Mongoose Interbike 2008
Mongoose has came a long way in the MTB world. From being almost unthinkable as a bike choice a while ago, Mongoose has started churning out some quality bikes over the last few years. We were impressed with the value and performance of the EC-D from a few years ago when we got to review it. Although it did have its short comings Mongoose was very proactive in addressing many of our and others concerns and making the EC-D (now called the Boot’R) even better.
top to bottom: Boot’R Team, Boot’R, Khyber Sport (click to enlarge)
For 2009 Mongoose has stepped it up again and is introducing a few new models based around their FreeDrive suspension. The FreeDrive suspension in simple terms is a high single pivot with a floating bottom bracket that allows for a smooth feel over rough situations while still allowing for efficient pedaling. These new models have been tested and developed with the help from top riders like Eric Carter, Andrew Neethling, and Steve Romaniuk.
Pinn’R Apprentice (click to enlarge)
The Boot’R and Pinn’R are Mongoose’s longer travel models that utilize their FreeDrive suspension setup. The Boot’R comes in a standard and Team version while the Pinn’R just comes in the Apprentice model. The Pinn’R is aimed at the freeride crown while the Boot’R is for the more downhill oriented. Andrew Neethling rode the Boot’R all season on the World Cup circuit so you know that it has some great geometry and able to soak all the rough terrain thrown at it.
Pinn’R Apprentice (click to enlarge)
Features and specs on the Boot’R and Pinn’R are as follows:
Boot’R Team
- Color(s): Blue rubberized finish
- Frame Material: New Mongoose FreeDrive DH 210mm travel and 150mm Maxle dropouts
- Fork: Rock Shox Boxxer Team, 203 mm travel high/low speed compression, rebound and preload adjust, 20 mm thru axle
- Rear Shock: Rock Shox Vivid beginning and ending stroke rebound and preload adjust, 241×76 mm w/ 19×8 mm hardware
- Crankset: Truvativ Holzefeller OCT 1.1 hollow forged arms 36T ring
- Bottom Bracket: Truvativ Howitzer TM (83 mm shell)
- Pedals: FUNN Sol Jam Viper
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM X.O short cage
- Shifters: SRAM X.9 trigger 9 speed
- Freewheel: SRAM PG-950 Cassette 11-26
- Chain: KMC Z9900
- Rims: SUN A.D.D. Lite 32 hole
- Tires: Kenda Excavator DH w/ Stick-E rubber 26X2.5
- Front Hub: Ringle Jumping Flea 20 mm thru axle
- Rear Hub: Ringle Jumping Flea 150×12 mm thru axle
- Spokes: Wheelsmith stainless
- Brake Levers: Elixir CR pad contact and reach adjust
- Handlebar: Funn Full Bore triple butted AL7075 riser, 25.4×50x710 mm
- Stem: FUNN RS 25.4×45 mm direct attach for Boxxer, CNC alloy
- Grips: Mongoose Lock on
- Saddle: Custom Mongoose SDG Bel Air I-Beam
- Seat Post: SDG I-Beam 2014 alloy, 31.6×250
- Extras: E.13 LG1 ISCG05 chainguide w/ Taco bash guard
Pinn’R Apprentice
- Color(s): Black
- Frame Material: New Mongoose FreeDrive Free Ride 190 mm travel w/ 150mm Maxle dropouts
- Fork Material: Marzocchi 66 RCV, 180 mm travel, rebound, compression, and preload adjust, 20 mm QR thru axle
- Rear Shock: Fox Van R rebound and preload adjust, 229×70 mm w/ 19×8 mm hardware
- Crankset: Gravity Step Up with cromoly pedal inserts 36T
- Bottom Bracket: Gravity ISIS (83 mm shell)
- Pedals: Mongoose Alloy platform
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano SLX, Shadow Mount GS cage
- Shifters: Shimano Deore 9 speed
- Freewheel: SRAM PG-950 Cassette11-34T
- Chain: Shimano HG73
- Rims: SUN Ditch Witch 32 hole
- Tires: Kenda Excavator DH w/ Stick-E rubber 26X2.5
- Front Hub: Sealed bearing 20mm thru axle
- Rear Hub: Sealed bearing 150×12 thru axle casstte
- Spokes: 14G stainless
- Brake Levers: Avid Juicy 3
- Handlebar: Funn Fatboy triple butted AL7075 riser, 31.8×30x710 mm
- Stem: Funn Rippa 31.8×45 mm CNC alloy
- Grips: Mongoose Lock on
- Saddle: Custom Mongoose SDG Bel Air I-Beam
- Seat Post: SDG I-Beam 6061 alloy, 31.6×300
Another one of Mongoose’s newest creations is the Nugget. The Nugget is Mongoose’s slopestyle / park type bike that is nimble and agile. It features the same FreeDrive suspension as the bigger travel Boot’R and Pinn’R but in a smaller package with less travel. With help and feedback during development, this is Eric Carter’s short travel bike of choice for dual slalom and 4x type events. Full feature and spec list is below.
Nugget (click to enlarge)
Nugget
- Color(s): White
- Frame Material: New Mongoose FreeDrive Slopestyle frame w/ 100 mm rear travel and 135mm Maxle dropouts
- Fork: Rock Shox Pike 409 140 mm travel U-turn Adjustable, 20 mm Maxle
- Rear Shock: Rock Shox Monarch 3.1
- Crankset: Truvativ Hussefelt with cromoly pedal inserts 1.0 36T ring
- Bottom Bracket: Truvativ Howitzer XR
- Pedals: Mongoose Alloy platform with replaceable pins
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM X.7 medium cage
- Shifters: SRAM X.7 9 speed
- Freewheel: SRAM PG-950 Cassette 11-26
- Chain: Shimano HG73
- Rims: SUN Ditch Witch 32 hole
- Tires: Kenda Small Block Eight 26X2.35
- Front Hub: Sealed bearing 20mm thru axle
- Rear Hub: Sealed bearing 135×12 thru axle casstte
- Spokes: 14G stainless
- Brake Levers: Avid Juicy 3
- Handlebar: Funn Full Bore triple butted AL7075 riser 25.4×50x710 mm
- Stem: Funn Rippa 25.4×45 mm CNC alloy
- Grips: Mongoose Lock on
- Saddle: Custom Mongoose SDG Bel Air I-Beam
- Seat Post: SDG I-Beam 2014 alloy, 31.6×250
- Extras: E.13 LG1 ISCG05 chainguide w/ Taco bash guard
