 I am giving serious (as apposed to dreaming) thoughts towards changing my steed.
There are two bikes calling my name at the moment.
A Mongoose Teocali Super and a Marin Wolf Ridge. The spec of the mongoose is better in my eyes but they are a bit of an unkown quantity to me. Does anyone have or ridden one have anything to say about either of these bikes ?
Or have something similar to recomend ?
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 all reviews seem to love mongooses
well, that's all i know :-)
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Yeah the magazines right them up good(not sure I always trust them though), but it would be nice to hear from someone who has one.
The suspension system is far removed from my FSR and it would be nice to know if there is a big differnce. I can't get a proper demo of one and riding around the car park does not realy tell how it would be on the trail.
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 I've never owned a (6") TARA Marin, though I've ridden one a fair bit (also had a demo Whyte 46 for a weekend).
I've got a Whyte JW4 (same rear end as a 4" 4link Marin) and a Mongoose Teocali. So how would I compare them?
I'm hugely impressed with the the 'goose. It's a heavier bike than the TARA Marin but it climbs a few pounds lighter than it actually is. The traction is so good. Coming down hill it's stunning (esp. now I've put a Pike on it). Flicking it round singletrack, the Marin wins.
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I have had a Marin FS, the Rift Zone, which was a good bike, but I kept getting creaking noises from it that I could never fully eliminate and eventually it got on my nerves too much so I got the Teocali Super. It's a great bike, and the 2006 model looks great too - if you like black! As others have said, a bit heavier than the Marin but so sorted, climbs well as traction is excellent, goes downhill really well. For me it's a great all-round bike. Only thing I'd change is the pedals, but that's possibly personal preference.
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 Be interesting to hear a long term report on the 'Goose, I was considering one for the mrs but as has been said a bit of an unknown.
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Well I have mine now. Ridden it 4 times now about 2 hours a go.
It's luurrvley.
I am still messing about with shock pressures and reboud settings and the seals on the shocks are not realy worn in yet. But it is still a very nice Trail Missile. I don't feel overbiked like I did on the Enduro and Reign and but its just that little more "All mountain" than the Wolf ridge.
Compared to my Stumpy the whole thing feels a lot more solid and plush. The Pikes on the front realy set it off. The spec on my super is ace higlights include, Sun SOS rims on ringle hubs and Juicy 7 brakes.
The magazines (well WMTB) talk about "elastic chain sensation" I have not noticed this, and it feels no different going up a long hill to my Stumpy. But one thing I have noticed is this is a bike that likes to been in the correct sagged position. The shock on the super has an adjustable floodgate and if you put a lot on and lock the shock the back of the bikefeels "high". This is great for climbing but not single track/downhill.
To me its an ideal compromise between the Marin and the overkill Enduro (Ducks behind sofa)
As for long term reviews, I believe MBR had an 2005 elite as a long term test bike and they made the Super Trail bike of the year last year.
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Hmm, interesting, they look better in the flesh too, didn't fancy one from the magazine pics.
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 I like the look of the '06 Super in black, sadly my '05 comp in white looks a touch cheap IMO. Still rides very well tho, so i'm not complaining.
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| Edited: 09/06/06 10:40 |
 the red higlights do look a bit early nineties don't they...
Nice looking burly bike though!
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 i'd buy the goose as well i'm an ex marin owner
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