WalMart Mongoose donor?

[tommyk]

Hello All... I am considering hopping into the Cruzbike conversion kit waters. How does this bike look as a donor?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Women-s-Mongoose-XR-75-Dual-Suspension-Bike/13398136

Thanks!
Tom K
Norfolk, Massachusetts

 

[defjack]

Looks ok to me. Jack

 

[rearengine]

Tom K ... Here is one pretty much like it ... it's a mongoose MGX .. The top bar looks to be about the same hieght.. I always thought it was a little high, but the bike rode & handled real well ... I put alot of miles on it like the picture... Good luck.... Bill

 

[tommyk]

Thanks, Jack and Bill.

Bill, I was wondering about the crossbar height on the men's version as being too high. I wasn't sure which of these two might be the better pick.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/26-Mens-Mongoose-XR-75-Dual-Suspension-Bike/13969564

Having never done this before (and not having a ton of money to play with), I'm trying to be cautious.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[defjack]

The mens is way too high.

 

[tommyk]

Jack,

Would you recommend a 24" over a 26" because apparently they have a boys Mongoose as well.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/24-Boy-s-Mongoose-XR-75-Dual-Suspension-Bike/13398146

Thanks!
Tom

 

[rearengine]

Tom K... The idea is to have the top bar no higher than the top of the wheels, and even lower if you can.. you can adjust the rear suspention spring to help lower it some.. 24" or 26" doesn't really matter, the same rule still applies.. The 26 " bike would give you a little more room in the cockpit,and a little longer w/b... I also put a kit on this girls 24" Walmart Next Tiera ... I put 26" wheels on it .. Alot depends on your Stature as to what size bike... I don't think the Boys bike is the way to go... This is just my Idea , Jack has put many of these kits on different bikes, so he knows what works ... Bill ...

 

[defjack]

All my bikes were 20 or 26 in.I would try to find the lightest bike with the lowest top bar. Jack

 

[shakesports]

just purchased the womens mongoose for a conversion..............will keep everyone here posted with updates and pics to let you know how it goes......currently planning on a 700c conversion but that will all depend on how much room the rear triangle has on this bike.

I had the Tiara Pro in my hands today at walmart as its frame seems almost identical to the V2/K and I know it will fit 26" wheels but would need further examination on the 700c's. I decided to go with a larger frame (26" mongoose) than the tiara as it looked to me like I would be cramped up in the cockpit...the youth frame just didn't jive with me had some reservations.

Will keep you posted.

Scott

 

[shakesports]

Ok here goes something................


My donor frame has arrived and i have pieced it together with stock bike parts for now. I will order my conversion kit soon. I already see a few minor issues.

* front shock is super soft, as I will be replacing this with a 700c shock I am not worried but it does raise the question as to how much shock is enough for the front fork as it does have less weight on it than on a Diamond Frame.
* The components will need some upgrades but I plan on using my road bike parts so its a non issue.
* A 700c wheel will fit nicely into the rear triangle, however.....as I plan on using my existing road wheel I do not want to rebuild my axle each time I feel like transferring the wheel back to my road bike. does anybody have some suggestions on how they have tackled the fit issue with the front tire going to the back. I am seriously contemplating a frame modification (bend it to fit the front axle). or even finding a separate wheel with the right spacing but I would rather use my current wheel set as it is in tip top shape.
* measuring from the floor to the top of the frame (seat pan location) is 27" which is high in comparison to the recommendations but I feel that the rear shock will compress enough to overcome the height issue.

any further suggestions on what to plan on during this conversion are welcome and appreciated.

Scott