Six Six race bar: DK goes bigger

21 10 2015

To borrow (yet again) the phraseology of a rapper I hold in high regard, Sir Mix-A-Lot, I like big bars, I cannot lie.

And as a fan of bigger/taller bars, it warms my heart to see bike companies offering, more and more, taller options.

The sub-6″ bar was the standard on race cruisers for far too long (see Traditional cruiser bars: who needs ’em?)

And while some race purists will argue that lower bars are necessary, our  in-field testing with Matty Jo Shelley showed that bigger bars offered advantages to the race gang too.

All that is just prelude to me saying that I’m stoked to see DK is now offering a taller aftermarket race bar for the cruiser rider.

DK Six Six Cruiser Bars

The DK Six Six handlebar are a 6.6″ race bar with minimal sweep.

Available in chrome or black, they are 100% 4130 Multi-butted (11 count) Chromoly with a knurled clamp area. They also feature a hourglass-tapered crossbar.

The rest of the specs:

  • 29”wide
  • 2° upsweep and 7° backsweep
  • 762 g. weight

(And for those riding a new school/freestyle 24″, there is also a 8.6″ version available as well.)


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First look: DK’s 2016 race cruisers

15 10 2015

DK Bikes unveiled their 2016 race cruisers recently, so it’s only fitting we take a look and see what’s up for the new year.

In terms of colorways, these 24s are looking on point.

Especially the Elite Cruiser.

The Elite sports a super cool nickel finish (It’s a silver over black base, so you get a dark silver look).

Copyright DK Bicycles 2015

In terms of components, DK has retained much of the winning elements of the 2015 version but made a couple of tweaks to dial it in for 2016.  Most notable of those tweaks is the new 20mm BOX rear hub (it was a DK hub last year).

The “wallet-friendly” Sprinter cruiser also gets an update to its colorway. It’s now available in a bright flo (neon) green.

Copyright DK Bicycles 2015

The components also got an updating…in two important areas.

The tires get an upgrade to the more modern Arisun XLR8 tires (24 x 1.75) and the rear hub is now cassette.

I’m liking the looks of these two.

Frame Geometry (Elite)

Head Angle 73°

Seat Tube 72°

Top tube: 22”

Chain stay 15.25″

Bottom Bracket: 5mm over axle line, stock it sits around 12.1”

Frame Geometry (Sprinter)

Head Angle: 73°

Seat Tube: 72°

Top tube: 21.75″

Chain stay: 15.25”

Bottom Bracket: 5mm over axle line, stock it sits around 11.8”

Full Specs

Elite

Sprinter


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Tejano Tabletop Tuesday

29 09 2015

After all of last week’s Interbike coverage, it’s about time we got back to some actual riding.

So, for your viewing pleasure…Buddy Sardenga with a sweet tabletop (aboard his custom Beelzebike 20 666’er) at the Tejano Trails near Austin, TX.

Buddy Tejano Table

(Pic by Octavio Arturo)


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Categories : New School, Trails, Trails/Jumping

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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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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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

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.

BMW CRUISER MattRaw buildIt 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.

BMW CRUISER YellowBMW CRUISER greenBMW CRUISER NightSky

(I’m digging that Night Sky Blue!)


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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.

2016 GT Speed Series

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.


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Scott Towne’s sorta bike check

31 08 2015

You might remember a post from a while back where we learned that Scott Towne was rollin’ on a Stolen 24.

Well, Scott’s been visiting the race track as of late, so he’s gone out and got himself a proper race rig.

His choice?

DK’s top-of-the-line Elite Cruiser (by way of Matt Bischoff).

scott towne race rig

A great bike, ready to race, “right out of the box”…as the bike industry is apt to say.

What caught my eye though, were the modifications he made to it.

Otherwise a stock bike, Scott says

[He] had to make a couple tweaks (daddy doesn’t do carbon forks) and of course, taller bars…

A man after my own heart!

Traditional cruiser bars: who needs ’em?

And not “doing carbon forks”?

I’ve mused before over whether BMX should or should not reduce its carbon footprint. I have considered using carbon in the past but in the end have always stuck with chromoly.

Good old fashioned chromoly forks.

(Don’t call it a comeback…they’ve been serving us well for years).

Scott definitely has a sweet a ride with mods that I can only say are “cruiser revolution-approved.” (For further, evidence peep my race ride here, to see a similar set up…DK frame, cro-mo forks and big bars….we’re birds of a feather apparently…)

For more on Scott, check out his Tumbler and Instagram accounts for daily updates on his biking-related exploits/riding adventures.


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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

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