The main difference between the two is the way the bike performs when going backwards. This will be lighter and stronger than an entry level model. 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. Its top-tube length is 20-inches long which makes it perfect for riders above approximately 155cm. Firstly, their expensive, SCHMICK bikes are retailed through specialty bicycle stores. These bikes are strong enough for smooth landings on race and pump tracks but will not take the abuse that a freestyle bike would in concrete skateparks. If you’re looking to set fast lap times or begin your competitive career on the track, a race bike is the right choice. For almost 40 years, Mongoose has been in the dirt, on the trails and off the ramps. Founded in 1974 in a Southern California garage, Mongoose has always been an aggressive brand with products that push the limits of what a rider can do. From the biggest hits on the mountain or in the park to the urban jungle, Mongoose is an authentic brand that produces durable products built for real riders. Classic Mongoose fans rejoice - the California Special BMX bike is back! If somebody is looking for an inexpensive bike to ride occasionally or wants a second bike on which to do stunts, they are probably suitable for that person. Mongoose has developed a solid reputation for quality bikes at an affordable cost in the cycling industry. The Legion L40 uses a 20.5-inch top tube, ideal for riders around 5’6”. According to Hess, at its largest stage of expansion, BMX Products, Inc. employed about 85 people. In its early years, Hess recalled that about 600 frames per day were produced at its Chatsworth, Los Angeles location. I honestly wish pacific cycle can continue to mass produce stranger things mongoose and hope customizing it can catch fire and it can bring young kids into the hobby.. And the ability to access thousands of different aftermarket parts to make any build 1 of a kind makes old school bmx the king of bike genre. Although this may seem like a brilliant feature, it does come at a price! Freecoaster hubs feature a “Slack” before engagement while pedalling forward. RECO (Racer Engineering Company) was a wholly owned manufacturing division created for insurance purposes to be separate from BMX Products, Inc, even though RECO was always in house. It was headed by Vice President of Manufacturing Hoppy Brooks in his attempt to market motorcycle frames but was according to Skip “totally unsuccessful”. Asking a 16yrs old to spend $2000 to buy a un-ride-able 80’s GT performer is not going to work.. The only other bike genre I believe that can rival old school is klunkers... We have established this site because we have become aware of the many other loyal Vintage Mongoose owners and former owners throughout the world who want information about their Vintage Mongoose bikes. It is a place where you can get technical information about parts, interviews, racers, company history and even a few restoration tips. We have a vast library of original brochures, dealer price sheets, and interviews, with the man behind the company, Skip Hess. The Mongoose Legion L40 Bike is ready for the beginner to intermediate level BMX rider. The Mongoose Supergoose is closely modeled on the original from the 80s, it has a high-strength 4130 chromoly steel loop-tail BMX frame, an MX brake kit, Pro Class handlebars, and lightweight Mongoose Pro Class drill rims. BMX was one of the fastest growing sports in the country in the late 70s and early 80s, and Mongoose was one of the most recognizable names in the industry. They diversified into mountain bikes and scooters in the 90s, and they’re now bringing their two most famous BMX bikes back into production. 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. 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. If you are trying to figure out what the serial number means on your mid school Mongoose BMX, check out our easy-to-follow serial number guide. Based in Innerleithen, Scotland, Jessie-May can often be seen riding the Glentress Trail Center, and its neighboring Enduro and Downhill Tracks. She regularly competes in Enduro at a national level, and has recently competed on the World Stage at a handful of Enduro World Series events. The two 29ers are identical in their geometry with a 70° head tube angle, 71° seat tube angle and BB drop of 65mm.