The Mongoose Beast offer s a strange kind of dichotomy. In terms of sheer mass, there’s a lot to it. In terms of mechanics, there isn’t much to it at all.
Selling for around $199, the Mongoose Beast is aptly named. At 68″ long, 23″ wide and 41″ high, the Beast’s 26″, rigid steel frame holds two super sized beach cruiser 4-1/4″ knobby tires wrapped around 4″ alloy wheels. Those beefy tires seem worthy of a motorcycle, and they overcome any terrain. From dirt to pavement to sand, the Beast chews it all up with ease and relative comfort for the rider.
The styling of the bike is straightforward enough as a cruise, but those fat wheels always draw attention. The Beast will turn heads on any corner with the reliability of a passing super car. The sound of the thick tire treads grinding along the pavement will also garner its share of attention.
As built up as the physical appearance of the Beast feels, its actual engineering seems equally simple. It’s a single speed bike (no gearing) with rear coaster kick brakes. If you remember that first bike you rode as a kid, recall how you stopped it by pedaling backward suddenly. That’s how you stop the momentum of the Beast. The simple padded seat and three-piece crank beach cruiser pedals complete what is, in essence, a very simple machine.
The ride takes extra effort. Any single gear bike requires consistent strength from the rider, and the extra mass of those tires blended with their thicker contact patch demand even more kick. That makes it a bike not suitable for weaker, slighter riders who might best use a geared street bike.
The good news is the Beast’s chunkiness makes it a good option for a larger man afraid that a spindly racing bike might fold up his arse.
The Mongoose Beast might not be a bike for every man, but – for the right man – it’s just the ticket for street travel.
