Vert: the final frontier for cruisers?

8 01 2010

Cruisers have proven themselves at the trails, track, park and the street. They’ve also shown that they are more than capable flatland machines.

That’s why I find it a bit surprising that we haven’t seen more cruisers on vert.  Pictures and web edits are few and far between.

But I’ve done some digging…and this is what I came up with.

If you’re old school, you probably remember this BMX Action magazine cover, featuring R.L. Osborn and Eddie Fiola busting a couple of flatties on the T.O.L. ramp on some 24″ test bikes.

Then there was this picture of Joe Rich tearing up the Terrible One ramp on a Volume Sledgehammer. (I love this picture…awesome style.)

More recently, Ollie Sandles posted the following web edit of Peter Beer shredding a concrete bowl on his cruiser.

Will we see more photos and footage of cruisers on vert? I think it’s just a matter of time.


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Categories : Freestyle, New School, Old School

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


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Old School, Racing, street, Trails/Jumping

Jon Faure takes on Woodward West

23 12 2009

Jon Faure just sent an email with some great riding pics he took recently at Woodward West. You may remember Jon from a post awhile back called Is this going to be you at 45? or his interview on the Sunday bikes site.

Jon is still tearing it up on his Sunday Model-C and hopes to inspire a few more “older” riders to take the plunge and start riding a modern 24″ bike. Here’s what Jon had to say:

At 45 years old, this bike has me doing things I would never thought possible at my age. Especially since I really only started riding 6 or 7 years ago. More old guys need to take advantage of these new 24″ bikes. It makes riding so much easier and more fun!

Can’t argue with that!

Check out these great pictures

This looks like something from Freestylin’ magazine back in the day

A nice flattie in the dirt

Big wallride



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Categories : Freestyle, New School, 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

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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.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Old School

Toronto bike park rivals Ray’s MTB

9 12 2009

It looks like riders in the Toronto area will no longer have to dread the upcoming winter season. That’s because Joyride 150 is set to open up any day now.

Inspired by the awesome Ray’s MTB bike park , Joyride 150 is promising to be 90,000 square feet of pure biking fun. It features pump tracks, rollers, a cross-country trail, a skatepark, a foam pit and a resi ramp.

Located in Markham, Ontario; a suburb of Toronto, it’s only 30 minutes from Cruiser Revolution HQ. I’m looking forward to riding the shit out of this place.

Check out the video and prepare to be stoked.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

more about “Toronto bike park rivals Ray’s MTB“, posted with vodpod



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Categories : Freestyle, New School, street, Trails/Jumping

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.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Trails/Jumping

Maybe you’re just a renegade…

26 11 2009

I came across this article on BMX cruisers in Oregon Cycling awhile back and I think it really captures why cruisers are so fun and why more and more people are getting into 24″ bikes.

The writer, Tom Baldinger, talking about his “secret agenda”:

My agenda is naturally, more cruiser riders on the streets, the race tracks, the skate parks, etc! I love to see other people on them, because I know what fun they are!

Why to get a 24″ instead of another type of bike:

If your budget is limited, and you are looking for a bike that is easy to maintain, can be ridden hard, and will provide more entertainment than should be legal, I would highly suggest a 24-inch wheel BMX cruiser.

How a bicycle is more than just “transportation”:

…if a bike ride is more to you than a utilitarian passage from point A to point B, if you are prone to explore alleys, jump off curbs or look for embankments, cruisers are a great option.

And finally, because (and I think this is a little tongue-in-cheek) riding a cruiser makes you a bit of a renegade:

Perhaps the best reason to ride a cruiser is the renegade factor. Mountain bikers chuckle, 20-inch wheel BMX riders scoff, road bikers are bewildered. Cruisers have a kitsch factor that’s hard to beat, they are super practical. Try one out, you’ll be surprised at the amount of saddle time it sees and I guarantee the ride will put a smile on your face.

Here’s hoping that 2010 will see even more renegades giving cruisers a try….


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Categories : Freestyle, goofiness, New School, Old School, Racing, street, Trails, 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).

What was behind this limited run of wide bars? I’d like to think it came to Chris Moeller when he was at the trails.

Perhaps mid-jump he yelled to his trusted assistant nearby, “I need cruiser bars this big” …and then stretched out a no-hander to demonstrate.*

* of course, this is all speculation on my part.

 


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Categories : New products, New School, Trails/Jumping

Todd Lyons: keeping SE Bikes cool

19 11 2009

With Todd Lyons leading the charge,  SE Bikes has managed to bridge the distance between old school and new school…offering bikes that appeal to the rider looking to relive his youth to the young rider just getting into BMX.  They’ve also hooked up with some cool companies to put out limited-edition bikes that are definitely some of the coolest looking bikes out there.

You’d think that with so much on his plate as SE’s brand manager (and so many years in the sport), the guy would become jaded or burnt out. But that’s not the case. When you take a look at his posts and his riding shots, you can tell he feels like a kid in a candy store…because he might just have the best job in BMX.


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Categories : New products, New School, Old School, street

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