Trails | cruiser revolution

Pumped up Volume Sledgehammer

9 12 2010

It looks like the guys at Volume are taking their popular 26″ Volume Sledgehammer in a new interesting direction.

While promoted as a bike for cruising around, it can still hold it’s own if you want to ride it a bit more aggressively (see previous posts of Buddy and Joe Rich shredding on Sledgehammers for proof).

What’s new for 2011

For 2011, Volume shortened the chainstays to 15.75″ and lengthened the top tube to 22″. From the looks of it, it seems like the new Sledgehammer is now being designed less for “cruising” and more for “serious” riding.

Another thing new for 2011?

A disc brake.

Not sure how I feel about this…seems a little too MTB for a bike like this. But then again, I’m not a huge fan of V-brakes either (which is what the ‘hammer came with in previous years).

And, I can’t believe I’m actually saying this (in this era of low top tubes)…it looks like the top tube/seat tube is too high…sure, it’s fine for just cruising around…but if you really want to ride this puppy…it seems like it would get in the way.

What do you think about the 2011 Sledgehammer?

I’d especially like to hear what you think about the disc brake.

Comments : 15 Comments »
Tags: 2011 Volume Sledgehammer, Buddy, Joe Rich, Volume bikes, Volume Sledgehammer
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Talking 24s in Fastlane BMX mag

6 12 2010

I’ve been a fan of Fastlane BMX magazine for a while now.

In an era when racing is all but ignored in the major mags, Fastlane is all about BMX racing.

Sure you can pick up a mag from one of the major U.S. sanctions, look at the token coverage in BMX Plus! or if you can deal with the erratic publishing schedule, find a BMX World (even though it reads like a brochure from the Department of Motor Vehicles). All in all, not great options.

To me , if you’re into racing (or need to be reminded of how fun racing is) Fastlane is the only mag worth buying. Stories are fun to read, there’s international coverage and great photos. It’s combination that’s tough to beat.

Fastlane doesn’t run hot and cold on 24s either…from cruiser bike checks to regular shots of cruiser riders, Fastlane isn’t afraid to show cruisers some love.

That’s why I was stoked to have the opportunity to write an article about cruisers in Fastlane #8.

(That’s yours truly banging elbows with my friend Carbon in the photo, top right.)

If you’ve ever wondered how I got hooked on the whole cruiser thing, this is something you’ll want to check out.

(Note: Fastlane is UK- based, so visit fastlanebmxmag.com for ordering info.)

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: banging elbows bmx, BMX cruiser racing, BMX cruiser riders, BMX Plus!, bmx racing, BMX World, Cruiser Revolution in Fastlane BMX mag, Fastlane BMX magazine, UK Fastlane
Categories : New School, Old School, Racing, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Tried, tested and true

25 11 2010

A scientific theory must be testable.

It must be possible in principle to prove it wrong.

Experiments are the sole judge of scientific truth.

Is it true that Liquid frames rule on the trails?

Check out this old photo of Jeremy from Liquid Bikes testing a Liquid Feedback frame prototype.

I think we have the scientific proof right here.

Science can be fun.

Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: 24" BMX jumping, Jeremy Combs, Liquid Bikes, Liquid Feedback frame, Trails BMX cruiser
Categories : New products, New School, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Turning things up with a turndown

12 11 2010

Hot damn!

Kory Drake with a clicked turndown.

Just a little inspiration for y’all as we head into the weekend.

Photo: Shelby Gibbs

For more info on Kory and how he sets up his ride, a Liquid 24″ , check out Liquid Bikes (where this photo ran first).

Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: 24" BMX, BMX Cruiser, Clicked turndown, Kory Drake, Liquid bicycles, Liquid Bikes, Shelby Gibbs
Categories : New School, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Hard to believe it’s been 2 years already

8 11 2010

Seems like only yesterday that I started this little site about big wheeled BMXs.

Looking back, I’m stoked on how far it’s come.

Not a day goes by that I’m not learning something new or smiling (or laughing out loud) because someone posted a great comment.

You guys make it all worthwhile.

Cheers to you.

Update: A new picture courtesy of the “art department”, Andy D.

Comments : 23 Comments »
Tags: Beer, big wheeled BMXs, Blog about BMX cruisers, BMX Cruiser, Cheers to you, Cruiser revolution, cruiser revolution two year anniversary
Categories : Freestyle, goofiness, New School, Old School, Racing, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Sneak peek: Sunday Wave-C prototype

5 11 2010

Sunday sent over some pics the other day of the new Wave-C frames they’re testing out.

While not a huge departure from the existing Model-C, it does have the wave top tube (that we’ve seen in earlier photos) and hollow dropouts with chain tensioners.

What’s changed/improved

a new shaped chainstay allows you to run the backend shorter than the existing Model-C
a 22″ top tube (!)

Have to say, a longer top tube and the ability to run the back end shorter is a pretty big selling point for this frame. Not to mention the extra strength afforded by the wave tubing.

Production colors are probably going to be black and a light blue.

If the color in these pictures looks familiar to you, you might be a flatlander. It’s actually the same one used on the Odyssey Flatware frame (and just being used for the prototype/test frames).

Comments : 26 Comments »
Tags: longer top tube frame, Odyssey BMX, Odyssey Flatware frame, Plus 4, Sunday bikes, Sunday Model-C, Sunday Wave-C, tight backend, Wave tubing
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

What are you bringing to the table?

3 11 2010

What people bring to the table can have a big influence on a situation.

For instance, when you bring a Sledgehammer to the table, you might just end up with a great trails photo.

Like this one.

Buddy with a big Texas table aboard his Volume Sledgehammer.

Photo by CMC

Comments : 14 Comments »
Tags: 26" BMX, BMX Cruiser, Buddy, tabletop jumps, Volume Sledgehammer
Categories : goofiness, New School, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Specialized steps it up with the P24

27 10 2010

As you may recall from a previous post, where Specialized debuted the new P24 at Sea Otter, Specialized has reentered the BMX world.

And it looks like they’re serious about it this time.

The P24, which we featured a prototype of earlier, has been out for a little while now and it looks like they’ve done a good job of spec’ing out this complete bike. Its got great geometry, Reynolds cro-mo construction (with a 21.6 top tube) and nice, big 7 1/2″ X 29″ bars. The components also look solid and it’s a fairly light at the 26 pound mark.

Buddy's personal P24 with Cruiser Revolution stickers

How does it ride?

As luck would have it, cruiserrevolution.com reader, Buddy, recently picked up a P24 for himself and shared his thoughts on it.

His first impressions?

Manuals like crazy….Went to our trails today,what a blast, like a rocket…

When asked how it compares to other bikes he’s ridden:

It feels better than any of those bikes to me. I think it’s mostly the size and geometry fits me very well, perfect, (I’m 6 feet tall).

Based on the specs (and Buddy’s feedback), I think we may have another contender to consider when shopping for a new complete.

Comments : 18 Comments »
Tags: 24" BMX, big handlebars, BMX Cruiser, Cruiser geometry, Manualling on a cruiser, Reynolds cro-mo, Riding trails on a cruiser, Sea Otter, Specialized BMX cruiser, Specialized P24
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Twin top tube frame debuts in 8 colors

21 10 2010

Back in April, you heard about how the twin top tube was making a comeback.

Well, don’t call it a a comeback any longer, cause it’s now here!

Tribute bikes has put this 24″ frame, a great combination of old school style with modern geometry, into production.

I’m pretty stoked on it.

What I didn’t expect was amount of color choices! It’s available in: pink, yellow, orange, black, blue, green, white and clear powder coat options.

If you’re looking for something different from what’s out there…or you’re just missing your old Haro Master or Torker this could be the frame for you.

The specs

21.50″ top tube
74 degree ht
71 degree st
14.25-15.25″ rear
12.25″ bb height
25.4 mm seat tube
integrated head tube
14mm drop laser cut dropouts
laser cut seat tube/ top tube plate
4130 USA True Temper chromoly tubing

2 brake options

990 mounts with headtube drilled for a gyro
V-brakes mounts (not set up for a gyro)

Limited 2010 production run

There are only 20 frames available this year (some are already spoken for) so if this tickles your fancy you may want to get in touch with Josh at Tribute Bikes right away at info@tributebikes.com.

For more on Tribute Bikes check out their web page or their feature on bmxmuseum.com.