Subsidiary | |
Industry | Bicycles |
Founded | September 1974 Simi Valley, California, U.S. |
Headquarters | Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. |
Products | Bicycle and Related Components |
Parent | Dorel Industries |
Website | www.mongoose.com |
Mongoose is a brand name of bicycles originally designed, manufactured, and sold by BMX Products, Inc. Mongoose merged in 2001 with Pacific Cycle, a subsidiary of Canadian conglomerate Dorel Industries. It produces several models of BMX, mountain bikes, and street bicycles, making ample use of light weight alloys and magnesium. The company is based in Madison, Wisconsin.
Skip Hess started BMX Products, Inc. out of his home in Simi Valley, California in September 1974 with his first product being the famous Motomag One wheel. 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.
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 produced in-house. It was headed by Vice President of Manufacturing Hoppy Brooks, in his attempt to market motorcycle frames.
Since being sold to Pacific Cycle in 2001, the company has expanded to developing a wide range of bikes and performance parts, as well as skateboards, and electric scooters. It is heavily involved in professional bicycle events, and sponsors many riders (such as Eric Rupe) in various competitions, including the X Games and the Dew Action Sports Tour.
Mongoose sells essentially two lines of bicycles. One is a line of discount bikes offered through mass-merchandisers like Walmart, Toys "R" Us and Target. The other featured on their website, are higher-end models sold through specialty bicycle shops.