Mike Leonard | cruiser revolution

Rollin’ with the 4130 Sin Series crew

25 09 2015

Beyond walking the aisles of Interbike, checking out the new bikes, parts and trends of the show…one of the high points of the week is meeting up with the crew behind the 4130 Sin City Series ride for night of fun, rolling through the streets of Vegas.

I had to miss it last year (because I had to fly back early for a wedding) but I had my fingers crossed that the stars would align and I would be able to ride this year.

Well, the stars did align.

And, like he has in the past, Mike Leonard came through for me with a bike I could borrow for the night, along with a lift to the meetup spot.

(That’s Mike on the right…not sure why our skin looks like we’re under heat lamps..must be the Vegas lights.)

The group was smaller this year (I heard there was a race nearby that drew away a lot of people that would’ve participated) but it didn’t diminish the fun in the slightest.

It was good to catch up with Sal and Cactus, who I had rode with on previous rides.

The night was a blast…out in the elements, experiencing the crazy lights of the strip, the high fives of passersby and a good laugh with the other people on the ride.

Definitely a good time.

Let’s do it all again next year!

(All pics by Mike Leonard)

Comments : 2 Comments »
Tags: 4130 Sin City Series ride, Interbike 2015, Mike Leonard
Categories : shenanigans, street, Tomfoolery

Sneak peek: Tribute prototype tease

24 04 2015

Tribute Bikes put the word out yesterday that they have a new prototype 24″ frame, ready for testing.

While specs have yet to be finalized, it looks like some details have been more or less confirmed (at least if the specs in the teaser image are correct…).

Here’s what we know so far (spec-wise):

Top tube: 21.98″
Chain stay: 14.25″
Stand-over: 9.5″
Bottom bracket: 13″ (TBD)

Other notables?

Well, how about Reynolds 853 tubing, removable brake mounts, and a “top-secret chain stay yoke”?

Hmm…I wonder what the scoop is on that last part.

Looks pretty interesting, in any event.

Hopefully we’ll see Tribute rider, Mike Leonard on one of these soon for some street-level torture testing.

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Mike Leonard, sneak peek, Tribute bikes
Categories : Freestyle, New products, New School

Sin Series ride: finishing on a high note

27 09 2013

Just as I had suspected, the annual Friday night ride with the 4130 Sin Series crew was one of the highlights of Interbike week.

Catching up with old friends, making new ones and going for an exhilarating ride through the streets of Las Vegas is something that never fails to put a smile on my face.

With Mike Leonard on the whistle (that’s him in the extreme closeup above) we took off from the Fremont Street area, up to the Las Vegas Sign and then onto a final run through the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip.

Gotta love the “We are the champions” pose of Patrick Thomas in this photo (in front, bike in the air)…it just shows the stoke factor of these events.

So much fun.

Thanks for having me along for the ride guys.

(Pics: Mike Leonard)

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: 4130 Sin Series ride, interbike, Mike Leonard, Patrick Thomas
Categories : New School, Old School, shenanigans, street, Tomfoolery

Countdown to Interbike

5 09 2013

It’s September and that means, in addition to the classic Earth, Wind & Fire song, “September” constantly playing in my head, the bicycle industry’s annual show ‘n’ tell called Interbike is just mere weeks away.

Like in years past, I’ll be cruising the aisles of Interbike checking out what’s new and happening in cruisers and bigger-wheeled BMX bikes.

Last year, some new complete bikes debuted that really caught my attention.

Bikes like the Stolen Saint XLT

and the DK Elite Series Cruiser really stood out.

But walking the tradeshow floor is only part of the comprehensive investigation this hard-working BMX journalist will be providing.

In 2012, I went out and pounded the pavement to see if I could find the information that you just couldn’t find in the kiosks at the show.

That desire to get the inside story took me to one of the pools on the Strip where Maxim magazine’s Hometown Hotties were holding court.

It was there that I heard that the 2013 models would be bigger in the front and have tighter back ends.

Who knew you would learn about chain-stay length at a Vegas Pool?

Of course, it’s important to get the local perspective on things.

And there is no better place to do that than at the annual 4130 Sin Series ride (scheduled to go down on the Friday of Interbike Week this year).

Rolling with good peeps, like Vegas locals Mike Leonard and Chris Fox (pictured below with me (Ed) after the ride…thanks again for lending me a bike Chris!)

…and catching up with out-of-town visitors like Randy Franklin, this is the event that brings it all home.

Even though I’m excited to see what the bike industry has cooked up for 2014, it’s important to remember that bike riding is still all about getting together with your friends and having fun…and that’s what the 4130 Sin Series ride is all about.

Looking forward to some good times in Vegas.

Comments : 10 Comments »
Tags: 4130 Sin Series ride, Chris Fox, DK Elite Series Cruiser, Earth Wind and Fire, Intebike, Las Vegas, Maxim Hometown Hotties, Mike Leonard, Randy Franklin, Stolen Saint XLT 24
Categories : New products, New School, Old School, Racing, shenanigans, street, Tomfoolery

A nice backdrop makes all the difference

17 07 2013

Most dirt jumping pictures have similar backdrops…trees, mounds of dirt…in Henderson, Nevada the backdrop is a little different.

This local spot, the Monkey Face jump, kinda has an ugly name, but it sure makes up for it with its beautiful scenery.

Tribute Bikes rider, Mike Leonard blasts one out at the Monkey Face for your viewing pleasure. Sal Alvarado, behind the lens, captures the moment for posterity.

Comments : 4 Comments »
Tags: 24" BMX, Dirt jumping on BMX Cruiser, Mike Leonard, Monkey Face Jump, Sal Avarado, Tribute bikes
Categories : New School, Trails, Trails/Jumping

Mike Leonard airing out

10 04 2013

Mike Leonard has been stepping up his game lately and it’s starting to show with some cool riding pictures popping up from his homebase in the Las Vegas area.

Here’s a cool shot taken by his good friend and riding buddy, Sal Alvarado.

Airing out of the world famous Dick n Balls bowl at Pro Park, this pic has style all over it.

And now receiving support from Tribute Bikes, Mike makes sure to tilt his wheel just so to highlight the Tribute STP Forks he’s running. A true professional.

Comments : 8 Comments »
Tags: Dick n Balls bowl, Mike Leonard, Pro Park Las Vegas, Sal Alvarado, Tribute bikes, Tribute STP Forks
Categories : Freestyle, New School, Skatepark

Spreading the good word in Sin City

8 01 2013

Mike Leonard‘s been holding it down in Las Vegas for some time now.

Always spreading the good word and reppin’ the 24″ at the skateparks, the trails and the 4130 Sin City Rides.

Mike’s also been on a bit of a tear lately…putting in some serious riding at Bootleg Canyon and Anthem Skatepark.

Sal Alvarado, a rad MTB rider in his own right, has been right there with him and has started to snap a few pictures along the way to document the action.

Here’s just a few of the good ones that have surfaced the past few days after a session at Anthem. I have a feeling there’s more to come of this stuff in 2013!

Busting on the big table at Anthem.