Over the years, Schwinn has empowered millions of people, earning a special place in the hearts and minds of generations of riders. We have spent over a century building the bicycle industry into what it is today, and we’re not done yet. As the parent company of such legendary brands as Schwinn and Mongoose, Pacific Cycle delivers some of the biggest names in bikes. But it’s not just the names customers trust, it’s the look and feel of our products, our excellent value, and our outstanding customer service.
Contrary to what we say above, some bike life riders say that 29-inch wheels are a great intro to the culture. Those bigger wheels can be intimidating, but they aren’t completely uncontrollable. The Big Ripper is an icon from SE, lending a stable ride for those who want to pop big wheelies and cruise down the block. Sunday’s Primer can take you all the way to serious skatepark riding; riders between five to six feet tall will likely find exactly what they need with this bike. It features an Odyssey Springfield brake system, Path Pro tires, and a super durable hi ten steel frame for eating those inevitable spills. The bike is also backed by Sunday’s lifetime warranty for protection against defects.
They are also much more expensive than the department-store Mongoose bicycles. Freestyle and/or recreational riders have a wider range of options. Manufacturers like Sunday offer skatepark-specific bikes with wheels from 12 to 22 inches and a diversity of frame sizes.
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. There is no common agreement as to sizing; “Pro XL” from one company might be “Pro” or “Pro XXL” at another. For all the dirt-jumping folks looking to recapture their BMX days, BMX racers, park dwellers, Bike Lifers and freestyle urban riders—this list is for you.
Users say this bike is an easy upgrade and only needs a few minor tweaks, though some had issues with its freecoaster sticking and say it needs more grease for better fakes. The “bike life” movement, primarily led and nourished by SE Racing and a group of increasingly well-known riders from mongoose dirt bike Harlem, Philly, and elsewhere, has caught the attention of all the major BMX players, including long-time industry heavyweight GT. The 29-inch Street Performer is a big-wheeled beauty with a retro front triangle frame, double wall rims, and fully sealed bearings. These specs are just a little better than the run-of-the-bike-life mill.
Mongoose bicycles have at times been criticized for poor reliability and construction, however, many of these issues can be attributed to how and where the bicycles are used by their owners. Most 20-inch BMX frames have the bottom bracket higher than the axles, for purposes of ground clearance. This leads to the feeling of sitting or standing “on the bike” rather than “in the bike.” Novice riders will likely find this feeling to be remarkably uncomfortable. When in doubt, gravitate toward one of the 26-inch offerings or even a 29. BMX is arguably the most diverse and inclusive form of cycling, encompassing coastal cultures, urban stunt riding, and hard-nosed rural competition in a single, loosely drawn concept. Freestyle bikes are designed for the skatepark, the streets or the trails.
One of our most frequently asked questions in freestyle is, which rear hub do I want, a freecoaster or a cassette? Most experienced riders know their preference, but if you’re new to the sport it can be difficult to know which choice to make. Mongoose started in a garage in 1974 with the Motomag wheel – an innovation that brought BMX to a global audience. Almost 50 years later, we’re still the legit brand dedicated to fueling the wild side of riders everywhere to push their limits on two wheels, have a blast and get dirty doing it.
The latest line of BMX race bikes, the Title series, has been designed using that same race pedigree. Our mid-range race bikes are the perfect for riders who are beginning their path to competitive racing. Priced between £400 and £800 these are not quite the high-end steeds you see at national level races, but they all feature lightweight aluminium frames and are designed specifically with the racetrack in mind. A far-superior Mongoose line can be found on the official Mongoose website. These bicycles, which comprise specific models for BMX, mountain and urban biking, are offered with better-made frames and higher-level components.
Race bikes feature 20-inch wheels on all models, but the components and frame are sized dependent on age and height. Youth race bikes start from a Micro size for very young riders and offer a range of sizes through to expert XL. Pro size and upwards are considered adult bikes and are usually offered mongoose dirt bike up to a Pro XXXL or larger for very tall riders. Mongoose was born from BMX racing with products that push the limits of what a rider can do on the track.