Mongoose BMX Bike

The Mongoose BMX Bike began in South California.  The Mongoose Cycling brand is one of the most progressive brands in the cycling industry and is climbing up the ladder to become one of the elite names in the cycling industry.

Originally known as BMX (Bicycle Motorcross) Products, Inc. Mongoose BMX Bicycle took off in 1974 in Simi Valley, California by motor sport enthusiast and entrepreneur Skip Hess. The cast magnesium Motomag wheel was the first product designed by Skip when he saw the need for a strong, light wheel for BMX racing. The forever-famous Mongoose bicycle was introduced in 1975 and set the high standard for the industry.

BMX products first created a cast aluminum wheel called the Motomag to take the punishment of a fledgling bicycle event called BMX. By 1976, BMX Products was producing not only wheels, but also bikes called Mongoose; a name Hess trademarked after a trip to Australia, where he became aware of the mongoose, a small animal quick and tough enough to kill cobras.

Throughout the 1980s Mongoose continued to grow and thrive. The company promoted its line with a strong BMX racing team, which quickly began to dominate all classes of the sport. Mongoose was the first company to support BMX racing and continues to support most categories within cycling. In 1980, Mongoose introduced the Expert model and in 1984, the company introduced its first mountain bikes.

By 1986, the sport of BMX had reached new heights, allowing Mongoose to sponsor the Tri-Star Pictures film, Rad, directed by Hal Needham, starring Bart Connor and Talia Shire featuring three time world champion, Mongoose rider, Travis Chipres. Mongoose BMX Bike received a great deal of exposure from this cult film within the bicycle industry.

In ‘87, the mountain bike craze had taken hold in the American sporting goods marketplace. Mongoose played a large role in developing the sport by creating and introducing the Tomac Signature model named for Mongoose rider John Tomac, one of the most dominating and successful mountain bike racers in the world.

The ’90s saw Mongoose grow and develop its BMX and mountain bike products. In 1992, Mongoose pioneered the full-suspension mountain bike frame market with the Amplifier, one of the most successful suspension models ever made.

As Mongoose grew, so did its reputation for sponsoring great riders. Incredible champions from the ’70s such as Jeff Kosmala, Bryan Cornell, Kenny Nachman, John George, Tinker Juarez inspired famous riders into the 80’s such as: John Tomac, Eric Rupe, Travis Chipres, and Shelby James. During the ’90s Tim “Fuzzy” Hall, Brian Lopes, Leigh Donovan, and Dennis “DMC” McCoy set the stage for the riders that were about to embark into the new millennium. Eric Carter (#1 Pro MTB ‘00) Simon Tabron (‘02 Gravity Games Champion) have all worn the Mongoose colors.

Today, after merging with Pacific Cycle in 2001, Mongoose Cycling continues to grow and prosper with more than 40 models of BMX, trail, freestyle, jumping, mountain and road bikes. The Mongoose line of products also includes skateboards, bags and packs and bicycle parts and accessories.

The Mongoose Pro line is a higher end product line that is sold through independent bike dealers. With quality frames and a higher standard of components and shocks, the Mongoose Pro line offers bikes for all different kinds of experienced riders looking for higher end product.

The basic Mongoose BMX Bike line is sold through department stores and sporting good outlets. With high quality frames and components, these bikes come equipped with starter-level components that are perfect for the beginning or occasional rider.