1980s Legends Return: The Mongoose California Special And Supergoose BMX Bikes Are Back

This article will highlight some of the key moments in the history of Mongoose BMX, touching on some of the ground-breaking products, the key characters, controversial moments and finally, the status of the brand and its presence in modern day BMX. LUXBMX offers free shipping on all orders over $199 (excluding bikes) Australia-wide with a flat rate express upgrade of $7.99. It’s the same size as the L40 at 20.5-inches but the handlebars are bigger (1” wider and 0.75” taller). It also has an integrated head tube which means a stronger frame. The rims are also wider, which not only makes them stronger but also less prone to pinch flats on hard landings.

Whether you’re a heritage BMXer or a young ripper on a rideout, you’ll be right at home on Hooligan® big wheel BMX bike. Available with either steel or aluminum frames, the Hooligan features 29″ wheels and modern geometry for the perfect fusion of stoke and comfort. After a profoundly successful, yet abrupt time at Mongoose, it was Magoo’s sense of humour which spelled his demise. Funnily enough, after making the decision to use a black transvestite on the cover of the 1990 Mongoose BMX catalogue, the executive took a different view and forced Magoo out of the company. Shifting back to Skip, with his mechanical engineering knowledge and in working as an automotive rim designer at the time, the design and production of the first BMX specific wheelset (i.e. ‘MotoMag One’), the aforementioned problem had met its solution.

Surely enough, purposefully crafted design was met with demand as the ‘MotoMag One’ was soon accepted by the BMX community as a superior product thanks to the trellis shape, ribbed spokes and light-weight alloy. Durability and robustness were now on offer and that meant only one thing, that the burning desire of BMX to advance was now well supported, a platform for progression had arrived. Your young BMX rider can shred it at the bike park with the Mongoose Boys’ Grid XS 20 in.

Born out of a garage in SoCal back in 1974, Mongoose is synonymous with BMX. Mongoose designs BMX Freestyle and BMX Race bikes for riders of all ages and ability levels, and our bikes are trusted by some of the world’s best riders. The Mongoose California Special is is modern tribute to the original model from 1983 with a replica 83-frame design, the same classic handlebar layout, Dia-Compe brakes and levers, and alloy Pro Class wheels wrapped in snake belly tires. Our store offers the best support and our brands have the best warranties in the business.

This men’s & women’s BMX bike has a Mongoose full 4130 Chromoly frame, removeable brake mounts, and mid BB shell. The Mongoose Legion L60 Bike is a good entry level BMX bike for someone on the slightly taller side. For over 45 years, Mongoose has been in the dirt, at the park, and on the street. Ranging from your first true BMX bike in the L18 to the full 4130 chromoly pro-performance L500, the Legion series was designed to withstand the punishment that takes place as you progress your BMX skills.

Modeled after the iconic 1984 Supergoose, this BMX bike is sure to turn heads around the neighborhood or at the track. Just like it’s predecessor, it features a durable 4130 Chromoly Supergoose loop-tail mongoose bmx bike frame with retro-style top tube pad for ultimate radness. The single speed drivetrain is simple to use and maintain, while the DiaCompe MX brake kit delivers super-fast, reliable stopping power.

mongoose bmx bike

Its top-tube length is 20-inches long which makes it perfect for riders above approximately 155cm. Also, all Mongoose Legion BMXs will have the wheel size (20-inch diameter) unless it’s the Legion L16 or Legion L18 (which have 16-inch and 18-inch diameter wheels, respectively). We have spent decades gathering information from many, many sources, including our friends at bmxproducts.com, bmxproducts.com.au, vintagebmx.com, bmxsociety.com and bmxmuseum.com. We don’t claim to have all first hand knowledge, we just wanted to condense all the information out there into one place for all of us to enjoy. In fact, most of the product descriptions are taken from BMX Products Inc. catalogs and are available to download in the catalog section on this site. So if you see something that just doesn’t seem right please email us, and we’ll do our best to clarify the inaccuracy.

Brunswick sold Mongoose to Pacific Cycle in 2000 and Pacific Cycle was bought by Montreal-based Dorel Industries in 2004. As of 2018, Mongoose models are available through Pacific Cycle in Madison, Wisconsin.[2]On 11 October 2021 Pon Holdings, headquartered mongoose mountain bike in Amsterdam, the Netherlands announced that they acquired US-based bike company Dorel Sports. By combining Pon.Bike and Dorel Sports, a leading bicycle company in the world will be created, with a combined revenue of around 2.5 billion euro.

Based on the original 1983 design, the new California Special is great for turning heads around the neighborhood or at the track. It features a Hi-ten steel Mongoose frame built on original geometry of a legend for superior performance and durability. The single speed drivetrain is easy to use and maintain, while the DiaCompe MX brake kit delivers super-fast, reliable stopping power. Plus, the unique Mongoose Pro Class drilled aluminum rims offer performance that won’t weigh you down.

As part of this interview it is noted that the date of the very first BMX race was November 1970. Get special offers, exclusive product news, and event info straight to your inbox. Turning back to the Mongoose story, the 1970s had treated the company well and momentum was only further embellished with the successful release of ‘E.T. At this point, Mongoose is still one of the leading companies in progressing BMX and have been designing and manufacturing products for close to a decade. For the most part, Mongoose was renowned for pushing the boundaries of BMX technology in a popular and authentic direction, however primarily in the BMX race scene. Leading up to and including 1985, it is important to understand that BMX freestyle was absolutely booming and Mongoose fell somewhat short of capitalising on this phenomenon, with brands like Haro and GT being frontrunners in this market.