AM setup

[BikeBailing]

Good day!

 

I need advice specific to my Mongoose 2010 Otero Elite. Is it possible to convert this bike to an AM bike? Mongoose list it as all mountain but it comes standard with a 100mm fork. What is the maximum travel I could put on this bike? (I prefer the gravity part of AM )

 

I would also appreciate any recommendations towards changing up the bikes spec.

 

Here is what it currently sits on for spec:

 

FRAME:

Heat treated 6000 series alloy QR adjustable travel 2.5-4.4" (62-112mm)

FORK:

SR/Suntour XCM HLO 100mm travel w/30mm steel stancions, alloy legs, push button hydraulic lockout

 

REAR SHOCK:

Suntour Raidon DA adjustable air spring and rebound damping

CRANK:

FSA Dyna - Drive Alloy (22/32/42T)

BB:

FSA cartridge

Pedals:

Mongoose Alloy platform

FRT DER:

Shimano Altus M311

RR DER:

SRAM x- 5

DERAILLEUR LEVEL:

SRAM X4 triggers 24 speed

FREEWHEEL:

Shimano HG30 11-32T, 8 speed cassette

CHAIN:

KMC Z - 72

RIMS:

Alex TD24 disc specific double wall

TIRES:

26 x 2.1 Kenda Komodo black Skinwall

FRONT HUB:

Formula Disc Alloy QR 32H

REAR HUB:

Formula Disc Alloy QR and Freehub 32H

SPOKES:

14G Stainless

BRAKESET:

Tektro Auriga Comp Hydraulic disc w/160mm rotors

BRAKE LEVERS:

Tekrto Auriga Comp Hydraulic

HANDLEBAR:

Mongoose Alloy Riser 31.8 x30x635mm (S) 685 mm (M,L)

STEM:

Mongoose Alloy 31.8 x 90mm (S&M) 110mm (L)

GRIPS:

Mongoose dual density

HEADSET:

FSA 1 1/8" Zero Stack

SADDLE:

Mongoose XC Elite

SEAT POST:

Mongoose Alloy w/micro adjust clamp

SEAT CLAMP:

Mongoose Alloy QR

[Capricorn]

IMHO, this is an XC bike. I would bet the max travel the frame would allow is about 120mm. The mere fact it's specced with 100mm (adjustable to 112mm) suggests its intended for less gravity oriented adventures as opposed to mild-trail/XC riding. There isnt even gussetting around the head tube, and the HA is about 70-72 degrees.

 

Reality is, you could put a triple clamp on there if you wanted to, but i'd say max 140/150mm travel fork. MAX! But you gonna have to carefully choose which jumps and drops you do, and check your headtube on a regular basis for signs of cracking.

[RiderX]

Good day!

 

I need advice specific to my Mongoose 2010 Otero Elite.

 

Im sorry to say but considering the type of riding you want to do I dont think its going to be worth upgrading the bike, its going to cost too much with little benefit. Even if you upgrade the fork at some point the bike is going to hold you back from progressing further. Rather sell this bike use the funds to look for a second hand AM bike that hasn't seen too much abuse.

 

If you still want to pedal up comfortably then look for something in the 140-160mm travel range. Bikes in this category include bikes like the Mongoose Teocali/Khyber and the GT Force/Sanction. These I would call examples of all mountain bikes since you can still pedal the bike up comfortably while having a huge blast going downhill. You can get the lower spec versions (but still decent) of these for under R10 000 second hand.

 

Hope this helps

Edited December 21, 2011 by MariusD

[BikeBailing]

Bummer!

 

Oh well, back to the drawing bored!