Mongoose Status 2.2 Mountain Bike Review
One of the best low price mountain bikes on the market, the Mongoose Status 2.2 is a great entry level mountain bike that won’t break the bank but is still a high quality ride for anyone looking to get into mountain biking.
Mongoose Status 2.2 Mountain Bike Review
In this review we will go over the specific features of the Mongoose Status 2.2 so that you can make a fully informed decision about your next bike.
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Our Initial Take
The Mongoose Status 2.2 is s a high quality bike that is suitable for almost anyone and is at a price range where nearly everyone can afford it. Price is often the biggest barrier for people looking to get into mountain biking and it is our pleasure to find and review high quality bikes so that more people can experience the amazing sport that in downhill mountain biking. With that being said let’s get into the pros and cons of the Mongoose Status 2.2 Mountain Bike!
Aluminum Alloy Frame
Made from a lightweight yet durable aluminum alloy, the frame of the Mongoose Status 2.2 is durable enough to handle some pretty significant wear and tear but also light enough for you to easily ride and transport your bike. Weighing in at 44 pounds this bike is not the lightest in the world however when our team was test riding it we had no problems getting it into and out of our hatchback car, or riding it up significant inclines.
One of the biggest problems with more inexpensive bikes is that they are often made of heavy steel rather than aluminum. This dramatically increases the weight of the bikes and subsequently makes it far more difficult for you to transport and ride your new mountain bike. The Mongoose Status is made for a new or young rider and it was nice to see that the bike was made out of aluminum to make it more beginner friendly.
Dual Suspension
While normally reserved for more high-end bikes, dual suspension frames have been growing in prominence recently and are becoming more and more popular for all levels of mountain bikes. Most beginner bikes like the mongoose status will have a hardtail suspension fork. This type of suspension is in the front of the bike and gives the rider much more control as they are riding, however a downside is that unless you are quite experienced riding a hardtail mountain bike over rough terrain can feel very uncomfortable. A full suspension bike on the other hand is somewhat less intuitive to ride as you have suspension in both the frot and the back of your bike. At first this can be a bit disorienting to ride, however after a little practice it is quite straightforward.
In our opinion, having full suspension on a bike like the Mongoose Status 2.2 is a double edged sword. On one hand it is a great way to really jump into the real world of mountain biking and get excellent experience with a more sophisticated bike right away. This will allow you to really advance your biking skills quickly is you put some dedication into the sport. On the other hand, if you are not really looking to spend much time on your bike having a full suspension might make riding the Mongoose Status a bit awkward for someone with little mountain biking experience. Overall we like that Mongoose opted to go for a full suspension on one of their more inexpensive bikes as we feel that it gives more people the options to try and learn new ways to ride mountain bikes.
Grip / Caliper Brakes
Our least favorite components of the Mongoose Status 2.2 is its brakes. Of all the mountain bikes that we ride, we almost exclusively ride bikes that have either mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes are far superior to caliper or grip breaks and provide excellent stopping power and control. Additionally, disc brakes are much more durable compared to caliper brakes which means you will have to replace them far less often.
Unfortunately, you can’t ever get everything you want in a $300 bike and it seems that Mongoose decided to downgrade their brakes in order to keep the price lower. This is not the end of the world as this bike is designed to be a beginner level bike which braking is certainly less important than it is for high level professionals. With caliper brakes you will get sufficient performance however we would have liked to have seen at least mechanical disc brakes on the Mongoose status 2.2 to really push it to the top of the pack in terms of entry level bikes.
21 Speeds
The industry standard for an entry to mid level mountain bike, the Mongoose Status comes equipped with 21 speeds and a hand twist shifter. After testing the shifter going up and down gear we found the shifting to be relatively smooth and reliable. Obviously a more expensive derailleur like some you can find in our 2021 Best Bike Derailleurs Guide would give you better shifting however this is the tradeoff you get when buying a more inexpensive bike. For the purposes of entry level riding the 21 speeds and quality of shifting will be more than sufficient for someone looking to buy the Mongoose Status and we feel that upgrading on this level bike is unnecessary. If you are looking for more speeds or a more high end shifter you should first get more experience in mountain biking and look first to buying a more advanced bike before you begin upgrading your bike yourself.
Conclusion
If you have read our 2021 Mongoose Buyers Guide you will already know that the Mongoose Status is one of our top five favorite Mongoose mountain bikes. Overall we believe that the Mongoose Status is an excellent entry level mountain bike that is perfect for someone looking to jump into the exciting world of downhill mountain biking. While not the most high end bike, for around $300 it will be difficult for you to find a bike that performs better than the Mongoose Status. Built out of a lightweight aluminum alloy, the 21 speed, full suspension Mongoose status is durable, fast and efficient. Our one big complaint is that Mongoose decided to go with caliper brakes rather than mechanical disc brakes however this is not a huge issue, especially for the beginners who are most likely going to be riding this bike. In conclusion we would certainly recommend this bike to any beginner looking to try out mountain biking, or really anyone who is looking for an inexpensive but also durable and high performing mountain bike.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall should I be to ride the Mongoose Status 2.2?
The recommended height for the Mongoose status 2.2 is between 5’4” to 6’2” tall.
Is the Mongoose Status designed for extreme downhill mountain biking?
In our opinion no, the Mongoose Status 2.2 is designed more for everyday riding as well as recreational mountain trails, not for serious downhill mountain biking. Although this is a high quality bike we feel that it would not be appropriate for serious trail riding over extremely rough terrain.
Does the Mongoose Status come pre-assembled?
The Mongoose Status comes partially assembled, you will need to do some assemble yourself however after going through this process we felt that it was quite easy and intuitive. If you need any help you can always contact us here at mountain bikes lab or Mongoose themselves for any assembly questions you may have.
