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). Skip Hess went on to develop the Electra brand, but he stepped down in 2014 when it was sold to Trek. From handmade pieces to vintage treasures ready to be loved again, Etsy is the global marketplace for unique and creative goods.
We value the uniqueness of every cyclist and aim to provide a diverse range of products to meet all needs, making each journey enjoyable and distinctly yours. Every interaction with us enhances your cycling experience and brings you closer to your next adventure. schwinn electric bike Nonetheless, the popularity of the ‘Mini Scoot’ meant that the company was able to strengthen and consolidate its vision, the Mongoose brand continues. Another character falling under the ‘iconic’ umbrella is the infamous Harold ‘Magoo’ McGruther.
Get special offers, exclusive product news, and event info straight to your inbox. If it’s BMX or multi-speed mountain bikes your kid wants, Mongoose kids bikes are the perfect introduction to cycling. Whether you ride with friends or on your own, this bike is designed for pure enjoyment. Axios Pro is a bike inspired by the BMX racing scene, and it is perfect for riding in bike parks, pump tracks, or for your first tests on BMX tracks.
Hitting the market in 1986, the rumour around the scooter is that a Mongoose employee overproduced ‘Moose Goose’ head tubes and thereby sparked the idea for a scooter which takes advantage of a higher headtube. For core BMX heads, the incorporation of a scooter under the Mongoose umbrella was tough to swallow, it being a much more accessible and cheaper product which wasn’t consistent with the essence of BMX, the spirit of the sport. Interestingly, attitudes towards scooters are similarly harboured to this day, with scooters (albeit in a different form) continuing to polarise people and continuing to be the easy option, the low hanging fruit. For the Mongoose brand and its long history, the role of BMX bandits further improved the iconic status with the chrome ‘Supergoose’ model (with blue wheels and accessories) being ridden by one of the central characters ‘Goose’.
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. Mongoose is a bike company which started in 1975 in the Simi Valley garage of a young Skip Hess. 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.