Top ten of 2013

31 12 2013

As the sun goes down on 2013, let’s take a look at some of the most notable cruiser news items of the past year.

10. “Duffman man says…oh yeah!”…in one of the most surprising collaborations in recent memory, CULT teamed up with the Simpsons to put out the The Simpsons/CULT Duffman Cruiser.

9. The 22 inch wheel continued to show legs…S&M rolled out a 22” version of its popular ATF frame (in addition to a new 24” option) and FELT introduced a 22” entry-level complete.

8. Don’t call it a comeback…but then again maybe you should…We the People returned to the 24” scene with the trails-y Atlas 24. Subrosa also came back with the DTT TTWOFOUR frame. Liquid Bikes debuted a new american-made Feedback V2 frame.

(Wayne Keller testing the Subrosa DTT TTWO FOUR frame)

7. The tanwall tire also made an impressive return…showing up on completes from We The People and Free Agent, in addition to an aftermarket tire from Stolen. Hopefully this trend will continue in 2014 with more aftermarket options.

6. BMX Plus put the spotlight on cruisers is a big way in their September issue.

5. Still alive at five. Cruiser Revolution hit the 5-year mark. So stoked to still be going strong after all these years!

4. Austin, Texas might just be the cruiser capital of North America. After visiting in the spring, I can confirm the rumors are true…Austin is definitely a place where cruiser is king.

3. Sunday continued to spread the word about new school 24s. Whether its Bobby Parker promoting #TwoFourTuesday, or Sunday featuring 24” riders in their FB feed, Sunday was reppin’.

2. Stolen Bikes’ strong showing at Interbike…with a solid lineup of completes, frames, aftermarket parts and the debut of a 26” model…Stolen showed everyone that they mean business when it comes to cruisers.

1. And just like in 2012, some of the best moments of 2013 were captured in video. Whether it was the “BMX vs. MX” Gundars Osis edit, Brandon Brown’s race edit, Peter Ulbrich bowl riding on a Big Ripper, or the technical wizardy of Joe Cicman and Danny Sarkin flatlanding on Sunday Wave-Cs…there were some great edits to get stoked on.

Happy New Year!





More rippin’ on the Big Ripper

30 12 2013

Peter “Pdog” Ulbrich last caught our attention when he dropped a web edit featuring him bowl riding on a Big Ripper.

Well, he’s back again and taking his Big Ripper to the street, the track, the skatepark and just about everywhere else.

pdog freestyles his 29er

If you think a 29er is just for jumping curbs and cruising, this edit will change your mind.





Friday flashback: 70s style

27 12 2013

I came across this cool video the other day and had to share.

Kathy Sessler shot this short film of her bike-riding friends back 1971/72.

Kathy Sessler lesson in history

The intro seems to capture it best when it says,

Something magic always happened when rubber touched the dirt.

Something that’s as true today as it was back then.

When you boil riding down to its essence, it’s all about having fun on your bike.  Sometimes people forget that.

Definitely worth a watch.





Trail testing the prototype Liquid frame

20 12 2013

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty stoked to see Liquid Bikes back in the game with the release of the Feedback V2 frame.

To remind everyone but how well Liquid frames handle in the dirt, Liquid’s Jeremy Combs posted some old footage of  himself riding  the Koala Trails on a prototype Liquid Feedback frame.

So rad.





Bowl riding on a Big Ripper

10 12 2013

Now I’ve seen everything.

The last time we caught up with Peter Ulbrich he was shredding a race track in a decidedly non racer-like manner (see This is where things go off the chain).

Now he’s back for a little skatepark/bowl riding on a 29″ wheel SE Big Ripper.

Yes, you read that right.

An SE Big Ripper.

With 29″ wheels.

Oh Man….





Liquid releases Feedback V2 frame

9 12 2013

After a bit of a hiatus, Liquid Bikes has returned to the 24″ BMX scene with an updated version of its super popular Feedback frame.

Dubbed the Feedback V2, this frame is now being made in the USA by Solid BMX. It maintains the same proven geometry, but is lighter, stiffer and perhaps even cooler than the previous incarnation, in that it now features custom laser-cut bridges between the stays.

According to Liquid, the Feedback V2,

features newly designed chain stays that improve tire/sprocket clearance and stiffen the rear end compared to the previous version – all while keeping one of the shortest chain stay lengths in the 24″ market.

That’s in addition to some of the longest top-tube size options available: take your pick of a 22″ or 22.3″ top tube. Perfect for the taller rider…which, let’s face it, makes up a lion share of the 24″ BMX demographic.

Liquid Feedback V2 frame

Color choices for the Feedback V2 are Root Beer (trans-brown), Raw with clear coat and Satin Black.

Specs:                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Top Tube: 22″ or 22.3″
Bottom Bracket height: 12.7″
Chain Stay: 14.25″
Head Angle: 74 degrees
Seat Angle: 72 degrees

Other notables:
30 tooth max sprocket clearance
2.3″ rear tire clearance
Double butted top and down tubes
Externally butted seat tube
Custom laser cut seat stay and chain stay bridges
Non-removable u-brake mounts
Weight: 5 lbs

Check out liquid-bikes.com, which has also undergone a bit of a refresh, for the rest of the particulars.

Liquid Bikes website

Stoked to see Liquid back on the scene with some fresh gear.





USA BMX Cruiser Champs crowned

4 12 2013

Shawn DiPrete put it all together this past weekend at the USA BMX Grand National to take home the the overall Cruiser title.  With three guys in his class in contention, this race was no cakewalk…especially in the highly competitive 41-45 age group.

To add to the achievement, USA BMX said that, “no rider from New England has ever won a National No.1 Championship (in ABA or USA BMX) … UNTIL NOW.”

Great job by DiPrete.

Shawn DiPrete

In Girls Cruiser, Jordie Scott beat out women of every age category to take the overall Girls title…at 12 years old.  Nice work by the Redman rider.

Jordie Scott Cruiser Champ

If you missed the live feed over the weekend, check out the mains in the video below.