cruiser revolution

Bart Simpson gets a BMX bike

21 12 2015

It’s been a couple years since The Simpsons/Duffman Cruiser collaboration but it looks like the connection between The Simpsons (and Bart in particular) is only getting deeper.

About a week ago, Bart Simpson got himself a BMX bike on the show.

(Wait….are those Zap Pads?)

Radness ensues…

Along with a freestyle contest…

There’s even a nod (I’m guessing) to the USA BMX Golden Crank Award…however, in this case it becomes The Golden Crutch Award.

And what’s that on the wall? A Quadangle, perhaps?

(And is that supposed to be Neil Stauss behind the mic? That’s a bit random.)

It’s pretty cool to see BMX popping up on The Simpsons after all these years.

Granted, American Dad did beat them to it with their kooky send-up of RAD. But given that Bart has always had any affinity for getting rad on his skateboard…we can’t really hold a grudge.

Still cool to see him on a BMX though!

(Pics from this BMXMuseum thread)

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: American Dad, Bart Simpson, Bart Simpson BMX, Golden Crank Award, Neil Strauss, Quadangle, Rad movie, The Simpsons, The Simpsons and CULT collab, Zap pads
Categories : Freestyle, New School, Old School, Rad, Skatepark, Tomfoolery

The swan song for 24″ Chase Hawk tires?

18 12 2015

After so much teasing, buildup and finally, the introduction of a 24″ Chase Hawk tire…it seems like its days might be numbered.

In a dramatic sponsorship change, almost on par with Primo dropping the Blue Falcon years ago, Odyssey has dropped Chase Hawk from their team.

Understandably, the internets have been going crazy over the last 48 hours with the news.

With Chase off the team, it probably means his signature products are probably on their way out too.

So, if you’ve been on the fence about picking up a pair, you might want to jump on it sooner rather than later.

Sad news all around…although I think Chase is probably going to have no problem finding himself a new co-sponsor (He’s still reppin’ Cult, naturally.)

Maybe Odyssey will consider a 24″ Duggan tire to replace the Hawk tire?

It’s the least they could do in this situation.

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: 24" Chase Hawk tires, Blue Falcon, BMX sponsorship changes, Cult BMX, Odyssey, Primo
Categories : Freestyle, New School, shenanigans, Skatepark, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Gearing up for a winter street session

11 12 2015

Even though we’ve been blessed with warm fall weather (in most parts of North America at least) it’s just a matter of time before the really cold stuff starts to take hold.

And while the old standbys of indoor bike parks and heated parked garages are always good options during the winter…sometimes you’ve just got to keep it raw and have yourself a good ol’ fashioned street session.

But before you do that, you have to be prepared.

A big part of that preparation is…dressing in layers.

What layers you say?

Ant Bloch of Harvester Bikes has put together a video to highlight the essentials for winter street riding.

As Ant explains, you’ll want to make sure you have the following:

Gloves
Long-sleeve shirt
Hoodie
Dickies or Carhartt-style insulated jacket
High-top shoes
Jeans
Toque/Beanie

A solid list for sure…and given that Ant rides in Canadian winters…he’s got some real-world experience riding in the cold.

I can’t disagree with any of his suggestions but I would add one more item to the list: a moisture-wicking shirt.

Use it under (or as a replacement for) the long-sleeve shirt he mentioned to keep you less sweaty once the session really gets going. (I’ve started adding this to my cold weather-riding gear and it has really made a difference.)

So now that you’ve got your cold weather-riding gear sorted…don’t let a winter forecast get you down…get out there and get riding!

Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Ant Block, Harvester Bikes, street riding, Winter riding
Categories : New School, shenanigans, street

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.

(And speaking of “in the jungle”…apparently there’s a water jump this year!)

So a tip of the visor to all those riders competing this weekend.

Good luck and good gates!

*not really dying, obviously.

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: BMX Cruiser, BMX cruiser racing, BMX Water Jump, USA BMX Grand Nationals, USA BMX Grands, You're in the jungle
Categories : New School, Racing

2 things you must do before the Grands

19 11 2015

Here we are.

A week before the USA BMX Grand Nationals.

There’s already been the obligatory top ten list of things to do before the Grands article on another media outlet.

Videos popping up to get people hyped.

So…what are (in my opinion) the top 2 things to do before you attend the Grands?

Reconsider
Head to Cleveland and ride Rays MTB* instead.

Don’t get me wrong…I’m as big a fan of BMX racing as the next guy.

But when you start to run the numbers a bit, the “bang for buck”, or more appropriately “bang per lap” does not add up.

Budgeting…what is it now?…$50 per class? You’re paying a pretty hefty premium for your less than handful of laps around the track.

Compare that with riding at a bike park like Rays*…you can ride all freaking day for under $30. Your energy will run out before your time will.

What’s that you say?

It’s about “the experience” you say.

Hmm….so you’re traveling to the Grands to see some BMX stars?

Well, friends any number of BMX stars make their way down to the bike parks…you just never know who’s going to be there. That’s not to mention the local rippers and riders that regularly make the roadtrip to shred.

Want to score some good deals on bike parts? If the selection of bike parts on the display at the bike park doesn’t satisfy you…why not order some Black Friday deals from Dans or Empire back to your hotel room? C’mon now.

Speaking of which…riding at Rays helps you score a 1/2 price room at couple of hotels in Cleveland (other bike parks have similar deals). Haven’t seen a listing on BMXHotels.com that’s as economical as that.

And the Saturday night Pro Championship?

Well, I guess you might miss out on that.

But since you’re in Cleveland, that means you can make your way out to a Cavaliars game…and while he may not have Sam W‘s winning smile, LeBron definitely knows how to get some airtime.

In the end, it’s up to you.

This is just my modest proposal.

Save some bucks and have more time/fun on your bike?

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

*Yes, there other great bike parks in other cities (check out this post for a list of most of them) …I chose Rays for simplicity’s sake)

Comments : 3 Comments »
Tags: Black Friday, Cleveland Cavaliars, LeBron, Ray's MTB, Sam Willoughby, USA BMX Grand Nationals, USA BMX Grands
Categories : Racing, Tomfoolery

Macneil just wants to cruise

17 11 2015

Even though we’ve already documented that 26″ cruisers were having a moment…and their moment in the sun seemed to have some legs…it was a bit of surprise to see that Macneil Bikes had — in a pretty low-key way — reintroduced a 26″ cruiser into their lineup.

Bike nerds (like myself ) might remember that none other than BMX legend Jay Miron used to rock a version of this before he decided to hang up his riding shoes and 540 tailwhips.

To make matters further intriguing, Macneil not only re-introduced their 26″ cruiser but they’ve also brought a 29″ to market as well. Hey now!

https://vimeo.com/85130138

Based on their promo vid, I wouldn’t say they had hard-core shredding in mind with this cruiser but it’s worth noting that it does feature a full cro-mo frame, fork and bars…so it will definitely handle some abuse.

A nice choice for some mellow cruising and curb hopping.

(Click on over to the Macneil site for full specs on the 26″ and 29″ cruisers.)