Customer Reviews

Mongoose Strike Boy's BMX Bike (20-Inch Wheels, Green)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We were hesitant to order this bike based on feedback, but no stores had it in stock and my daughter really wanted THIS bike. I am pleased to report that we had all the parts and were able to assemble it. We did have to take one wheel to the local bike shop to loosen a nut for installation because it required a specific bike tool. We also had help from someone who is an expert biker, and we would have spent much more than the 1 1/2 hrs if we didn't have this help.

Amazon ships this in the original box which is NOT designed for shipping and when FedEx delivered it, I was very concerned. The box had rips and damage all over and had duct tape holding it on.

I can't believe that they don't repack this item after all the reviews.

Even with teh condition of the box, we didn't have any damage. I am surprised. I've ordered a lot of stuff from Amazon and I've never seen something arrive like this. I hope that they will figure out a better way to send it.

My son spent his own money on this bike, he is 8, even paid the extra $'s to get it overnighted. Below is my "experience" out of the box.

PACKAGING (External) - ceived the box today, and YEP, SHIPPING/Packaging issues. The rear axel was poking out the side of the box. All box staples were ripped out, but really bad tape had replaced them, box in bad shape, etc. The WORST was that on every surface of the box in big letters it says DO NOT LAY FLAT... well our FEDEX guy clearly cannot read, cause it was laying outside our garage door FLAT. Immediately went online to amazon and reported packaging issues on the Orders page, hope to hear SOMETHING from Amazon on this...

Packaging (Internal) - Some heavy paper/light cardboard partially wrapped and taped around. Zip tie holding front wheel to the frame. Bad part is that some of the "misc"/shipping parts (like a green platic "cover" that goes over the axel nuts to protect them during shipping) were not in place but laying in the bottom of the box. Handlebar not secured to anything, and the cables were not appropriately secured, so when I took the frame out, the handlebar was stuck in the box and kinked/pulled one of the cables OFF (and this was just gently lifting the frame out, not tugging involved). Maybe the cable was already off. I was able to fix it, but still...

Instructions - No "how to unpackage"/Start Here/Read this first packaging at all. Owners manual is generic for ALL MONGOOSE BICYCLES and is nearly impossible to use/read. Tried to go to the Pacific Cycle website for specific/more detailed instructions. It led me to mongoose.com, which doesn't even show this bike as this year or last years model :(

Building - Luckily I had built enough bikes over the years that I knew what to do. Our bike DID NOT have a quick release seat clamp indicated in the description (but is not shown in the picture either). One of the handlebar clamp bolts was threaded in bad, but I was able to run a quality steel bolt through the threading in the stem to fix that. Handles bars went on fine. The brakes need a TON of adjustment. Mostly the brakes need tightened the frame as they were both very loose. The rear hub/freewheel is VERY NOISY, there is something wrong internally. Also, freewheel is rough pedaling backwards (i.e. is not very free) I am going to call the support number after we compile a complete "list of issues" and discuss this with them. Also, in checking spokes, which I doubt most people do, I found 10 spokes that were not only not tightened to spec, but where actually so loose the spokes wobbled in the hub holes :( THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I snugged them up so the bike is atleast rideable.

Summary - This is a "get what you pay for" bike, and honestly is a decent value for $100, if it where shipped properly and did not have the quality issues i had with the cables/brakes/stem/freewheel.

Hope this helps anyone trying to make a decision on this bike.

I read the other reviews before buying, so I was aware of the packaging complaints. But, like others who wrote, my son really wanted THIS bike, and I needed to have it quickly for his birthday in January. I've had good experience with Amazon before, and so I took the risk. I mean, what were the chances of it happening to me too?

Quite high as it turns out. The bike arrive on time in a box that was virtually destroyed. Both sides had been punched through and repaired with yards of clear packing tape somewhere along the way. Some small parts inside the box may have been lost. We haven't tried to assemble the bike yet, so I don't know if we have everything we need. The frame and wheels look undamaged so we may be OK.

The large panels on the box need to be reinforced or padded so that the frame of the bike doesn't punch through during loading, transport and storage. I have never in my life had any item arrive with packing in that condition. It was almost comical - except that it was a $100+ dollar item that is difficult to return.

So buyer beware. Until the packaging problem is addressed, you're really rolling the dice on what condition the bike will be in upon arrival.

Bike arrived in a busted up box, missing pieces and damaged. Amazon offered several less than ideal replacement options.
Who knows if the bike is any good. But I have noticed several other customers mentioning that the bikes arrived broken or bent, I just wanted to let you know that trying to get a replacement isnt easy and from the looks of things its going to takes us weeks to get a new bike. Hope its not snowin'.

Bought this bike for my 7 year old son along with a similar one (Mongoose Chill) for my 10 year old daughter. Both bikes arrived damaged -- one had missing and bent parts, another had broken and bent parts. Problems were solved (both Amazon and Pacific Bicycle were helpful) but it was a long and frustrating experience. Allow 1 hour for assembly. The bikes are sturdy and well made, but a little bit crude. They are heavy and only have a single speed so they are not good for hills. But they look cool, and my kids love them! My 7 year old is a little bit small for the bike, my 10 year old is a little bit big on hers. Both my kids are average size, so I think the guideline of 7-11 years old is accurate.

luckily my husband bikes a lot, because this bike didn't come with any instructions AND was missing parts. he was able to take parts off of an old bike so all is well, but v. annoying. it was missing the seat post skewer and bolts, as well as both pedals. amazon was nice enough to give us a 20% refund. my daughter's bike also came without instructions...

This was delivered quickly but unfortunately it was damaged in shipping, Amazon replaced it within 2 days and the second one was in perfect condition. The bike is exactly as advertized and well built.

I got this for my 8 year old for Christmas. He loves it and can't wait to go out and ride every day. The bike is sturdy and perfect for his crazy stunts. :)

I decided to risk the packaging issues reported by other buyers. The box showed up with one corner torn and a few punctures on the sides but nothing appears to be missing.

I set out to assemble the bike and noticed that the front fork seems bent together and the wheel hub will not fit in the drop outs. With steel, I would hope I can bend it open enough to accept the wheel but I'm frustrated. There were also a few small defects in the paint that seemed to be factory issues.

I anticipate that the brakes could be dangerous. The tension spring is very loosely seated in the caliper. When I tested it, it popped out of the break. As a result, I expect the spring to detach while riding and make braking difficult. Since there's no coaster brake, this could be dangerous for a child, who's likely to be riding their first bike.

I hope to update this review if I can address the fork issue but I would encourage parents to stay away from this bike.

I read negative nancy write ups on the Mongoose BMX products being delivered damaged or missing parts, my son's bike showed up immaculate and was assembled in 22 minutes. Amazon is the bomb, thank you, yet again, :)