Is brakeless better?

25 03 2010

Brakeless riding is prevalent in just about every area of freestyle bmx these days….especially street riding. While definitely not as widespread in the 24″ scene, it is starting to creep in.

High-profile guys like Jim Bauer have been riding their 24s brakeless for a while now and more and more cruiser builds are showing up without brakes.

Brakeless advocates argue that going without brakes makes them better riders: smoother and more committed to making the trick rather than braking at the last minute.

Do you agree?

Is brakeless better for 24″ freestyle riding?

Is riding brakeless the secret to Jim Bauer‘s style?

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Jay Miron walks away from BMX

23 03 2010

In case you missed the big news this weekend, Jay Miron has sold Macneil Bikes and Ten Pack Distribution to his business partners, Darcy Saccucci and Jamie Macintosh. He’s also shut down the Metro Jam events. He’s walking away from BMX.

What can you say in a situation like this?

It seems too soon but you can’t knock the guy…he’s accomplished so many things and done so much for the BMX community.

Jay, thanks for the memories…and the 540 whips.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Jay Miron Macneil DVD“, posted with vodpod





BMX superheroes at Woodward West

17 03 2010

Looks like Steve Swope is once again gathering the Superfriends (Old school BMX stars) at the Justice League (Woodward West)  to fight the forces of evil (for the Old School BMX Reunion).

The invite list features a “who’s who” of 80s BMX legends. Just check out the list of invitees for an instant Freestylin’ magazine flashback. Should be an awesome weekend…I’m really looking forward to checking out the photos and video from the event.

Former Plywood Hood, Brett Downs was there last year and clicked this sweet turndown on his Model-C to commemorate things.

Turndowns are just timeless, aren’t they?

It’s all going down Friday, April 2 – Sunday, April 4. Check out Kickstand BMX for all the details.

For more pictures from last year’s event, check out b dubbs photostream on flickr.

For the theme music I imagine them playing when they enter the building, click here.





Limited edition Redline Cup frames

14 03 2010

Well, here’s an awesome incentive to race the Redline Cup series this year:

The chance to win one of 70 one-of-a-kind limited edition frames from Redline!

According to Redline:

While it is up to each track operator’s discretion on how they will be given away, the custom black & gold Flight frames will likely be raffled off to one lucky winner during the RL Cup race – with proceeds being used to fund improvements for each BMX track.

The colors are inspired by both the 1966 Shelby Hertz Mustang Fastback and the Gold Cup series of the ’80s. They come in two sizes: Expert XL and Pro Cruiser (pictured).

In addition to the custom black and gold colors, you also get the 2010 Redline Cup logo clear-coated on each side of the top tube.

These cool frames are going to be collectors items, so good luck to everyone following the Redline Cup series. If you’re lucky/fast enough to score one you’ll definitely have one of the coolest looking rides at the track.






KHE Mac 2s: light but do they last?

12 03 2010

These days it seems like everyone has a little bit of a “weight-weenie” in them.  It’s a far cry from the mid 90s when it seemed that all that mattered was strength (at least in the freestyle world), weight be damned.

For me, as long as things aren’t taken too far–like obsessively drilling out parts or sacrificing durability for a few grams–I’m all for saving weight wherever you can.  When looking to save weight, conventional wisdom says that reducing rotating weight is most important as it makes the most impact on performance…think wheels, tires, cranks, etc.

This stuff has been on my mind lately because I’ve seen a few cruiser builds recently with foldable KHE Mac 2s on them.

From what I’ve read about them they do make a big difference weight-wise: shaving a minimum of 200 grams per tire (in some cases a lot more) making a noticeable impact on how a bike rides. The tread is supposed to be nice too for park and other freestyle applications.

The downsides?

Cost for one. These babies are pricey. Depending on where you buy, they can be double the price of  a regular tire.

Another is durability. Some reviews suggest that these tires are more prone to punctures and the sidewalls don’t hold up. Other reviews say these concerns are overblown (pardon the pun) and that they hold up just fine as long as they are inflated to the recommend PSI.

Are they worth it?

I’m undecided.

But I would love to hear from anyone that has used these tires before. Are they worth the price?





It takes a big man…

10 03 2010

…to make a big bike look small.

Check out this picture that I borrowed from S&M’s Facebook feed.  A custom 23.5″ TT 38 Special made for a guy named Tiny.

He’s so big, his whip looks like it could be a 16″ pit bike standing next to him.





Toronto BMX Jam Drew Thousand Ten

9 03 2010

It was loud, crazy and over the top.

This weekend’s Toronto BMX Jam was one for the record books. Qualifying was crazy and had many shaking their heads wondering what the next day’s Finals would bring.

A couple of serious crashes started the Pro Finals and threatened to put a damper on the whole day. Thankfully, after a short break in the action the momentum of the contest picked up again. Then it was one banger after another. The crowd got back into it and things got insane.

Riders were going off but none more so then Drew Bezanson. Dedicating his final trick to his injured friends, he blew the lid of the Better Living Centre in Toronto with a crazy icepick/feeble stall. Just nuts!

Check out the video.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Toronto BMX Jam 2010 Finals“, posted with vodpod





Are you ready for this?

5 03 2010

Time to gas up the car, get a bus ticket or hop on a plane because it’s going to be non-stop BMX in Toronto this weekend. The Toronto International Bicycle Show is here and it includes a flatland contest, an old school indoor BMX race and the Toronto BMX Jam.

But is it really worth going?

Just check out this clip from last year’s Toronto BMX Jam to get an indication of what  goes down at this annual event.

Or maybe check out this video of Drew Bezanson that’s being blowing up the internet for the last day or two. If this is what he does for a video clip…imagine what he’s going to throw down in the contest.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “FU-Cam Episode 1: Drew Bezanson“, posted with vodpod




Liquid’s Bubblegum Blue frame

4 03 2010

Sometimes the right color just gives a bike a little something extra…like Liquid’s Bubblegum Blue frame.

This bike just looks super cool.

But it’s not just a good-looking bike, it’s got a roomy front end with modern geometry that’s built for serious riding (if the pictures and videos featuring Liquid’s Jeremy Combs are any indication).

I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from (and about) Liquid Bikes in 2010.





Live after death: 24s aren’t done yet

2 03 2010

“The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” Mark Twain


Despite showing  love for the cruiser in recent issues, BMX Plus! seems to have now sounded the death knell for the cruiser in their April 2010 issue in an article called Cruising into Oblivion: The Death of the 24.

It’s  actually kind of amusing however when you take a look at this sensationalist article in relation to the rest of the magazine. For instance, Redline has again seen fit to place a two-page ad for a cruiser in the magazine. And this time it is their top-of-the-line Flight Pro 24!  I’m going to go out on a limb and say there must be some kind of market for 24s to justify that kind of advertising.

And in their mailbag section, a reader writes in about racing Cruiser for two years, “…One thing led to another, and now I race a 24-inch Haro…”.

Are big ads and actual reader feedback not clear enough signs for Plus! that cruisers are alive and well?

Guys like Danny Caluag, Barry Nobles and George Goodall (who is  featured prominently in the Redline ad) are also keeping excitement alive in the National race scene.

And completely ignored by the article is the explosion in popularity of modern trails/park 24s…which I don’t have to convince you of, if you’re a regular visitor to this site.

The death of the 24?

Hardly.

We’re just getting started.