Rad Rides: not in Oprah’s book club

17 05 2012

I recently picked up a super cool book called, Rad Rides: The Best BMX Bikes Of All Time (Intercity, Gavin Lucas & Stuart Robinson).

And while it will probably never be an Oprah Book Club Selection, I think this a book that you’ll still want to check out.

Tracking the evolution of BMX bikes from the 70s to the modern day, it’s cool reminder of how far we’ve come in terms of BMX technology, and also how in many ways, we have stayed more or less true to the original designs from back in the day.

There are also cool one-off bikes, like Woody Itson’s gold-plated Hutch Trick Star.

And in the “modern era”, some of Jim Bauer’s cool custom projects.

24″ BMX gets some love too.

Whether it’s an OG Patterson cruiser, a 2009 S&M 24″ 38 Special or an early SE Floval Flyer…Rad Rides has got that covered too.

Overall, I’m pretty impressed by this book.

Just thumbing through the pages, I find myself constantly stopping and poring over each cool ride.

If you have any roots at all in BMX, you gotta check this book out.





Bobby Parker to the rescue

15 05 2012

Just when I start thinking to myself,

Y’know, it’s been a while since we’ve had some good action shots on the site

Bobby Parker (from Sunday/Full Factory) comes through with some great pictures from a session at Marble Falls/Cottonwood Shores, Texas.

Check out this sweet one-foot tabe by Bobby…

And this rad shot of his friend Luke airing out (and the spooky looking area around the park)

To see out more pics from this fun looking session, go to the Full Factory Facebook page and look for Marble Falls/Cottonwood Shores session.





DK parts now available at Walmart

1 05 2012

A while back we talked about DK’s foray into the mainstream with their entry-level line of bikes at Walmart.

Without a doubt, there was some controversy over whether or not this was a good idea.

Well, love it or hate it…it looks like DK Bicycles is continuing to build on its relationship with Walmart.

On a roadtrip to Ray’s MTB a week ago, we stopped in at a Walmart and I was shocked to stumble on to this…an aisle endcap stocked with DK parts and accessories.

While clearly not super high-end, I was pleasantly surprised that what was on offer was, for the most part, okay-quality (especially in light of what’s usually available at mass-market stores).

It actually kind of blows my mind a bit that you can now walk into a Walmart (in the U.S.) and pick up a DK Random Wrench.

Who would have thunk it?





Shreddin’ Venice on the Stolen Saint

27 04 2012

As I’ve mentioned before, the Stolen Saint 24 is one of favorite bikes right now, as far as completes go.

Good geometry, components and price make for one attractive package and the Saint is starting to get some buzz going because of it.

To build on that buzz and to highlight  how well it rides, Stolen got  their team riders, Sean Morr and JJ Anderwald to cruise around Venice Beach and throw down a few tricks.

Looks like the Saint is ready to go whether you’re riding street or skatepark.

Check it.

Vodpod videos no longer available.




BMX: it’s all just a big fashion show

26 04 2012

I don’t know if it’s a coincidence but in the last couple of weeks a number of fashion/glamour pictures of riders have surfaced.

Sure, BMX has always been a bit trend-driven. From Swatch watches and neon colors in the 80s to the flannel shirt and beanies of street riders today…BMXers have always had a look.

That being said, I never thought I would see the day that a freestyler, like Matthias Dandois ,would have a full-blown fashion spread in GQ magazine rocking, amongst other things, $2500 suits!

Well that day has come, as you can see by this picture.

And racers aren’t being shy about jumping on the fashion bandwagon either.

Check out this picture of Elite Women’s racer, Miki Iibata posing in decidedly non race apparel (I’m pretty sure those heels aren’t compatible with her clipless pedals!)

Miki Ibata

I’m wondering, is this part of a broader trend?

Are BMXers now considered..<cough, cough>…fashionable?





Praise the Lord

14 04 2012

Looking at this picture, I can’t help but wonder if some intern at the local architectural firm mixed up the blueprints for the new church with the ones for the town’s new skatepark.

(from BMX Museum)





Seat posts: where do you stand?

4 04 2012

Seat posts have been getting the shaft in the modern BMX era.  In recent years, seat posts have disappeared nearly as fast as brakes on a new school street bike.

But is the tide starting to turn?

Here and there you will see someone rocking their seat posts proudly…still low by old school standards but higher than what’s been the norm (which for a long time has meant slammed).

Perhaps it’s time to take a poll and find out where you (and your seat post) stand on this issue.





Everyone loves Ray’s MTB

15 03 2012

One of my best riding experiences this past year was riding Ray’s MTB bike park in Cleveland, Ohio.

To put it simply, Ray’s MTB rocks!  So much to ride and a welcome relief to dealing with the colder riding months.

So what’s the story behind Ray’s?

A couple days ago I stumbled upon this video interview with Ray Petro (the Ray in Ray’s MTB) where he explains some of the back story of how Ray’s came to be. What I found most interesting is learning how the expansion to Milwaukee almost put Ray in the position of having to close the legendary bike park’s doors for good.

Great interview. Check it out.

Vodpod videos no longer available.




MegaRamp madness with Jon Faure

13 03 2012

Jon Faure boldly goes where no 40-something 24″ bike rider has gone before…the Woodward West MegaRamp!

It’s awesome to see Jon push his limits…although I still cringe every time I watch the crash section.

https://vimeo.com/26751175

 





Updated InDust Cuatro: spy photos

9 03 2012

Back in November, pictures of the new InDust Cuatro 24 were making the rounds on the Internet.

Now it looks like some refinements have been made to the geometry.

Most notably a slacker head angle (presumably to make it more stable at high speeds when riding trails) and a lower seat tube.

Stout Bikes (the company manufacturing the frames) let the cat out of the bag with some spy photos on their website the other day.

These are looking really good. No word yet on when these will be released but I suspect it will be in limited quantities when they do.

Check out the InDust Facebook page or their webpage for all the latest developments.