Could this be a sign that the sub-6″ cruiser bar is finally on its way out?
I have harped on the topic of traditional cruiser bars before…that they are just too small/short…but if you visit just about any race track, they are still being used by many folks (albeit usually with a topload stem and a whack of spacers).
But maybe that’s changing.
S&M just announced their new Bruiser Bar: 6.5″ tall and 29″ wide. Available in black, white and chrome.
Granted, if you’re rolling on a new school freestyle 24, you wouldn’t consider this a big bar (higher BBs and taller bars are the standard M.O. there) but for the race community this is a big step up…a lot of race completes still come with 5″ bars.
Hopefully, this will start a bit of a movement in the race community toward bigger bars.
As mentioned back in the Monday minutes post, Pull Magazine put out a teaser saying that they were releasing a special Cruiser Issue this month.
Well, it finally came in the mail today and I have to say, I’m kinda impressed.
Pull magazine tends to be ho-hum but it looks like they stepped up their efforts a bit with this issue.
There’s an editorial encouraging people to race in the cruiser classes, a cruiser shootout, an ad featuring George Goodall on a Redline 24 and an in-depth interview with Cruiser champ, Shawn DiPrete.
I was a bit disappointed with the cruiser shootout…it was not comprehensive enough…missing out on some big-name race cruisers and failing to go into much detail about the different bikes.
The Shawn DiPrete article was great though.
It’s pretty rare for a magazine to give a serious interview to a cruiser guy…but it was a interesting read. Pretty cool to find out what drives a guy like DiPrete.
It’s the start of the week and there’s already a bunch of news to check out.
Pull magazine/USA BMX dropped a teaser on their facebook page recently about their “2014 Cruiser issue” set to hit USA BMX/BMX Canada members’ mailboxes any day now. According to the promo blurb, the mag will:
[g]o Inside the mind of a Champion with National #1 Cruiser Shawn DiPrete. Check out the top cruisers in the industry and some awesome race action at the Cajun Nationals.
Haven’t received my copy yet, but nice to see this type of feature.
Still on the magazine theme, Mark Summers, co-owner of Joyride 150 gets some well-deserved coverage from Bike magazine. Check out Joyride 150’s instagram page for more.
Cale Avery Schindler, who wowed us with his creative riding in last week’s Clip du jour, is now rolling on a Sunday Wave-C. He mentioned that he was in the market for a new frame (in the comments of that post)…looks like it didn’t take him long.
Finally, to kick the week off right…check out these two little 4-year old shredders from NZ, Jake and Theo riding (and crashing) their bikes. Looks like they’re having a blast. So awesome.
In terms of riding spots and parks, Toronto seems to get the most attention for it’s indoor bike park, Joyride 150 (and the crazy edits it spawns).
However, that may be changing this year.
At the recent Toronto BMX Jam, I learned that the city of Toronto is planning a new outdoor public bike park that is set to open this summer!
According to the City of Toronto website, the Sunnyside Bike Park will feature: a skills trail, pumptracks, a wide variety of jump lines and a wall ride.
And, to keep it family friendly…benches, picnic tables, and drinking fountains are going to be added as well.
This is in addition to the Centennial Park BMX Park also under construction just outside of Toronto. This facility is scheduled to be completed this year and used as a venue for BMX racing portion of the 2015 Pan American Games.
I have my fingers crossed that the track will live on after the games as permanent track for the Toronto area (it would certainly be a lot closer commute than my current “local” track).
I’m so looking forward to the ribbon-cutting ceremonies of these two bike parks.
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.)
The 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.
As the sun goes down on 2013, let’s take a look at some of the most notable cruiser news items of the past year.
10. “Duffman man says…oh yeah!”…in one of the most surprising collaborations in recent memory, CULT teamed up with the Simpsons to put out the The Simpsons/CULT Duffman Cruiser.
8. Don’t call it a comeback…but then again maybe you should…We the People returned to the 24” scene with the trails-y Atlas 24. Subrosa also came back with the DTT TTWOFOUR frame. Liquid Bikes debuted a new american-made Feedback V2 frame.
(Wayne Keller testing the Subrosa DTT TTWO FOUR frame)
7. The tanwall tire also made an impressive return…showing up on completes from We The People and Free Agent, in addition to an aftermarket tire from Stolen. Hopefully this trend will continue in 2014 with more aftermarket options.
3. Sunday continued to spread the word about new school 24s. Whether its Bobby Parker promoting #TwoFourTuesday, or Sunday featuring 24” riders in their FB feed, Sunday was reppin’.
2. Stolen Bikes’ strong showing at Interbike…with a solid lineup of completes, frames, aftermarket parts and the debut of a 26” model…Stolen showed everyone that they mean business when it comes to cruisers.
Shawn DiPrete put it all together this past weekend at the USA BMX Grand National to take home the the overall Cruiser title. With three guys in his class in contention, this race was no cakewalk…especially in the highly competitive 41-45 age group.
To add to the achievement, USA BMX said that, “no rider from New England has ever won a National No.1 Championship (in ABA or USA BMX) … UNTIL NOW.”
Great job by DiPrete.
In Girls Cruiser, Jordie Scott beat out women of every age category to take the overall Girls title…at 12 years old. Nice work by the Redman rider.
If you missed the live feed over the weekend, check out the mains in the video below.
With three of the main guys in contention for the #1 Cruiser title racing in the same age group you know that will be the class to watch this Grands weekend.
These three guys are the big guns of the 41-45 Cruiser class: Shan Hatfield, Shawn DiPrete and Dave Archibald.
You could say it’s going to be the clash of the titans.
Shan Hatfield is leading on the scoreboard but dealing with a wrist injury sustained at UCI World Championships in New Zealand.
DiPrete and Archibald are within striking distance so you know they have eyes on the prize.
Will Hatfield be able to hold them off?
Or will something crazy happen and one of the riders from the other age groups take it?
Granted, if you’re rolling on a new school freestyle 24, you wouldn’t consider this a big bar (higher BBs and taller bars are the standard M.O. there) but for the race community this is a big step up…a lot of race completes still come with 5″ bars.
cruiser revolution 