Every month I get a couple of visitors to this site that find it after googling the words "bmx sluts". There's some optomistic kids out there - at least you really hope they're kids.
But seriously, BMXtec actually comes up in the no.2 spot for a Google search on the words "bmx sluts". Sorry, just a little harmless keyword repitition there. You've got to put in... bmx sluts... work if you want to... bmx sluts... pull that elusive no. 1 spot.
Actually the no.1 spot is going to be a pretty tall order - they really look quite slutty.
Now do it Properly!
You hear a fair bit of old school reminiscing online. You know: That today's frames are too light, top tubes too low, spokes too few. But it's always struck me as backward - like you want your riding to progress, your life to progress and the world to progress, but for your bike to stay the same? It's kind of like your grandfather complaining that the internet is ruining the world and stubbornly writing letters to anyone that'll listen. That horse has bolted.
Heat treated frames, butted tubing, low top tubes, small drive trains, 36 spoke wheels ,small bb's, integrated headsets, cnc'd bridges, micro dropouts, 14 oz cassettes, offset machining, slammed pivotals and integrated seat clamps - There are loads of companies pushing design and new technology to make bikes lighter and easier to handle. Big stuff is still getting thrown down and they're not blowing up left, right and centre.
Anyway, if you still really want a 35 lb bike, 48 spoke wheels, a 44 tooth sprocket and a big padded seat, just go out and treat yourself to a Diamondback Joker - they're cheap too.
Out with the old and in with the new I say.
Proper Bike Co have been around for a few years now. They don't have a massive range of parts, but it's all designed in-house and they've got their own style going - kind of plain, no frills, but with a tech machined look that doesn't go overboard. And lots of colour of course to feed the machine.
They've also got a team of new school high flyers like Mike Miller and Max Wood who know how to tuck and spin their way round just about anything and I'm sure ain't complaining that their set ups are too light.
Proper's hubs in particular are crazy light. They've got a 369 gram (13 oz) rear cassette that's available with regular or female axle set up. I think it was the original version of this hub that had some problems with the bearings in the driver, but they've solved that by using a ceramic bushing instead. Which, correct me if I'm wrong, I think is a first for bmx. You know that I know that you know what a bushing is, but in case you don't - it's basically just a porous cylinder that's impregnated with a lubricant and so offers a smooth bearing surface. There's more friction than when using ball bearings, but no moving parts and for this reason Proper are saying that for this application it all but eliminates the possibility of failure.
They've got just one frame at the moment, the TTL which is Miller's sig frame and another street prototype on the way. The TTL weighs in at a respectable 4 lbs 7 oz and features most of the details of a modern all purpose frame that seem to get those internet lurkers fired up - butted tubing, removable brake mounts, integrated seat clamp, some cut outs here and there. But if you check this Miller clip out you'll see that there doesn't seems to be any problems with a quick three down a ten set - maybe it's just that he's got about 5kg less jeans than he would have had riding in the 90s.
Their most recent product release is the Microlite stem, which is a particularly nice bit of kit. It's machined out of 6061 t6 aluminium, has a 52mm reach and weighs in at 249 grams (8.8 oz). A range of little details contribute to an original, light weight take on a classic six bolt stem without having it looking like a space ship. I'll let Dave Lombard from Proper do the talking. This is lifted from an ESPN interview with him:
...and BMXtec - Keeping closing sentences corny.
Heat treated frames, butted tubing, low top tubes, small drive trains, 36 spoke wheels ,small bb's, integrated headsets, cnc'd bridges, micro dropouts, 14 oz cassettes, offset machining, slammed pivotals and integrated seat clamps - There are loads of companies pushing design and new technology to make bikes lighter and easier to handle. Big stuff is still getting thrown down and they're not blowing up left, right and centre.
Anyway, if you still really want a 35 lb bike, 48 spoke wheels, a 44 tooth sprocket and a big padded seat, just go out and treat yourself to a Diamondback Joker - they're cheap too.
Out with the old and in with the new I say.
Proper Bike Co have been around for a few years now. They don't have a massive range of parts, but it's all designed in-house and they've got their own style going - kind of plain, no frills, but with a tech machined look that doesn't go overboard. And lots of colour of course to feed the machine.
They've also got a team of new school high flyers like Mike Miller and Max Wood who know how to tuck and spin their way round just about anything and I'm sure ain't complaining that their set ups are too light.
Proper's hubs in particular are crazy light. They've got a 369 gram (13 oz) rear cassette that's available with regular or female axle set up. I think it was the original version of this hub that had some problems with the bearings in the driver, but they've solved that by using a ceramic bushing instead. Which, correct me if I'm wrong, I think is a first for bmx. You know that I know that you know what a bushing is, but in case you don't - it's basically just a porous cylinder that's impregnated with a lubricant and so offers a smooth bearing surface. There's more friction than when using ball bearings, but no moving parts and for this reason Proper are saying that for this application it all but eliminates the possibility of failure.
They've got just one frame at the moment, the TTL which is Miller's sig frame and another street prototype on the way. The TTL weighs in at a respectable 4 lbs 7 oz and features most of the details of a modern all purpose frame that seem to get those internet lurkers fired up - butted tubing, removable brake mounts, integrated seat clamp, some cut outs here and there. But if you check this Miller clip out you'll see that there doesn't seems to be any problems with a quick three down a ten set - maybe it's just that he's got about 5kg less jeans than he would have had riding in the 90s.
Their most recent product release is the Microlite stem, which is a particularly nice bit of kit. It's machined out of 6061 t6 aluminium, has a 52mm reach and weighs in at 249 grams (8.8 oz). A range of little details contribute to an original, light weight take on a classic six bolt stem without having it looking like a space ship. I'll let Dave Lombard from Proper do the talking. This is lifted from an ESPN interview with him:
I think it would be a stretch to say that this stem is particularly unique. We tried all sort of unique ideas with pistons and ultimately decided that unique doesn't always equate to better. We ended up with a traditional 6 bolt front load stem with 52mm reach and all the features we liked. It's smaller than most stems, so we increased the clamping area a little with virtually no additional weight. There is a vertical shaft down the centre. We've seen a lot of stems with horizontal shafts in a similar area but we found the vertical option to be stronger. It has a recessed area around the fork compression bolt that allows the top cap to fit flush with all modern forks. It's much lighter than most stems without looking (or being) particularly crazy.So there you go - Proper Bike Co - Not reinventing the wheel, but keeping it rolling.
...and BMXtec - Keeping closing sentences corny.
This Week In Colour
Those colourful characters at Odyssey have had a big week.
Checking their Daily Word it can sometimes seem as though they drop a new colour kit daily. But in the last week there's actually only been six new-colour-posts. Well, six in the last eight days to be precise. OK, the Chameleon stuff was a repost. And the brake pads? That's not technically a colour, definitely not a kit, but you get the idea. Fourteen colours in total.
Those Taiwanese powder-coaters must just shake their heads imagining what kind of bikes these American kids ride. And they'd be right.
I was planning on giving a fully Odyssey colour tally, but I only got halfway though the trans PCs before I ran out of juice. So instead, here's this week in colour:
Checking their Daily Word it can sometimes seem as though they drop a new colour kit daily. But in the last week there's actually only been six new-colour-posts. Well, six in the last eight days to be precise. OK, the Chameleon stuff was a repost. And the brake pads? That's not technically a colour, definitely not a kit, but you get the idea. Fourteen colours in total.
Those Taiwanese powder-coaters must just shake their heads imagining what kind of bikes these American kids ride. And they'd be right.
I was planning on giving a fully Odyssey colour tally, but I only got halfway though the trans PCs before I ran out of juice. So instead, here's this week in colour:
Military Style
Coalition are back!
Hey that's great news. Although I've got to admit, I never knew they were gone. But apparently they were almost out of business for some shadowy reason that is not revealed here.
Anyway, I'm still excited to have them back. They've even brought some new/updated parts and colours back with them. Like this new fangled pivotal technology:
I don't really go in for the graphics option when it comes to part finishes - It's so hit or miss and it means you've got to like the artwork to like the seat. But it's at least a point of difference, and on another stock standard pivotal seat that's sorely needed.
Next up, their hard anodised aluminium pegs. The full details of the finish are given as "uses mil-a-8625 type 3 hard coating per military specs". That sounds like some hard shit. But you've got to wonder, military specification for what? It could be butter knives. I'm sure the peg is hard and all, but the military thing is just not really saying much - a bit of harmless hype I suppose. Good for the gun nuts.
I like the idea of aluminium pegs, in that you can save a bit of weight over steel, but with much better durability than plastic. And this peg is actually just a little different to the other aluminium pegs on the market in that it has about 2 oz extra material. Sounds like that'd increase the lifespan, but these are machined from 6061 rather than the harder 7075-T6. So they're a softer alloy, but with a thicker wall section, hard anodised rather than 7075, but a few dollars cheaper than other ali pegs - the verdict's all yours.
There's also a V2 of their Povah Stem, which looks tight with some extra internal machining and a new knee-saving rounded rear body. All those revisions have shaved off a couple of ounces and it's down to 9.5 oz. While they had the cnc running they've also had a go at their 7075 sprockets - added some cutouts, subtracted some grams.
If you're into handlebars with holes in them (maybe you prefer slots?), then you've come to the right place. Coalition are the purveyors of the original and the finest holy handlebar - the Holy Cross bars. What's strange is that they come with a sticker that wraps completely around said holes so you can hide your shameful light weight tendencies. Just think of it as a 0.1mm layer of polypropylene that protects your manliness.
So there you go Coalition are back and if you're feeling them, please don't be shy. There's no better way to give a warm welcome back than by reaching into your pocket and showing them a bit of light weight love - military style.
Hey that's great news. Although I've got to admit, I never knew they were gone. But apparently they were almost out of business for some shadowy reason that is not revealed here.
Anyway, I'm still excited to have them back. They've even brought some new/updated parts and colours back with them. Like this new fangled pivotal technology:
I don't really go in for the graphics option when it comes to part finishes - It's so hit or miss and it means you've got to like the artwork to like the seat. But it's at least a point of difference, and on another stock standard pivotal seat that's sorely needed.
Next up, their hard anodised aluminium pegs. The full details of the finish are given as "uses mil-a-8625 type 3 hard coating per military specs". That sounds like some hard shit. But you've got to wonder, military specification for what? It could be butter knives. I'm sure the peg is hard and all, but the military thing is just not really saying much - a bit of harmless hype I suppose. Good for the gun nuts.
I like the idea of aluminium pegs, in that you can save a bit of weight over steel, but with much better durability than plastic. And this peg is actually just a little different to the other aluminium pegs on the market in that it has about 2 oz extra material. Sounds like that'd increase the lifespan, but these are machined from 6061 rather than the harder 7075-T6. So they're a softer alloy, but with a thicker wall section, hard anodised rather than 7075, but a few dollars cheaper than other ali pegs - the verdict's all yours.
There's also a V2 of their Povah Stem, which looks tight with some extra internal machining and a new knee-saving rounded rear body. All those revisions have shaved off a couple of ounces and it's down to 9.5 oz. While they had the cnc running they've also had a go at their 7075 sprockets - added some cutouts, subtracted some grams.
If you're into handlebars with holes in them (maybe you prefer slots?), then you've come to the right place. Coalition are the purveyors of the original and the finest holy handlebar - the Holy Cross bars. What's strange is that they come with a sticker that wraps completely around said holes so you can hide your shameful light weight tendencies. Just think of it as a 0.1mm layer of polypropylene that protects your manliness.
So there you go Coalition are back and if you're feeling them, please don't be shy. There's no better way to give a warm welcome back than by reaching into your pocket and showing them a bit of light weight love - military style.
Bite on my Pivotal
Fit's got a lookbook up to highlight some of their remarkably un-innovative new parts. I don't know if they've struck some kind of a deal with odyssey or if their PCP pivotal seat is just a ruthlessly shameless bite on the Odyssey Senior 2 pivotal or what but...
If Nuno from Odyssey's tweets are anything to go by, it's a bite.
If you compare the ribbing on the underside of the two seats you'll see that there actually are some differences. And the molding around the pivotal bolt is slightly different. I think that legally, to avoid a law suit, you have to make seven changes to the design of something for it to not be considered a copy. It's something like that. But basically, it's damn difficult and too expensive to enforce anyway.
But back to Fit. There is also their new PCP pedals. Yep plastic pedals that are the love child of Animal Hamiltons and Odyssey JCs. Apparently they were "Developed from team rider input", but you can't really imagine any of their team specifying reflector mounts on their pedals.
Makes you wonder what a that product designer that Fit was advertising for a while back is going to do there. He'll be sitting in a room with a bunch of catalouges.
Anyway, enough negativity and cynicism. Let this be a lesson: If you want the dirty street kids to buy your dirty street stuff, give it a dirty street name. Them PCPs is dope.
If Nuno from Odyssey's tweets are anything to go by, it's a bite.
If you compare the ribbing on the underside of the two seats you'll see that there actually are some differences. And the molding around the pivotal bolt is slightly different. I think that legally, to avoid a law suit, you have to make seven changes to the design of something for it to not be considered a copy. It's something like that. But basically, it's damn difficult and too expensive to enforce anyway.
But back to Fit. There is also their new PCP pedals. Yep plastic pedals that are the love child of Animal Hamiltons and Odyssey JCs. Apparently they were "Developed from team rider input", but you can't really imagine any of their team specifying reflector mounts on their pedals.
Makes you wonder what a that product designer that Fit was advertising for a while back is going to do there. He'll be sitting in a room with a bunch of catalouges.
Anyway, enough negativity and cynicism. Let this be a lesson: If you want the dirty street kids to buy your dirty street stuff, give it a dirty street name. Them PCPs is dope.
Hard Anodised Sprockets?
If you ride motos then you probably know the name Renthal. You might even know that they used to make some bmx parts, at least bars, back in the 80's.
Well they must have got some new management in that have decided to "diversify their market" or something, cause now they're back having a nibble at the bmx and mtb side of things. I guess you could see it as a natural progression for a company that are already making similar parts and already have the production set up for said parts, or you could take the "stick to what you know" approach.
But "outsiders" could potentially bring new idea and production processes into bmx. Take Renthal's new bmx specific sprocket for example, it's 7075 t6 cnc'd aluminium just like 80% of bmx sprockets around, but it features a hard anodised finish that they use on their road and road racing chainwheels to increase durability. It also creates a unique burnt grey type of colour. As far as I know, this technology hasn't been used on bmx sprockets yet and if it increases the life of the sprocket, then it's only good.
19mm spindles only. Sizes: 25, 27, 28, 30, 34, 36, 38, 40T
They've got a real hard machined moto look to them too. And since plenty of bmxers also ride motos and vice versa, there might just be a ready bunch of riders that already know and rate the brand, like the way they look and are prepared to part with their cash. So it's an effort to diversify (read: cash in) that might actually have a chance.
I don't know about this thing though:
It's a downhill stem, so don't get too offended yet, but don't get complacant either - remain alert, there could be a bmx version around the corner waiting to take your money.
Well they must have got some new management in that have decided to "diversify their market" or something, cause now they're back having a nibble at the bmx and mtb side of things. I guess you could see it as a natural progression for a company that are already making similar parts and already have the production set up for said parts, or you could take the "stick to what you know" approach.
But "outsiders" could potentially bring new idea and production processes into bmx. Take Renthal's new bmx specific sprocket for example, it's 7075 t6 cnc'd aluminium just like 80% of bmx sprockets around, but it features a hard anodised finish that they use on their road and road racing chainwheels to increase durability. It also creates a unique burnt grey type of colour. As far as I know, this technology hasn't been used on bmx sprockets yet and if it increases the life of the sprocket, then it's only good.
19mm spindles only. Sizes: 25, 27, 28, 30, 34, 36, 38, 40TThey've got a real hard machined moto look to them too. And since plenty of bmxers also ride motos and vice versa, there might just be a ready bunch of riders that already know and rate the brand, like the way they look and are prepared to part with their cash. So it's an effort to diversify (read: cash in) that might actually have a chance.
I don't know about this thing though:
It's a downhill stem, so don't get too offended yet, but don't get complacant either - remain alert, there could be a bmx version around the corner waiting to take your money.
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