Amp B3 vs Mongoose Amifier - discuss

[ishaw]

I have both and as yet not competed or ridden either but am contemplating moving one of them on as they are similar frames, but to help me decide, what are the real differences/pros and cons for each?

The Amplifier has the dual down tube design and what seems to me slightly more rudimentary bolts/fastenings for the suspension pivots.

The B3 has a solid down tube, and I've a couple of risse shocks rather than the standard coil shock.

After a new powder coat and decals for the Amplifier, it's fitted with m900, cooks, onza ho brakes and control tech finishing kit, and the B3 is unbuilt but I was planning an m737/9 xt build.

Whatever I do, I can obviously swap parts as necessary but I want to keep the better bike, but how do I judge which one is?

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Got any photo's? Save me faffing around on Google...

 

[ishaw]

Got any photo's? Save me faffing around on Google...

Not got any pics of my own but here are some

Mongoose:

Mine looks more like the last pic, with the black quill forks.

Amp B3

I actually bought the last AMP B3 but sold it on before building it

 

[We_are_Stevo]

Hmmm, I'm afraid these come under the heading 'Gorgeous Bikes I just Wouldn't Want For Myself!'

Lovely to look at but just far too much trouble to own and maintain; too many linkages, too spindly, too fragile...

...sell them all and buy something equally desirable but eminently more practical

 

[tintin40]

BITD i like the Amp. Glued to a shop window in York looking at one. Like the double down tube.

 

[IRIX]

Mongoose Amplifier... but i may be biased...

 

[ishaw]

Mongoose Amplifier... but i may be biased...

I think I am too as aside from my rts builds this was my next retro project after finding this site. Sad to think it is still not quite finished after all this time

Kind of why I posted, as looking for some other opinions about these bikes.

 

[Benandemu]

The memories!!

Only the XTR remains of that build. It's waiting for the 93 Team Ti to be built up.

The Mongoose pictured is the same as a B2. They are identical.

the later Mongoose stuff was starting to replace the Aluminium forks for steel, and then they did a beefed up version that isn't at all like an Amp. My uncle has one, but I have no pictures. We've never seen another like it.

 

[RockiMtn]

Ian, both you have pictured are B2. I like the look of the B2/Amplifier over the B3, strictly from the look of the double down tube. I don't own a B3, but from what I have seen/read, you have better shock options and it was beefed up as some had issues of frame failures. *knock on wood* that never happens to mine.

Since you own both, why not build and ride them to compare yourself??? :?

 

[IRIX]

Currently in the process of respraying / full customizing mine.
Will take out the shocks, replace oils etc, will be doing the same with my B4 FLT fork and then it will be ridden hard.

Fluro yellow / polished alu / black Mongoose amplifier coming up..