Mongoose Randonneur Pro 2006 Model
I took one of these rare Mongoose light weight touring bikes for a quick spin. Whilst it makes an excellent light weight tourer or randonneur, it has a couple of weaknesses if you plan on heavy touring on one of these.
They are are an aluminium framed bike with a Chromoly fork. Fitted with drop bars and Sora brake and shifters they make for an excellent bike for it's price range. Enquiries about the price put it at around $1,295. The distributor's web site also quoted this as the recommended retail price for this model.
Mongoose Randonneur Pro 2006 Model.
It's specifications are:
- FRAME : 6061 Alloy Touring;
- FORK : Full Chromoly;
- CRANKSET/CHAINWHEEL : Shimano Sora 52/42/30t;
- BOTTOM BRACKET : Shimano BB-ES30 cartridge;
- PEDALS : Alloy body with Boron axle;
- FRONT DERAILLEUR : Shimano FD-3304 Sora;
- REAR DERAILLEUR : Shimano Deore 9 spd;
- SHIFTERS : Shimano Sora 24 spd STI;
- FREEWHEEL : SRAM 11-32t 8spd;
- CHAIN : KMC Z-92;
- RIMS : Alex Adventurer 700c Black;
- TYRES : Hutchinson Globetrotter 700 x 37c;
- HUBS : Front - Alloy Q/R, Rear - Formula Q/R 36h sealed;
- SPOKES : Stainless Steel;
- BRAKES : Avid shorty 4 Cantilever;
- LEVERS : Shimano Sora 24spd STI;
- HANDLEBAR : Ritchey BioMax Comp 6061 Alloy;
- STEM : Ritchey Alloy;
- GRIPS : Velo SuperLite foam with Gel;
- HEADSET : Steel 1 1/8 inch ahead;
- SADDLE : WTB Speed V Comp; and
- SEAT POST : Alloy suspension.
Because the bike is fitted with a suspension seat post, the ride is comparable to a steel framed bike. The handlebars were well taped with a padded tape. I did find that the Sora front derailleur does not change too well and only has trim in one direction.
The front chain rings are a 30-42-52 teeth. The 30 tooth is the smallest and if you are planning on doing any loaded touring on this bike, this is not low enough. The rear sports a 32 tooth large cog. The hubs and rear derailleur are Deore equipped with an SRAM 8 speed rear cluster.
I found the rear gears changed smoothly and the ratios are closely spaced. The brakes are canti-lever and although they were noisy, they pulled the bike up very quickly. Some toe in adjustment would fix the noise from the brake pads.
The frame carries lugs for a rear rack, and the front fork is lugged for a touring rack. There are three water cage mounts, but the front one does not have enough clearance to the front wheel. You would need a special cage to make use of the third cage mounting.
The over all finish of the bike was good, and for it's price range is suitably equipped for light weight touring.
There are several problems I would like to highlight if you intend to use this bike for heavily loaded touring. The front chain rings will need to be changed so that a lower gear can be obtained. A 30 tooth small chain ring is just not low enough for heavily loaded touring.
The third cage mounting is next to useless for mounting a third water bottle or even a tool bottle. The other concern would be the rear wheel's strength. While it is a 36 spoke wheel, the rims do not have eyelets for the spokes.
Over all this bike is an excellent buy for the price if you intend to do a lot of supported or light weight touring. The ride is good and you feel like you could sit there all day without a problem.
