2009 Mongoose Sabrosa 3X8 Review

The 2009 Mongoose Sabrosa 3X8 gives cycling enthusiasts excellent bang for their bucks invested. It comes in a dark silver color. Searching through the Internet and bicycling shops will most assuredly fail to warrant a value similar to that of the Sabrosa 3X8.

The frame is made of heat treated 6000 series aluminum. The fork is rigid allow with a built in disk mount. Drop outs and crown are forged.

Wheels are 29 inch. Usually mountain bike rims are 26 inches in diameter but 29 inch rims make more a more manageable off road feel. Combine the 29 inch rim size with the platform pedals that come standard on the Sabrosa 3X8, and you have a great setup for cruising on dirt, mud, and even snow. The rims are manufactured by ALEX. They are double wall rims, meaning they are much stronger and more durable than single wall rims. There is plenty of ground clearance on the bicycle due to the large size of the double wall rims.

The saddle is borrowed from another make, WTB. Its a great brand to complement the quality. Mongoose has already built up and the saddle provides added comfort.

Stopping power comes from Promax mechanical disk brakes. Riders are often caught in disagreement about whether mechanical or hydraulic brakes are truly the better way to go. The advantage of mechanical disk brakes is their ease of use and adjustment. They are cheaper to maintain and offer great durability even under rough treatment.

All the Sabrosa 3X8 components are from proven manufacturers. The rear dérailleur is a SRAM X-4. SRAM has a history of excellence in producing cycling components. The front dérailleur is a Suntour XCM208. Shifting power comes from SRAM X4 triggers. The power train is held together with a KMC chain. The freewheel is a Shimano HG30 11-32 tooth. It's an eight speed cassette. Up front there are three choices for a total of 24 speeds. The handlebar is flat, offering great control in difficult off road situations. Mongoose dual density grips help with control as well. The Sabrosa 3X8 comes with a stainless steel thermos bottle mounted to the frame.

Surprisingly, all of this comes with a very low price tag. One can order the Sabrosa 3X8 for only $649.99. It's a great bike for both the casual rider and also for the off road cycling enthusiast. See the mongoose web site for pictures and added details.