Mongoose Sabrosa 3x8

Quirrel

My Kona Fire Mountain is now too costly to repair - 9 speed cassette, rear wheel, crank, bottom bracket, forks. Just not cost effective enough.

I've been looking for a replacement bike that will go on local tow paths, a bit off dirt tracks, but nothing particularly extreme.

I spotted the Sabrosa 3x8 and it looks like it would be a good choice for my needs.

http://www.mongoose.com/usa/eng/mtn/Pro ... abrosa-3X8

It's not got front suspension, but I'm not that convinced I need it. The worst place I might ride would be the roads around Kielder Forest.

Is this a good choice of bike?

thel33ter

Thats perfect for what your ride sounds like, you have no need for suspension for any of that, and the carbon (I think) fork will damp vibrations, A Specialized Sirrus will also be good, and probably a bit quicker with some touring or cyclocross tires on.

Quirrel

Thanks for the quick response.

I would really like one of those Cannondale Bad Boys but I can't justify the price difference between the Cannondale and the Mongoose, best part of 300 quid, which would be pure madness to spend.

Mongoose appears to be as close to my needs as anything else I can find. I will have a look at the Specialized as well now.

Only other one that has jumped out purely on cost is one of these Iron Horse = http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2009

supersonic

You could always buy a well equipped MTB and fit a rigid fork.

Quirrel

supersonic wrote:

You could always buy a well equipped MTB and fit a rigid fork.

I have thought about that, but then I might as well just buy a MTB and keep the forks suspended.

The only thing that worries me about the 700c wheels is how big a knock can they take? Say if I hit a pot hole on the Hadrians Way cycle route trail parts? Not exactly huge rocks and boulders, but there is every so often a hole, that I may one day hit.

They idea of a hybrid over a MTB seems to be what I need, although I then wonder do I just get a MTB and change it over to a low rolling resistance rubber.

I know that the chances of me doing anything serious offroad are nil. The chances of going off on a few dirt tracks, higher. Fireroads are more likely than anything else.

The lad at the shop 'said' that he took his 700c wheeled bike off on tracks as well as the road. He still rides a MTB as well, but his hybrid is used a lot more now.
Could have just been sales patter though.

supersonic

If built well the wheels should be as strong as an equivalent 26 inch wheel - in fact they may take some hits a bit better.

The reason why I suggested an MTB is that they are usually better value parts wise. You can pick up a light carbon fork for less than 100 quid, some lighter tyres and you will have in my opinion a better bike.

Quirrel

supersonic wrote:

If built well the wheels should be as strong as an equivalent 26 inch wheel - in fact they may take some hits a bit better.

The reason why I suggested an MTB is that they are usually better value parts wise. You can pick up a light carbon fork for less than 100 quid, some lighter tyres and you will have in my opinion a better bike.

What should I be looking at mountain bike wise then for components compared to the hybrids?

Quirrel

* Frame Material: Aluminium
* Frame Size: 20+
* Suspension: Front
* Number of Gears: 24
* Alloy Rims: Yes
* Approximate Weight (KG): 15
* Brake Type: Mechanical Disc
* Chainset: Truvativ X Flow
* Exact Frame Size: 22"
* Fork Lock-out : Yes
* Fork travel: 100mm
* Forks: Suntour XCM-V2 forks, 100mm of travel and lock out
* Frame Colour: Blue
* Frame-: New 7005 T6 heat treated aluminium with profile tubing
* Front Brake: Tektro IO Mechanical Disc Brake
* Front Mech: SRAM 3.0
* Gear Shifters: SRAM X4
* Handle Bars: Kalloy Alloy 31.8MM
* Headset: Semi Integrated
* Hubs: Fourmula Alloy
* Pedals: Wellgo Alloy Black
* Rear Brake: Tektro I.O. Mechanical Disc Brake
* Rear Mech: SRAM X4
* Rear Shock: N/A
* Rims: Alloy
* Saddle: Carrera
* Seatpost: Kalloy Alloy 31.6MM
* Stem: Kalloy Alloy 31.8MM
* Tyre size: 26 x 2.1
* Tyres: Innova
* Wheel size: 26 Inch
* Gender: Mens
* Quick Release Wheels: Yes

works out around 220

or

* Color(s): Dark Silver
* Frame: Heat treated 6000 series aluminum for 29" wheels and replaceable hanger
* Fork: Rigid alloy w/ forged crown and drop outs, disc mount
* Crankset: FSA DYNA DRIVE 42/32/22T
* Bottom Bracket: FSA cartridged
* Pedals: Mongoose Alloy platform
* Front Derailleur: Suntour XCM208
* Rear Derailleur: SRAM X-4
* Shifters: SRAM X4 triggers 24 speed
* Freewheel: Shimano HG30 11-32T, 8-speed cassette
* Chain: KMC Z-9200
* Rims: ALEX TD24 Double Wall, Disc specific
* Crankset / Chainwheel: 701 X 47 Continental City Contact
* Front Hub: Formula Disc Alloy QR 32H
* Rear Hub: Formula Disc Alloy QR and freehub 32H
* Spokes: 14G stainless
* Cog set: ProMax mechanical disc w/ 160mm rotors
* Brake Levers: ProMax Alloy w/ adjuster
* Handlebar: Mongoose Alloy 25.4 flat bar
* Stem: Mongoose Alloy hi-polish 25.4 clamp
* Grips: Mongoose dual density
* : Ritchey Logic Zero for 1 1/8"
* Saddle: WTB Speed V sport
* Seat Post: Mongoose Alloy w/ micro adjust clamp
* : ProMax alloy QR
* : Insulated stainles steel thermos

Slightly more expensive at 299.

Mainly tow paths, dirt paths, along the river Tyne and Hadrians Way. Possibly Kielder.

Can't decide between the two.

There was a Giant CRS 1.0 but it's 399 which is a fair bit more than these and for what I want.

supersonic

To answer your first question: quite often hybrids will use similar parts to an MTB, but just lower down the groupsets. They can be lighter of course.

I don't think the Mongoose offers anything the Carrera doesn't. Look at the V brake Carrera too, as is cheaper an lighter. With a rigid fork would make a great, multi purpose bike.

Quirrel

Cheers.

I reserved the Carrera earlier in the week and they sent the email reminder today. It's cheaper than the price of the V-brake just now.

Not fussed about v or disk brake - as long as I stop. In fact I would probably just be as happy with v-brakes because I know how to fix/replace/adjust them.