG...if someone is looking at the smaller sizing with 27.5" wheels, they might as well save a couple hundred and get a better spec'd bike with the Aggressor Pro.
Hey Kev, do you think you could do a review/build of the Poseidon Norton bike frame? It's probably the least expensive bare bike frame you can buy with modern geometry, sized frames, a tapered headtube and a rear thru-axle with detachable drop-outs. I just bought the XL matte black frame a couple days ago and it get's delivered on Monday. i am going to put all the parts I have on my GT Aggressor Pro onto the new frame. I know you usually do reviews of budget bikes and don't really review frames or do builds but I think this frame is right up yours, and your viewers (like me) alley.
The expert level is $150 more with dropper-ready as well as 1x set up, name brand tires, clutch derailleur, hydraulic brakes, much better looking saddle and all your dreams will come true. Wait for it.
Is there some new law that all new bikes have to have double red rear reflectors? I've noticed a few bikes being advertised, I mean demoed, on RU-vid that are coming with 2 red rear reflectors on the rear seat stays.
that's how most big box store bikes come. I work at Target and build bikes, but tbh most times i leave the reflectors off even though I think by law they need to sell with the reflectors on. But they look stupid so i leave them off lol.
My Full suspension bike had a defect and the company gave me 25% off a new bike and I if I go with the cheapest bike it would be the roscoe 6. Would you if that was your opinion do that or something like the expert and upgrade the fork?
“Tectonic” you say? Uhm? Yeah… What will Pacific cycle come up with next… Well In spite of the esoteric marketing tech branding and marginal components, I’am not knocking this trail bike it does appear to be pretty and capable hard tail, my girlfriend said she wouldn’t mind having this, so it looks like the litmus test has passed.. Incidentally is 29 the new 27.5? 🤔
Kev, there is no way you are thinking this is even close to a good value bike. Other than a cool frame color and being dropper ready, this bike is trash for 550. Especially when kent trouvailles are in store for under 200 pretty much at every walmart now
$550? I don't think so! Way to much for this bike. With a Tourney, and that gearing, and that bottom bracket.... no, just no. I think around$300 would have been a better price. Good review though!!
The new Mongoose Switchback (Comp and Expert) are made of a weaker tensile strength aluminum (T1). Bikes like GT Avalanche 1X are T6, which is at least 4x stronger than T1. If you're planning on doing actual aggressive mountain biking, I would not be looking at the new Mongoose offerings. For not much more than the cost of either 'goose, you can get legit bikes that don't need as much upgrading and have more durable aluminum frames.
@@Phantom096 I didn't say anything about Carbon Fiber at all. I said the Mongoose Switchback is made of a much lower tensile strength rated aluminum than bikes by Trek, Giant, Kona, Specialized, GT, and so on. And yes, I know Mongoose and GT are owned by the same company, but the Mongoose is still a weaker aluminum than the GT bikes.
@@barfo281 I don’t think this bike is intended for hard jumps or black trails. This is a budget bike for the average person that wants light trail riding.
@@Phantom096 My point is that DSG sells the GT Avalanche 1X and that is made of a higher grade aluminum than the Mongoose, and sells for the same price. the Mongoose looks nice, but isn't worth it.
@@barfo281 I highly doubt they are using a softer aluminum on a bike that is supposed to takeover for GT. It’s most likely the same Aluminum with a different name at that price. Which most people will buy when they go on sale.
