Mongoose Legion L20 Kids Freestyle BMX Bike

Curated from 118 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 29, 2025

Mongoose Legion L20 Kids Freestyle BMX Bike

Brand: Mongoose
Price: $198
Snoop Score:
6.8
Sentiment
6.2
Popularity
7.2
Technical
7.2

Snoop's Take

The Mongoose Legion L20 Kids Freestyle BMX Bike is designed for intermediate riders, making it an excellent choice for young boys and girls eager to explore BMX riding. With its durable Hi-Ten steel frame and 20-inch wheels, this bike offers the perfect balance of style and functionality, allowing riders to confidently tackle streets and mild terrain. Consumer sentiment around the Mongoose Legion L20 highlights its durability and budget-friendly nature, with many users noting, "I couldn't agree more I wouldn't say they are bad, just not capable of daily heavy abuse without serious malfunctions." Riders appreciate its performance, especially as a starter bike, with comments like, "It's a great bike. Ride it and have fun." While some express concerns regarding its suitability for heavy use, overall satisfaction remains high, especially among beginners. Based on user feedback, the Mongoose Legion L20 is recommended for its category as a solid entry-level bike, particularly for those just starting out in BMX riding. Its combination of affordability, durable construction, and decent performance makes it a valuable option for young riders looking to learn and grow in the sport.

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it hasn't fallen apart

Positive Feedback

Actually to be totally honest NO. I hate them now.

Negative Feedback
Product
6.8
Mongoose Legion L20 Kids Freestyle BMX Bike
Kids’ First Ride
8 / 10
Urban Commuting
4 / 10
Off-road Adventures
3 / 10
Stunt and Freestyle Riding
10 / 10
See how this compares to all Bikes

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Durable construction for beginner BMX riders
it hasn't fallen apart
the he range is still a proper bmx range so should hold up fine
Mongoose has higher quality offerings now
They have some higher quality offerings on the market now.
Good for pavement and mild terrain use
Are mongoose bikes really as bad as ppl say? I see ppl crap on mongoose bikes so often and it's lowk
they are not singtrack shredders or dh rigs
they tend to ride pretty well, they're budget bikes to I don't expect them to be top of the line
Budget-friendly options with decent performance
I'm so impressed of how much bike I got for only $380.
Mongoose sells some very underrated bikes.
Durable with long-lasting components
I rode mine for like 10 years before I retired it. If I replaced all the components, I could probably get another 10.
I couldn't agree more I wouldn't say they are bad, just not capable of daily heavy abuse without serious malfunctions.
Good upgrade path for components
The Mongoose Ador super solid, 1x7 drive train with an okay group set and shifter, it has a decent upgrade path is pretty inexpensive off the rip.
Great starter bike for beginners
My step-dad got it for me on Amazon and it has been riding good.
Looks like a great starter bike.
Great starter imo just get some pegs.
If it’s your first bike then it’ll be good to learn some new stuff on.
Good frame geometry
the frame looks half decent geometry wise and it looks built well enough.
Surprisingly good frames for the price
The frame being actually good and it being cheap in the first place means there is some actual potential here.
Cool color design
very cool color tbh
Good for various riding styles
Here's the bike in question: [BIKE](https://www.sourcebmx.com/products/mongoose-legion-l80-bmx-bike?variant=31915103158383&currency=gbp)
You also need to take into consideration what kind of riding you want to do. Park, trail, and street stuff will have different geos that are slightly better suited towards one area.
I'm looking to use it on dirt, street, and then maybe bring it to the park if I muster the courage lol.
Budget-friendly option for beginners
Might still be the case so I recommend you check it out.
Mongoose offers high-end bikes suitable for serious riders
High end, bike shop level Mongoose is fine.
Mongoose has better quality offerings than perceived
Looks like most people don't realize mongoose makes decent bikes.... The nice stuff is only available online, the cheap stuff is in Walmart.
Good for beginners and cruising
Are the Legion series legit? And which one is the top? Legion 500?
Not sure what you would define as legit, but anyone that is into BMX and is at an intermediate skill level would not ride one of these.
I have a legion L60 and its not bad for cruising and bunny hops but i think thats really it.
Current Mongoose bikes are not bad quality
Are they worth getting and fixing up? For me, it's just something to do.
even current mongoose aren't *that* bad.
Mongoose bikes can fit taller riders well
Had a blue aluminum hardtail. I'm 6'2" and still think that's the only bike I've ever owned that fit me.
Older Mongoose models have solid frames
Nice riding 4130 frame. Comparable to the Specialized and Trek MTBs of the era.
Mongoose produces good quality bikes for serious riders.
Some of their stuff is still good, they do produce complete bikes with full chromoly f&f and bars, and sealed hubs, but most of the stuff they make isn't great.
They make good stuff, but you have to buy the actual good stuff.
Nostalgia for Mongoose's past reputation
Man I grew up on mongoose lol good times
Good project bike potential for upgrades
Parts are cheap and will break at any random moment.
Mongoose is pushing upmarket with better offerings
What's the deal with Mongoose? They're a distinct brand that has been making BMXes since the early days of the sport.
Mongoose has been sold a few times over the last couple of decades and the companies direction has changed with that.
I think they're actually doing a great job. They've taken Breezer upmarket from corny comfort bikes, and are now making some pretty nicely-spec'ed mountain bikes.
Mongoose bikes are recognizable and nostalgic for many
Growing up in the 70s, Mongoose bikes were the real deal.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Dislike for the look of specific parts on the bike
Actually to be totally honest NO. I hate them now.
Or just dont ruin ur kids bike because ur feeling that "shot of youth" if ur not willing to replace it because you want a supressor.
I bought a MONGOOSE legion L500 pretty cheap last summer and have been changing a lot of parts.
Decline in quality compared to past reputation
Mongoose is the same was once pro shop/mail order only, to Wal-Mart.
Not suitable for heavy abuse or advanced riding
Old ones can be really good.
Quality decline in recent models compared to older ones
Yeah, Mongoose is dead, just like Schwinn and GT. They all belong to Pacific/Dorel.
Feels like a cheap bike
The L in the name is there for a reason... False advertising, walmart cheap feeling bike.
Cheap Mongoose bikes available in Walmart are of low quality
Most people don’t know that there are 2 types of mongoose bikes, all they see are the walmart ones.
Mongoose does not honor frame warranties
They don’t honor frame warranties!!
Mongoose does not honor warranties
They are horrible and don’t honor warranties
Current Mongoose bikes have declined in quality.
Their current bikes are trash, maybe they made something decent in the past but it was before my time and I have a hard time viewing them as anything other than a Wal-Mart staple.
Haven't seen them do anything in bmx in years besides sell beginner bikes.
Perception of Mongoose cutting costs
Diamondback were great until they realised they had a great reputation and decided to cut costs rather than keep making great bikes.
Decline in quality after being sold to Pacific
When did Mongoose go to shit? I understand they began to heavily cut corners when they hit big box stores, but around what year(s) did this happen?
The sale to Pacific in 2000 was the end of Mongoose as a performance-focused brand.
My memory said early 2000's so I looked up their wiki and it says that they were sold to Pacific in 2000 so that is probably around when they really started showing up in the big box stores.
Perception of Mongoose as a brand has declined
The middle of the market has been hollowed out. Mongoose was selling to the average buyer, and the average buyer now buys a cheap Chinese bike from Walmart.
Association with low-quality big box store bikes
So he wants to buy a better one, or one that fits him better, he goes to Dicks or REI, and then has to choose from store brand, Diamondback, and Mongoose.

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Discussion on using the bike for tricks and performance
Get your own bike and ride with them instead of breaking their new toy??
Nah. Just don't be unnecessarily rough on it..
Reference to a comparison video with a custom bike
Matty Cranmer tests out the Mongoose Legion L100 against his custom bike
Curiosity about Mongoose's history and branding changes
Great info, thanks for posting!

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion about bike modifications
Time for a gyro or to ditch that front brake.
Discussion on restoring vintage Mongoose bikes
It's showroom condition but not for sale.
what should I look at first on the repair list?
You could sell each of them for a very decent chunk of change (stem is $250-400, bars are $200+) and get period correct race parts for it.
Hey bud, did you fix this Mongoose up? It’s awesome.
Conversations about bike modifications and personal preferences
I always thought it would be cool to do a bike with the copper and not finish with chrome.
A nice clear coat or sealant would work.
Discussion about bike upgrades and modifications
Seth did a review on one of these and generally had some positive things to say.
Someone on a review recommended se suntour forks, have any break recommendations?
If you want to go the cheaper route, a Su tour XCM coil fork would be decent.
the suntour x1 lo-r is really good, and cheaper than the judy

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Discussion about bike aesthetics and upgrades
Got the Anodized Green color on the Salt+ stem and 28t Odyssey for that perfect OEM+ look.
Gorgeous bike! Where do I get gumdrop pedals? I’ve never seen that
Oh man, this is cleeeeean 🔥

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Nostalgia for Mongoose's past reputation
Anyone Remember When Mongoose Were the Mercedes Benz of Bikes Before Walmart Destroyed the Name?
Used to work on those bikes like mechanics and build the most dangerous ramps out of scrap wood we’d find around the neighborhood with our bike gang.
Mongoose was rad, but Redline…..🔥🔥🔥🔥
Greatest time to be a kid, movies cartoons toys and Bikes.
Nostalgia for older Mongoose models and their performance
I still ride a 1998 Mongoose D60r full suspension bike.
My first "real" bike was my dads 91 IBOC Comp with Mountain LX groupset.
Various opinions on bike brands and models
Solid bikes. Sunday completes are also decent.
fit has good completes too
A "good" bike is always worth 250 or more.
Mongoose bikes are owned by the same company that owns GT, Cannondale, and Schwinn.
TIL That Mongoose Bikes are owned by the same company that owns GT, Cannondale, and Schwinn.

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