Re-Up: Preserving BMX History. Episode 93: Ediz Tensi (TUR)

Jun 28, 2024

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 3228 times

Name: Ediz Tensi
Hometown: Istanbul, Turkey
Started riding BMX in: 1981
Number of bikes in the collection: 25

Do you remember the moment that you decided to start collecting BMX memorabilia?
Ediz Tensi: It was about 10 years ago and I saw Akman Atilgan on Facebook sharing his BMX builds, who is now also my BMX business partner. He was a big influence to me and I decided to collect BMX bikes.

What kind of bikes do you focus on?
Ediz Tensi: There are not many old school BMX bikes in Turkey, therefore I am collecting whatever I can find. My main focus is freestyle BMX but I collect race bikes too and I enjoy finding different types of BMX.

Do you have a favourite BMX brand?

Ediz Tensi: My favourite BMX brand is GT

At this moment, do you wish you had started collecting earlier?
Ediz Tensi: Yes, I wish I had met Akman earlier and I would have collected more bikes.

Do you feel there is a need for BMX products to survive for history's sake?
Ediz Tensi: Definitely. Every Old School BMX I restore and build, I always say we saved one more bike for the next generations to see for the recognition of BMX History.

What brands were big in Turkey in the early days?
Ediz Tensi: Actually we were familiar with many brands. We started with Turkish and Italian BMX Bikes in the early days like Bisan, Beldesan and Vivi, then Haro, GT, Redline, Dyno, Skyway, Mongoose, Bully became very popular in Turkey.

What's one of your oldest BMX products in your collection?
Ediz Tensi: It is a 1983 Skyway TA

When you started riding, what bike was the dream bike for you?
Ediz Tensi: My first pro freestyle BMX was a 1987 Haro Sport which I bought from Jose Delgado's brother Michel Delgado when he was in Istanbul. I sold that bike to Akman a few years later (we found out this fact after 30 years as I had forgotten to whom I had sold it to). However my dream was always to have a '90 GT Profreestyle Tour.

Do you have that bike in your collection today?
Ediz Tensi: I had this bike in the '90-s. After more than 20 years I found my very same bike and purchased it back, I restored it and yes, now it is in my collection for the last three years!

Name three BMX collectors that you respect?
1) Akman Atilgan
2) Dirk Brandes
3) Gary Sansom

Do you have good mechanical skills?
Ediz Tensi: Not really but I am getting better every day.

What products are a great help when you find an old rusty historical piece of shit bike that needs to shine again?
Ediz Tensi: White vinegar, CIF, and all kinds of buffing material.

How often do you look on eBay/Craigslist/BMX Museum to shop for old BMX stuff?
Ediz Tensi: Hourly!

Do you have a man-cave where your bikes are displayed?
Ediz Tensi: Yes, I started in my balcony but then I bought a shop which I converted to a unique BMX shop in Istanbul. Now all my old school bikes are displayed in the basement of the shop. Everyone is welcome to see!

Do you always have room for "one more bike"?
Ediz Tensi: Of course!

What's a bike (part) you have been looking for but haven't been able to locate?
Ediz Tensi: I would like to have a Wilkerson Airlines and an Auburn.

Where can people reach you when they have that part available?
Ediz Tensi: They can reach me on my social media accounts; on Instagram @bmxtrcom, @bmxtrshop, @etensi or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.