Mongoose sent us a link to their 2010 mountain bikes and, at first (and before clicking on the link) I wasn’t sure what to expect.  On the one hand, I see Mongoose bikes in Walmart, Toys R Us, etc.  On the other hand, Pro downhiller / freerider Steve Romaniuk rides bikes like the $3,999 Boot’r (above) to do things like this:
After reviewing the 2010 lineup, it’s clear there’s two sides to Mongoose…and here’s the high-end side.  Featuring things like Stan’s NoTubes wheelsets, Truvativ HammerSchmidt, Shimano Alfine and other niceties, they’ve got something for everyone, along with an interesting rear linkage design on some of the mid-travel full sussers.
Check ’em all out after the break…
2010 Mongoose Sabrosa Ocho
On the street side (and compliment this fixie they’re rollin’ out), Mongoose has the 29er Sabrosa line with several singlespeed and geared models.  This is the 2010 Sabrosa Ocho, a 6061 aluminum framed 8-speed internally geared hub with Shimano Alfine hub and crankset.  The frame has fender mounts and comes with a rigid alloy fork.  Other specs include:
- Alex rims
- Tektro hydraulic disc brakes w/ 160mm rotors
- FSA headset and bottom bracket
- Continental City Contact slick tires
- Mongoose post, seat, bar and grips
- MSRP: $1,099
2010 Mongoose Boot’r Team
- Rock Shox Boxxer Team, 203 mm travel fork w/ 20mm thru axel
- Rock Shox Vivid 5.1 rear shock
- Truvativ Howitzer TM (83 mm shell) bottom bracket
- Truvativ Holzefeller OCT 1.1 hollow forged arms 36T ring crankset
- SRAM X.0 shifters and rear derailleur
- Avid Elixir CR disk brakes , 203 mm front rotor / 185 mm rear rotor
- SUN MTX-31 32 hole rims
- Kenda Excavator DH w/ Stick-E rubber 26X2.5 tires
- E.13 LG1alloy back plate ISCG05 chainguide w/ Taco bash guard
- MSRP: $3,999
- Rock Shox Totem IS 180mm travel fork w/ 20mm thru axel
- Rock Shox Vivid 5.1 rear shock
- Truvativ Hammerschmidt 83 mm bottom bracket
- Truvativ Hammerschmidt FR 2 speed transmission crankset
- Shimano SLX shifters
- Shimano Saint Shadow with SS cage rear derailleur
- Avid Code 5 four piston caliper disk brakes, 203 mm front rotor / 185 mm rear rotor
- SUN MTX-29 32 hole rims
- Kenda Excavator DH w/ Stick-E rubber 26X2.5 tires
- Gravity 1/DX Pro (I/E) – Internal headset ACB bearing 1-1/8 upper , external lower 1.5R ACB bearing lower Cup with Gravity Whip Cap system
- MSRP: $3,899
- Rock Shox Lyrik IS U-Turn 115-160 mm travel fork w/ 20mm thru axel
- Rock Shox Monarch 4.1 high volume air spring rear shock
- Truvativ Hammerschmidt 73 mm bottom bracket
- Truvativ Hammerschmidt AM 2 speed transmission crankset
- SRAM X.9 shifters and rear derailleur
- Avid Elixir R disk brakes , 203 mm front rotor / 185 mm rear rotor
- No Tubes ZTR Flow 32 hole rims
- Kenda Excavator w/ Stick-E rubber 26″ X 2.35, Folding tires
- Gravity 1/DX Pro (I/E) – Internal ACB bearing 1-1/8 upper , external lower 1.5R ACB bearing lower Cup
- MSRP: $3,499
- Rock Shox Revelation Race Air U-Turn , 105-150 mm travel fork
- Rock Shox Monarch 4.2, air spring rear shock
- Truvativ Gigapipe external bearing
- Truvativ Noir Carbon 22/32/44T crankset
- Shimano SLX front derailleur/ SRAM X.0 rear derailleur
- SRAM X.9 shifters
- Avid Elixir R disk brakes , 185 mm front rotor / 160 mm rear rotor
- No Tubes ZTR Flow 32 hole rims
- Kenda Excavator 26×2.1DTC folding bead tires
- MSRP: $3,399
Dubbed “Freedrive,” this is Mongoose’s linkage for most of their full suspension bikes.  It strikes me as similar to the long-ago-retired Klein Mantra and some older Schwinn designs in that it’s really only suspending the rider’s seated weight.  Unless I’m not understanding it visually (and there’s nothing on their website to explain it), it seems as though the bottom bracket is not really suspended…it moves with the rear linkage, meaning your feet and legs are doing the work of suspending your body weight when you’re standing.  I tried calling Mongoose, but the phone just kept ringing…I’ll update with more if we can find anything else out about this design.  Now, back to the bikes…
2010 Mongoose Canaan Team
- Fox F32 FIT RLC 100mm travel fork
- Fox Float RP23 rear shock
- Truvativ Giga Pipe bottom bracket
- Truvativ Noir carbon 22/32/44T crankset
- Shimano Deore XT front derailleur/ SRAM X.0 rear derailleur
- SRAM X-9 triggers shifters
- Avid Elixir CR Mag dick brakes w/ 160mm rotors and matchmaker clamps
- Stan’s ZTR Olympic Disc 32 hole rims
- 26×2.0 Continental Speedking folding bead tires
- Noir Team carbon fiber handlebar
- MSRP: $3,999
2010 Mongoose Ritual Dirt Jump Hi
- Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 2 100mm travel fork w/ 20 mm thru axle
- FSA MegaExo bottom bracket
- Gravity Moto X 36T Steel ring crankset
- SRAM X.7 rear derailleur and shifters
- AVID Juicy3 Hydraulic Disc brakes w/ 160 mm rotors
- Alienation 440 rims
- Tires: ( f ) Kenda Small Block Eight 26×2.35 ( r ) Kenda K-Rad 26×2.3
- MRP Party Crasher Lite bash ring; MRP SB-3 Chain Tensioner
- MSRP: $1,199
2010 Mongoose Fireball 26″ (also available in a 24″)
- RST Launch T8′ 100mm travel fork
- FSA ISIS bottom bracket
- Gavity Step-Up crankset w/ forged alloy arms, 36T and MRP Bashguard
- SRAM SX4  rear derailleur and SRAM X4 shifters
- Tektro Novela mechanical Disc brakes w/ 160 mm rotors
- Jalco DDZ alloy rims
- 26×2.3 Kenda K-905 tires
- MRP Party Crasher Lite bash ring; MRP SB-3 Chain Tensioner
- MSRP: $549
- Suntour Mag 32-LOD 100mm travel fork
- SUNTOUR EPICON DA rear shock
- FSA ISIS bottom bracket
- FSA Alpha Drive forged alloy (22/32/42T) crankset
- Shimano Deore M531 front derailleur
- SRAM X.5 rear derailleur and shifters
- Tektro Auriga Comp hydraulic disc brakes w/ 160mm rotors
- Alex TD24 disc specific double wall rims
- 26×2.1 Kenda Komodo black skinwall tires
- MSRP: $999
- Suntour XCR RL mag crown and lower, 100mm travel fork
- FSA sealed cartridge bottom bracket
- FSA Alpha Drive forged alloy (22/32/42T) crankset
- Suntour XCM202 front derailleur
- SRAM X5 rear derailleur and SRAM X4 shifters
- Tektro Auriga Comp Hydraulic Disc brakes w/ 160 mm rotors
- Alex TD24 disc specific double wall rims
- 26×2.1 Kenda Komodo black skinwall tires
- MSRP: $649