Mongoose Malus

81/100
BikeRide Score
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Brand
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
45.0 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Mongoose Malus. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

5 reasons to buy

  • The Malus easily rolls over debris, small rocks, fallen limbs, snow, dirt, loose earth and through shallow water.
  • Owners felt that the Malus possessed stripped-back good-looks. It received many compliments and gazes from passers-by.
  • A number of buyers found assembly to be straight-forward.
  • A major appeal of the Malus is the low price. Even buyers who intended to swap out most of the components thought it was good value.
  • Tinkerers and the mech-savvy found this bike fun to upgrade.

11 reasons not to buy

  • Shifting troubles were rife with the provided gripshift. Some reviewers found that gears slipped and that shifting was tricky with sweaty hands. A number felt the shifter was mismatched to the Shimano Tourney hanger and chose to replace it with a standard shifter.
  • Owners and experts felt that seven gears were not enough.
  • Reviewers point out the low quality crankset, noting how it rattles.
  • Poor packaging was not uncommon. Damage did occur, including scratches, bent hangers, bent frames and a stripped front axle.
  • Greaselessness was a problem, with owners having to disassemble and re-lube many parts.
  • Fatbikes are heavy, but the Malus is super-heavy, at 45 pounds.
  • Brake levers are primarily plastic. A number of owners experienced the barrel popping out of its holder, rendering it irreparable. For both experts and users, discs were wobbly and sometimes disengaged completely, resulting in a broken pinky finger for one user.
  • Chain-slip was an issue.
  • Missing parts included pedals.
  • The provided bottom-bracket allowed grit to easily enter.
  • The seatpost and clamp were heavy and difficult to adjust or to fasten in place.

Bottom line

Built for the apocalypse, the Malus will roll through wastelands and over fallen zombie hordes without concern. Well.. at least as far as the beefy tires go. In reality, what you get is a solid basis for a fun upgrade project. Many owners had this in mind from the word go, and felt that the low price was well worth it just for the solid frame and tires. Get it, have fun and be prepared to replace components. Just don’t expect bulletproof precision at this price.

Expert Reviews

0/100 based on 0 rated expert reviews
KevCentral

Mongoose Malus Fat Tire Bike

User Ratings

81/100 based on 268 ratings
  • 5 star
    59%
  • 4 star
    28%
  • 3 star
    9%
  • 2 star
    3%
  • 1 star
    1%

Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#149 Best Mountain
Bottom 30%
#48 Best Teenagers
Bottom 40%
#7 Best Mongoose Bike
Bottom 50%
#535 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 30%

Bike Comparison

Mongoose Malus in comparison to averages

Forum Discussions

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