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.
Fittingly, this article starts with Skip Hess, the founder and brains behind Mongoose until his directorship ended in 1985 (to which it was sold to American Recreation Group). Born in 1937, on the back of his fathers untimely death, Skip and his mother moved to California where a love for all things mechanical and speed were fostered. Skip spent his days hanging out at a local body shop, immersing himself in the track community as well as racing track and road bicycles, not to mention picking up a mechanical engineering degree from San Diego State University.
The single speed drivetrain keeps riding simple, while the rear linear pull brake provides reliable stopping power. Plus, this race-ready mongoose bike ride comes with a USA BMX track sanctioned number plate. Leave the competition in the dust with the MXOne BMX race bike by Mongoose.
While Magoo’s tenure at Mongoose only lasted for 3 years (until 1991), this was a fruitful period in which the essence of the brand was strengthened and the future direction of the company crystallised. For example, one of the first moves Magoo made after taking up the role at Mongoose was to hire Dennis McCoy and Tim ‘Fuzzy’ Hall. Building on this positivity and rewarded for his management, Magoo is given more responsibility and ends up designing a number of products, including the ‘Hooligan’ (with Dennis McCoy) which is described by industry as the hottest bike of the year. His new recruits also blossomed into the most sought after bikers on the BMX circuit at the time, with ‘Fuzzy’ landing the very first cover of Ride BMX and Dennis McCoy dominating the Bicycle Stunt Series for 4 x years straight. The sky was the limit for BMX and no one had a better grasp on that than Mongoose. Entering the 1980s, BMX as a sport has now outgrown its infancy stage and is maturing into its own distinct entity with a decade of existence to its name.
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 mongoose mountain bike 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.
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.
A password reset EMAIL will be sent to the email address you provided within 30 minutes. Please do not request a new password until that 30 minutes has passed.Please note, the link in the email will expire 24 hours after it was sent. If you need further assistance contact our Customer Solutions Team . Distinctive designs and lots of innovations.Still making bikes today, they have seen it all thru the years. Push your limits and test your skills on our flagship BMX bike with the Legion L500.
Mongoose is a bike company which started in 1975 in the Simi Valley garage of a young Skip Hess. With southern California existing as the birthplace of BMX, the rise of Mongoose at this location at this time is a fortunate pairing, however with an almost 50 year history and no signs of slowing down, the benefit of chance is but a drop of oil to the Mongoose machine. The tale of Mongoose and its consistent momentum has resulted in a long-standing association with the roots of BMX, a brand which started a revolution – one which would change our relationship with bikes forever.
Born out of a garage in SoCal back in 1974, Mongoose has a BMX bike for riders of all ages and ability levels. Old school bmx decals for all your Mongoose and BMX Products bikes, including grips, pads, & seats. The Mongoose Hooligan AL 29″ Bike is a lightweight cruiser. The frame and rims are made from a durable lightweight aluminum while utilizing a steel… Just like the original it has a polycarbonate seat, and the classic padding kit consisting of a pad around the handlebar clamp, the handlebar top bar, and the upper frame member. As you may expect it comes with ample Mongoose branding, the MSRP is $549.99 USD.
The California Special is the more affordable option, retailing at $449.99 USD where the bikes are officially released on the 18th of October this year. We’re an independently owned bike shop serving Canterbury since 2000. Need a gift for your cyclist friend but not sure what to get them? It is perhaps overdue at this point to mention that the name Mongoose was the result of Skip, and interestingly, was taken from 5 x national drag racing champion Tom ‘The Mongoose’ McEwen. Pretty awesome to think that the very early roots of BMX have drag racing ties, as well as a more obvious association with motocross and skating (which was also taking off at the time, and also in southern California). The Legion L40 uses a 20.5-inch top tube, ideal for riders around 5’6”.