Racing | cruiser revolution

The RRS frame that revolutionized racing

7 04 2016

Given that it’s “throwback thursday”, it’s fitting to take a lookback at the frame that revolutionized the cruiser class in the early days of BMX racing.

Back in an era when the cruiser class was made up of 26-inchers, the owner of RRS bikes (Craig Kundig) put one of his fast amateur riders (Joe Claveau) on a 24″ bike. That rider proceeded to dominate the cruiser class and a new cruiser size standard was born.

When that same rider, Joe Claveau, would then go on to pilot that 24″ RRS frame to the ABA National Cruiser rider title in 1981…which cemented the 24″ cruiser standard for the decades that followed.

Comments : 6 Comments »
Tags: ABA cruiser title, BMX cruiser racing, Craig Kundig, John Claveau, RRS bikes, RRS cruiser
Categories : Old School, Racing

It ain’t over ’til it’s over

1 04 2016

I’ve shared this video before…but after seeing it pop up in Ryan Fraser‘s Facebook feed this week…I just knew I had to share it again.

This final of the 40-44 cruiser class in Orleans is just non-stop action/entertainment…right from the gate drop, all the way to the finish line.

Good racing!

https://vimeo.com/41730924

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: BMX cruiser racing, Racing
Categories : Racing, shenanigans

Sutty’s custom Invictus Bikes cruiser

29 03 2016

UK rider, Roy “Sutty” Sutton spotted our recent post on Curtis Bikes’ unconventional cruiser and decided to drop us a line about another custom frame builder in the UK that will “build anything you want”…Invictus Bikes.

Invictus just finished his custom 24″ dirt/park/race cruiser (it’s just going to paint) and he sent along some early photos to share the stoke.

It features the following specs:

69 degree head tube
72 degree seat tube
23″ top tube
14″ rear stay
11.2″ bottom bracket height
135mm dropouts to run a disc brake

Sutty’s going to provide an update when it’s painted and ready to go. The frame comes in at a tidy 4 pounds (if that sort of thing matters to you).

Looking forward to seeing this rig all built up!

Sutty says his M.O. these days is “pump tracks/dirt/park and the occasional race”…so maybe some action shots too?

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: Custom cruiser, Invictus Bikes, Sutty, UK custom frame builder
Categories : New products, New School, Racing, Skatepark, Trails, Trails/Jumping

64 years young and still racing

16 03 2016

This grandparent has been keeping things in gear since the 80s.

Irene Markee, from Buxton, Australia, got some well-deserved attention recently in The Daily Telegraph about her racing exploits.

She took up the sport in the mid 80s after her daughter had shown some interest in it.

And she’s been racing from that time forward…even competing in three world championship events.

It just goes to show, it doesn’t matter how old you are…you can always get something out of riding.

Which reminds me…back when we did a post on (Really) old guys that ride…both of the riders featured were younger than Markee is today!

Tons of respect for this rad woman!

Pictures: Justin Sanson/The Daily Telegraph

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Irene Markee, It doesn't matter how old you are, Old gals that ride
Categories : Racing

Sneak Peek: 24″ Speedco carbon frame

4 03 2016

While the “carbon footprint” of 20″ race frames shows no signs of slowing down, people racing cruiser have had to sit along the sidelines for a long time waiting for their turn.

Granted, Prophecy BMX does (did?) offer a carbon 24 but most of the major race outfits have been slow to offer a big wheel option to riders.

If you’re one of those riders anxious to get on a carbon 24….well, you’re wait is about to come to an end.

Speedco BMX has announced that they’re working on a 24” version of their VELOX carbon frame.

Details are very preliminary at this point — hence the 3D rendering — but plans are to get these babies out to riders in the fall of this year, 2016.

Time to start saving your pennies.

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: 24" carbon BMX cruiser frame, Prophecy carbon cruiser frame, Speedco Carbon cruiser frame
Categories : New products, New School, Racing

Curtis Bikes’ unconventional 24 in action

24 02 2016

Last month, we had the good fortune of checking out the unconventional custom cruiser that Curtis Bikes had built for one of their clients.

As you’ll recall, it featured a 22″ top tube, 14.9-15.3″ chain stays and 10 x 135 mm* dropouts set up to run a Hope hub and Tech 3 disc brake.

*Spacing typically seen on MTBs

It was definitely a tricked out frame.

The blue finish was pretty slick too.

I was looking forward to seeing what it would look like all built up.

Well, as luck would have it…I popped over to the Curtis Bikes Facebook page and found a pic of the owner, Graham Stanley, putting it through its paces at the Manchester indoor track.

Looking speedy!

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: BMX cruiser racing, Curtis Bikes, Custom BMX cruiser frame
Categories : New products, New School, Racing

Curtis Bikes’ unconventional cruiser

14 01 2016

I shared an early photo of this Curtis cruiser frame last week on the Cruiser Revolution Facebook page.

Curtis Bikes had taken an unconventional approach to this custom cruiser frame so my interest was definitely piqued.

Now, Curtis Bikes has released new pictures…and wow, this is a really cool looking frame.

It features a 22″ top tube, 14.9-15.3″ chain stays and 10 x 135 mm* dropouts set up to run a Hope hub and Tech 3 disc brake.

*Spacing typically seen on MTBs

Check out this brake bridge.

I’m feeling this blue finish too.

Here’s the rest of the specs:

Headtube angle: 73 degrees
Seattube angle: 69 degrees
Top tube length: 21, 212.5, 21.75″ and custom (like the one above)
Chain stays: 14.9 – 15.3″
Bottom bracket height: 12″
Frame height: 8″

Disc brakes on cruiser frames are still a bit of a rarity…and people seem to be a bit divided on whether or not they are the way to go…but I’m kinda digging it here.

Nice job by Curtis Bikes!

(Photos: Curtis Bikes)

Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: Curtis Bikes, Custom cruiser
Categories : New products, New School, Racing

Race Inc. returns

2 12 2015

Race Inc., an iconic BMX brand, was a mainstay in the BMX world back in the late 70s to the early 80s.

Now, some 40 years later, Race Inc. is back with new modern race frames…all sporting the iconic Race Inc. logo of the past.

If you were at the Grands (or caught coverage of the Grands) you might have spotted some of the new Race Inc. frames on display during the race.

This has created a bit of buzz in certain circles…no doubt driven in part by old schoolers nostalgia for the brand.

Currently, the company is racing (see what I did there?) to update their website.

What we do know is that the frames will come in a range of sizes, including Cruiser.

In the mean time, they have posted the following update to their Facebook page:

We currently have a limited number of frames in various sizes, but have planned for an additional order that should arrive in February 2016. The cost will be $495.00, plus $20.00 shipping. They will come in red, silver, blue, black and gold anodized finish. Raw frames can also be requested.

24″ frames will come in following sizes: Pro, Cruiser, Pro XL Cruiser and Pro XXL Cruiser. Specific frame specifications will be on our website update.

I’m definitely looking forward to learning more about the new frames…and their specs/geometry.

One more thing, take a look at these new head tube badges. Sweetness!

Comments : 6 Comments »
Tags: Race Inc., USA BMX Grand Nationals, USA BMX Grands
Categories : New products, New School, Old School, Racing

The champs are here

30 11 2015

Well, the Grands have come and gone.

A record-breaking moto count, an exciting Pro Spectacular, and — be still my heart — an-honest-to-goodness water jump.

A weekend for which dreams were made.

OK, I’m laying it on a little thick.

By now you’ve probably learned who the #1 Pro is (in the Men’s/Women’s and Vet classes).

Let’s talk about who came out on top in the Big Wheel classes.

Jason Carnes, a long-standing figure in the race scene, proved that he still had the chops to earn himself a title…in this case, the #1 Cruiser plate.

An Austin local, he might be more well-known these days for driving the Redline Rig around North America and coaching Flight School clinics, but this title shows the 40-something big guy still has some gas in the proverbial tank.

Olivia Armstrong, is the other Cruiser Champ of the weekend.

After a breakthrough season in 2014, where she earned the #1 Cruiser (Girls) title for the first time, Olivia has continued her winning ways.

This weekend was no different with Olivia going on to win the title again!

Back-to-back titles…if this doesn’t put her comp on notice I don’t know what will.

A tip of the visor to our two champions!

(Pics: BMXNews)

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: #1 cruiser rider, #1 cruiser title, BMX Water Jump, Jason Carnes, Olivia Armstrong, Redline bicycles, USA BMX Grand Nationals, USA BMX Grands
Categories : New School, Racing

Ain’t it Grand(s)?

26 11 2015

You might think, based on my previous post 2 things you must do before the Grands; that this weekend’s big race in Oklahoma isn’t something that I’m that big on.

In one way, that’s kinda true…I think your “biking dollar” could go a lot further with just about any other kind of biking trip.

But on the other hand?

The Grands has been such an important part of BMX…for so long…that’s it’s hard not to be at least kinda into it.

Beyond the obvious attention-grabbing classes…the Pros and the older am classes…what I’m really interested in in seeing (via video) is the “older” Cruiser classes.

As most of you know, if you’re racking up in something like 41-45 Cruiser…you’re in the jungle baby…and there’s a real chance you’re gonna die*…if you’re not at the top of your game and laying down some serious horsepower.