I live in the UK and I could only get a Stranger Things version from Germany for around $600 and they are now going for $1000 second hand when they come up on eBay in the UK. The UK had its own BMX brand, the Raleigh Burner and a few years back they released the 35th Anniversary Edition which again would have been equivalent to around $600. Again these can now go for up to $1200 second hand if in good condition. Personally I wanted a Mongoose rather than a Burner and I love these repops as they look cool, fun to cruise around on and are so nostalgic. If I wanted a hardcore track/skatepark BMX I would look at something else, but this gives me exactly what I want plus I'm not paying $2000 - $3000 for an original, which is what a good condition old school one is going for in the UK. In short the $199 Stranger Things version was a steal. The $500 I've paid for a repop Mongoose is in line with other UK repops and they will go up in value over time.
I can understand the frustration on pricing, but I think in many ways it's such a narrow grievance that misses the big picture. Mongoose did right by fans by selling directly to customers and setting limits on purchases. The Stranger Things bikes may have been cheap, but if you missed out, you're SOL and now have to spend thousands to get one thanks to scalpers. Also, buying a vintage original is going to set you back even further because everyone thinks they're sitting on gold. $500 - $600 is a drop in the bucket for a new and quality bike today, and especially for a faithful reproduction. You may feel justified in skipping over these releases, but you're only punishing yourself.
I bought a red on black supergoose but also a red California special because I have a nice minty expert 83 frame that needs some parts. Pro class wheels are possible to find. Repro aero seats are $100 plug the other period correct parts like the grips, pad set, post clamp, dia compe brakes. Add a snow flake chain ring and it’s pretty much done!
Agree totally the price points are ridiculous for what your getting. They are just trying to cash in on us older dudes nostalgia thinking we all have deep pockets to relive our childhoods.
I got an 04 haro F4 that was one bike back in the day I wanted for going to school but I didn't have the cash, but now I picked one up at the beginning of October and I'm stripping down to restore it to what it should be. I'm in the process of finding some wheels which are hard to find. I'm putting Alex Supra e 48 spoke wheels with sealed odyssey hazard hubs. I'm putting a redline flight crankset with 36 tooth haro steel sprocket. I'll be running no brakes as I have always done and put a set of s&m elevenz bars and the stock fork and putting a odyssey elementary v3 stem if I can find one in good condition.
I see your point of view & its completely justifiable. I was 13 in '84 & couldn't afford my dream bike a chrome GT, Redline, Diamondback or Mongoose, what did I know of different steels/specs? All I knew is those bikes were shiny but out of reach pricey. Now I can afford one of these bikes but it seems the companies are saying "you want to own a piece of your youthful memory? Well we'll charge you accordingly"
I wanted to get back into BMX super bad lately and really go for it, and then I came across a mostly original 1996 Mongoose Rogue in a literal scrap pile a couple weeks ago. No idea what it was until I researched the model number on the only sticker left on it, and was really blown away that such a nice bike was a Mongoose. Cleaned and packed all the bearings and races and I've been riding it since, just needs tires, pedals, and grips now. I'll eventually clean off the rust and paint it. 👌 Since then I've been interested in their more expensive bikes. I had no idea Mongoose had the legacy they had, all I ever knew was that my Hoop D back in the day wasn't that great. Honestly no idea they made anything besides cheap Wal-Mart bikes. Edit - I mean like a 2004 Hoop D from Wal-Mart. Like the silver one with the flame stickers.
They started as a legit brand but like pretty much every old school brand that wasn't founded in the 90s they turned trash and sell out by the 90s. Odyssey is one of the few from before that and they barely survived and were irrelevant for a long time and original a race brand. Profile kinda same. S&M being like the only other and pretty sure they're still a 90s brand and not even early 90s at that. Plus Odyssey is over hyped in the modern scene.
I agree with the California is just overstock strange things frames but I pick up a supergoose my son I plan on racing it at the local track just like the rest of ours bikes hopefully it holds up
I used to ride with Dave and a bunch of others in G-Vegas, NC. I rode Mongoose and Diamond Back back in the day, I was more into racing then tricks. Dave was a great guy. I'm really digging the classics, kinda iffy too at first about the prices but knowing it cost more now to make and push these bikes, it would be great to see them cheaper but oh well.
Nah not really. Chromo frames at manufacturer cost can be like 50 to 100 bucks. Sometimes less. For full after market level chromo frames. Bikes should be like 250 300 at most. 400 or 500 cad is okay but for usd to cad you lose roughly 30 dollars for every hundred. So even at 500 it should only cost like 350 American. Alot of those parts are cheap catalog shit. I'd wager the cranks with bb is like 20 dollars at most.
With the recommended rider heights for these, I don't think there are any issues with strength. The intended rider is going to weigh in at less than 120lbs. It's definitely charging a premium for the classic looks and nostalgia. I'm pretty sure I'm getting one for me and one for my kid. Even though I am taller and fatter than the intended rider for these, I am also too old to do anything rad on it, so I think it'll work out. :D
Still hoping MONGOOSE,after the rerelease of the SUPERGOOSE & CALIFORNIA,will rerelease the PRO CLASS in 20 & 24 inch, in BLACK & POLISHED CHROME.The PRO CLASS was a superb bike,and I’d love the 24 inch in BLACK.I just wish companies like RALEIGH & MONGOOSE,would produce the bikes for a year,instead of releasing a set amount,that you have to be on a waiting list for,and then end up on eBay for treble or quadruple the price.SE have been releasing the QUADANGLE, the PK RIPPER, and the FLOVAL FLYER, in different sizes for a few years now.They come out in different colours as well,each year.The QUADANGLE came out in 24 inch, BLACK & GOLD colour combination, a few years ago,really nice,but sold out very quickly.SE got it right,whereas RALEIGH & MONGOOSE got it wrong,in my opinion,with that limited number nonsense.Will definitely snap up a 24 inch PRO CLASS if MONGOOSE get their act together.
My local Shop has the Red Cali and the Black SuperGoose instock, I'm in Australia so they are AUD$649 and AUD$799 I'd love to have the cash to get both... 😂
These new bikes there coming out with are not the bikes of old , back then they made them of 4130 Chrome Molly . A lot of people that I know are complaining of welds that can’t stand up the the pressure & stress of there old schools counterparts that could , plus the dimensions old vs new is a lot different . I’m thankful that I kept all of my old school bike from back in the day , I kept the up keep of them over the years . The oldest one I have dates back to 1987 & it looks just like it did the day I bought it . All my bikes are Haro,s dating from 1987 all the way up to 1992 . FXS , TEAM SPORT , TEAM MASTER , AIR MASTER & MASTER . I costumed out all of them with all the best parts of that time & I run all the same parts on all of them . They are all a different beast on there own different frame & fork but same parts , by far the 1989 Haro Team Master W/ bash guard is the best one heavy but a total beast just a well rounded bike , Balanced , smooth , solid , just a tank for any warfare on street , flatland , vert & dirt the best bike I have by far .
Alot of old bikes were hi tensile steel. I'm modern mid school by comparison but I came Into bmx around dudes who were sponsored in the 80s and 90s. Some were aluminium some were Reynolds. Alot of chromo frames had sub par tube sets like seemed tube sets. Can't remember which brand but I k on for a fact one 80s frame marketed as chromoly is actually Reynolds. And forget who but another brand switched their frames to hi tensile steel and sold them as chromo for a couple years before it was made obvious they weren't. 80s and 90s bikes were still breaking all the time. Or ridiculously heavy. And this is coming from someone who's seen old campy bmx frame sets made from the highest end available materials and tube sets by some of the best frame builders. Beyond that mongoose gt and all the other brands aside from those with no connection to bmx, that are part of that conglomerate all kinda suck at manufacturing bikes and have for a long time. So not surprised. But honestly. Let's look at some old frames. I can snap bare haros gts or Hoffmans. I can snap a pk ripper stupid easy. Even if we look at old unbreakable shit. Frames are like 7 pounds plus and still have bent drop outs. Yeah mongoose could do quality. But who honestly expects them too? It's a nostalgia company at best now or a Walmart brand. Even their mtb range they invested good money in and offered good value shows that nobody really wants to touch their stuff. The only old school brands to survive and be worth while are odyssey but that's debatable since alot of their products are over hyped. Profile who could be said to have stayed relatively stagnant but gone down in quality. Standard. And terrible 1. And alot of those brands are now super niche besides odyssey and profile. Orgy is out of business. No more cables so odyssey shit y cables are all that's left. Haro I'd wager is just an investment brand trying to get bike money. Same with premium. Not core bmx anymore. Hoffman lol. Gt. Lol. Oh and S&M but they may not even be same quality anymore. And don't think they have access to their better quality tubing anymore either. Pretty sure some of the tube sets needed for the Reynolds alloys were discontinued and they nownuse just chromo. Reynolds alloys can be much stronger btw. Part of this also goes back to bmx history. Alot of early brands had mtb and consumer bike company money. And ended up too capitalistic in values. Haro kind of made a come back but not really and I'd say over hype tbh mostly cause of a few riders they scored. But it's basically a Taj mihelich situation. Or Harry main and mafia but not quite. If you want quality you get new stuff from modern good brands and leave the nostalgia stuff to nostalgia. For a nostalgia bike you go nostalgia stuff and don't beat on it as much. If you want nostalgia and functional. Rooftop Mike frame and some custom bits or a custom frame. Anything good from the old school survived. Gt cranks that ended up as primo powerbites? Nankai coaster as the basis for the khe set up modded to be sealed bearing like some boutique old Japanese hubs like syn. Even some trash stuff survived. So as much as it bothers some older riders. Let's just leave the old school to the old school. Original bikes have history. The new bikes are a cash grab. I'd rather spend 1k on a caveman frame with a bash guard for some old vibes then waste money on any of the bikes the old school brands offer. And sorry to say but it's not likely to change. They went down hill. It's much harder to come back from that.
Also the Haro bashguard being my favorite old school bike. I've heard from people who still own originals and have multiples. They really weren't all that strong back in the day. They still broke. And not even that difficult to do. Keep in mind I was going to spend the money to build one. For a 7 pound frame a first gen Sunday will out last any Haro. It's just fact. And I'd wager numerous other early frames beat out Haro. T1 being an example. S&M being another. And even looking at pure 80s and earlier brands better stuff existed then Haro. Why 2 of the early pros I know had haros plus a million other weird brands. RL osborne redline hutch kuwara and even old campy team shit for bmx. Shit pretty sure it was the 80s when free agent helped progress bmx geo when Haro was still pushing the same shit. Haro had popularity. But I'd argue it was never above standard once bmx really started blowing up. And for early history redline wins out. And for what I'd called the Golden age of early bikes. Haro was already starting to go down hill. By 99 tree already existed. So did other brands that completely replaced Haro and all the other early companies. Odyssey barely survived. Profile kinda ruined their reputation with the mini hubs vs the high flange. Plus their cranks got superseded as the top quality and eventually went down hill as they discontinued the actual strong versions of their cranks. I'd wager Haro held bmx back along with some early brands. It's not just that they sold out. It's that they started the industry with the intent of making money by developing a sport. Not growing a sport. I'd rather support the brands that really grew bmx as a sport vs those that just did what they were in it for from the beginning. Remember early bmx was a big wave that came up right after skate started blowing. There is a reason bmx removed itself from the mainstream and avoided it becoming mainstream even if that's hurt bmx as well. It's just a different path to what skating had happen. And bare early skate brands are trash now and Walmart quality. It's what happens when alt sports become mainstream and commercialized. And all we have to do is look back to the 90s and earlier. Gt and some of its involved parties were already trying and had attempted to push into other cycling markets. It's like certain shit that's happened more recently outside bmx. Or with say Nike and levis during the last big bmx boom. Also doesn't help the time period shit happened. But look at the history alot of rhe early bmx companies were just businesses. Not like the brands today. Modern brands aren't willing to try and grow sales by doing regular business practices that can actually hurt our industry. Especially given the cost and income of most riders. And safety shit. And I've literally heard non stop from old pros how dangerous old bikes were. And at 25 to over 30 pounds easily alot of those bikes are kinda weak. And some honestly bad designs were pushed. 3/8s axles when 14mm has existed since the 70s or earlier. Like honestly even at the height of modern bmx. Not a single company was doing 150m in sales a year through their bmx departments and not even close even if we account for Nike who had non bmx riders buying 6.0s for the trendy sb hype. And levis. Or the energy drinks. Total business sure. The early bmx brands were using.mtb money or trying to grow into mtb level brands with something that is never going to be as popular.
Gotta agree with you! They are the same as the stranger things bike, and that bike is kinda heavy compared to the originals. I still have my 1985 Californian that I got for Christmas when I was seven, and I was fortunate enough to get my seven year old a stranger things bike for Christmas last year. He doesn’t notice the weight difference though 🤷🏼♂️
By the way I am fit enough to ride/race one of these bikes & get some sweet air time at my ripe old age of 51! I've been riding Mt. Bikes for a long time now. Thing is my 1st Mt. Bike I bought I was aged 24 a number of years after my teen BMX run
I had a original California special. Found it at some random used junk store out in the country. I was 14 I think when I got it. Didn’t know what I had then cause I didn’t know much bout bmx yet. Loved riding! Had 2 sets of acs z rims also, so much good stuff I give anything to have now. Nobody I still stay in touch with that rode in my hood with me knows what happen to any of it either. 🤦🏻♂️
Super stoked to see you in Walmart the other day I literally called my boy and told him before I even got out of the store but definitely would be cool to ride with you sometime maybe I can catch one of your sessions at glasgow or something
The Handlebars visually look different to me between the two new issued classic bikes...on the Super Goose model the bars look correct for the traditional high crossbar mongoose race bars from 1984-86 vs. the California Special model has a lowered crossbar in the pic like the stranger things model. I think your right though California special is a stranger things base bike with out the spoke wheels. Thanks Mike for the the break down, and over view of the two models!
So I know Mike Grey personally. Know riders that were on the same team as ennarson. And yeah. I wouldn't touch any of the older brands anymore. Unless it's original vintage or maybe if I was gonna buy one of the lineage bikes as a cruiser that I can still hop up and down curbs a bit easier then an mtb or road bike. They just aren't worth it. Even the modern Haro stuff there are other brands I'd rather support. Plus already know Mike Grey will ride whatever he can get for free if it holds up well enough. Just like most pro riders. Doesn't have to be what they really want. I'd rather just buy wtp parts or other brands parts. Can get just as good value from multiple other brands. And support brands that didn't basically drop bmx for money. No issues trying to bring outside money into bmx. But not at the cost of bmx. It's like specialized. Decent value but not really. Not compared to how cheap these larger brands could sell shit for. Realistically with the money Haro and other old school brands had behind them they could've dropped bmx costs alot. And given riders a truly budget but good option. But nope. We got trash. Why support old brands that didn't support us. I'd rather just buy original old school bikes that don't lose value and only become rarer then buy a cash grab attempt at getting older dudes back into spending a grand plus on a bike they barely ride for anything other then short trips or nostalgia. And alot of them basically target the section of the fixie crowd that doesn't want to admit they're part of the fixing crowd on big bikes doing wheelies and not much else. Dunno how big daddy didn't kill himself on se parts.
I forgot the mongoose hoopty for my last 29th birthday and the Tony hawk bike all aluminum but I gave it to a homeless man who needed a transportation from A to B still got the Mongoose though other classics I own are the torc,power light,Gt, diamondback.
I know how you feel man. My first bike was a mongoose super goose in 1985, I was eight years old, and I was heartbroken when it was stolen about a month later. I would love to buy one but it’s hard to justify paying that kind of money. They are definitely RAD bikes.
The originals hold their value well and can be found cheap if you don't mind a restoration project. I'd rather spend the 3k on a nice original then even 500 on a modern replica that'll never hold value like the originals and doesn't have any history like the originals. Haro lineage stuff is better but still eh.
I ordered the Mongoose California Special only to realise that its painted silver so i sent for a refund a few years ago, i think they cheaply made them in comparison to the og bikes.
I also have the Stranger Thing Max super mongoose for my son and about 4 months ago I brought a sweet tooth 🦷 colony for myself . Yellow storm is the colour . I am 48 and still love riding BMX 👍👍🇦🇺
If it’s truly from 1984 and everything looks to be in good shape then I would say yes. Maybe haggle them down a little bit but that’s a piece of history right there and they don’t make them like that anymore🤘🏽
Here is mongooses direct response to me on the price “No break down video necessary, the Cali special not only. Has more expensive party’s (DiaCompe brakes, Pro class drilled aluminum wheels, snake belly tires). But the stranger things bike was sold in 2019 which was an entirely different world than the one we live in today. 20% plus increase in tariffs, factory and raw Material increases, shipping prices increase, and so on. The fact we could produce and provide them affordably relative to today’s market and bring them to our fence is something we are very proud of.”
Thanks for the comment. I would say maybe if you are a light adult. I wouldn’t ride mine and I’m 183lbs. I wouldn’t ride any of these bikes on the track because the materials they are made of. High tensile steel is really brittle.
Yes it is expensive but with today's prices everything is going up. We has just a new swimming pool because we heard that they are taking a 30% price jump.
Eye loved these bikes , only sold them 2 years ago . Coz fellas gave me big $ . How they ride A grade this is were it started , I'm 48 and yes eye ride just as eny 1 on the gold coast
Has the new price driven off resellers and got an 80s re release Into the hands of nostalgic enthusiasts? It's a genuine question, the price is high for what it is. I can get a far superior bmx for the same cost. Personally i'd rather teach my boy how to ride on something classic and keep oldschool alive but it's a tough call.
Even being a cash grab, the price they asked was reasonable. Yes you are extremely wrong and missed out on buying these bikes. The proof is that all the bikes are gone and sell for thousands on ebay. Big mistake. At least you were lucky enough to have the option to buy. I didn't even have the option living in canada.
Mike, I’m afraid you are being a bit quirky here, especially after you seemed to have no problem buying a set of titanium cranks that would have no real bearing on what you do on your bike.
I bought the Cranks to ride them. I couldn’t spend the money on these bikes because they were just glorified stickers to look like the old bikes for nostalgic purposes after looking at the specs. The cranks won’t make you do more tricks or certain tricks, that you were right about. But riding a lighter bike has advantages other than just lifting something lighter. How the bike rides is definitely noticeable. I’ve definitely been on the hunt for an original 1984 super goose if I can find one. If you ever come across one please direct message me a link. Thanks!
@@MikeFede Yeah, I’m torn. My first bike was a 1976 Webco so I know the magick inherent in the Mongoose. These bikes can only do homage to that, so I get it. What exactly the practical purpose of these bikes are is seriously up for debate.
I brought one of each I opened the boxes pulled them out had a look then put them back in. Very disappointed in quality just overpriced rubbish. From crap hubs to repop dc brakes ,chrome paint is cheap .stem and seat are department store stuff.
qaste of time, never be worth anything, a poor representative of the original which is well outdated....as glorified paperweight.....any olsd school bike comes with 1.75 tanwalls. I
My black and red supergoose just arrived 30 min ago ;).
Yeah, I’m 48 and I just ordered my super goose
I live in the UK and I could only get a Stranger Things version from Germany for around $600 and they are now going for $1000 second hand when they come up on eBay in the UK. The UK had its own BMX brand, the Raleigh Burner and a few years back they released the 35th Anniversary Edition which again would have been equivalent to around $600. Again these can now go for up to $1200 second hand if in good condition. Personally I wanted a Mongoose rather than a Burner and I love these repops as they look cool, fun to cruise around on and are so nostalgic. If I wanted a hardcore track/skatepark BMX I would look at something else, but this gives me exactly what I want plus I'm not paying $2000 - $3000 for an original, which is what a good condition old school one is going for in the UK.
In short the $199 Stranger Things version was a steal. The $500 I've paid for a repop Mongoose is in line with other UK repops and they will go up in value over time.
I still have my original mongoose from 1978. Red line v bars, Super Maxy cranks, Motomags, etc. still mint condition.
I can understand the frustration on pricing, but I think in many ways it's such a narrow grievance that misses the big picture. Mongoose did right by fans by selling directly to customers and setting limits on purchases. The Stranger Things bikes may have been cheap, but if you missed out, you're SOL and now have to spend thousands to get one thanks to scalpers. Also, buying a vintage original is going to set you back even further because everyone thinks they're sitting on gold. $500 - $600 is a drop in the bucket for a new and quality bike today, and especially for a faithful reproduction. You may feel justified in skipping over these releases, but you're only punishing yourself.
Noted. Yea maybe next one I’ll look into it. Or the gt ones.
I bought a red on black supergoose but also a red California special because I have a nice minty expert 83 frame that needs some parts. Pro class wheels are possible to find. Repro aero seats are $100 plug the other period correct parts like the grips, pad set, post clamp, dia compe brakes. Add a snow flake chain ring and it’s pretty much done!
Agree totally the price points are ridiculous for what your getting. They are just trying to cash in on us older dudes nostalgia thinking we all have deep pockets to relive our childhoods.
Yeah well now people on eBay are trying to sell those $199 stranger things mongooses for $1500 now that's a cash grab.
Will Diamond Back bring back Pro Stars ?
I got an 04 haro F4 that was one bike back in the day I wanted for going to school but I didn't have the cash, but now I picked one up at the beginning of October and I'm stripping down to restore it to what it should be. I'm in the process of finding some wheels which are hard to find. I'm putting Alex Supra e 48 spoke wheels with sealed odyssey hazard hubs. I'm putting a redline flight crankset with 36 tooth haro steel sprocket. I'll be running no brakes as I have always done and put a set of s&m elevenz bars and the stock fork and putting a odyssey elementary v3 stem if I can find one in good condition.
Yes
I see your point of view & its completely justifiable. I was 13 in '84 & couldn't afford my dream bike a chrome GT, Redline, Diamondback or Mongoose, what did I know of different steels/specs? All I knew is those bikes were shiny but out of reach pricey. Now I can afford one of these bikes but it seems the companies are saying "you want to own a piece of your youthful memory? Well we'll charge you accordingly"
I wanted to get back into BMX super bad lately and really go for it, and then I came across a mostly original 1996 Mongoose Rogue in a literal scrap pile a couple weeks ago. No idea what it was until I researched the model number on the only sticker left on it, and was really blown away that such a nice bike was a Mongoose. Cleaned and packed all the bearings and races and I've been riding it since, just needs tires, pedals, and grips now. I'll eventually clean off the rust and paint it. 👌
Since then I've been interested in their more expensive bikes. I had no idea Mongoose had the legacy they had, all I ever knew was that my Hoop D back in the day wasn't that great. Honestly no idea they made anything besides cheap Wal-Mart bikes.
Edit - I mean like a 2004 Hoop D from Wal-Mart. Like the silver one with the flame stickers.
They started as a legit brand but like pretty much every old school brand that wasn't founded in the 90s they turned trash and sell out by the 90s.
Odyssey is one of the few from before that and they barely survived and were irrelevant for a long time and original a race brand. Profile kinda same. S&M being like the only other and pretty sure they're still a 90s brand and not even early 90s at that.
Plus Odyssey is over hyped in the modern scene.
I agree with the California is just overstock strange things frames but I pick up a supergoose my son I plan on racing it at the local track just like the rest of ours bikes hopefully it holds up
Good catch on the specs
I used to ride with Dave and a bunch of others in G-Vegas, NC. I rode Mongoose and Diamond Back back in the day, I was more into racing then tricks. Dave was a great guy. I'm really digging the classics, kinda iffy too at first about the prices but knowing it cost more now to make and push these bikes, it would be great to see them cheaper but oh well.
Nah not really. Chromo frames at manufacturer cost can be like 50 to 100 bucks. Sometimes less. For full after market level chromo frames.
Bikes should be like 250 300 at most. 400 or 500 cad is okay but for usd to cad you lose roughly 30 dollars for every hundred. So even at 500 it should only cost like 350 American.
Alot of those parts are cheap catalog shit. I'd wager the cranks with bb is like 20 dollars at most.
With the recommended rider heights for these, I don't think there are any issues with strength. The intended rider is going to weigh in at less than 120lbs.
It's definitely charging a premium for the classic looks and nostalgia. I'm pretty sure I'm getting one for me and one for my kid. Even though I am taller and fatter than the intended rider for these, I am also too old to do anything rad on it, so I think it'll work out. :D
Still hoping MONGOOSE,after the rerelease of the SUPERGOOSE & CALIFORNIA,will rerelease the PRO CLASS in 20 & 24 inch, in BLACK & POLISHED CHROME.The PRO CLASS was a superb bike,and I’d love the 24 inch in BLACK.I just wish companies like RALEIGH & MONGOOSE,would produce the bikes for a year,instead of releasing a set amount,that you have to be on a waiting list for,and then end up on eBay for treble or quadruple the price.SE have been releasing the QUADANGLE, the PK RIPPER, and the FLOVAL FLYER, in different sizes for a few years now.They come out in different colours as well,each year.The QUADANGLE came out in 24 inch, BLACK & GOLD colour combination, a few years ago,really nice,but sold out very quickly.SE got it right,whereas RALEIGH & MONGOOSE got it wrong,in my opinion,with that limited number nonsense.Will definitely snap up a 24 inch PRO CLASS if MONGOOSE get their act together.
My local Shop has the Red Cali and the Black SuperGoose instock, I'm in Australia so they are AUD$649 and AUD$799 I'd love to have the cash to get both... 😂
i'd love to see s&m repop some classics
I want one now haha
I would love to see a mid to late 80's line maybe a decade. Expert comp, menace
These new bikes there coming out with are not the bikes of old , back then they made them of 4130 Chrome Molly . A lot of people that I know are complaining of welds that can’t stand up the the pressure & stress of there old schools counterparts that could , plus the dimensions old vs new is a lot different . I’m thankful that I kept all of my old school bike from back in the day , I kept the up keep of them over the years . The oldest one I have dates back to 1987 & it looks just like it did the day I bought it . All my bikes are Haro,s dating from 1987 all the way up to 1992 . FXS , TEAM SPORT , TEAM MASTER , AIR MASTER & MASTER . I costumed out all of them with all the best parts of that time & I run all the same parts on all of them . They are all a different beast on there own different frame & fork but same parts , by far the 1989 Haro Team Master W/ bash guard is the best one heavy but a total beast just a well rounded bike , Balanced , smooth , solid , just a tank for any warfare on street , flatland , vert & dirt the best bike I have by far .
Alot of old bikes were hi tensile steel. I'm modern mid school by comparison but I came Into bmx around dudes who were sponsored in the 80s and 90s.
Some were aluminium some were Reynolds. Alot of chromo frames had sub par tube sets like seemed tube sets.
Can't remember which brand but I k on for a fact one 80s frame marketed as chromoly is actually Reynolds. And forget who but another brand switched their frames to hi tensile steel and sold them as chromo for a couple years before it was made obvious they weren't.
80s and 90s bikes were still breaking all the time. Or ridiculously heavy. And this is coming from someone who's seen old campy bmx frame sets made from the highest end available materials and tube sets by some of the best frame builders.
Beyond that mongoose gt and all the other brands aside from those with no connection to bmx, that are part of that conglomerate all kinda suck at manufacturing bikes and have for a long time. So not surprised.
But honestly. Let's look at some old frames. I can snap bare haros gts or Hoffmans. I can snap a pk ripper stupid easy. Even if we look at old unbreakable shit. Frames are like 7 pounds plus and still have bent drop outs.
Yeah mongoose could do quality. But who honestly expects them too? It's a nostalgia company at best now or a Walmart brand. Even their mtb range they invested good money in and offered good value shows that nobody really wants to touch their stuff.
The only old school brands to survive and be worth while are odyssey but that's debatable since alot of their products are over hyped. Profile who could be said to have stayed relatively stagnant but gone down in quality. Standard. And terrible 1. And alot of those brands are now super niche besides odyssey and profile.
Orgy is out of business. No more cables so odyssey shit y cables are all that's left.
Haro I'd wager is just an investment brand trying to get bike money. Same with premium. Not core bmx anymore. Hoffman lol. Gt. Lol.
Oh and S&M but they may not even be same quality anymore. And don't think they have access to their better quality tubing anymore either. Pretty sure some of the tube sets needed for the Reynolds alloys were discontinued and they nownuse just chromo. Reynolds alloys can be much stronger btw.
Part of this also goes back to bmx history. Alot of early brands had mtb and consumer bike company money. And ended up too capitalistic in values. Haro kind of made a come back but not really and I'd say over hype tbh mostly cause of a few riders they scored. But it's basically a Taj mihelich situation. Or Harry main and mafia but not quite.
If you want quality you get new stuff from modern good brands and leave the nostalgia stuff to nostalgia. For a nostalgia bike you go nostalgia stuff and don't beat on it as much.
If you want nostalgia and functional. Rooftop Mike frame and some custom bits or a custom frame.
Anything good from the old school survived. Gt cranks that ended up as primo powerbites? Nankai coaster as the basis for the khe set up modded to be sealed bearing like some boutique old Japanese hubs like syn.
Even some trash stuff survived. So as much as it bothers some older riders. Let's just leave the old school to the old school. Original bikes have history. The new bikes are a cash grab.
I'd rather spend 1k on a caveman frame with a bash guard for some old vibes then waste money on any of the bikes the old school brands offer.
And sorry to say but it's not likely to change. They went down hill. It's much harder to come back from that.
Also the Haro bashguard being my favorite old school bike. I've heard from people who still own originals and have multiples. They really weren't all that strong back in the day. They still broke. And not even that difficult to do.
Keep in mind I was going to spend the money to build one. For a 7 pound frame a first gen Sunday will out last any Haro. It's just fact.
And I'd wager numerous other early frames beat out Haro. T1 being an example. S&M being another.
And even looking at pure 80s and earlier brands better stuff existed then Haro. Why 2 of the early pros I know had haros plus a million other weird brands. RL osborne redline hutch kuwara and even old campy team shit for bmx. Shit pretty sure it was the 80s when free agent helped progress bmx geo when Haro was still pushing the same shit.
Haro had popularity. But I'd argue it was never above standard once bmx really started blowing up. And for early history redline wins out.
And for what I'd called the Golden age of early bikes. Haro was already starting to go down hill. By 99 tree already existed. So did other brands that completely replaced Haro and all the other early companies. Odyssey barely survived. Profile kinda ruined their reputation with the mini hubs vs the high flange. Plus their cranks got superseded as the top quality and eventually went down hill as they discontinued the actual strong versions of their cranks.
I'd wager Haro held bmx back along with some early brands. It's not just that they sold out. It's that they started the industry with the intent of making money by developing a sport. Not growing a sport.
I'd rather support the brands that really grew bmx as a sport vs those that just did what they were in it for from the beginning. Remember early bmx was a big wave that came up right after skate started blowing.
There is a reason bmx removed itself from the mainstream and avoided it becoming mainstream even if that's hurt bmx as well. It's just a different path to what skating had happen. And bare early skate brands are trash now and Walmart quality.
It's what happens when alt sports become mainstream and commercialized. And all we have to do is look back to the 90s and earlier. Gt and some of its involved parties were already trying and had attempted to push into other cycling markets.
It's like certain shit that's happened more recently outside bmx. Or with say Nike and levis during the last big bmx boom.
Also doesn't help the time period shit happened. But look at the history alot of rhe early bmx companies were just businesses. Not like the brands today. Modern brands aren't willing to try and grow sales by doing regular business practices that can actually hurt our industry.
Especially given the cost and income of most riders. And safety shit.
And I've literally heard non stop from old pros how dangerous old bikes were. And at 25 to over 30 pounds easily alot of those bikes are kinda weak. And some honestly bad designs were pushed. 3/8s axles when 14mm has existed since the 70s or earlier.
Like honestly even at the height of modern bmx. Not a single company was doing 150m in sales a year through their bmx departments and not even close even if we account for Nike who had non bmx riders buying 6.0s for the trendy sb hype. And levis. Or the energy drinks. Total business sure.
The early bmx brands were using.mtb money or trying to grow into mtb level brands with something that is never going to be as popular.
What do you think the benefit of having a rear tyre smaller than the front on the supergoose?
Gotta agree with you! They are the same as the stranger things bike, and that bike is kinda heavy compared to the originals. I still have my 1985 Californian that I got for Christmas when I was seven, and I was fortunate enough to get my seven year old a stranger things bike for Christmas last year. He doesn’t notice the weight difference though 🤷🏼♂️
the thing that stopped me from buying is that it's not chromed its paint
By the way I am fit enough to ride/race one of these bikes & get some sweet air time at my ripe old age of 51! I've been riding Mt. Bikes for a long time now. Thing is my 1st Mt. Bike I bought I was aged 24 a number of years after my teen BMX run
I had a original California special. Found it at some random used junk store out in the country. I was 14 I think when I got it. Didn’t know what I had then cause I didn’t know much bout bmx yet. Loved riding! Had 2 sets of acs z rims also, so much good stuff I give anything to have now. Nobody I still stay in touch with that rode in my hood with me knows what happen to any of it either. 🤦🏻♂️
Super stoked to see you in Walmart the other day I literally called my boy and told him before I even got out of the store but definitely would be cool to ride with you sometime maybe I can catch one of your sessions at glasgow or something
Great running into you too man! Yea I’m always down to catch a session at Glasgow or wherever 🤘🏽🤘🏽
I have an 82 supergoose since new and love it
The Handlebars visually look different to me between the two new issued classic bikes...on the Super Goose model the bars look correct for the traditional high crossbar mongoose race bars from 1984-86 vs. the California Special model has a lowered crossbar in the pic like the stranger things model. I think your right though California special is a stranger things base bike with out the spoke wheels. Thanks Mike for the the break down, and over view of the two models!
I love your outfit in the thumb nail!
Well, they're grabbin' my cash.
😂🤘🏽
I might get one of these. Do you reccomend me getting the supergoose or californian.
So I know Mike Grey personally.
Know riders that were on the same team as ennarson.
And yeah. I wouldn't touch any of the older brands anymore. Unless it's original vintage or maybe if I was gonna buy one of the lineage bikes as a cruiser that I can still hop up and down curbs a bit easier then an mtb or road bike.
They just aren't worth it. Even the modern Haro stuff there are other brands I'd rather support.
Plus already know Mike Grey will ride whatever he can get for free if it holds up well enough. Just like most pro riders. Doesn't have to be what they really want.
I'd rather just buy wtp parts or other brands parts. Can get just as good value from multiple other brands. And support brands that didn't basically drop bmx for money.
No issues trying to bring outside money into bmx. But not at the cost of bmx.
It's like specialized. Decent value but not really. Not compared to how cheap these larger brands could sell shit for. Realistically with the money Haro and other old school brands had behind them they could've dropped bmx costs alot. And given riders a truly budget but good option.
But nope. We got trash.
Why support old brands that didn't support us.
I'd rather just buy original old school bikes that don't lose value and only become rarer then buy a cash grab attempt at getting older dudes back into spending a grand plus on a bike they barely ride for anything other then short trips or nostalgia.
And alot of them basically target the section of the fixie crowd that doesn't want to admit they're part of the fixing crowd on big bikes doing wheelies and not much else.
Dunno how big daddy didn't kill himself on se parts.
I forgot the mongoose hoopty for my last 29th birthday and the Tony hawk bike all aluminum but I gave it to a homeless man who needed a transportation from A to B still got the Mongoose though other classics I own are the torc,power light,Gt, diamondback.
One is a full Cr, Mo frame
I know how you feel man. My first bike was a mongoose super goose in 1985, I was eight years old, and I was heartbroken when it was stolen about a month later. I would love to buy one but it’s hard to justify paying that kind of money. They are definitely RAD bikes.
My first real bike was a mongoose California
The originals hold their value well and can be found cheap if you don't mind a restoration project.
I'd rather spend the 3k on a nice original then even 500 on a modern replica that'll never hold value like the originals and doesn't have any history like the originals. Haro lineage stuff is better but still eh.
I ordered the Mongoose California Special only to realise that its painted silver so i sent for a refund a few years ago, i think they cheaply made them in comparison to the og bikes.
Love it !
I have two mongoose California a White 1986 and a chrome & black 1987
I also have the Stranger Thing Max super mongoose for my son and about 4 months ago I brought a sweet tooth 🦷 colony for myself . Yellow storm is the colour . I am 48 and still love riding BMX 👍👍🇦🇺
All bikes have gone up it’s not just mongoose. Se has doubled its prices on completes in just 2 years .
100% cashgrab
Should I buy a grand prix 1984 for 600 pounds with dia compe everything
If it’s truly from 1984 and everything looks to be in good shape then I would say yes. Maybe haggle them down a little bit but that’s a piece of history right there and they don’t make them like that anymore🤘🏽
@@MikeFede thanks for reply love the chanel
Here is mongooses direct response to me on the price
“No break down video necessary, the Cali special not only. Has more expensive party’s (DiaCompe brakes, Pro class drilled aluminum wheels, snake belly tires). But the stranger things bike was sold in 2019 which was an entirely different world than the one we live in today. 20% plus increase in tariffs, factory and raw Material increases, shipping prices increase, and so on. The fact we could produce and provide them affordably relative to today’s market and bring them to our fence is something we are very proud of.”
yeah its a better bike but the supergoose is 100 percent better which is what I got.
Definitely miss the “will it ride” videos…
Is the mad Max stranger things bike strong enough for (adult) riding around the beginner bmx track?
Thanks for the comment. I would say maybe if you are a light adult. I wouldn’t ride mine and I’m 183lbs. I wouldn’t ride any of these bikes on the track because the materials they are made of. High tensile steel is really brittle.
Mine rode just fine on a track.
I’m 220
Yes it is expensive but with today's prices everything is going up. We has just a new swimming pool because we heard that they are taking a 30% price jump.
Mongoose should make a 26 inch or 29...version. they would kill it
Sorry but when i see Mongoose at Walmart, there all K'rap....
Don’t buy bikes at Walmart.
It is what it is? What else would it be. “It’s something it’s not”? One of the most ridiculous phrases in history
Eye loved these bikes , only sold them 2 years ago . Coz fellas gave me big $ . How they ride A grade this is were it started , I'm 48 and yes eye ride just as eny 1 on the gold coast
yes. motomag 3's are even more blatant.
Paid $199 for stranger things. Can't sell it for 199 lol. If ya paid $549 for the supergoose you would have made $300 easy on the quick flip.
Cash Grab sounds good... LoL
Edit: Nevermind.... Now it sounds bad. 😞
Has the new price driven off resellers and got an 80s re release Into the hands of nostalgic enthusiasts? It's a genuine question, the price is high for what it is. I can get a far superior bmx for the same cost. Personally i'd rather teach my boy how to ride on something classic and keep oldschool alive but it's a tough call.
Even being a cash grab, the price they asked was reasonable. Yes you are extremely wrong and missed out on buying these bikes. The proof is that all the bikes are gone and sell for thousands on ebay. Big mistake. At least you were lucky enough to have the option to buy. I didn't even have the option living in canada.
Why wernt We in England allowed to Buy? FFS It's Countries like Ours that keep Old School B.M.X. Alive!!!
I didn’t even know they released these up until 2 weeks ago. Then they sell limited quantities with a crazy price tag. Total cash grab.
Mike, I’m afraid you are being a bit quirky here, especially after you seemed to have no problem buying a set of titanium cranks that would have no real bearing on what you do on your bike.
I bought the Cranks to ride them. I couldn’t spend the money on these bikes because they were just glorified stickers to look like the old bikes for nostalgic purposes after looking at the specs. The cranks won’t make you do more tricks or certain tricks, that you were right about. But riding a lighter bike has advantages other than just lifting something lighter. How the bike rides is definitely noticeable. I’ve definitely been on the hunt for an original 1984 super goose if I can find one. If you ever come across one please direct message me a link. Thanks!
@@MikeFede Yeah, I’m torn. My first bike was a 1976 Webco so I know the magick inherent in the Mongoose. These bikes can only do homage to that, so I get it. What exactly the practical purpose of these bikes are is seriously up for debate.
@@MikeFede in regards to the Supergoose other than the handlebars not being chromoly what else is not of the same quality as the original?
I brought one of each I opened the boxes pulled them out had a look then put them back in. Very disappointed in quality just overpriced rubbish. From crap hubs to repop dc brakes ,chrome paint is cheap .stem and seat are department store stuff.
Absolute TRASH bikes! SAVE YOUR Money and buy 80s/90s! Or buy a reissue Skyway TA, they’re great bikes👍
amongoose
it's 100% a cash grab...that's clear.
Inflation
RAD
qaste of time, never be worth anything, a poor representative of the original which is well outdated....as glorified paperweight.....any olsd school bike comes with 1.75 tanwalls. I
Junk be real