WTP Atlas gets race ready for 2018

12 09 2017

This is something I didn’t see coming.

At first glance, I thought the 2018 We The People Atlas would be a slightly refined version of their 2017 model.

Boy, was I wrong.

While they may be similar in color, this WTP Atlas has taken “race-inspired” to a whole other level…especially for a company that is, by and large, a freestyle company.

For 2018, the u-brake has been replaced by a more “race-y” v-brake. The wide, knobby trail tires ditched for 1.95 Kenda Konversions.

Even the sprocket has been upsized to 33 teeth!

But that’s not all, the geometry has also been changed to reflect its new race inspiration.

We’re talking longer chain stays and a lowered bottom bracket.

Check out the full breakdown below:

  • Head Tube Angle: 74°
  • Seat Tube Angle: 72.25°
  • Top Tube Length:  21.75”
  • Chain Stay Length: 15”
  • Bottom Bracket Height: 12.25”
  • Stand Over Height: 9.5”

All that, and it clocks in at just a smidge over 26 pounds. Pretty respectable for a full cro-mo race bike.

Heck, even the graphics seem race-oriented!

I’m kinda interested in how many of these we’re gonna end up seeing out in the gate  next year.

I know I’m kinda tempted by it.


Comments : 8 Comments »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : New products, New School, Racing, Trails

Flying econo class in style with DK

9 09 2017

If you’re low on dough, new to riding or making a comeback to the sport, you might not be able to pick up the latest high-end cruiser with all the bells and whistles.

But even with that being the case, you still want a cool looking bike that’s fun to ride…you just have to do it on a budget.

If that sounds like you, DK has got you covered.

On the freestyle side of things, the 2018 DK Cygnus 24″ clocks in at around $360 US (complete!).

Built around a “chromoly main frame”, the Cygnus sports tall bars, 170 mm cranks and the choice of teal or beige colorways.

The geo looks pretty good too:

  • Head tube angle: 73.5º
  • Seat tube angle: 73º
  • Top tube: 21.5″
  • Chain stay: 14.75″
  • BB height: 12.6″

On the race side of things, the 2018 DK Sprinter Cruiser 24″ is also an excellent value for what you spend ($419.99 US).

Built around a 6061 alloy frame, 100% chromoly forks and double-wall rims, there’s a lot to like here.

The royal blue colorway with red ano accents looks pretty dialed too…more befitting of a bike with a much higher price tag, but extra cool to see on a bike at this price level!

The geo checks out on this one too:

  • Head tube angle: 73º
  • Seat tube angle: 72º
  • Top tube: 21.75″
  • Chain stay: 15.25″
  • BB height: not specified

All in all, some pretty cool rides for not a lot of dough.

Either one would be a perfect entry point to riding and both can be upgraded as the need arises and your skills progress. Definitely some solid choices if you find yourself wanting to fly in the economy class.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Racing

Scoping out the 2018 STLN Saint XLT 24

29 08 2017

The Saint XLT 24 has returned to the Stolen Bikes lineup again for 2018.

For this go-around, Stolen stuck with the geometry of the previous year’s model (which they updated for that model year).

For your reference, it breaks down like this:

  • HT: 74.25°
  • ST: 70°
  • TT: 21.75″
  • CS: 15.0″
  • SO: 9.6″
  • BB: 13.30″

And like it’s predecessor, it continues to hit all the high notes: Full chromoly construction, sealed components and 48-spline cranks.

New for this year (and similar to the Zeke XLT) is the addition of the long-ish 300mm Pivotal post.

Two new colorways for this year too.

First off, the Trans Black/Gold Fade.

And next, the stealthy flat black.

Nice looking rigs!

I know I’ve said this before, but the Saint continues to be one of the best spec’d, best value 24s on the market.  Hit up your Stolen dealer right quick if you’re looking for a good new school 24.

 


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

Zoomin’ in on the 2018 STLN Zeke XLT 26

28 08 2017

The Stolen Zeke XLT is back for 2018 and, may I dare say it, looks better than ever.

Granted, not a lot has changed spec or geometry-wise from the previous model year, but hot dang is it a looker.

It comes in two colorways this year.

The first, and my personal fav, is the gun metal with dark red tires.

Yowza, does that look bad ass!

Next up, black with matte orange rims.

I would have liked to see a bit more in the way of orange components on this one but nonetheless I’m digging the matte orange wheels.

Stolen also added a longer 300 mm Pivotal post to the Zeke XLT this year, which was a nice touch.

Here’s how the geometry breaks down:

  • HT: 74.5°
  • ST: 71°
  • TT: 22.25″
  • CS: 16.0″
  • SO: 12.25″
  • BB: 13.30″

With all that being said, if you’re looking for a 26er this year the Zeke XLT should definitely be on your list.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

First look: 2018 Cult Devotion 26

10 08 2017

When Cult joined the 26″ movement last year I was both stoked and surprised.

Surprised because Cult is — for the most part — a 20″ bike company. But, on the other hand, also stoked because another “core” BMX company was offering a nicely spec’d cruiser.

Truth be told, I was a little worried that a cruiser in the Cult lineup would be short-lived.

Thankfully, that’s not the case.

The Cult Devotion 26 is back for 2018…and it’s available in two(!) colorways.

First off, there’s a raw frame with black parts version.

Next up (and probably my favorite of the two)…a chrome frame version with black parts and some nifty whitewall red stripe tires.

Looking good!

Word on the street is that these rigs could be dropping as soon as next week.

So if you’re digging these fresh new colorways, hit up your Cult dealer on the double.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: ,
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

SX start hills to become VIP beer gardens?

16 06 2017

With the news that BMX freestyle had been added to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic program the BMX racing community is all a buzz with talk about the potential impact on BMX racing in upcoming Olympic events.

One big question to come out of this discussion?

Are the Olympics/Supercross(SX)-style tracks’ days numbered?

Signs are beginning to point to “yes”.

According to Mike Carruth on VintageBMX.com,

We are already seeing a gradual departure from the 8M hill, via the UCI rules for 2017, which allow World Cup races to be run off of 5M or 8M hills. To me, that is the beginning of the end for the 8M hill, but it is going to take a while. If BMX Racing gets dropped from the Olympics, as many expect in 2024 or 2028, that will further accelerate the demise of the 8M hill. By then, most of those hills will be 10 yrs old, and will have lived a full life.

But what will become of these massive –now more or less obsolete– structures in this non-SX BMX future?

Well, Carruth has a solid idea that I think we can all get behind:

Then, they [the 8M starting hills] can be converted to stadium seating, with a VIP beer garden at the top.

I think he may be on to something with this idea.

This might just return BMX racing to its former glory.

I say cheers to that.


Comments : Leave a Comment »

Categories : New School, Racing, Tomfoolery

First look: 2018 Sunday Model C

2 06 2017

Sunday Bikes just released a preview of their 2018 lineup…and with eager anticipation I scrolled through the slideshow to have a look at the latest iteration of the 24″ Model C.

New for this year is all black colorway (with the exception of the bars and cranks which are chrome).

It’s almost the ying to the yang (or is vice versa?) of last year’s colorway: chrome with black bars and cranks).

Other than the new colorway, the Model C is pretty much steady as she goes in terms of components and setup.

The highlights are:

  • Sunday Lightning rims
  • Sunday sealed hubs
  • Odyssey Springfield brakes
  • Odyssey Twisted PC pedals
  • Sunday Tripod Seat
  • Sunday Freeze stem
  • Sunday Pursuit tires

Like last year, the frame is not full chromoly (chromoly downtube and headtube only)…but still reasonably durable and well-spec’d for the pricepoint.

For the rest of the deets, click on over to the Sunday site.


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , ,
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

Mongoose serious about racing comeback

31 05 2017

Back in December, we got word that Mongoose was making a racing comeback.

They kicked things off with a line of affordable, race-ready complete bikes that were available at mongoose.com and Amazon.

Now, it appears that Mongoose is upping the ante and expanding their race line —from four to eight models–for the 2018 model year.

According to a writeup in the Wisconsin State Journal, one reason for the expansion of their BMX category, specifically the race category, is the increased exposure BMX racing has received since its Olympic debut.

Another reason, according to Brian Baldis, Director of Product Development for Mongoose, is:

“…parents like to put their kids in those kind of formatted sports, versus freestyle, which is still the bulk of the BMX marketplace.

“Racing is seeing some uptick because it has a time, location, adult supervision and feels very much like Little League in that way. It’s been great for youths getting back on bikes in that way.”

That’s great to hear, considering the gloom and doom on Internet Forums over the past few years when the topic of participation rates came up.

Will this translate into more Mongooses at the local track?

Time will tell.

But in any event, it’s great to have this iconic brand back in the BMX race scene again.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : New products, New School, Old School, Racing

A cruiser by any other name

29 05 2017

As many of you know, the BMX cruiser class had its orgins with the classic beach cruiser.

In fact, up until Craig Kundig (of RRS bikes) put one of his racers on a 24″, race cruisers were generally 26″ bikes.

Yet with the many changes and improvements made to 24″ race bikes over the ensuing decades, the “cruiser” moniker stuck.

BMX legend Eric Rupe was around for those early days (and has continued racing through to the present day) seems to think that the “cruiser” name should be changed.

In the recent PULL magazine “Cruiser Edition”, Rupe was quoted as saying the following:

An interesting take…yet granted, something I have also pondered.

It reminded me of a conversation I had a few years ago at Interbike.

I was talking to a vendor that produced beach cruiser-related accessories.

She saw that my tag read “Cruiser Revolution” and asked about it. I explained that my site covered “BMX cruisers” not the “beach cruisers” that she made parts for.

She got upset with me and said “those aren’t ‘cruisers’! You need to change your name.”

I laughed it off but she seemed a little too hung up on it so I moved along to another booth.

To me, while there definitely has been a revolution in the design and quality of modern-day BMX cruisers (see what I did there?) I think maintaining the “cruiser” name is a good thing…it reminds us of the how this type of bike came about but it also lets us redefine what it means as the years go on.


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Freestyle, New School, Old School, Racing

The Beast was released

22 05 2017

Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast…for the number of times I saw footage and mentions of the new SE Beastmode cruiser this weekend was truly off the chart.

If somehow you were away from your social media feeds this weekend, here’s the lowdown.

SE hooked up with NFL player Marshawn Lynch to collaborate on the new Beastmode cruiser.

They debuted the new bike on the #OAKLANDRIDEOUT.

If all the clips and mentions that popped up on the weekend are any indication, the debut was a success.

Marshawn was in attendence, Todd Lyons and the #cyclesquadmaniacs were up to their usual antics…and it looks like people were stoked!

But social media isn’t the only place the Beastmode cruiser and the Oakland Rideout got attention.

The mainstream media also jumped on the bandwagon!

Heck, I even saw footage on HLN this morning!

No doubt about it, the world heard that the Beast was released this weekend.

 


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : New products, New School, shenanigans, street, Tomfoolery

« Previous Entries Next Entries »