New products | cruiser revolution

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.

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

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

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

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.)

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).

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

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.

Comments : 10 Comments »
Tags: 2016 SE Fat Ripper 26, 2016 Subrosa Malum 26", 2016 Volume Hessian, 2016 We The People Avenger, Eastern Bikes Growler, Redline PL-26
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?

A “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.

If 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.

The 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″

Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: 2016 We The People Atlas 24, WTP Atlas
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

WTP’s beach cruiser-inspired Avenger

21 09 2015

One of the first booth’s I made a beeline to at Interbike this year was We The People. I had heard rumors that We The People were going to have two (TWO!) cruisers in their lineup this year.

When I got to the booth those rumors were confirmed…not only was the 24″ Atlas returning to the lineup (more on that in a bit) but We The People (WTP) had put together a real…dare I say it?…show-stopping 26″ cruiser. Employing the Avenger name used on cruisers in previous model years, this particular iteration is like no previous version of the Avenger.

Taking style cues and inspiration from classic Laguna beach cruisers, WTP combined old school elements with modern-day tech to make a fun bike perfect for chill riding sessions and cruising the neighborhood.

To make the ride more responsive than the typical beach cruiser, WTP raised the bottom bracket a bit and tightened the rear end a bit.

To keep the looks classic, a quill stem, American bottom bracket, and bear-trap pedals were used.

And could you put a pivotal seat on a bike like this?

No way.

WTP got it right by going with a standard seat/seat post combo.

Adding sealed bearings throughout keeps things trouble-free.

It just makes you wanna get behind the bars and cruise, don’t it?

WTP has made some great cruisers throughout the years but I have to say this one has really got me stoked.

I’m a sucker for shiny blue frames and tanwall tires too…so I can’t help being smitten by this bike.

The specs/particulars:

The frame on the Avenger is a full Hi-ten frame with a Cr-Mo downtube, the fork and bar are both 100% Cr-Mo.

Head tube: 72 degrees
Seat tube: 73 degrees
Top tube: 23.15″
Chain Stay: 17.15″
BB Height: 20mm
Stand Over Height: 14.75″
Weight: 29.9 lbs

Comments : 9 Comments »
Tags: 2016 We The People Avenger, 26" WTP Avenger, Interbike 2015
Categories : New products, Old School

Brooklyn Machine Works brings back a 24

14 09 2015

It’s been a minute since Brooklyn Machine Works has had a 24″ cruiser in its lineup (they offered a cruiser in 1997 and later, their Pooky cruiser in 2004) but it looks like the wait has been worth it!

The company, backed by Pharrell Williams and Nigel Sylvester, has a history of interesting bikes and projects.

This cruiser, built in the USA, is no different. Constructed out of 4130 Cro-Mo, it features all the modern touches, such as an integrated headset, 14MM dropouts and a mid bottom bracket.

It has a nice, versatile geometry which means that you can probably ride this bike just about anywhere — street, trails, even the track.

Here’s a breakdown of the specs:

Top Tube: 21.8″
Head Angle: 73° (Integrated)
Seat Angle: 73°
Chain Stay: 14.75″-15.25″
BB: 12.2″ (Mid)
Dropouts: 14mm
Brake Mounts: V-Brake

You can score one of these bad boys in Matte Raw, Yellow, Green and Night Sky Blue.

(I’m digging that Night Sky Blue!)

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Brooklyn Machine Works, Brooklyn Machine Works 24 inch cruiser, Nigel Sylvester, Pharrell Williams
Categories : New products, New School

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

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.”

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 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.)

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Bash guards, BMX Grind, Bully bikes, GT BMX
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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Comments : 7 Comments »
Tags: 2016 Stolen Saint XLT, 2016 Stolen Zeke, 24" Stolen Gold frame, Stolen Bikes
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, Trails/Jumping

Are you ready for the Truth?

21 08 2015

I got the heads up recently about a small rider-owned company called Truth BMX Products.

Based out of Maryland, the company has been around for just under a year and is run by two brothers, Eric and Tony Spears.

In addition to a pretty wide assortment of components, the company has some pretty cool 24″ race frames in their product lineup (with 26″ versions planned in the coming months).

The specs for the PRO 24 Main Event frame are:

Top tube: 21.5″
Chainstay: 15.35″
Head Angle: 73.5 degrees
Seat Angle: 70 degrees

A Pro XL 24 frame is also available with a 22″ top tube (all other specs the same as above).

All the frames are made out of 6061-T6 Aluminum.

Watch for these to become available in the next few weeks.

Check out truthbmxproducts.com for more details about frame colors, their parts lineup and a bunch of other race-y stuff.

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: 24" BMX cruiser, BMX cruiser racing, Eric Spears, Tony Spears, Truth BMX Products
Categories : New products, New School, Racing

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.

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.