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Mongoose Crossway 450 Hybrid 700c Commuter bike for Rider 5'1" - 5'4" - $70 (walnut creek)
Walden Rd. near civic dr
bicycle type:
hybrid/comfort
frame size:
14" small
wheel size:
700C
bicycle frame material:
aluminum
suspension:
none (rigid)
brake type:
v-brakes
electric assist:
none
condition:
excellent
make / manufacturer:
Mongoose Crossway 450
model name / number:
Crossway 450
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This Crossway was built (I believe) in 1998, a couple of years before the brand was bought out by Pacific Cycle and before Mongoose bikes started showing up in big box and discount stores...in place of Local Bicycle Shops.
I consider the Crossway as one of the last "very good" bicycles that Mongoose manufactured. The Crossway in 1998 was kind of a sleeper contender for bicyclists that needed a simple, yet elegant and reliable steed for commuting to work, school, or around town and the city. It has 700c wheels, meaning that it absorbs bumps and potholes well (don't aim for them, though) and is quite fast. It has an aluminum frame, making it lighter than earlier steel versions of the Crossway.
This Crossway weighs in at about 26 lbs, which was light for its time and even for today.
This Crossway has a Small frame that should be good for a rider who is between 5'1" and 5'4". Perfect for middle or high school students and shorter adults.
This Crossway has a 3 X 7 speed drivetrain, making it easy to scale steep hills and to zoom by on flats. The semi-slick 700 X 35c tires make for a brisk, yet comfortable and secure ride.
A huge positive is that the Crossway did not succumb to the front (crappy) suspension craze that plagued bikes from this era. The suspension forks from all but the very best manufacturers simply were terrible, spongy dead weights that now (25+ years later) need to be replaced...by rigid forks like the one this model has!
Lastly, this bike is designed for a more upright riding stance, making for greater comfort and safety.
With proper maintenance, you can keep this bike working well for decades to come.
The Long and the short: for a third of the price you would pay for a bicycle at Walmart or Target, you can get a better made, more durable and serviceable bicycle that will last you far longer while also providing better performance.
This is a bike that you can use for many years, then sell later at the same or higher price once you or your child has grown out of it.