The deets on the Subrosa DTT TTWOFOUR

5 06 2013

By Ed Vandermolen

At long last, the frame that we first learned about from Wayne Keller ,way back in January,  looks to be a reality.

Up until now we had to make do with spy photos and a couple of action shots of Wayne torture testing the frame.

But Subrosa has now decided to let the cat out of the bag and posted pictures and specs on their website of the DTT TTWOFOUR.

Subrosa DTT TTWOFOUR Front view

And while it may have an old school-looking double top tube, it definitely sports modern freestyle geometry.

We’re talking a steep head tube, short rear triangle, long top tube and a high bottom bracket.

Subrosa DTT TTWOFOUR

Here are the highlights:

  • Top Tube: 22″
  • Chain Stay: 14.75″ (14.5″ fully slammed)
  • Head Tube: 75º, CNC machined, drilled for gyro tabs
  • Seat Tube: 71º, internally butted
  • Standover height: 10.5.”
  • BB Height: 13.25″
  • Dropouts: 4mm thick for 14mm axle
  • Low profile, removable brake mounts
  • Integrated seat clamp w/ replaceable nut and bolt
  • Material: 4130 Sanko chromoly, double butted down tube, straight-gauge tapered top tubes and chain stays
  • Weight: 5.6 lbs.
  • Color: black

Subrosa is definitely making a statement with this frame.

No word yet on pricing but if the specs are any indication, I think this frame will be getting a lot of attention.

What do you think?


Comments : 9 Comments »
Tags: , , , , ,
Categories : Flatland, Freestyle, New products, New School, Old School, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Volume Hessian 26: coming this summer

29 05 2013

Ever since my Walnut Creek session aboard Buddy Sardenga’s old Volume Sledgehammer, I’ve been thinking about 26″ cruisers.

Following that session, I noticed Stephen Browning mentioned something about the new Volume Hessian 26 on the CR Facebook page, and my interest was piqued.

What does Volume have planned?

Word on the street is that Volume is retiring the much beloved Sledgehammer from its lineup and replacing it with the Hessian 26 (some time this summer).

Volume Hessian 26

No details yet on specs but it’s said to be similar in handling to the Sledgehammer but at a lower price point.  The Volume site does say that it has “a shorter and wider rear end, allowing room for the fat 2.3” street tires”, so that’s a good sign.

In terms of parts, Volume has indicated that aftermarket parts, such as the Volume Staple top load stem, Demolition Trooper Nylon pedals, and the Odyssey Springfield brake system are all standard but has been tight-lipped about the rest of the parts assortment.

With big-wheel aficionados, like Trent Brocker, Buddy Sardenga and the TwoFourFlat crew of Joe Cicman and Danny Sirkin, all riding a 26″ Volume  recently (and tearing things up in their own unique way on it) you know that this Volume will probably be a bike worth checking out.

I, for one, will be keeping my eyes peeled for its release.


Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Flatland, Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Check out the tight rear end on this one

22 05 2013

By Ed Vandermolen

The Emer Swift is a bit of a departure from typical cruisers in that it has one of the shortest chain stay lengths available in a 24″.

Clocking in at tight 13.75″, I don’t think I have seen chain stays this short since the photos of the Greg Melms-designed  frame that were floating around the internet in 2009.

Emer swift Emer Swift Brixton Billys

The rest of the specs are:

  • 21.25″ top tube
  • 74.5 degree head tube angle
  • 73 degree seat tube angle
  • 11.5″ bottom bracket height.

If you’re into manuals this may be just the ticket.

To see it in action, check out this video of the Emer Swift cruiser getting a workout by Brixton Billy, Chico Hooke and Will Herman.

For more details on London-based Emer BMX company, visit their website, www.emerbmx.com


Comments : 9 Comments »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Austin Texas picture show

16 05 2013

After hearing so many good things about Austin, Texas I finally made a trip out there to check it out for myself.

I was a little worried that my expectations were too high but it turns out that Austin really is a great place if you’re into BMX…and cruisers in particular.

Austin teeActually, Austin is a great place if you’re into bikes of any kind.

Unlike a lot of cities, Austin seems to go out of its way to promote bicycling. People bike everywhere and bike racks are plentiful….I don’t think I have ever seen bike racks set up in front of a bar before but in Austin that’s commonplace.

Bicycle friendlyBut as a BMXer, I was kinda blown away by how much BMX is part of the everyday fabric there.

Walking by a women’s clothing store downtown there was an immaculate old school Skyway T/A just sitting in the window as part of the display.

Skyway in windowGo down to the 6th st., a bar and restaurant area,  and you’ll see tricked-out 24s, like this Liquid, just locked up outside the restaurants.

Liquid on 6th street

Heck, you’ll even see cruisers hanging from the ceiling in some bars. Check this out:

Cruisers in the barHop on one of the city buses and you’re likely to see a cruiser sitting on the bike rack.

SE on busAnd you would you believe that a local brewer has come out with a cruiser-themed beer? Yes, it’s true. In Austin you can  pick up a Firemans 4.

Firemans 4 can

A beer that was made to honor Austin’s own, Firemans Texas Cruiser bikes.

Firemans Texas CruzerAdd in great places to ride, like the 9th street trails…

9th street…and Walnut Creek

Buddy Walnut Creekand pair that with friendly, laid-back locals, it’s hard to go wrong.

Buddy (pictured above), not only shredded everything in sight at Walnut Creek but was also kind enough to let me borrow a bike and drive me out to the trails. Thanks man!

(I wish I could’ve captured a better shot of his riding but rest assured Buddy was taking care of business at Walnut Creek.)

If that weren’t enough, Austin’s live music scene is off the charts, not only is Austin home to multiple music festivals, but it’s also home to a record number of live music venues. Just walking around town you’re bound to find a musician or band that blows you away….it happened to me more than once on this trip.

FairdaleAnd the food!

Austin is well-known for its food trucks, BBQ, tacos (which you can eat for every meal of the day)…you name it…you will find something that strikes your fancy here.

Salt Lick and Firemans 4

Do I need to say more?

Frankly, I’m just trying to figure out when I can go back.


Comments : 20 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Freestyle, goofiness, New School, Old School, shenanigans, Skatepark, street, Tomfoolery, Trails, Trails/Jumping

22 & 24″ S&M ATF frames on the way

3 05 2013

S&M Bikes have been dropping hints recently about their latest prototypes: 22 and 24 inch versions of the popular ATF frame.

New S&M 22 and 24in ATF prototypes

There’s some talk that the 22″ version may have a slacker head angle than the current 22″ Holmes frame and a longer top tube to make it more of a trails-y style frame.

No word yet on the specs of the 24″ model but I’m very interesting to see how it compares to the 24″ Dirt Bike.

Here’s a pic of the 22″ ATF prototype all built up:

ATF 22 prototype ATF 22 built up

Looking forward to hearing more about these two frames (especially the 24)!


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , , ,
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

The secret to a good BMX name? It’s the S

24 04 2013

In an article called The 50 Greatest BMX Logos, which ran in Complex magazine a couple of years ago, Taj Mihelich said,

There is definitely some connection between lightning and BMX. You can find lightning bolts on all kinds of BMX imagery. I think that maybe the very bones of BMX, chromoly steel, can only be created by a direct lightning strike.

This connection is especially true of BMX images from the 80s but still seems to noticeable to a certain extent today.

In a similar fashion, BMX is made up of a disproportionate number of brands that start with the letter “S”.

Maybe it’s due to the sport getting it’s start with kids riding Schwinn Sting Rays but it’s a little crazy how long the list is when you start to think about it.

Superman-Images

Just off the top of my head, there is:

  • SE
  • Skyway
  • S&M
  • Standard
  • Sunday
  • Stolen
  • Supercross
  • Speed
  • Solid
  • Staats
  • Subrosa

Even in my own personal stable, I also see the effects of this trend…I have, over the past couple of years, been on  S&M, Sunday, SE, and Standard bikes.

S&M jersey with lightening bolts

I guess if you’re looking to start a BMX brand some time in the future, stack the odds in your favor with a name that starts with “S”…and maybe throw in some lightning bolts into the logo for good measure.


Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Categories : Flatland, Freestyle, goofiness, Racing, Skatepark, street, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Skyway surprises with a Black Gold T/A

26 03 2013

I was caught by surprise this weekend when I spotted the teaser photos of the yet-to-be released, limited edition, “BLACK GOLD”  24-inch T/A frame, fork and bar combo.

Black Gold Skyway TA

The parts are powder coated in black with a gold sparkle clear coat.

(Which you can see better in this closeup of the fork below.)

Black Gold Skyway TA fork

The gold sparkle is supposed to give the kit components a cool look in the sun (I guess we’ll have to see more photos to make that call).

Anyway, a pretty interesting departure from a company that counts old-school aficionados as their bread and butter.

I wonder what old-school purists will think about this move by Skyway…heck, I’m still getting my head around the idea of a Skyway T/A frame powder coated black (not to mention, the gold sparkles!).

What do you think?


Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : Freestyle, Old School, Racing, Trails, Trails/Jumping

2B or not 2B: the return of Leigh & Hal B

20 02 2013

If you rode in the 90s, chances are you probably wore a 2B Homecooked, Play or Useless t-shirt.

And a some point, you  probably sported a Play clothing sticker on your bike.

And if you went to contests, you probably made it out to at least one Play contest.

In my case, I’m guilty of all three.

2B Play

Play (and its predecessor 2B Homecooked) along with Useless, represented a more carefree time in BMX…before all the Dew Tours and X-Games madness took hold.

When Hal Brindley and Leigh Ramsdell decided to pursue other things, a little bit of that era went with them.

Check them out back in the 1998 in this classic ad for Props:

A couple of goofballs to be sure, but it was so fun you couldn’t help but be stoked on it.

Now,  it looks like Hal and Leigh are “getting the band back together”  to start printing some of those iconic t-shirts again.

They’re setting up shop under the oldscool banner but it looks like all the old favorites are coming back.

Looking forward to replacing my long-gone, but dearly missed, “I love sweet corn” tee.

For more information on what Hal and Leigh are up to, check out oldscoolbmx.com


Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , ,
Categories : Freestyle, goofiness, New products, Old School, shenanigans, Skatepark, street, Tomfoolery, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Is Vegas getting an indoor bike park?

8 02 2013

It’s looks like Sin City might just be getting itself it’s very own indoor bike park.

According to the Hub Bike Park Facebook page, the indoor park will open in Fall 2013 and feature:

100,000 square feet of dirt pump track, dirt jump lines and foam pit. All inside a climate-controlled building.

Here’s artist’s rendering/promotional illustration of what it might look like.

The Hub Bike ParkThis is pretty interesting development in a certain sense…while most bike parks have sprung up as a rider’s response to dealing with the cold (and snow, ice, etc.)…I’m guessing a certain part of the appeal to this park in Las Vegas will be beating the heat (hence the climate-controlled angle), especially in the summer.


Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: , , ,
Categories : New School, Trails, Trails/Jumping

4130 Subway Series hits the 3-year mark

12 01 2013

Three years already…Wow.

The world famous 4130 Subway Series ride celebrates its 3-year anniversary tonight.

4130 3-year anniversary patch

The 4130 Subway Series is pure BMX and that’s been the secret of its success.  Looking back at a CR post talking about it in 2010, nothing’s changed:

….cruising the neighborhood with friends.

Nothing quite replaces the joy of roaming the streets, hitting spots and feeling free as you roll along on your bike.

The 4130 Club has captured all those things in their monthly rides.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a street rider, a racer, old school or new school…all are welcome and the positive vibe is contagious.

4130 sin city ride with Randy Franklin

(Randy Franklin and me (Ed) all smiles at the 4130 Sin City Ride).

That being said, I’m kicking myself for not being down there with the 4130 Chromies for what I’m sure will be an epic ride.

I’m sure even while I’m typing this, people are already doing the final checks on their bikes and making their way down to the meet-up spot in Hollywood.

4130 3-year anniv. plate & Mayor's ride

The main man behind the 4130 ride,The Mayor of Hollywood will be rolling on his sweet twin top tube Tribute 24, complete with a custom 3-year anniversary plate from Crit. (As you can see, Morty the guard dog will ensure no one messes with it before the ride begins.)

So if you’re riding tonight, be safe and have fun.

If you’re not riding, start thinking about when you can attend a 4130 ride in the future. This a must-do for any BMXer!

For more on the 4130 Subway Series, check out 4130 Subway Series is pure BMX and 4130subwayseries.com.


Comments : 5 Comments »
Tags: , , , , , , ,
Categories : Flatland, Freestyle, New School, Old School, Racing, shenanigans, Skatepark, street, Tomfoolery, Trails, Trails/Jumping

« Previous Entries Next Entries »