It’s always cool to see BMX racing get some mainstream attention.
Well, most of the time anyway.
This time it’s a bit of a head-scratcher.
I came across this interesting commercial for Japan’s SoftBank recently and thought I’d post it up.
It features SE racer/model, Miki libata as a “BMX Mom” who is pitted against an “MTB Mom” to get to the supermarket to get a deal advertised in a flyer.
A pretty random race through the city quickly ensues.
Check it out.
Stu Thomsen cause a bit of a sensation recently when he returned to the race scene–in old school SE colors, no less–at a USA BMX national in Phoenix.
Stu took home the win in his cruiser class, showing that he still has the horsepower to whup his fellow racers.
But perhaps even cooler than his still awesome racing skills, is his versatility and ability to ride at a high level in so many different types of bike riding.
He was one of the first guys to get coverage riding skateparks in the early days of BMX….and he’s certainly no slouch on a road or mountain bike either.
That’s why I got a little stoked to see a picture surface, right after the Phoenix race, of Stu gettin’ trails-y at the Oakley pumptrack.
With so much of the BMX scene broken down into subgroups these days: trails riders, racers, street riders…it’s nice to see someone like Stu showing people the simple truth…it’s all just riding.
It’s a notion that seems to have been lost over the years…run whatcha brung and have a damn good time doing it.
(Photo credit: SE Bikes)
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.
Just off the top of my head, there is:
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.
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.
You’ve probably already checked out the interbike coverage from Ride and Vital BMX already but you and I both know they’ve left out what you’re really looking for…what’s new in 24″ BMX news.
Good thing Cruiser Revolution was there this year to bring you the highlights that you were really looking for.
Free Agent
An updated colorway and the addition of Sinz forks are all new for the Free Agent Limo 24 in 2012. I’m seeing more and more Free Agents at the track, so this could be a big seller when these drop in stores.
Redline
It seems that Redline’s reputation for out-of-the-box ready race machines remains intact. While the Project 79 bike got a lot of hype (I got the impression that a 24″ version isn’t on the horizon anytime soon) the old workhorses, the 24″ Flight and 24″ Proline look as good as ever with some updated colorways and component tweaks.
SE Racing
While I was hoping to see the updated Floval Flyer (it wasn’t on display for some reason) SE had a number of cruisers to check out. My particular favorite looks-wise was the OM Flyer. For real, this thing is beautiful. A vision in chrome goodness (it even sports chrome valve caps!).
Sunday
Sunday didn’t have a booth this year but I chatted with Jim C. after the Nora Cup awards and got the lowdown on what’s new at Sunday for 2012. The Model-C complete will be sporting a 22″ top tube with a great parts package. Check out this web edit for all the details.
We the People
According to the rep I spoke to, WTP dropped the 24″ for the lineup because “it wasn’t doing what we wanted it to in the market place”. Sad really, considering WTP’s legacy of great 24″ bikes. Perhaps if they actually promoted their 24″ bike…say with a web edit or a picture of someone riding it…. they would’ve achieved the sales they were looking for. (See Where’s the promotion?” ) But who am I to say? Perhaps not marketing is the new marketing. What’s replacing it is their new 26″ Champ bike. If you’re a BMX Museum regular you will see the not-so-subtle design nods to the classic Champion frames from back in the day.
Stolen
Stolen is new on the 24″ scene for 2012 with a good first effort called the Saint. It comes complete with 7.25″ bars and double-wall rims.
DK Bicycles
DK seems to have a lot on the go these days 24″ wise. They’ve updated their popular Sentry cruiser with a 22″ top tube, their freestyle-oriented Cygnus is looking sharp and their long-awaited 24″ Professional frame (with the higher than usual bottom bracket) will be dropping in about a month. Their Evolution rims are also looking dope. Check out this clip of Trevor Gay explaining, with Brian Hunt‘s “help”, all the features and colors available in the Evolution rim.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Walking down Spadina avenue in downtown Toronto I was absentmindedly checking out store windows when I saw something that made me do a double take. There it was, parked in the corner of some random hipster sneaker store, a 26″ looptail PK Ripper! The bike is half-white and half-black…not sure if this was done as some sort of social commentary but it is definitely distinctive!
The bike is a collaboration between SE and The Hundreds streetwear clothing company. Not a bike to use for hard-core thrashing but for sheer retro-awesome coolness it is off the charts! With only 300 made, this is one to hang on your wall and make your friends jealous.
You never know what you’ll come across when surfing the interweb.
Like this picture here of Slash with a woodgrain OM Flyer (from SE Racing) on the US VERSUS THEM streetwear site. Are they hinting that a Slash-inspired 24″ is on the way?
It wouldn’t be the first time a cruiser inspired by an ’80s metal icon was on the market…remember the S&M Widowmaker? Yep, S&M and Dee Snider….now that was a match made in heaven. Speaking of which…when is Chris Moeller going to bring that back? I think the time is right.
cruiser revolution 
