Since you will be cycling challenging terrain, you will have the durability and toughness you need with this bike. Whichever you choose, consider setting them up tubeless and running low pressures for less chance of flatting. Just ensure the tubeless sealant you choose works at subzero temperatures. If you are riding in icy terrain instead of snowy trails, you’ll want to buy or make a set of studded tires for enhanced grip. The tires float on top of the snow, rather than sinking in, so you can keep riding even when the trails are covered.
All fat bikes are built with different hub standards, so you’ll likely have to buy a dedicated second set of wheels if you want to enjoy different options. And more manufacturers are paying attention to Q Factor (or stance width), which is the distance between the outside of one crank arm to the outside of the opposite crank arm. To create the clearance for wider tires, brands use wider rear hub spacing (up to 197 mm—a typical mountain bike has a 148 mm rear hub). This means that you can find one that’s the perfect fit for you, regardless of your height or weight. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll be zipping around on your Mongoose fat bike with ease.
The front and rear disc brakes give you a practical way to stop. A great bike to get you rolling, the cheap Malus has 4-inch-wide tires, a Shimano 1×7 Alivio drivetrain, and mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors. One shifter keeps things simple, and the brakes are trustworthy in winter, with stopping power to keep you on track all year. The bike is heavy at over 40 lbs., and unfortunately, only comes in one size. But it’s an excellent option for exploring the world of snow or sand without breaking the bank. It also has a front suspension fork for keeping comfy on gravel, slick hydraulic disc brakes, and it even includes a rack and fenders.
Let us know about your thoughts and send us pictures of the bike. This is a place where you can learn all about cycling and get recommendations from experienced riders passionate about the sport. Bicycle Guider was founded in 2015 as a free resource of firsthand bicycle mongoose kids bikes tests and reviews, guides, how-to’s, and other types of cycling-related topics. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer.
It is a 300 dollar bike and great bang for the buck but I was left walking up a big hill after the derailleur hanger bent forcing the chain to lock behind the sprocket on the rims and wheels. I’d have given it 5 stars, but like I said I had to walk up a big ass hill. There are always lots of questions related to fat bikes, so I’ll go ahead and take the time right now to answer some of the more common ones.
There are more snow-, slop-, sand-, and trail-busting options than ever. Below are some of our favorites and what you need to know before buying your own. The company also owns other brands such as Schwinn, GT, and Cannondale. Many of the parts on Mongoose bikes are made in China and then the bikes are assembled in Taiwan.
This bike also has a rear brake and comes with a seat that can be adjusted based on different people’s heights. The Mongoose Malus 26-inch fat bike further has 7 speeds with a rear derailleur for smooth gear changes. The 20 x 4inch tires are gigantic compared to standard bike tires, and the extra-wide tires can handle sand and snow effortlessly.
The Mongoose Malus is another quality fat tire bike made by Mongoose. Generally speaking, if you can go with Mongoose, you’re going to have a high-quality bike that is going to last for years. Weighing about 48Lbs, the Mongoose Dolomite Mountain Bike is much heavier than the Schwinn Loop Folding Bike and even the Tommaso Bike. But, this is taken for fat tire bikes making the Mongoose Dolomite Mountain Bike more of a riding bike than something portable. If you’d love a lighter bike then our Pinnacle Arkose r2 review should come in handy.