The BMX world’s longest running magazine can be a cruel mistress.
It’s enough to make a grown man cry.
Now in the latest issue (September), it looks like Plus is trying to kickstart the love affair again.
With a coverline that calls September “The Big Issue” and “Race and Freestyle Cruisers put to the test” getting top billing you just know something’s up.
Inside the magazine, they have–be still my heart–a freestyle cruiser shootout!
Granted, we suggested that they do this way back in 2010 but it’s nice to see it finally happening.
The Stolen Saint was a solid first effort: modern freestyle geometry, tough components (for a mid-level bike) and a tri-moly frame (which is common at this price point).
For 2013, Stolen has upped the ante a bit with the Saint XLT. On display at this year’s Interbike tradeshow, the Saint XLT showed that Stolen might just be serious about this 24″ game.
Sharing the same geometry as last year’s Saint model, the Stolen gang have made this version’s frame and fork 100% cro-mo. And with a nod to the way that many people are running their bars today, Stolen has also outfitted the XLT with 8.25″ handlebars.
I believe the headset and bottom bracket have also been updated to new sealed versions as well (but don’t quote me on that).
Nice to see Stolen taking a great new 24″ option and making it even better!
Should be in stores in the next month or so. Available in Black with Chrome (as shown above) and Matte Copper with Silver.
As I’ve mentioned before, the Stolen Saint 24 is one of favorite bikes right now, as far as completes go.
Good geometry, components and price make for one attractive package and the Saint is starting to get some buzz going because of it.
To build on that buzz and to highlight how well it rides, Stolen got their team riders, Sean Morr and JJ Anderwald to cruise around Venice Beach and throw down a few tricks.
Looks like the Saint is ready to go whether you’re riding street or skatepark.
I was immediately impressed by Stolen’s first foray into the 24″ world. It looked like they did their homework: tall-ish bars, double-wall rims, raised BB…all at great price (under $500, I believe).
Check out this video of Rick at Pat’s 605 Cyclery in Norwalk, CA giving the bike the once over (seriously, why don’t more bike shops do videos like this?).
If you’re looking to get a 24″ complete, the Stolen Saint is a great new option.
So before we ring in the new year, let’s check out the top ten things that went down in 2011.
10. Sunday and S&M kicked off the year by introducing two of the most of the popular frames out there right now: the Sunday Wave-C and S&M 24″ Dirt Bike.
9. This was quickly followed by news that a lot of people had been waiting for: 24″ forks with front brake mounts. S&M was first to market with their 24 “Pitchforks with 990 mounts which was quickly followed by Sunday’s 24″ forks with 990 mounts (although they were testing prototypes much earlier).
8. Some great 24″ flatland vids surfaced almost immediately after from Joe Cicman and Danny Sirkin. (Could this be related somehow to #9?) Heck, even flatland legend Bobby Fisher surfaced a few months later riding flatland on a Sunday Model-C.
6. “Older” guys continued to make their presence felt in BMX on their 24″ bikes. From the older cruiser classes in racing to a skatepark rider proving that age is just a number it’s great to see that there is no age cut-off for having fun!
4. Mongoose, Stolen and InDust introduced new 24s to the scene. Great to see companies responding to the demand for bigger wheeled BMXs.
3. Cruiser Revolution celebrated its 3-year anniversary this year. A great milestone and a testament to the great cruiser community that is continuing to grow.
2. The 4130 rides. I was lucky enough to participate in the 4130 Sin Series ride in Las Vegas back in September and it was one of the best times I have ever had on my bike. Bombing the streets with a couple hundred of your fellow BMXers is something everyone has to do at least once.
1. Having a good time on your bike. Sure, it’s fun to debate the pros and cons of how tall your handlebars are, talk about the latest parts and comment on the latest video edit but when it comes right down to it, when you’re out there riding none of that really matters. Whether its with your bros, your kids or just by yourself, you can leave your worries behind and let the good times roll as soon as you step on those pedals.
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.
Inside the magazine, they have–be still my heart–a freestyle cruiser shootout!
On the race side of things, Plus takes the Redline Proline 24 out for a test drive. A solid review with, again, some good riding shots.
Will this renewed love for the cruiser last this time?
cruiser revolution 