They might be Giants

17 11 2009

The Giant Method 24 doesn’t get a lot of attention but if you’re looking for a well-spec’d, roomy bike for trails this could be the ticket. Featuring a  a 22 inch  top tube, this is probably one of the longest production 24s out there (not counting pure race bikes).

It features a traditional low bottom bracket and a slightly mellow 73 degree head angle, so it’s going to feel good dirt jumping but less so at the skatepark.  It would also make a good race bike if you’re not to obsessed with how much your bike weighs.

This pic was “borrowed” from ridemonkey.com…it’s someone that goes by Cru Jones…no, not that Cru Jones…showing what the Method 24 is capable of in the dirt.

For 2010, Giant has dispensed with the cool tan & bronze look for something that looks a bit reminscent of the new 2010 Redline race bikes.  Not sure what the thinking was behind that….while this look might be ok at the track, it looks a little bit too much for the trails…where I have feeling that a bike like this would see more action.  No word on if the geometry has changed…Giant seems to have removed the specifications tab from their bike pages and I can’t seem to find the 2010 information anywhere else.

In somewhat related news: you may have seen the news that Giant is dropping some heavy hitters from their team, including Taj, Corey Bohan and Heath Pinter. It’s tough to see such talented riders losing their sponsorships so I’m hoping they find the support they need to keep riding and stay part of the scene. Giant’s Chris Arriga has gone on record that there will be a 2010 BMX program at Giant, complete with a team, in the new year but so far no details have been given.





GT might be getting its mojo back

12 11 2009

I have to admit, it’s been a long time since I’ve been excited about a GT product. Their bikes, especially their race bikes of the last few years, have been kind of ugly and seem like like yesterday’s news when compared to other bikes.

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across this video explaining the new 2010 GT prototype cruiser. The old ultrabox design is gone in favor of a trick, oval-tubed modern look…this bike looks fast.

And while I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable riding a bike with non chro-mo forks, I think this frame might pique more than a few racers interest* in the new year.

*Now they just have to take that level of innovation and come out with a 24 that you can take to the trails.





A nice fall day = trails

10 11 2009

When you get an unseasonably warm day in the fall, I don’t think there’s a rider out there that doesn’t immediately think, “I have to go ride.”  This past weekend seemed more like summer than fall and the local trails were packed with people taking advantage of the weather. People were in a good mood…maybe feeling like Mother Nature was making amends for the rainy summer we had. The vibe was mellow and the smiles came easy…but I guess that’s what a little sunshine can do for you.

Jon Faure big jumps

(Pic: Jon Faure)

Jon Faure probably doesn’t have to worry too much about squeezing as much riding as he can in before winter hits (he lives in California) but does that really matter? Everyone loves a good jumping picture, right? This one’s from ridemonkey.com.





FBM is doing it again…

3 11 2009

Maybe it’s just me but everytime I see FBM, I think of the lyrics to KMFDM’s “Light“.  But I digress…

FBM posted another custom cruiser frame build on their site and this time it is long-time Cruiser Revolution reader Bam’s custom frame.

Check out the specs:

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

FBM BAM custom cruiser frame & fork

If you look closely, you’ll notice some very distinctive forks on this setup…there’s an extra 2″ on the fork leg. A definite nod to old school Bottema forks.

The process

Bam had been shopping around for a custom builder but found most of his options were too expensive or too limited in geometry options.  He decided to give FBM a call, although I think he was a little apprehensive given John Paul Roger’s recent comments about cruisers  in an article in DIG magazine (he called them goofy, etc.)  Despite his initial concerns, FBM was on board with the build.

Bam said:

The FBM plan gives you an online form to check the available options, they offer to do anything you want, then some discussion, send them half of the money, then they send you a drawing to approve.  The price includes shipping and it didn’t cost extra for a 24″ model. They send photos of the process as it happens.

According to Bam, FBM’s custom prices are some of the best/lowest out there. He took the time to check out a bunch of different builders, so I believe him.

Can’t wait to see this all built up.





You complete me…

29 10 2009

ESPN just posted a great interview with Jim C. from Sunday Bikes talking about their new line of complete bikes.  There’s some good stuff about the Model-C,  including details about the components and pricing:

The 24″ Model-C complete retails for about $550 and comes with a full chromoly frame, fork and bars. There’s eight different Odyssey parts including V3 cassette hub, Aitken 24-inch tires and EVO II brakes amongst others. The best part is it carries over the same proven geometry of the Model-C frame, fork and bars.

He also talks about why Sunday decided to go with a complete 24:

We decided to do the 24-inch complete because people mostly believed the geometry worked, but they weren’t willing to spend the money to find out. A shop could now let someone try it out, see that it works and be able to afford it without spending too much money.

Probably the best/funniest part of the interview is this part:

Riders have it good today. They could be getting an orange GT with curved toptube and three-spoke mags like we did back in the ’90s. No wonder why kids started skateboarding back then, the learning curve on one of those was terrible.

No word yet on what the top tube length will be on the Model-C complete, but more info is supposed to be on the way next week. I guess I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed that it will be the 21.75″ size.

Sunday Model C complete





Is this going to be you at 45?

27 10 2009

Talk about inspiring! Sunday Bikes posted an interview today with 45 year-old rider Jon Faure and his experiences with the Model-C.  This guy kicks ass! What’s even better is he gets to share his love of riding with his son. If you’re a rider getting on in years, I think you’ll be pretty stoked when you read this.

Jon Faure dirt Model C





We the People 24s through the years

24 10 2009

Maybe I’m in a reflective mood today but I was thinking about We the People and how they’ve been putting out some great 24″ completes over the years.

2007 Unified

Their first 24″ bike (I think)…black with a grey fade paint job. It featured nods to the past, like a National Pro style frame gusset and looptail rear stays but the ride is every bit the modern cruiser.  I’m still riding one of these today (albeit with a few mods). Great bike.

WTP Unified 24 2007

2008 Unified

Similar to the 2007 model, WTP steps it up with gold components to give it even more of a classic old school feel. Essentially the same geometry. I really like the look of this bike (but I’m a sucker for gold components).

WTP unified 2008

2009 Avenue

Big departure from the classic black and gold look. The gusset is gone and it drops some weight. Geometry still pretty similar. Some compromises in parts–like steel bars–but still a lot of bike for the money.

WTP Avenue 2009

2010 Avenue

The bottom bracket gets raised, the bars get taller and the gold components return. WTP joins Sunday, Fit and others with updated geometry aimed at providing a 20″ freestyle feel to a 24″ bike.  This model may tempt a few people contemplating buying a Sunday Model-C complete (given that Sunday’s looking at a spring release).

we the people avenue 2010

Limited edition models

We the People has also done some  limited edition bikes for companies such as Carhartt. These are are really cool…lots of retro-styling combined with new school technology.

Carhartt Murder City Nights cruiser





Be still my heart…flatland on a 24″ bike!

21 10 2009

Sunday bikes posted some great pictures today of flatlander Dan Sirkin busting out a bunch of flatland moves  on his Model-C.  Hitchhikers, steamrollers and more…According to Dan:

“Just about anything is possible.  It definitely spins a bit slow because of the big wheels but it holds straight lines and wide circles very well.”

Just another example of the versatility of modern-day cruisers. For more 24″ flatland,  check out this video.

Model-C hitchhiker flatland Dan Sirkin





26″ PK Ripper made me do a double take

14 10 2009

Walking down Spadina avenue in downtown Toronto I was absentmindedly checking out store windows when I saw something that made me do a double take.  There it was, parked in the corner of some random hipster sneaker store, a 26″ looptail PK Ripper!  The bike is half-white and half-black…not sure if this was done as some sort of social commentary but it is definitely distinctive!

The Hundreds SE collaboration cruiser

The bike is a collaboration between SE and The Hundreds streetwear clothing company.  Not a bike to use for hard-core thrashing but for sheer retro-awesome coolness it is off the charts!   With only 300 made, this is one to hang on your wall and make your friends jealous.





The devil is in the details

1 10 2009

Nothing says Shout at the Devil quite like sporting a Devil on your bike’s  headtube. This picture was taken from the NBL Grands photo gallery on the Standard Bykes site.

Part of me wants to believe these are the personal rides of Bruce Dickinson (of Iron Maiden).  A guy can dream can’t he?

standard shout at the devil