Mongoose Dolomite Review: Is it Worth it?
KEY
POINTS
- The regular MSRP of Mongoose Dolomite is $399, but right now, it’s sold for between $500 and $900.
- Mongoose Dolomite is one of the most affordable fat bikes on the market.
- If you’re looking for a lightweight bike, look somewhere else.
- Read the entire Mongoose Dolomite review to get a glimpse of it’s like.
Let’s start with the upfront conclusion here. Mongoose Dolomite is an excellent fat bike for beginners and first-time fat bike buyers. It’s the best entry-level fat bike you can find on the market.
You get a ton of value for what you pay – a tremendous rigid steel frame, supersized all-terrain knobby tires, and a decent rear derailleur with seven speeds. The bike is so good for its price that it’s featured in our article about the best bikes for heavy riders.
Keep in mind that the bike is on the heavy side with its 52 pounds, but on the other hand, this beefy bicycle can handle riders up to 350 lbs and 6′ tall.
Read more: Best Mountain Bikes for Beginners
Components and Build
Mongoose makes some of the cheapest models in each bike category and is often considered a good bike brand that invests in decent components. Mongoose Dolomite is not different in this case. Let’s dig into more details for each component.
The Frame
The frame of Dolomite is a simple mountain bike frame made of steel. It’s a strong and sturdy frame that works for year-round riding: no bells and whistles, just simplicity. The most important aspect of the frame is that the geometry is comfortable for most people. Remember that the frame is part of a bike’s essential bones – a part you can’t upgrade.
The Tires
Mongoose Dolomite has beefy supersized 4-inch wide tires installed on good 26-inch alloy wheels. Even Mongoose can’t tell me the brand or the tires’ model, but I’m okay with that because they’re good enough to start with. The tires can handle mud, sand, and even snow.
You can upgrade those tires later and buy Maxxis Minion FBR, 45NRTH VANHELGA 26″, or Kenda Juggernaut. I have to mention that the wheels and the tires are pretty heavy compared to any other set.
The Brakes
As you probably already know, almost all fat bikes come with mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes at this point. Mongoose Dolomite is fitted with decent mechanical disc brakes that provide crisp all-condition stopping out on the trail. I would always prefer a pair of hydraulic brakes, but you can’t expect more for this price.
Speeds and Gear Shifting
Mongoose Dolomite is fitted with a Shimano rear derailleur with seven speeds that provide smooth and easy gear changes. The seven speeds are enough for simple hill-climbing or high-speed trail downhill. Don’t expect a wide range of gears for huge hills, though. The bike comes with a simple Shimano Revo twist shifter that works well. I would always prefer a thumb shifter for a fat bike, but the central theme here is the budget.
Saddle and Pedals
The main theme of using entry-level components to drag the price down continues with the saddle and the pedals. The saddle is wide and cushioned enough for most people. I have never received a single complaint about the comfort of this saddle. The pedals are beach cruiser-style, which means comfort, stability, and simplicity—nothing special about them.
Price and Value
A few years ago, this bike was listed at around $200. With time, the price increased to $300, then $400, and the current price got way higher after the pandemic.
The regular MSRP of Mongoose Dolomite is $399, but keep in mind that retailers pump up the price to make more profit. Especially on Amazon, individual sellers list this bike anywhere from $500 to $900. A good value for the Dolomite would be anything up to $700. More than that would be a robbery. In comparison, most entry-level fat bikes start at around $1000.
Read more: Best Fat Bikes Under $1000
Where to Buy Mongoose Dolomite
Most people buy the bike on Amazon. It’s a trendy bike on the platform, with more than 1680 reviews and an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 ( at the time of writing ). Sometimes the bike is available on the Mongoose Store inside Amazon, but most often, individual sellers offer it on their pages inside the platform.
Mongoose Dolomite is available and in stock at Target and Walmart. You can also find it in many local bike shops across the country. But my recommendation is to buy it on Amazon from the Mongoose store. This way, you will get the fastest response if you need to contact the seller.
How to Assemble Mongoose Dolomite
Mongoose Dolomite is straightforward to assemble if you follow simple instructions. Typically, the rear wheel is already on, and you will need to install the front wheel. After that, you need to align the disc brakes and handlebars. The last step would be to install the pedals and the saddle. Fine-tune and tight everything in place, and you’re ready to go.
Ensure you have the right tools – Allen keys, Philips head screwdriver, cable cutter, and wrench. Keep in mind that the box is weighty. Once you receive the package, you’ll need some friends’ help.
Read more: 8 Best Mountain Bike Tailgate Pads
Mongoose Dolomite vs Malus vs Juneau
What’s the difference between Mongoose Dolomite, Mongoose Malus, and Mongoose Juneau? I have been asked this question so many times. Here you have a small comparison table with all the differences between the three Mongoose bicycles.
| Mongoose Dolomite | Mongoose Malus | Mongoose Juneau |
 |  |  |
| Steel Frame | Aluminum Frame | Aluminum Frame |
| 4-inch wide tires | 4-inch wide tires | 3-inch wide tires |
| 7-Speed | 7-Speed | 16-Speed |
| Twist Shifters | Twist Shifters | Trigger Shifters |
| 52 lbs | 45 lbs | 43 lbs |
| $ | $$ | $$$ |
Pros and Cons of Mongoose Dolomite
+ Good frame geometry
+ Decent 4-inch tires
+ 350 lbs weight limit
+ Affordable price
+ Easily upgradable
– Heavy bike
– Twist shifters
– Mechanical disc brakes
– Cheap brake levers
Conclusion
Mongoose Dolomite is a perfect entry-level fat bike for casual trail riding or for anyone wanting to try a fat bike. You can ride it in mud, sand, or snow without problems. The bike is comfortable, easy to ride, and most importantly, all essential components are of good quality, which is very upgradable. You can make it the ultimate all-terrain fat bike for just a few hundred bucks.
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