We could run some old school pictures of Dylan Clayton in Mongoose racing gear from back in the day but we won't. Just trust us when we say that this guy has serious BMX roots. Dylan recently started his own BMX mailorder company and opened up a store a few weeks ago. FATBMX caught up with Dr. Smooth to find out more about the rider run set-up.
FATBMX: Tell us a little about your new operation at Firm Bikes.
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: The new operation was at first to open a mailorder company www.firmbikes.com to supply bikes, parts and clothing. This was launched November 2004.
Have you ever wanted to be involved in BMX after the "racing career"?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: I always thought it would be cool to be involved in the industry somehow
Who have helped you out setting up the new company and how many people run the business on a day-to-day basis?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: There is myself and a friend Mike Vose also a bmx enthusiast who run the company day to day.
Do you have an actual store front or is it mainly mail-order what you do at Firm Bikes?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes] : We have now opened a store (firm bikes.com) just three weeks ago to run along side the mail order company in Warrington, Cheshire.
For those who are new to the sport, can you list a few of the titles you won doing BMX races?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: 3 times world champion, multiple European titles, multiple British titles and ABA world cup fastest man on earth title.
Do you regret not going to the USA to live the pro racer career like Jamie Staff, Dale Holmes, Leveque, Allier, people you used to battle with in Europe?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes] : No, not at all I was never really interested in being a 100% bmx racer I liked all the other parts of bmx too much like trails, street, park and having a good time with friends and not taking it all too serious. I think it's worked out better for me and
I would hate to be racing against all those people with gay pedals on there bikes
What made you decide to start hitting up skateparks with your bike?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes] : I have always ridden them like Rom and Harrow from back in '84 when they had race meetings on the tracks close to the skate parks
The UK seems like a healthy market with loads of riders, parks, contests and BMX shops. What is Firm Bikes contributing to the scene and how do you plan on reaching your customers?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: We play a big part in the local scene where we are based and plan to do more like jams and amateur comps. We also sponsor the British national series for bmx racing. We also co sponsor a bunch of riders.
Do you still come across old BMX friends when you call companies like Diamond Back, Free Agent, Seventies, etc. and how does that feel?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: Yeh I do but I had never really lost touch with them guys like Geth and Tim.
BMX forever for Dylan Clayton?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: It would be nice because it has already played a part in more than half my life and it's been a smooth ride so far.
Thanks Dylan and good luck with the company.
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: No thanks for interview hope to see you soon (remember www.firmbikes.com ).
DC Sprint pics: Hector Gallardo
Have you ever wanted to be involved in BMX after the "racing career"?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: I always thought it would be cool to be involved in the industry somehow
Who have helped you out setting up the new company and how many people run the business on a day-to-day basis?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: There is myself and a friend Mike Vose also a bmx enthusiast who run the company day to day.
Do you have an actual store front or is it mainly mail-order what you do at Firm Bikes?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes] : We have now opened a store (firm bikes.com) just three weeks ago to run along side the mail order company in Warrington, Cheshire.
For those who are new to the sport, can you list a few of the titles you won doing BMX races?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: 3 times world champion, multiple European titles, multiple British titles and ABA world cup fastest man on earth title.
Do you regret not going to the USA to live the pro racer career like Jamie Staff, Dale Holmes, Leveque, Allier, people you used to battle with in Europe?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes] : No, not at all I was never really interested in being a 100% bmx racer I liked all the other parts of bmx too much like trails, street, park and having a good time with friends and not taking it all too serious. I think it's worked out better for me and I would hate to be racing against all those people with gay pedals on there bikes
What made you decide to start hitting up skateparks with your bike?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes] : I have always ridden them like Rom and Harrow from back in '84 when they had race meetings on the tracks close to the skate parks
The UK seems like a healthy market with loads of riders, parks, contests and BMX shops. What is Firm Bikes contributing to the scene and how do you plan on reaching your customers?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: We play a big part in the local scene where we are based and plan to do more like jams and amateur comps. We also sponsor the British national series for bmx racing. We also co sponsor a bunch of riders.
Do you still come across old BMX friends when you call companies like Diamond Back, Free Agent, Seventies, etc. and how does that feel?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: Yeh I do but I had never really lost touch with them guys like Geth and Tim.
BMX forever for Dylan Clayton?
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: It would be nice because it has already played a part in more than half my life and it's been a smooth ride so far.
Thanks Dylan and good luck with the company.
Dylan Clayton [firm bikes]: No thanks for interview hope to see you soon (remember www.firmbikes.com ).
DC Sprint pics: Hector Gallardo 
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.