Mongoose Placid Men's Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

by Mongoose

Product Features

• Handcrafted alloy comfort frame
• Element alloy crown suspension fork
• 21 Speed SRAM 3.0 rear derailleur with SRAM 3.0 twist shifters
• Front and rear alloy linear pull brakes
• 36 Hole silver anodized alloy rims

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Ride in style and easy comfort with the 26-inch, 21-speed Mongoose Placid men's comfort bike, which features a lightweight, oversized aluminum alloy frame. You'll be protected from bumps and obstacles by the reliable front shock fork, which helps to smooth your ride as well as provide better control. As befitting its designation as a comfort bike, the Placid offers an anatomically padded two-tone sport saddle with added springs for increased comfort on long rides and a taller handlebar stem for an upright seating position.

Specifications:

• Frame: Handcrafted Oversized Alloy Frame
• Fork: Element Alloy Crown Suspension Fork
• Handlebar Stem: Mongoose Riser Bar and Adjusting Stem
• Shifters: 21-Speed Rear Index SRAM 3.0 Shifting
• Derailleurs: 7-Speed SRAM 3.0 Rear Derailleur
• Brakes: Front and Rear Alloy Linear Pull Brakes
• Levers: Alloy Brake Levers
• Crank: Oversized 3-Piece Suntour Alloy Crankset with Chainguard
• Freewheel: Shimano 7-Speed, 14-28T Index
• Rims: 36-Spoke Silver Anodized Alloy Rims
• Hubs: CP 36 Hole Hubs
• Tires: 26 x 1.95 inches Center Line Comfort Tires

Assembly of the Bike:
This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.

Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide
Finding the Right Bike
To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike:

The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:

• Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
• Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
• Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.

The Right Price
A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.

• Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
• Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
• High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.

The Right Size
Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:

• Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
• Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
• Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.

The Right Accessories
When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons:

• Helmet (this is a must!)
• Seat pack
• Lock
• Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
• Spare tubes
• Portable bike pump
• Gloves

Product Description

Perfect for rides through town or your day out at the campground, the Mongoose Placid gets you there comfortably and in style. With its adjustable handlebar stem and cushy suspension saddle, the lightweight Placid is a great fit for anyone looking for a more upright riding position and leisurely ride wherever you need to go. Use the SRAM 3.0 Grip Shifters to easily move into any of the Placid's 21-speeds, and come to quick and easy stop using the alloy brake lever and linear pull brakes. Easy to ride and easy to use, the Placid is ideal for a comfortable ride to your next destination.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 45.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. A separate shipping charge will also apply.
• ASIN: B0007ZF5KI
• Item model number: R5004Z
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,385 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #43 in Sports & Outdoors > Bikes & Accessories > Bikes > Comfort Bikes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Average Comfort/Hybrid Bike, May 20, 2006

By 

BobP (WV) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mongoose Placid Men's Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels) (Sports)

This is your typical sporting goods/department store comfort/hybrid bicycle. It has a near bottom of the line Shimano RD-TZ30 rear derailleur, a front Falcon derailleur / Suntour crank combo, SRAM MX twist shifters, linear pull V-style brakes, an adjustable seat shock, front shock, and an aluminum frame. The seat tube length is 18", the top tube length is 21", and the stand over height is ~28 - 30" (top tube slopes down to the seat tube). From the seat tube and stand over height, this bike is sized for someone with a 30' - 32" inseam.
The bike comes partially assembled. You have to put the handlebars, front wheel, seat, and pedals on. You will need metric size Allen wrenches. The gears were adequately factory set, but the brakes needed to be adjusted.
I purchased it for occasional street recreational riding. For this purpose, this bike is average. If you want something with better components (more expensive) then look at the GT Nomad / Timberline, Schwinn Sierra / Voyageur, or the Giant Sedona.
Pros: Better price than I found at a local sporting goods chain store and free shipping. Amazon shipped it double boxed. Light aluminum frame. Comfortable seat with adjustable shock tension. Linear pull V-style brakes. Adequate for recreational street biking, which is what about 90% of us do.
Cons: Components, but you get what you pay for. Front and rear wheels are not quick disconnect. One size, if your tall or short this bike will probably be a bad fit for you.

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All around good bike, September 20, 2005

By 

J. DeWitt (NC, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mongoose Placid Men's Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels) (Sports)

My husband and I each ordered one of these and are happy.

ASSEMBLY There is some putting together that you have to do, but it's fairly simple. Sorry, no more details there--I left that to the honey.

HEIGHT Even at its lowest seat setting, it seems a bit tall for me (I'm about 5'2 or 5'3), but that's not the bike's fault I guess.

GEARS It has lots of gears, which is helpful for going up and down hills. We both find that the gear changes are jerky and delayed.

SEAT The seat is not bad as far as bike seats go. My husband got a wider, cushier one at Target for $20 to replace the one it came with. I think I'll stick to the one already on it.

GRIPS The handle grips are comfortable and also provide some grip, so your hands don't slide around if they sweat.

HANDLEBAR The handlebar shape is great--you can sit up straight and ride it, which is why I got it (I have a bad back).

TREAD Tires have nice tread for a non-mountain bike.

ACCIDENT Incidentally, I took mine out for a spin a week ago without my husband (who keeps me going at a slower pace). As the speed demon I am, I was rolling downhill awfully fast when I saw that the sharp curve ahead would not be navigable at my speed, so I braked quickly. The breaks work--er, well. Perhaps too well--I skidded and fell, and am still bandaging my wounds (one of which is equivalent to a 2nd degree burn--ow!). But I am convinced this was "user error," perhaps exacerbated by the fact the seat is a little too high for me. And while I have cuts and bruises in multiple places, the bike suffered only three very small scuffs. So it's surely durable.

OVERALL IMPRESSION A great value, especially with Amazon's free shipping.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars One size fits all??, July 17, 2006

By 

I. Marshall (CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mongoose Placid Men's Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels) (Sports)

I was happy to get what I thought would be a perfect bike, at a great price, and when it arrived, I had only a few minor issues with the assembly. But then I realized it was way too small for me--my feet hit the front tire on turning. I measured the frame--17 inches. I would need a 19 inch frame
Nowhere in the product descrption is there an indication of frame size, or any warning that there was no choice; so beware, if you are six feet or more, this will be much too small, and it might be too big for shorter people.