Mongoose's 1985 All-Terrain Bike: Contest and Video

Aug 25, 2016
by Leigh Ramsdell  
Mongoose ATB Retro w/ Chris Akrigg

by lramsdell
Views: 30,308    Faves: 353    Comments: 19


Enter the MongooseATB Bike Contest Here.


Mongoose entered into the mountain bike world in 1985 with the Mongoose All-Terrain Bike, or “ATB”. Originally made with a chromoly frame and scratch resistant chrome finish, the bike featured a wide range 15-speed drivetrain with a 1:1 low range gear. The wheels were built using “Pro Class” lightweight rims, and the unique skinwall tires provide that “fat tire” comfort for the time.

1985 Mongoose ATB replica

Paying homage to the original bike is this new limited edition Mongoose ATB. Pulling inspiration from the original ATB, we’ve included elements like a small diameter Chromoly frame with chrome finish skin wall tires, thumb shifters, and cantilever brakes. Foam grips, vintage style saddle, and a Bullmoose handlebar round out the cockpit. A few modern tweaks include 27.5+ tires, 24 speeds with index rear shifter, and modern cross country geometry make this a fun ride on and off road.

1985 Mongoose ATB replica

1985 Mongoose ATB replica
1985 Mongoose ATB replica

1985 Mongoose ATB replica

1985 Mongoose ATB replica

While we aren’t ruling out doing another run, with only five bikes being made, one for Chris Akrigg and the remaining four for a select few this may be the most limited bike Mongoose has ever offered!

Three of these bikes are being given away on Mongoose Bike’s Facebook page at the link below! Register for your chance to win today!

Enter the MongooseATB Bike Contest Here.


1985 Mongoose ATB replica w Chris Akrigg

MENTIONS: @mongoosebikes / @ChrisAkrigg


Posted In:
Other Sponsored Mongoose


Author Info:
lramsdell avatar

Member since Oct 24, 2008
24 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
66372 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
48516 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
46412 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
45463 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
40731 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
38929 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38385 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
38372 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

191 Comments
  • 182 1
 That was the best video to hit pinkbike in a long time . Really brought back some memories of my early days with cantilever brakes, 3x drivetrains, and fully rigid frames. The 80's were such a special time.
  • 34 6
 Mtb was way more bad ass and less hype back then. Just insanity. I remember those old vhs videos of guys doing huge drops and jumps on rigid bikes expecting them to blow up and they usually did. I tried to copy as best as I could. No wonder my lower back, knees, ankles and wrists don't work anymore. Can't remember the movies names right now.
  • 130 2
 @makripper: you probably can't remember due to 80's helmet technology
  • 14 4
 Just imagine the level of riding we would be seeing today if this video was actually made back in the day
  • 10 0
 @makripper: nsmb.com/4928-digger-north-shore-history-x-part-ii

The NORTH SHORE EXTREME-DOWNHILL DELUXE VOL 1, its what you are looking for!!!
  • 6 0
 gettin pre-fuzzy hall early tomac flashbacks
  • 3 0
 @ElVenezuelan: I was thinking tread but there was some sick ones older than that even haha the nsx series is classic
  • 12 0
 Chris Akrigg makes lycra and a pink bum bag (fanny pack) look cool.
  • 4 1
 80s...? My hardtail is still 3x9!
  • 7 0
 @bmoore34: We didn't wear helmets back then. Basic protection was a long-sleeve flannel shirt and an old pair of jeans.
  • 2 2
 @TenBeers: you mean Bmx attire from day one?
  • 1 0
 @ElVenezuelan: Those are the best! I had Volume 3! 'Dangerous' Dan Cowan killing it on the North Shore, and some other crazy Canadians hucking huge stair gaps on hardtails. That video is what inspired me to get a Snipes 7mm frame back in the day. You could run a double crown on that thing!
  • 3 0
 That was rad! If they had that video back in 1985 they might have sold more then 10 mongooses....or is it mongeese? Hell we might all be riding mongeese today.....ahhh what coulda been.
  • 1 0
 @fullbug: Now that you mention it, yes, pretty much. Or in other words, no specific attire, just whatever you already had on.
  • 1 0
 @TenBeers: i'm with ya. did/do the same now. i do wear a lid though
  • 4 4
 Bring back the real MTB! Fck suspensions and 1x 13
  • 1 0
 Ain't nobody used to ride like that in '85.
  • 1 1
 @zepper: Its Mongooses. Look it up
  • 1 0
 One piece stem-bar check,,,,, pink fanny pack ckeck,,,, nut hugger shorts check,,,, huge mullet head check,,, ok ready to go riding? !?!?
  • 3 0
 Badass! Skills to shred that bike!
  • 1 0
 This video made my 2012 mtbike ever more relevent! 26" is a keeper!
  • 50 1
 You can found this in the Terms and conditions: "The prize will be awarded and/or delivered only to legal residents at a street address within the United States". Being posted on a Canadian website and also offering choices of international countries in the entry fields, I'm very disappointed!
  • 8 6
 the usual bullshit, total joke, piss on the Canadians again, what else is new.
  • 25 3
 @jamesbrant: Just to make sure fair's fair, the Giant Crankworx contest was offered to Canuckistan. In fact the grand prize lived here. Just because a Canadian didn't win doesn't mean we got pissed on.

But the kicker is all of this stuff is free and you're not out anything you didn't have in the first place. You make it sound like Canada is owed a box full of prizes and some 'Murican bureaucrat took it away.

#firstworldstrikesagain
  • 57 1
 There are around 288 other countries besides America and Canada. Not only the Canadians lost out.
  • 21 2
 @jamesbrant: Trump will fix it!
  • 9 0
 the bullshit is you cant find any of mongoose high end bikes in the US.
  • 50 0
 UK rider, UK riding, only available to win in the US. Nice
  • 30 0
 If I win I will tell them the street address of an orphanage in Mississippi.
  • 13 7
 @jaame: BTW, America is not a country.
  • 9 1
 In vernacular it is.
  • 10 1
 @jaame: I believe the correct @paulomach: is correct! It's Merica, it's aboot the pronunciation.
  • 1 0
 @teschenbrenner: Exactly!
  • 1 0
 They've since modified the contest to allow only the United States as the country choice. My son entered earlier today and was allowed to choose Canada in the country selection, while I tried to enter tonight and only had the U.S. as a choice.
It sucks, but it's their choice/contest.
  • 1 0
 If that bike were good enough to sell, they would have made more than five. Why would you want one? Did you see how easily he bent the forks?
  • 3 0
 Look on the bright side, you have whistler and coast gavity to just name a few.
  • 3 0
 I'll enter and if I get one, I'll send it to someone in Canada Smile
  • 1 0
 @jaame: what time in the vid can you see the bend fork?
  • 1 0
 @tufty: And its not a "fanny pack" its a 'Bum Bag'!
  • 1 0
 @amnot: 2:11
  • 1 0
 @jaame: Not sure what you saw but I'm not seeing anything wrong with that fork
  • 1 1
 @iammarkstewart: Perhaps you should have an eye test.
  • 2 0
 @jaame: Maybe, but I'm not the one who asked you when it happened. I'm just saying I didn't see what you saw. I didn't say you didn't see it or you were an ass because I didn't see it. Instead of recommending medical treatment just tell me what to look for.
  • 1 1
 At 2.11 it can be seen that the front wheel strikes the first stone of a stepping stones line. The forks bend backwards on impact. During the hopping across the stepping stones, it can be seen that the front wheel is almost touching the down tube of the bike.
  • 1 0
 @jaame: So I would have to say pretty good eye. If you get a good pause at 2:12 it certainly looks somewhat subtle but that isn't a straight line and to your point, that front wheel/downtube spacing looks a little too comfortable.

All's well that ends well my commonwealth brother. :-) Except for the fork I guess.
  • 2 0
 Sorry about being a tit. I've got a bit of man flu.
  • 1 0
 and the Eurozone, and the brits lol
  • 45 0
 Whoever set up those canti's to get that much grab has my respect.
  • 10 0
 That's all I could think about too! wtf
  • 12 0
 Four finger "braking"
  • 18 1
 they seem to work better than any avids 30 years ahead in technology
  • 10 0
 @colincolin: and you didn't have to bleed them mid run!
  • 2 0
 Chris sets everything up himself. He was a mechanic for ten years before turning pro at riding.
  • 1 0
 I was thinking the same thing... But those things sure look like a revamped version of cantilevers. They are almost horizontally with a greater leverage and the arms also look slightly longer. What a beauty, though. Only 5 in the world... damn I would put it in my living room for the next 20 years. It's too precious to even ride it, or much less having it stolen.
  • 36 0
 sometimes you spend days watching lots of good videos with awesome riders and great bikes but it all looks the same... then you watch this single one here and can't take the smile from your face. Just arrived home and I want to go for a night ride.
  • 10 0
 Exactly that. They always look the same. It's not often that something original like this comes along.
  • 1 0
 @jaame: Agreed. Maybe that bank heist video from Oz with the BMX bikes that was posted here in the last year or so.
  • 31 0
 I can do that... the part where he runs into the rock and goes over the bars. Yeah, totally got that.
  • 20 1
 This video defies the mountain bike industry and their push for new standards and trends now coming every season.
It proves two things. One, you can have fun in ANY bike. And two, Chris Akrigg can make anything look cool!

I just want to go and ride my 12 speed / carbon wheels/ 160mm carbon bike right now!! Smile
  • 15 0
 This wins the internet forever! I had Hans Rey flashbacks. This also proves Akrigg can ride a 2x4 with wheels better than others.
  • 7 0
 NO WAYYYYY
  • 15 0
 Fanny pack, Oakley glasses and steel hardtail. Some things never go out of style. Awesome video right there. Well done Mongoose and Akrigg.
  • 5 0
 you forgot a water bottle mounted inside the frame as well Smile
  • 2 0
 @cheetamike: Coulda used a Van Halen soundtrack, but it's still a 5/7 in my book.
  • 13 0
 Better if the contest was also open outside of the US.
  • 8 0
 Showing my age but I actually started my mountain biking on that moor in the late eighties, riding upto cow and calf and back down to Wells house as was then. Ilkley moor, great place and good video from a local lad.
  • 10 0
 And we're sitting here complaining about wheel size and everything..
  • 1 0
 Best use of 27.5+ I've seen so far.
  • 7 0
 Perfect demonstration of how it's the RIDER and not the bike. He was killing it and having a blast!
  • 9 2
 Well that was amazing! Would be cooler though if they didn't give it 27.5+ wheels and kept it legit old school.
  • 4 0
 That was brilliant!

Brings me back to the day I "upgraded" my Univega Alpina to V-brakes. Thought I would be Hans Rey for, about 12 seconds.

Love these old bike videos, gonna get my '03 BigHit w/MonsterT back in action.
  • 4 0
 Kudos to whoever the brave marketing guy was who came up with the idea for this bike and video. This is pretty much what riding felt like to me as a 13 year old kid when I started mountain biking back in the 80's. Dude, whoever you are...you nailed it!!!!
  • 5 0
 I believe the idea was Chris'.
  • 4 0
 Contest neeeeeeeeeeeeeds to be open to UK and other countries! I'll pay the postage. I just really need that thing! Please mongoose, you'll lose all respect to have a field for country and not allow them to win!!! I need that sodding bike!!!!!!!!
  • 4 0
 AWESOME riding .. Mongoose, you are so damn lucky to have Chris, especially when your MTB collections is no non-existent in the UK lol ....... EDIT .. it appears your range has expanded massively since I last looked, seems to be plently of them now!!!! AWESOME .... I am a child of 80's, although it was all BMX and I had a Mongoose Pro Class BMX with the similar decals as this bike - this guy has so much talent, strength and ability its not even funny .... nice one Mongoose can you re-post the comp details, it says Facebook, but its not on their FB and the link is not FB, terms and conditions are all over, be explicit on the top of the page as to what countries can participate please, otherwise you are just data gathering .. and that's naughty
  • 1 0
 And I thought the UK is where Mongoose actually had a presence. I can only find a Mongoose in Wal-Mart here in the states.

Raise your hand if you've seen a Mongoose on the trails. Anyone?
  • 1 0
 @Endurahbrah: I haven't either since they've squandered and ruined their brand equity with the whole supermarket business model.
  • 1 0
 @Endurahbrah: I still have one
  • 7 0
 Video of the century right there !!!
  • 1 0
 WHICH century? Ha ha ha!
  • 5 0
 If 20-year-old me saw this video in 1985, my head would have exploded! Awesome!
  • 2 0
 This is the soul of mt. biking that is being smothered by miniscule standards , carbon fiber lust, and Gucci grade kits. God I miss the days when real rebelious style rulled. But then again now that my back is wrecked I do like owning a cadalac over my old civic.
  • 5 0
 Pro Class "drill outs" where the Enve of their day.. Had them on my BMX in 1985
  • 6 0
 Akrigg took the 80s and made it more awesome.
  • 2 0
 This is an awesome video! I am assuming Mongoose is fishing for comments of readers saying "DAMN I WANT THAT BIKE! to justify a full production run of this thing! I haven't seen too many of those comments yet! Good luck Goose and thanks for making the impossible look possible Chis!
  • 1 0
 HEY, GUYS! HEY look what I found in a closet. We should do something fun to do with it. Said Mongoose. The auto tracking at the beginning nice touch.
  • 5 0
 NICE! Put that in the running for video of the year!
  • 3 0
 Seriously???!! That guy just shreds! Best video I've seen in a long time. Chris could probably win a round of the EWS on this thing and do it with style. Dig that stem.
  • 3 0
 If a genie popped out of a lamp and told me I could ride like that but I'd have to wear the same outfit, I'd agree to it. Pink fanny and white ankle socks.
  • 1 0
 1:1 low range gear, as it should be. Is it just me that used to have silly first gear races with my mates back in the 90's?
None of my bikes have a 1:1 now, close but I never get anywhere near them, I rarely go below 2:1.
Why are bikes so under geared these days?
  • 2 0
 And for those of us who don't win the contest, you can buy the real deal right here.

www.ebay.com/itm/1984-Vintage-Mongoose-All-Terrain-Mountain-Bike-/172310188860?hash=item281e7cd33c:g:jnYAAOSw9NdXtO2U

26 for life!
  • 1 0
 Every second of that was mint! Chris Akrigg Is the most creative and skilled rider thats making dope entertainment for anyone who enjoys pedaling 2 wheels. I want to say I loved this bit, or that, but anytime he laughed I was already laughing because it was fun to watch.
  • 3 0
 Cool video, took me back and goes to show u don't need the latest kit. When you've got it you've got it. Damn skills.
  • 2 1
 Pretty sure that Chris lost a bet and was forced to ride that bad boy. Imagine how beat up he would have been if the Mongoose came with original 26" wheels and mid 80's geometry!
  • 4 0
 So well done. I want that bike!
  • 4 0
 I love the 80s treatment and I love the 80s!
  • 2 0
 If they made a production run of these in 16" with an 18 speed I'd buy it right away.
Then I would blow out my knees trying the same lines as I do on my bike right now.
  • 3 0
 Awesome video! Seems like Chris Akrigg is the only reason Mongoose is still on people's radar.
  • 3 0
 The problem with the Mongoose brand these days is everyone will think you got this bike at Walmart.
  • 4 0
 Akrigg is and will always be my favourite mountain biker to watch haha
  • 3 0
 If they were smart they'd re-release this bike as a 1x. 27.5+ probably be appropriate in this case.
  • 2 0
 Chris Akrigg takes it back to the 80's. Best video I've ever seen.

It's absolutely f**king criminal that this contest isn't open to other countries. Very disappointed. Frown
  • 3 0
 It´s sad that 90% of these contests are made for USA residents only... it´s ridiculous actually.
  • 3 0
 Pretty rad riding right there.
  • 2 0
 Props for bunny hopping across the water AFTER bending the SHIT out of the fork at 2:08....
  • 1 0
 i am not seeing the bend of which you speak
  • 2 0
 @kbonesddeuce: Check how close the front wheel gets to the downtube. I think he bent it but then had it replaced for subsequent footage.
  • 1 0
 Got an ATB Pro sitting in the garage. Pretty much stock except the wheels. All original suntour along with the cam brakes, under mounted of course.
  • 1 0
 Where can I get a pair of those rims? They are not the original, but I need a set to go on my original 1985 ATB pro with cam brakes.
  • 1 0
 What a piece of junk; just like that Walmart "Stranger Things" bike they made. PS They will do a second run of thousands of them.
  • 4 0
 The goose is loose!
  • 3 0
 Epic! MTB'ing will never be the same again
  • 2 0
 Holy hell that was awesome. I bet he had some nice Cytomax in that bottle!
  • 3 0
 A mullet and the getup would have been perfect.
  • 3 0
 The clip is as old as the video player used here.
  • 4 0
 Straight to video.
  • 3 1
 When men were men and bike models where acronyms for horrible crashes. YES!
  • 2 0
 Epic video! Great film and production, right amount of music to raw sound. The groan when your back couldn't take the drop.
  • 2 2
 Wow. Mongoose is making 5 actual bicycles. So weird to me that they make super turd department store bikes by the boat full and also kinda pretend to be a real company at the same time.
  • 1 0
 Cool that they're still using Flash for the video just like in the 80's! Sick video though. So good. Makes me wanna build up a rigid for proper fun messing about on...
  • 2 0
 Flash .. in the 80's .. ha! no such thing mate .. flash was just a distant disappointment waiting to happen, was there, you may mean something else, but agreed .. awesome vid
  • 1 0
 @makdthed: errr... it was a joke!

Flash is outdated and should be left in the past etc...
  • 1 0
 Damn, this reminds me SO much of my old Cresent Balder, that thing took a real beating for four years. But it also kept me away from alot of trouble with the law.
  • 1 0
 What's missing is the enormous saddle bag that would rattle relentlessly before eventually falling off. That and a foam helmet with a lycra cover.
  • 1 0
 Perhaps an in-frame/portaging shoulder bag too.
  • 2 0
 I'm diggin the edit quality too. That power wheelie right when the instrumental/guitar solo happens was on point!
  • 2 0
 At 1:40-that is a sweet hop up onto that boulder!
  • 2 1
 Let the others argue about wheel dimension and modern geometry. To learn the youngers and remember the elders!
  • 2 0
 Not surprised the wheelie happened during the guitar solo. Fun video!
  • 1 0
 love this bike. i wouldnt buy it but it takes me back when id scribble and draw bikes id love as a kid.
  • 2 0
 Video made in UK. Competition only for US. Logic...
  • 1 0
 The whole shop watched all four and half min in awe, amazing throwback... Also i need that bike more than life itself.
  • 3 0
 wow that was radical
  • 2 0
 Filmed on the one dry day in England - looks almost like California!
  • 1 0
 It had been know for us to get 2 or 3 dry days a year here in the UK... Wink
  • 3 0
 Needs more 16 bit synth
  • 1 0
 An affordable mountain bike! That's all we need. These bikes would actually sell. Well done!
  • 3 0
 Video of the year !
  • 1 0
 Holy bike handling skills batman! No foot stoppie FTW. Can't help but smile from that edit.
  • 2 0
 It has a water bottle mount, I am sold!
  • 1 0
 Seeing the credits at the end, nice job Will!! Glad to see your moving into bigger wheels!
  • 2 0
 Put the video in 1080p, was not disapointed...
  • 2 0
 Chris is looking like John Tomac in the mid 1980's
  • 2 1
 Just get back on the trials bike, Chris and make a joint edit riding Shipley with ET. No messin.
  • 2 0
 great timing what with Stranger Things retro-shiznit
  • 1 0
 My first Mnt Bike was very Similar to this ... It was a crazy time! Broke lots of parts back then
  • 1 0
 Dear over-hyped over-gimmicked bike industry, More vhs radness please. thanks, Everyone that isn't a roadie or doctor.
  • 1 0
 I didn't know Zack Morris was such a good biker, but on second thought it makes total sense
  • 1 0
 As amazing as this is, he's got nothin' on Hans No Way Rey- the guy who was doing these in real time!
  • 1 0
 Wonder how any tokens he put in his arm suspension? How much psi in his legs??? Chris... You my friend are inspiring!
  • 2 0
 Mad
  • 1 2
 i cringed while watching. that bike is super sketchy any mere mortal riding that will probably end up on the fail of the month video.
  • 1 1
 I'm an old dude and I can't remember this video but who cares! nice video, I really enjoyed it... 80's rocks!
  • 1 0
 I have the NOS original one...f/f, bars, cranks, seat & post anyways!
  • 1 0
 Just great. I like his style!
  • 1 0
 Stranger things for cyclist, awesome video
  • 2 0
 awesome
  • 2 0
 That was fucking mint.
  • 2 0
 Rad!
  • 3 1
 that helmet tho
  • 1 0
 Pitch perfect send up right there. Top notch work as always Mr. Akrigg!
  • 2 0
 chris is the king
  • 1 0
 so, it would be chris king lol
  • 1 0
 Those Oakleys! Great video!
  • 1 0
 Best video of the Millennium!
  • 1 0
 Finally an old school themed video with actual old school riding!
  • 2 0
 Guy has mad skills
  • 1 0
 that is all you need right there!
  • 1 0
 Masterful! Super fun video!
  • 1 0
 Bring back the Koz Kruiser.
  • 1 0
 I loved the mongoose IBOC
  • 1 0
 Chris I like your pants ! Smile Smile Smile
  • 2 0
 27.5 tires is BS
  • 1 0
 What does Fox have to do with this???
  • 1 0
 That E.T. at 3:30 was sick!!!
  • 1 0
 The 80s was something else AC/DC BMX and MTB .
  • 1 0
 Amazing. Akrigg is my hero.
  • 1 0
 Booooooo. Only US residents can enter...
  • 1 0
 Classic Stuff ..... brings back memories
  • 1 0
 L O V E it!!! That is entertainment!
  • 1 0
 Hellish
  • 1 0
 WOW.................NICE
  • 1 0
 That was awsome.
  • 1 0
 damn akrigg is the man!
  • 1 0
 Everybody Wants Some!
  • 1 0
 Just awesome
  • 1 0
 Best. Edit. EVER.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.066932
Mobile Version of Website