Scoping out the 2018 STLN Saint XLT 24

29 08 2017

The Saint XLT 24 has returned to the Stolen Bikes lineup again for 2018.

For this go-around, Stolen stuck with the geometry of the previous year’s model (which they updated for that model year).

For your reference, it breaks down like this:

  • HT: 74.25°
  • ST: 70°
  • TT: 21.75″
  • CS: 15.0″
  • SO: 9.6″
  • BB: 13.30″

And like it’s predecessor, it continues to hit all the high notes: Full chromoly construction, sealed components and 48-spline cranks.

New for this year (and similar to the Zeke XLT) is the addition of the long-ish 300mm Pivotal post.

Two new colorways for this year too.

First off, the Trans Black/Gold Fade.

And next, the stealthy flat black.

Nice looking rigs!

I know I’ve said this before, but the Saint continues to be one of the best spec’d, best value 24s on the market.  Hit up your Stolen dealer right quick if you’re looking for a good new school 24.

 


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

Zoomin’ in on the 2018 STLN Zeke XLT 26

28 08 2017

The Stolen Zeke XLT is back for 2018 and, may I dare say it, looks better than ever.

Granted, not a lot has changed spec or geometry-wise from the previous model year, but hot dang is it a looker.

It comes in two colorways this year.

The first, and my personal fav, is the gun metal with dark red tires.

Yowza, does that look bad ass!

Next up, black with matte orange rims.

I would have liked to see a bit more in the way of orange components on this one but nonetheless I’m digging the matte orange wheels.

Stolen also added a longer 300 mm Pivotal post to the Zeke XLT this year, which was a nice touch.

Here’s how the geometry breaks down:

  • HT: 74.5°
  • ST: 71°
  • TT: 22.25″
  • CS: 16.0″
  • SO: 12.25″
  • BB: 13.30″

With all that being said, if you’re looking for a 26er this year the Zeke XLT should definitely be on your list.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

First look: 2018 Cult Devotion 26

10 08 2017

When Cult joined the 26″ movement last year I was both stoked and surprised.

Surprised because Cult is — for the most part — a 20″ bike company. But, on the other hand, also stoked because another “core” BMX company was offering a nicely spec’d cruiser.

Truth be told, I was a little worried that a cruiser in the Cult lineup would be short-lived.

Thankfully, that’s not the case.

The Cult Devotion 26 is back for 2018…and it’s available in two(!) colorways.

First off, there’s a raw frame with black parts version.

Next up (and probably my favorite of the two)…a chrome frame version with black parts and some nifty whitewall red stripe tires.

Looking good!

Word on the street is that these rigs could be dropping as soon as next week.

So if you’re digging these fresh new colorways, hit up your Cult dealer on the double.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

Ready for a 29″ GT Pro Performer?

21 07 2017

Well, what is this now?

Looks like GT wasn’t satisfied with upsizing the old school Performer to a 26er.

New for 2018, GT has gone and supersized the Pro Performer!

We’re talking 29″ wheels here folks.

I’m not sure if they’re trying to cash in on some of that 29″ following that the SE Big Ripper has been enjoying…but nevertheless it’ll be hitting BMX shops soon.

Personally, I dig the old school colorway. It’s got me thinking about digging up some old Eddie Fiola videos and reliving the golden era of freestyle.

Riding-wise though, I wish they would’ve gone with a 24″ version of the Performer with some new school geo…similar to what SE did with the 24″ Quadangle.

Now that’s something like that would get me interested!

In it’s present 29″ form though?

I’ll take a pass.


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Categories : Freestyle, goofiness, New products, Old School

First look: 2018 Fit Aitken 26

29 06 2017

When I penned a farewell post to the now long-defunct Fit CR24 cruiser (C-ya Fit CR24, you’ll be missed) I figured cruisers in the Fitbikeco lineup were just about gone for good.

And sadly, it appeared that was the way things were going to shake out.

But lo and behold, nearly 8(!) years later…a cruiser is returning to the Fit fold.

And what a cruiser it is:

The 2018 Fit Aitken 26″.

There’s so much goodness here I can hardly stand it.

100% Chromoly Chrome frame, tanwall S&M Speedball tires(!), retro-ish graphics, tall bars, double wall rims… the list goes on.

All this for around $579 (US).

I’m going to make a bold prediction that these will sell like hotcakes come September (when they’re expected to drop).


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Categories : Freestyle, New products

Squid Bikes’ “Shred to Ed’s” cruiser

28 06 2017

In a relatively slow stretch of cruiser news, an interesting item popped up in my social feeds.

The Squid Bikes’ “Shred to Ed’s” cruiser.

Handmade in the USA, the Squid Bikes “Shred to Ed’s” cruiser is named for

“[the company’s] riverside liquor store and frequent summer shred destination.”

It features 26″ wheels, a heat treated 6061 aluminum frame, rear disc brake and some pretty high end components on the Deluxe Build option. We’re talking S&M Bars, Chris King headsets and White Industries freewheels.

All that goodness doesn’t come cheap though.

Prices are actually pretty steep…we’re talking $1400-$3000 (US)…Yowza!

Pretty cool looking though.

The deets


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SX start hills to become VIP beer gardens?

16 06 2017

With the news that BMX freestyle had been added to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic program the BMX racing community is all a buzz with talk about the potential impact on BMX racing in upcoming Olympic events.

One big question to come out of this discussion?

Are the Olympics/Supercross(SX)-style tracks’ days numbered?

Signs are beginning to point to “yes”.

According to Mike Carruth on VintageBMX.com,

We are already seeing a gradual departure from the 8M hill, via the UCI rules for 2017, which allow World Cup races to be run off of 5M or 8M hills. To me, that is the beginning of the end for the 8M hill, but it is going to take a while. If BMX Racing gets dropped from the Olympics, as many expect in 2024 or 2028, that will further accelerate the demise of the 8M hill. By then, most of those hills will be 10 yrs old, and will have lived a full life.

But what will become of these massive –now more or less obsolete– structures in this non-SX BMX future?

Well, Carruth has a solid idea that I think we can all get behind:

Then, they [the 8M starting hills] can be converted to stadium seating, with a VIP beer garden at the top.

I think he may be on to something with this idea.

This might just return BMX racing to its former glory.

I say cheers to that.


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Categories : New School, Racing, Tomfoolery

What the Klunk?

7 06 2017

In another one of those “is it a MTB or BMX?” moments, Volume Bikes has introduced a new bike reminiscent of 70s-era klunker mountain bikes, albeit with some updated, modern touches (like disc brakes).

Meet the 2018 Volume 26″ Sledgehammer Klunker (that’s a mouthful).

And to showcase how the bike can “ride, jump, cruise, and mob around”, Brian Castillo got together with Mike Mastroni to film a video of himself doing just that.

It sure looks like he’s having a good time!

It kinda reminds of how the Transition Klunker turned alot of heads with its extra old school appeal.

Which reminds me…Klunking 2 (from Transition Bikes) was pure hilarity.

Have a look below if you need a refresher.

https://vimeo.com/51119615

 

 


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Categories : goofiness, New products, Old School, shenanigans

First look: 2018 Sunday Model C

2 06 2017

Sunday Bikes just released a preview of their 2018 lineup…and with eager anticipation I scrolled through the slideshow to have a look at the latest iteration of the 24″ Model C.

New for this year is all black colorway (with the exception of the bars and cranks which are chrome).

It’s almost the ying to the yang (or is vice versa?) of last year’s colorway: chrome with black bars and cranks).

Other than the new colorway, the Model C is pretty much steady as she goes in terms of components and setup.

The highlights are:

  • Sunday Lightning rims
  • Sunday sealed hubs
  • Odyssey Springfield brakes
  • Odyssey Twisted PC pedals
  • Sunday Tripod Seat
  • Sunday Freeze stem
  • Sunday Pursuit tires

Like last year, the frame is not full chromoly (chromoly downtube and headtube only)…but still reasonably durable and well-spec’d for the pricepoint.

For the rest of the deets, click on over to the Sunday site.


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

Mongoose serious about racing comeback

31 05 2017

Back in December, we got word that Mongoose was making a racing comeback.

They kicked things off with a line of affordable, race-ready complete bikes that were available at mongoose.com and Amazon.

Now, it appears that Mongoose is upping the ante and expanding their race line —from four to eight models–for the 2018 model year.

According to a writeup in the Wisconsin State Journal, one reason for the expansion of their BMX category, specifically the race category, is the increased exposure BMX racing has received since its Olympic debut.

Another reason, according to Brian Baldis, Director of Product Development for Mongoose, is:

“…parents like to put their kids in those kind of formatted sports, versus freestyle, which is still the bulk of the BMX marketplace.

“Racing is seeing some uptick because it has a time, location, adult supervision and feels very much like Little League in that way. It’s been great for youths getting back on bikes in that way.”

That’s great to hear, considering the gloom and doom on Internet Forums over the past few years when the topic of participation rates came up.

Will this translate into more Mongooses at the local track?

Time will tell.

But in any event, it’s great to have this iconic brand back in the BMX race scene again.


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Categories : New products, New School, Old School, Racing

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