New products | cruiser revolution

Are shaved headtubes next for Model-Cs?

9 02 2010

Odyssey designer, Jim Bauer recently had a couple of bike checks posted on ESPN, including his tricked out Sunday Model-C.

Off the top, you’ll notice the tricked out, “Bauer-original” paint job and it’s brakeless setup. It’s also loaded with Odyssey and G-Sport components.

Sunday has been experimenting with a shaved headtube design and Jim’s ride has it! The headtube is slimmed down, with less of an hour-glass shape and the bearings of the internal headset are exposed.

Finally, a picture of the man with his bikes. That’s a Metal prototype on the right. This photo just begs for a caption that includes the phrase, “…from the wrong side of the tracks.”

Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: Bauer original paint job, brakeless riding, ESPN, G-Sport, internal headset, Jim Bauer, Metal bikes, Odyssey BMX, shaved headtube, Sunday Model-C
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

Alienation now offers 24 inch rims

4 02 2010

Alienation BMX has joined the cruiser scene with a new 24 inch version of their jump/park/street Delinquent rim. They’re available in black, blue and red. Noticeably absent is a gold anodized version. Maybe that will come later.

Still, great to see another company recognizing the need for aftermarket components for all the 24 inch BMX bikes out there.

Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: 24" BMX bikes, Alienation 24 inch Delinquent rims, Alienation BMX, anodized gold, jump, park, street
Categories : Freestyle, New products, street, Trails/Jumping

Dirt: take with plenty of Liquid

21 01 2010

I teased you a while back with a great video from Jeremy Combs riding a prototype of his new Liquid frame.

Well, now it’s time to take a closer look.

I have to say I’m pretty excited about this new frame…1) because it was obviously designed by someone that knows his way around a bike and 2) because it offers a long top tube and short chain stays (a combo that seemed a long time in coming).

Check out these specs from the liquid-dirt site:

TT: 22″ and 22.25″
BB: 12.7″
CS: 14.25″
HA: 74
SA: 72
ST: 9.15″ center to center
Weight: 5 lbs 3 oz

They’re also 4130 Sanko Chromoly and feature removable brake mounts and routing.

Colors available are: flat black, pearl plum grey, and limited edition flat bubblegum blue.

And if you’re a fan of 24″ dirt jumping (and really, aren’t we all?) you should really check out liquid-dirt for great dirt jumping photos like the one below:

Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: 24" Dirt Jumping, 4130 Chromoly, Jeremy Combs, Liquid bicycles, Liquid cruiser, Liquid-Dirt, long top tube, short chain stays
Categories : New products, New School, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Showing some skin in Utah

17 01 2010

I’ve asked the question before…and I’ll probably ask it again…is it time to show some skin again?

The skinwall tire, once a staple in the BMX world has all but disappeared. This depresses me a bit because I think skinwalls really make a bike’s wheels “pop.”

That’s probably why I was so pleasantly surprised (and stoked) to see the Fit CR24 that Glenn from Utah has souped up. It’s a new school ride with some old school flava!

The shiny chrome and the skinwalls take me back to the Chrome Hutch Pro Racer I had as a kid. But it’s every bit the modern day 24…from the current geometry, to the taller handlebars to the translucent plastic pedals…this is one sweet ride.

It turns out everyone can get a piece of this retro-cool skinwall magic. Glen tells me that the tires are actually 1.95 Kenda K-rads that SE Bikes had made for their retro cruisers. You can order them through coloredtuffs.com. I linked to that page in my earlier skinwall post..back then I was under the impression that they were just generic knock-offs…now that I know that they’re K-rads…well, now I’m pretty tempted.

True, they’re a bit pricey but to finally get a good skinwall tire again…it might just be worth it.

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Chrome Hutch Pro Racer, colored tuffs, Fit CR24, Kenda K-rad, SE Bikes, skinwall bmx tire
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Old School

Redline runs 2-page Proline 24 ad

13 01 2010

Flipping through the latest edition of BMX Plus! recently, I was pleasantly surprised to find a two-page ad for the Redline Proline 24.

So many companies give short shrift to 24s in their ads, it’s nice to see Redline step up and recognize that cruiser riders want to see “their” bikes in the BMX mags too. For Redline to do so in a two-page spread makes me respect them even more.

What’s more, I love that they chose the Proline 24 over the Flight 24 for the ad. While the Flight 24 is certainly a sought after bike for the hardcore race crowd (with factory Answer Scythe forks, etc.) the Proline 24 is a simple, well-spec’d bike that works: Chromo forks, Redline Flight cranks…everything you need to win races or ride trails…nothing too fancy, but nothing that needs replacing either.

Even though I’m kind of surprised it wasn’t offered in red, or that cool bronze-y gold of last year, I find that this blue version is growing on me. Great job, Redline.

Respect.

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: 24" BMX cruiser, Answer Scythe, BMX Plus!, BMX races, Redline bicycles, Redline Flight 24, Redline Flight Cranks, Redline Proline 24
Categories : New products, New School, Racing, Trails

Don’t look back in anger

3 01 2010

I had grand plans of posting this look back at 2009 on new year’s day..but a bunch of friends were heading down to Joyride 150 for a session so I opted to go riding instead. I figured you would understand.

What happened in 2009?

Let’s take a look at 10 things that made an impact on the 24″ BMX scene in 2009…

10. More choice, more parts Not only are more 24s available, more companies are stepping up with more parts like wheels, tires, etc. Being able to get decent-sized handlebars is nice too.

9. Custom frames Want to have a frame made to order? Companies like FBM and S&M made things easier and more affordable than ever this year

8. Back to the future Old school Pros showed that they still got it…look no further than icons Stu Thomsen and Greg Hill

7. Bike shops Even in era when online retailers seem to dominate, a well-stocked shop with knowledgeable owners and staff is something that just can’t be beat. If you have one nearby, consider yourself lucky.

6. Racing I started racing again in winter 08/09 (after giving it up as teenager) and I was surprised at how much fun I had. Tracks are a lot better now than back in the day and the scene more chill.

5. UK bike mags It seems like all the best mags are coming out of the UK now. The fact that Fastlane runs cruiser bike checks is pretty cool too.

4. Video parts 2009 saw 24’s showing up more often in videos

3. Age is just a number Riders in their 40s are kicking ass on their 24s

2. Anything a 20″ can do… Today’s 24s can handle it all… it doesn’t matter if it’s the trails, track, park or flatland…a 24 can take care of business.

1. The Sunday Model-C This bike was everywhere this year…from the updated 24″ geometry to riders on Model-Cs taking things to the next level…Sunday shook things up in a big way this year.

What does 2010 have in store? I can’t wait to find out…

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Sunday Bikes Trailer-Up, Up and Away“, posted with vodpod

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: 24" BMX video parts, Age is just a number, Anything a 20" BMX can do, Bike shops, Custom 24" frames, decent-sized handlebars, Fastlane BMX racing magazine, FBM, Greg Hill, More choice more parts, Racing, S&M, Stu Thomsen, Sunday Model-C, Sunday Up up and away
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Old School, Racing, street, Trails/Jumping

I’m talking liquid…

19 12 2009

I’m talking liquid” – Gordon Gekko, Wall Street

I’ve been chatting with Jeremy Combs (via email) over the last little while about his new bike company, Liquid bicycles, and their new 24″ frame.

The prototypes look great and I’ll be taking a more in-depth look at it in the very near future.

For now, check out Jeremy hitting the trails on the prototype.

(This video just makes you want to drop everything and go ride, doesn’t it?)

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Koala Trails“, posted with vodpod

Comments : 6 Comments »
Tags: 24" frame prototype, Gordon Gekko, I'm talking liquid, Jeremy Combs, Liquid bicycles, Wall Street
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Trails/Jumping

Bam’s custom FBM cruiser all built up

15 12 2009

Way back in November we did a feature on long-time cruiser revolution reader Bam’s custom FBM cruiser. FBM dubbed it the Cu Cu cruiser and it featured the following dimensions:

Head Tube: 75 degrees
Seat Tube: 70 degrees
Top Tube: 22″
Chain Stay: 15″
BB Height: 14″
Standover: 6″

Back then, all we had were pictures of the frame and fork but Bam recently sent some photos over of it all built up and I think you’ll agree, the bike looks great.

Eastern Bikes does a lot to support his local scene so Bam decided to “represent” and run as many Eastern parts as he could (Eastern bars, 23t sprocket, pedals, headset, seat, post, and stem.)

Other notables: Profile cranks, Primo grips, brakes, lever; KHE 14mm hubs and chain: Odyssey tires, cable, tensioner and rims.

Check out the photos:

Old-school Bottema style forks:

15″ chain stays:

Representing local scene supporters, Eastern Bikes:

If Bam’s custom cruiser/build has got you inspired, do yourself a favor and check out FBM’s custom BMX frame order form. FBM recently updated their ordering form with new features and colorways.

Comments : 8 Comments »
Tags: Bam, Bottema forks, Cruiser revolution, Cu Cu cruiser, Eastern Bikes, FBM custom BMX frame, FBM custom BMX frame order form, FBM custom cruiser frame, KHE, Odyssey, Primo BMX, Profile cranks
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Old School

She’s got a nice tight rear end

3 12 2009

If you were into BMX in the mid 90s, you probably remember the ad for the Homeless Pornstar frame…”Long in the front, with a tight rear end you could work for hours.” Not one of the classiest ads but one of the first things that come to mind when looking at this Melms frame.

This frame features a 13.75″ chain-stay length! The Sunday Model-C, for comparison sake has a 15″ (slammed) chain stay length. Most cruisers have chain stays over 15″.

With 20″ frames back-ends getting progressively shorter, I’m actually kind of surprised that it has taken this long for someone to experiment with shorter chain stay lengths…especially with so many companies embracing the “cruiser that rides like a 20 inch” philosophy. Maybe this is a sign of things to come…

Here’s the bike all built up:

For more on Greg Melms and his creations, check out this thread on ridemonkey.com.

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: cruiser short chain stays, Greg Melms, Greg Melms cruiser, Homeless Pornstar frame, mid 90s BMX, Sunday Model-C
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Trails/Jumping

I like big bars, I can not lie…

23 11 2009

I had such big plans for this post’s headline yet all I can come up with is a weak Sir Mix-A-Lot reference.

My apologies and I will try harder next time.

S&M bikes is another company that has come to the rescue for riders that, like me, have wondered are my handlebars big enough?

News broke a couple of days ago that they were doing a limited run of 29″ wide cruiser bars. That’s all the info I have right now. I can’t find any details on the S&M Bikes site, so you might want to give them a call or email if you’re interested.

Check ’em out in the picture below (…and yes, I’m as freaked out by his expression as you are).