The not so usual suspects

23 09 2015

There were a couple of noteworthy things I spotted on the periphery of my “cruiser-oriented lens” at Interbike this year.

One was The Dash from Bombtrack Bicycle Company (an outfit connected with We The People).

It’s billed as a “fixed freestyle street weapon” but can be converted into an “urban 26″ single-speed machine”.

In other words, a cruiser then?

This is a real nice-looking machine.

Bombtrack Dash Interbike

Full cro-mo frame, fork and bars with a liberal sprinkling of Salt components. The tan tires, remininscent of the new, limited edition tan Stolen Joint tires are the icing on the cake.

You can definitely see the BMX influence on this bike and it might be an option to consider if you swap out the fixed driver with a cassette (I think it comes with a removable brakes, even though they’re not on the display).

On the smaller end of things, GT had a race bike built up with then new OS20 wheels they’ve been experimenting with for some time (see this previous Mike Day post for more details).

GT OS20 Interbike

While it seems a bit odd that the racing side of things can’t fully embrace the current wave of enthusiasm for 22″ bikes (in the freestyle/trails side of BMX) due to an arbritary…and dare I say it…archaic mandatory wheel size standard. It was definitely cool to see this bike built up with the new wheel size just skirting 22″.

On a side note, I have heard that you might be able to get the OS20 wheels to work on some of the mid school-era trails frames — with the longer dropouts —  so I’m curious to see if people might start experimenting with these new wheels on old frames sitting around. It would be a neat thing to try out.

So, a couple things outside of the “cruiser mileu”…but two things that definitely have some cross-over elements into this part of riding.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Racing

26″ cruisers are making the moment last

23 09 2015

At last year’s Interbike, it was hard not to notice that 26″ cruisers were having their moment in the sun.

Companies were adding 26″ cruisers to their lineups, left and right, and it was hard not to turn your head and see that this bandwagon was growing.

If this year’s show is any indication, this trend is in no danger of abating…and might even be picking up more steam.

There were companies that have had a 26″ in their lineup for a while, like Volume with their Hessian complete (in two colorways!) to companies either adding a 26″ to their lineup or refining existing models to give them more appeal.

Volume Hessian Interbike

Stolen Bikes was there with their Stolen Zeke XLT (click here for specs) nicely kitted out in chrome.

Stolen Zeke Interbike

Subrosa had their Malum 26 on display with its new cool rat-rod finish (click here for specs).

Subrosa Malum Interbike

Redline had their nod to the old school, the PL-26, on display (see previous post).

Redline PL-26 Interbike

Eastern Bikes is even back on the scene again…and wouldn’t you guess it…they have a 26″, the Growler, in their lineup. (That being said, the rep said it’s high-ten steel and made strictly for light cruising.)

Eastern Growler Interbike

SE had their Fat Ripper 26 on display (see previous post)…just one of…what is it?…three 26s in their lineup (see previous post).

SE Fat Ripper 26 Interbike

And we’ve already seen We The People’s new 26″ Avenger.

WTP Avenger Interbike

Which kinda brings it all back full circle. Last year, when I first noticed this trend at Interbike I made the comment:

I  wonder if the increasing popularity of 26″ bikes will prompt We The People to bring back the 26″ Champ cruiser…not that I would want their 24″ offering, the Atlas, to disappear.

Turns out We The People did jump back into the mix with a 26″ (although not with the 26″ Champ cruiser) but still kept their kickass 24, the Atlas, in the lineup.

All in all, it’s good to see so many big wheel choices for riders to choose from in the 2016 lineups.

 


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Old School

WTP Atlas: new look, same great ride

22 09 2015

As mentioned in the previous post, I had made a beeline to the We The People (WTP) booth at Interbike because of earlier rumors that had said WTP was going to offer two cruisers in their lineup for 2016.

I was intrigued…and half-concerned…that they would change up the 24″ Atlas.

It turns out that the WTP folks decided to stick with a good thing and left the spec/geometry pretty much the same as last years…essentially a long, “trails-y”-feeling 24.

What has changed is the look of the WTP Atlas.

The black and red ano colorway of the 2015 has been dispensed with.

In its place?

Atlas sideA “bottle-green” (trans) green frame & fork, complimented with generous helpings of chrome  and black, and rounded out with tanwall Kenda Small Block 8 tires.

This combo looks really nice.

Not much more to say about this bike, other than this is a real looker and ready to shred right out of the box.

Atlas angleIf you’re someone that doesn’t like the higher BBs on other modern 24s…but want something more responsive than “traditional cruiser geometry”…this might be the bike you want to take another look at.

Atlas frontThe specs/particulars:

Frame/fork and bars are full cro-mo.

  • Head tube: 74 degrees
  • Seat tube angle: 72 degrees
  • Top tube length: 22″
  • BB height: 12.7″
  • Stand over height: 9.7″

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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

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.

turbokidbanner

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).

Turbo kid couple

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)

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Categories : Freestyle, goofiness, Old School, shenanigans

Are bash guards back?

28 08 2015

Here’s one for the “what goes around, comes around” file.

Bash guards.

They enjoyed a brief moment in the sun back in the day when Bully frames came with them welded on and when GTs offered them as an add-on accessory…because they believed “bolt on [was] better.”

bully

Heck, even Wade Nelson did a bit on them in Snakebite yesterday. Here’s an excerpt:

At the end of the 1980s, the BMX market had crashed, and was perhaps looking for the next gimmicky thing to sell more stuff. Suddenly it was of paramount importance that we have bashguards on our bikes.

And in an era before micro-gearing:

[O]ur giant sprockets…needed protection.

But about as abruptly as this “innovation” swept into the BMX marketplace, it was quickly ushered out.

Bashguards were already  a footnote before the giant sprockets they were designed to protect were replaced by micro-gears.

Now it looks like a company is trying to bring them back.

bmx-grind-guard

BMX Grind claims,

BMX has seen attempts at this in the past, but nothing designed specifically for modern day grinds and whips, and nothing that lets you grind like this!

Hmm…really?

To their credit, BMX Grind has put out a video to promote their product.

Not sure how game-changing those grinds are….

It probably does protect your sprocket…But how many riders are going to going to be willing to bolt on 1.3 pound guard to do it?  Sure, back in the day a heavy bike was a badge of honor, but today? Forget about it.

Then again, maybe I’m judging it too harshly.

Is the bashguard ready for a comeback? Let me know what you think.

(*I know this isn’t a cruiser topic per se, but as a “BMX Enthusiast” it’s something I still feel worth discussing.)


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, Old School, Skatepark, street, Tomfoolery

2016 Stolen Saint XLT & Zeke XLT unveiled

26 08 2015

For their 2016 lineup, Stolen Bikes have combined their “regular” and XLT versions of their popular cruisers (the 24″ Saint and 26″ Zeke) into one model, the “XLT.”

What does that mean for you?

The broad strokes are:

You will be getting a complete (in whichever size you choose) that is full chromoly, kitted out with all sealed parts (except pedals), 48-spline cranks and a Pivotal seat/seatpost combo. (Did you notice there’s 8″ bars on the Saint XLT?)

Let’s take a look at the 24″ first.

2016-ISO-SAINTXLT-GREEN

Saint XLT Geometry/Specs

  • Head Tube 74.5°
  • Seat Tube 71°
  • Top Tube 21.5″
  • Chain Stay 15″
  • BB height: 13.8″

Two colorways available

You can get the Saint XLT in Black or Matte Ammo Can Green.

The Black colorway comes with Limited Edition All Tan Joint Tires…that’s some freshness right there!

2016-ISO-SAINTXLT-BLACK

An added bonus?

Those All Tan 24 x 2.2 Limited Edition Stolen Joint tires will be available separately.  Don’t sleep on these though…Stolen is  only doing one run of these tires for the US market so get on these quick/fast/in-a-hurry.

24'JointTan

Next up, the 26″.

Zeke XLT Geometry/Specs

  • Head Tube 74.5°
  • Seat Tube 72°
  • Top Tube 22.25″
  • Chain Stay 16″
  • BB Height: 13.3″

Colorway

The Zeke comes in Chrome.

A nod to the old school, perhaps? Whatever the reason, I dig it.

2016-ISO-ZEKEXLT

Pretty nice completes, that’s for sure.

If building up a 24″ is more your thing…not to worry…Stolen is still offering their aftermarket Stolen Gold Frame & Fork.

Have a peek at their new catalog for that, along with their rather extensive range of parts.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, Trails/Jumping

Am I Evel?

25 08 2015

I can’t decide if it’s just an odd coincidence or some kind of cosmic convergence that led me to catch the Evel Knievel doc, Being Evel, on the same day as Drew Bezanson’s epic video edit, Uncontainable, was being released.

It was definitely inspiring to watch both on the same day.

being evel 2

Knievel, the prototypical action sports star — and inspiration to every kid that launched himself off a makeshift ramp — and Bezanson, a modern-day action sports star, breaking new ground yet again.

We all owe Evel a debt of gratitude for blazing a trail for all of us that followed him…inspiring us to “give it a go”…whether that meant working everything out ahead of time or just sending it and seeing if the landing will work out.

Bezanson’s Uncontainable edit shows that legacy carries on…that we should always be testing the boundaries…like Evel showed us before, life is more than just existing, it’s meant to be lived.

Drew Bezansen performs a huge 360 Tail Whip during Red Bull Uncontainable in Truro, Canada on August 5th, 2015.

Haven’t see the videos yet?

Check ’em out below:

Uncontainable

Being Evel (to purchase)

Being Evel (trailer)

 


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Categories : Freestyle, New School, Old School

Update on that cool 24″ Lairdframe build

19 08 2015

You might recall, back in May, the eye-catching 24″ Lairdframe that I spotted over on BMX Museum.

With most of the customs coming out of Lairdframe’s highly regarded business being 20s, this new school 24 was definitely something that piqued my interest.

Well, the owner of this build, Jared Burak, just dropped me a line with an updated picture of his bike, after he made a few updates.

It looks great…a custom Lairdframe kitted out with good stuff from Tribute Bikes, Native Bikes, and Zodiac Engineering.

Lairdframe 24 update

Jared says Laird’s work is “highly recommended” and “quite affordable” when comparing it against the base prices at other custom frame-building companies (like S&M, Standard and FBM).

I have to say I’m pretty stoked on this build.

Fingers crossed we’ll see more new school 24s from Lairdframe in the future.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails/Jumping

Sneak Peek: 2016 Redline Asset 24

4 08 2015

After surprising us last year with a bit of a stealthy debut, Redline has brought back their 24″ freestyle cruiser, the Asset 24, for 2016.

It’s nicely spec’d with a full cro-mo frame and some decent parts. It does look like some compromises were made in the components department — as can be expected in any complete — but nothing that would raise any immediate concerns when you wheel it out of the bike shop.

New for this year, is a gloss black paint job that fades to a matte black. This is offset by a nice looking pair of copper finish 3-piece cranks that add a little flair to the bike.

2016 Redline Asset24 BLKI would’ve liked to have seen a few more copper accents (say on the handlebar and/or the seatpost) but that’s an easy fix after you’ve been riding it for a while and decide to customize it to your particular tastes. (Check out the Redline site for the rest of the parts rundown.)

Geometry-wise, the Asset 24 boasts the following:

  • Top tube: 21.75″
  • Head Angle: 74.5 degrees
  • Seat Angle: 71 degrees
  • BB Height: 13″
  • Chain Stay: 15.5″

That geo puts it right in the ballpark of other heavy-hitters like the S&M ATF 24″.

All in all, a pretty solid package for $499.99 (US). I expect we’ll be seeing a lot more people rolling on these in the coming year.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails/Jumping

Tested: Odyssey Chase Hawk Tire 24″

30 07 2015

Since we learned about the introduction of the 24″ Chase Hawk tire from Odyssey, the anticipation surrounding them seemed to be sky high. We endured  teaser pictures on the OTX social media accounts, and waited patiently for them to arrive. Thankfully,the 24″ Chase Hawk tires are now out and available.

The question is…do the 24″ Chase Hawk tires live up to the hype?

Buddy Sardenga in Austin, Texas picked up a set to see.

chase hawk tires buddy test

What did he think?

Let’s find out.

Well, the first thing that I noticed about the tires are how quiet, fast, and grippy they are. I did like the Stolen Joint tires* but l could not run my front brake through the fork, they hit the cable.

*Buddy’s currently riding a chrome Stolen Saint XLT.

I ran [Tioga] Powerblocks for a bit since they came in 2.1 and were very cheap at 17 bucks…but they are very slow on concrete.

The Chase tires are a 2.2  [yet still] about the same size as the Powerblocks… but super fast and grip way better.

https://instagram.com/p/4sYZlGI_XZ/?taken-by=gremlinorange

So, how do they measure up riding street, park and dirt?

The tire is more of a slick for park and street and I was concerned about dirt riding with them.

I guess they did their research on that because I had no issues on the dirt.

Those little groves that come from the side provide very good traction even if things are not very well groomed.

Looks like the 24″ Chase Hawk tires do live up to the hype.  I think Buddy’s final thought on the tires sums it up best.

If you ride a 24, check them out for sure.

It appears Odyssey’s got a winner on their hands with the 24″ Chase Hawk tires.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails/Jumping

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