September | 2015 | cruiser revolution

Scoping out the GT Speed Series Pro 24

9 09 2015

GT really stepped up the looks of their high-end race cruiser, the Speed Series Pro 24, for 2016.

Starting out with a classic white frame, it’s set off by a nice mix of copper ano components…a nice modern touch we’ve seen more recently on the Redline Asset 24.

That being said, the frame is classic in color only. There’s a lot going on beneath that white colorway.

We’re talking alloy hydro-formed and butted tubes, internal quick release seat clamp wedge, a CNC/forged quick change dropout system, BB30, and a tapered 1-1/8″-1-1/2″ integrated head tube. Paired with a set of tapered GT Pro Race Forks, this is a nice starting point for a tricked out speed machine.

Geometry-wise, the Speed Series Pro 24 lines up as follows:

Top Tube: 21.8″
Head Angle: 73 degrees
Seat Angle: 70 degrees
Bottom Bracket: 11.7″

Kitted out with a mix of GT, ProMax and Alienation components this bike is ready for battle.

The cool colorway, white & copper, initially caught my eye but this bike has a lot more going for it than its good looks…GT has really put some innovative thinking into this bike (especially the frame) and it’s definitely worth a second look.

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: 2016 GT Speed Series Pro 24, Copper anodized components, GT BMX Cruiser, Redline Asset 24
Categories : New products, New School, Racing

Turbo Kid takes you back to the future

3 09 2015

Imagine thumbing through the shelves of dusty old VHS tapes at a video store back in the 80s, stopping at one with a super hero and a BMX bike on the cover. You smile, grab it, and stroll off knowing you’re in for some cheesy…but oh so fun…entertainment.

If you can go back and put yourself back in that headspace, well then my friend, you’re probably going to love Turbo Kid.

Billed as a post-apocalyptic love story set in an alternate version of 1997, it has one retro nod after another.

(Let’s just say hearing “Thunder in your heart” within the first few minutes made me extremely giddy.)

The movie follows the tale of an orphaned teenage forager who, along with his female-robot companion, must fight an evil warlord who controls the only water supply. The evil warlord is played perfectly — which in this case, is completely over the top — by Michael Ironside (who I remember fondly from movies in the 80s and 90s as a biker gang member or some other villian).

Of course there’s plenty of riding throughout the movie as it seems bikes are the only form of transportation in this world. I found myself squinting to make out all the details of the bikes…someone paid a lot of attention to make sure they looked sufficiently retro. (I got a kick out of seeing “Special thanks to Skyway Wheels” in the credits.)

Another nod to the past is the location itself. The movie is a Canada-New Zealand co-production shot in rural Quebec.

Yes, just like the most famous BMX movie to precede it, Turbo Kid was shot in Canada. It’s enough to make a Canuck BMXer a little teary-eyed.

Program notes:

There’s quite a bit of Kill Bill-style bloody gore in this movie so it might not be suitable for younger kids.
This movie is on a limited run in most places. Catch it if you can! (Otherwise you can get it on Vimeo)