CycleCraft is back

30 07 2009

If you’ve been around BMX for a while, you know the CycleCraft name. Having faded from the scene for a number of years, it seemed to be one of those “whatever happened to…” companies from back in the day.  However, all that has changed,  with a recent change in ownership that seems  intent on restoring some of the former glory back to CycleCraft.  A recent thread on VintageBMX provides some details on how the new owners are trying to preserve the distinctive look of the bikes while updating them with modern geometry.

Cyclecraft Cruiser_Spy_photo_1

While the picture above (of the new 24″ prototype) isn’t the greatest, it clearly shows the new owners are on the right track with the new and improved CycleCraft. Now if they could just lure back Brian Foster (he used to ride for them)…well, then I think we’d have something magical.


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Categories : New products, New School, Old School, Racing, Trails/Jumping

First look at We The People Avenue 24″

22 07 2009

We The People have just unveiled their 2010 line of bikes and they’ve really stepped things up with the new WTP Avenue 24″. This bike is a beauty. If you’ve read some of my past posts, you know that I’m a  fan of gold anodized parts and big handlebars. The Avenue 24″ has both. Not only that, the colours and the graphics make this one of the best-looking completes out there (although it does remind me of the Sunday Olive Green Model-C).  Set to land in stores in September, I can’t wait to check out one of these up close.

wtp Avenue 24"


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Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School, street, Trails/Jumping

Kicking it old school…or just kicking ass?

15 07 2009

I don’t think words can describe how stoked I am on this video.  If you remember the Haro team back in its heyday, you know how great that team was. So many awesome memories…It’s great to see these guys back in action.

I know I may have said that something else was possibly the best thing on YouTube, but right now this one takes the top spot for me.


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Categories : Freestyle, Old School, Tomfoolery

BMX Plus! shows cruisers some love

14 07 2009

BMX Plus! seems to have the staying power of Keith Richards. When other magazines folded, BMX Plus! kept right on trucking.  Dismissed by many as not being hardcore enough, they seemed to have found the magic formula to keep puttin out a mag, month after month.

But what is that magic formula? Maybe it’s that they’re not afraid to spotlight 24″ BMX every once in a while.

Last month I picked up a copy at a local bike shop and was stoked to see a GHP 24 being tested. Then this month I noticed a MCS Magnum 24 being tested. Pretty cool considering 24″ BMX tests are so few and far between.  Can’t say that I’ve ever been a huge fan of Plus! but the last few issues have made me take notice and start looking for it on the newstand.

mcs magnum_test_aug_2009


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Categories : New products, Racing, Trails/Jumping

Stompin’ Stu Thomsen is still the man

6 07 2009

As America celebrated it’s proud history this past weekend, I got to thinking about some of the big names that made BMX history in the U.S. over the years. Perhaps none bigger is the man, Stompin’ Stu Thomsen. A dominant force in Pro BMX racing in the ’70s and ’80s, he was also no slouch at jumping.

Now in his 50s, the tenacity to win races is still there and his jumping ability doesn’t  seem to have faded with age either. Check out this shot from last year’s NBL grandnationals. Stu flying into turn three with style to spare on his Redline cruiser!

Stompin' Stu styling into turn 3 NBL grands

For more on Stompin’ Stu, check out red-division‘s* write up on Stu’s recent appearance (and cruiser win!) at the ABA Midwest Nationals.

*red-division is in Spanish, so don’t forget to use “Google translate” when checking it out.


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Categories : New School, Old School, Racing, Trails/Jumping

Underestimated – best thing on YouTube?

2 07 2009

In the last little while BMX has gotten pretty cliquey….you’re either a street rider or a flatland rider, freestyler or racer, someone with a seatpost or someone with a pivotal-thingie built into the frame. Not only that, you’ve also got blogs and forums seemingly dedicated to slamming  new products  produced  by rider-owned  companies (not that some don’t deserve it).  It kind of makes me long for the days when riders dabbled a bit in every element of riding, and whenever you saw another rider you felt that instant connection…because you both rode…and it didn’t matter what or how.

It’s enough to bum you out…unless you come across something like this:


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Categories : Freestyle, New School, Old School, Racing, Trails/Jumping

Are my handlebars big enough?

26 06 2009

Like most men, I wonder if my handlebars are big enough…are they wide enough to provide maximum riding pleasure? Are they tall enough to attract attention from the ladies? It’s been something I’ve been struggling with a lot lately…I thought these might be the answer but I wasn’t sure. Now I see that even those might not be enough. Paul de Groot’s recent Sunday Model-C bike check is making me realize what I thought was big…really isn’t that big at all. Paul has gone ahead and slapped some Solid Roseanne Bars on his bike…we’re talking a 9″ rise and 32″ wide. I try to console myself and say that handlebar size doesn’t matter…but late at night…I wonder if that’s really true.

Paul de Groot's Model-C

Paul de Groot's Model-C


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Categories : Freestyle, goofiness

Something about these number plates…

20 06 2009

There’s something about these two number plates that I really like…but I just can’t put my finger on it.

Vegas 2009 365

Vegas 2009 369

Hmm…Don’t worry, it’ll come to me.


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Categories : goofiness, Racing

When in Vegas…stop in at City of Bicycles

16 06 2009

If you’re ever in Vegas, make a point of stopping in to City of Bicycles, which is right around the corner from the Rio Hotel. When you get there, chances are you’ll find yourself talking with ABA Hall of Famer and former No. 1 Cruiser rider, Turnell Henry. Turnell’s shop caters to the local BMX scene, with a big focus on racing.

Turnell Henry with his 1981 #1 cruiser award

Turnell Henry with his 1981 #1 cruiser award

When I visited the shop recently he told me how he had been working in other fields (outside of BMX) but then realized if he was going to be working so hard it was going to be for what he loved…and that was BMX.

But he’s not just back into BMX from a business perspective,  he’s taken some of the local racers under his wing and started training them….and he has also got back into the mix himself in the King of Las Vegas race series. He’s racing guys 20 years his junior and more than holding his own.

Definitely take the time to visit Turnell and City of Bicycles next time you’re in Vegas…if you’re like me, you’ll come away just as stoked (scratch that…more stoked) on your conversation with one of the legends of the sport as you are on the great selection of BMX parts and bikes in the shop.


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Categories : New School, Old School, Racing, Uncategorized

Cruising around TO on a Macneil cruiser

13 06 2009

Jay Miron and the Macneil gang were in Toronto last weekend for a  street jam as part of the Macneil Eastern Canada tour. Word has it there were almost 200 riders taking it all in/participating.  Miron took part in the whole thing onboard one those 26″ beach-style Macneil cruisers. Will Macneil step up and put out a street-worthy 24″ next year? Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

macneil_easttripday2


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Categories : shenanigans, street

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