Stompin’ Stu Thomsen | cruiser revolution

Souping up the SE STR-29

5 11 2016

The SE STR-29 turned our heads from the very first time we spotted it.

A classic 20″ frame, reimagined as a 29″ complete….it was one cool looking bike…and as Stompin’ Stu (the ST in STR) demonstrated, a more-than-capable wheelie machine.

However, as cool as it looks out of the box, it’s always interesting to see how someone customizes their bike to suit their tastes.

Yet we just haven’t seen much of that to this point with the STR-29. Actually of all the ones I’ve seen, they’ve been bone-stock.

But that all changed this week.

SE shared a picture in their social media feeds of Clyde Akers STR-29…and he definitely souped it up.

With fresh paint, a liberal sprinkling of gold ano and larger tire* in the front…you definitely have a fresh take on the original factory-version STR-29.

Love me some gold ano!

*shucks, it’s not a tanwall

(All pics: SE Bikes)

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Tags: 29 inch BMX cruiser, Custom 29" BMX cruiser, SE Bikes, SE STR-29, Stompin' Stu Thomsen
Categories : New products, Old School

Scoping out the SE STR-29

5 04 2016

Well, the cat’s out of the bag.

Todd Lyons had been dropping hints leading up to the Spring Fling in Florida (that happened this past weekend).

He had something special that he wanted to showcase.

And he brought Stu Thomsen along for the occasion.

That “something” was the reintroduction of the STR (Stu’s signature frame back in the day).

But this wasn’t just a simple re-pop…this STR has evolved!

This STR is a 29-incher!

(Hence the name – STR-29.)

That’s Stu and the STR-29 on the right (Who’s that guy on the left? He looks pretty Buff)

The frame design is pretty trick.

The double down-tubes begin at the head tube, wrap underneath the bottom bracket, continue around the looptail (!) rear dropouts and then connect again on the top tube.

When I shared the first pic of the STR-29 on the CR Facebook page, a couple people questioned the 29″ size.

I kinda wondered about it too.

Then I remembered a comment I had seen in the past (from The Mayor of Hollywood, perhaps?) that the 29″ Big Ripper was an awesome wheelie machine.

No sooner had that thought crossed my mind…this picture popped up on my feed.

Stu and DBlocks getting their wheelie on.

It appears that my suspicions that the STR-29 being an extraordinary wheelie machine were confirmed.

I’m sure we’re going to be hearing more about the SE STR-29 in the weeks and months ahead.

(Pictures: Todd Lyons/SE)

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Tags: 29 inch BMX cruiser, Mike Buff, SE STR-29, Spring Fling BMX show, Stompin' Stu Thomsen, Stu Thomsen
Categories : New products, Old School

Stompin’ Stu Thomsen slays the trails

3 03 2015

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)

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Tags: It's all just riding, Oakley pumptrack, SE Racing, Stompin' Stu Thomsen, Stu Thomsen
Categories : Old School, Racing, Trails, Trails/Jumping

The story of Stompin’ Stu Thomsen

6 11 2009

“He was like a god.”

–former Pro BMX racer Ronnie Anderson

Finally had a chance to see Stompin’ Stu, The Story of BMX Legend Stu Thomsen DVD last night and I have to say I’m stoked. I got into BMX back in ’80s when the the rivalry between Stu and Greg Hill was at its peak. BMX racing was huge at the time and Stu was larger than life.

But he was more than an awesome racer…he was a great dirt jumper that also rode skatepark sections that intimidated people like Bob Haro.

The DVD lets you relive some of the epic battles he had on the track and also see how he battled and overcame prostate cancer. This is guy that can still turn up at the NBL Grand Nationals and kick ass in the 50-54 cruiser class. And this is not some low-to-the ground racer, Stu still likes to jump!

Stompin Stu NBL Grands

You should totally check out this DVD.

The extras with Linn Kastan (founder of Redline Bicycles) talking about how parts were developed are the icing on the cake.

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Tags: bmx racing, Bob Haro, Cruiser class, Greg Hill, Linn Kastan, NBL Grand Nationals, Redline, Ronnie Anderson, Stompin' Stu Thomsen, The story of BMX legend Stu Thomsen
Categories : Old School, 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