The nerd herd: RL & Buff

12 06 2014

A staple in the legendary 80s BMX mag, BMX Action, RL Osborn and Mike Buff could always be counted on for getting rad and doing whatever it took for a great photo.

According to 23mag.com,

As the “Nerd herd”, R.L. & Buff were vital in setting BMX trends during the 80’s, from jumping styles in bike tests to the 4×4 vehicle craze, to clothing fashions and hairdos.

Whether that meant Buff hitting the quarterpipe on a Robinson 24 (“a serious race bike”)

robinsonprocruisertestOr RL, laying down some serious roost in this two-page shot for a 24 shootout, they brought the heat every month.

rlcruiserAnd, with their riding captured by the equally legendary photographer/editor Bob Osborn, these photographs really stand the test of time.

Not a bad way to spend this “throwback thursday”, thinking back to this era and the impact these dudes had on it.

 


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Categories : Freestyle, Old School

Sneak Peek: SE 24″ Quadangle Freestyle

5 06 2014

SE Bikes has been busy over the last day or so dropping teaser/sneak peek photos of some of their upcoming 2015 lineup.

One bike, in particular, is creating a lot of buzz…the new 24″ Quadangle Freestyle.

Sporting classic Oakley B-1B grips, front brakes, detangler, 80s-style white tires…this bike will pull at the heart strings of any old school BMX fan.

SE Freestyle Quad 24 handlebarKeeping the bike era-correct, SE dispenses with the standard Landing Gear forks and has opted for…wait for it… Standing Gear forks (with the built-in platforms).

SE Freestyle Quad 24 standing gear

And if you’re going to go to the trouble of putting on Standing Gear forks, you gotta go with the frame platforms too, right?

SE doesn’t disappoint.

SE Freestyle Quad 24 rear triangleBoom!

Here’s a close-up of the frame’s standing platforms.

SE Freestyle Quad 24 standing platform


You might recall that Rockabilly Jay whipped up a sweet custom SE Quadangle cruiser back in 2009.  That was impressive.

But this takes the whole retro revival thing to a new level.

Granted, it looks like a top-tube platform was not included…which is a bit of a misstep…bikes of the era (that this bike is supposed to emulate) almost always had top tube platforms.

Other than that though, the attention to detail…Oakley B-1B grips, Standing Gear…you name it….Todd Lyons and the SE crew get full points for going the extra mile on this one…this is one cool bike.

 


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, Old School

Are you ready to read the book on RAD?

17 04 2014

It’s a bit ironic that a guy who played a character that skips his SATs, and all the good old-fashioned “book learnin” that entails, would find himself years later writing a book about the experience.

But here we are.

Bill Allen, who we all know and love as Cru Jones of the movie RAD, has penned a book called My Rad Career.

Cru Jones writes a book

The subtitle on the cover reads, “It was the 1980’s…hollywood celebrites and the dawn of extreme sports.”

Will it be a tell-all about the  bikes, babes and…uh...ass sliding?

Couldn’t confirm at press time but I am curious if there is a chapter on these two ladies from the movie.

ladies of Rad


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Categories : goofiness, New products, Old School, Rad

Ralph Macchio rode a Mongoose Two/Four

10 04 2014

In 1984, a movie about a handyman/martial artist that agrees to teach a bullied boy karate hit movies screens.

The movie was The Karate Kid.

If you came of age in the 80s, you no doubt recall this film.

Karate_kid

But, take a minute here, do you remember the bike that Ralph Macchio, the “Karate Kid” in the movie rode?

It was a Mongoose Two/Four.

Karate Kid Kos roof

A nice little cameo in a major motion picture for BMX cruiser fans.

Karate Kid Kos

 


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Categories : goofiness, Old School

Trailer tease: 4130 Subway Series doc

3 04 2014

From humble beginnings, the 4130 Subway Series Ride has grown to become the largest BMX ride in North America (and probably the world).

Hitting streets of Hollywood, LA, Beverly Hills and points beyond, this ride draws hundreds of riders every month.

Now, for those folks that haven’t made it out to a ride yet, PSi films has teamed up with the 4130 crew to put together a documentary on the ride.  The release date has been pushed out a bit (no confirmation at press time) but if this trailer is any indication, it looks like it’s gonna be a good one!

And in related news, as was mentioned back in the Spring Brake Ride Las Vegas post back in February, the 4130 Subway Series crew is meeting up with Sin City Series crew this month for an epic ride through Vegas.

4130 LA to Vegas

I joined these guys (both the LA and Vegas crews) back in 2011 for the first ride they did together (I’m actually in the pic above, under the Vegas sign) and it was an awesome time. Not to be missed if you can make your way out there.


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Categories : New School, Old School, shenanigans, street, Tomfoolery

Just be Kos: Jeff Kosmala

28 02 2014

Back in the early days of cruiser racing and riding, one guy put his stamp on big wheeled BMX like no other: Jeff “The Kos” Kosmala.

Whether it was racing:

Getting cover shots in the BMX mags:

Kos Action Now

Or busting out a huge lake jump with R.L. Osborn for this iconic Bob “Oz” Osborn photo:

Kos & RL Lake jump

The Kos put his mark on cruiser riding.

Jeff_Kosmala_redline


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Categories : Old School, Racing, Trails/Jumping

Something sweet from Skyway

13 02 2014

Planet BMX has been on a bit of a roll lately, partnering with Haro on the introduction of the retro Haro cruisers most recently, and bringing back the legendary Skyway T/A (with modern touches) prior to that.

As further evidence that they won’t be slowing their roll any time soon, they have released pictures of the new candy-chrome Skyway T/As they will be stocking soon in both 20 and 24″ versions. (To get this look they put a translucent powdercoat finish over chrome plating.)

Candy Chrome Skyway Frame and ForkThe candy chrome name is fitting because these frames, forks and handlebars look sweet!

For now, the red and blue candy chrome version will be the only colors available. However, plans are already underway for other colors. They’re currently waiting on samples of gold, green, and purple. The outlook is to do 20 sets (each) in red and blue, and limited quantities (like five or so) of each of the other colors. You could have a very unique ride if you’re quick or lucky enough to nab one of these small run unique colors!

Digression: I can’t read the words “candy chrome” without thinking about this song.

Check the Planet BMX Facebook page for the latest on these new frames, forks and handlebars.  For now, have another look at that sweet red candy chrome.

Candy Chrome Skyway headtube


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, Old School, Racing

Haro goes retro in a big way

11 02 2014

Planet BMX dropped the news today that Haro Bikes is coming out with a 24″ Retro Freestyler MASTER.

Two version will be available: a spoked wheel version or a version with limited-edition 50th Anniversary Skyway Tuff Wheels. 

The Tuffs definitely up the cool factor…that’s for sure.

Haro retro 24in Master mag wheels

Set for release in the May / June period  I bet these bad boys are going to go quick.

But Haro didn’t stop there…they’re also releasing a 26″ version.

Yup, you read that right.

Haro retro 26in Master spoked wheels

Framesets will be available too

Don’t have the coin to drop on a complete? Or maybe just want to customize your own retro Master? They’ve got you covered too…framesets of the new retro Master will also be available (on the 24″ at least…not 100% sure on the 26).

Quite the cool offering by one of the oldest brands in the sport.


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Spring Brake Ride Las Vegas

7 02 2014

Like something out of the cult movie, The Warriors, two of America’s biggest BMX “gangs” are getting together this April for what promises to be an epic ride.

The L.A.-based 4130 Subway Series crew are making their way up to Las Vegas to meet up with their brothers in pedal arms, The 4130 Sin Series crew.

It all goes down last weekend of April and the Las Vegas Strip is going to be chock-a-block in BMXers.

Check out this video of the first time the Subway Series made their way up to Vegas in 2011. I was lucky enough to join in on that ride and let me tell you it was awesome!

If you’re in the area, you don’t want to miss this.

 

 


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Categories : New School, Old School, shenanigans, street, Tomfoolery

BMX in the polar vortex

23 01 2014

If you’re not in one of the sunshine states right now, you’re probably dealing with the record low temps of this unbelievably cold winter.

It’s what weather forecaster types call the polar vortex.

It’s enough to drive a BMX enthusiast crazy.

Sure, there are a few options to cope.

If you’re near an indoor bike park, you’re just a short drive a way from your much needed riding fix. This is probably the best of the cold weather options…if you live in the right area.

Another option is finding an enclosed parking garage..this limits the type of riding you can do…think flatland, sprints, maybe some low-key street…but it’s still riding, right?

Or maybe it’s time to look old man winter in the eye and say to hell with it…suit up in some cold weather gear and pop some wheelies in the snow! Like rrdblocks does in this pic that originally ran on the SE Bikes FB page.  Sometimes you have to take a stand.

snow wheelie


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Categories : Flatland, Freestyle, New School, Old School, Tomfoolery

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