Bike Check interview: Paddy Sharrock's RIFT

Jun 05, 2020

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 3701 times

Name: Paddy Sharrock
Sponsors: Factory Tangent/Rift
Mechanic: Most of the time myself but at races like world cups it would be our team mechanic from British Cyling.

How hard is it for you to change from one BMX brand to another. Do you get used to new bikes easily?
Paddy Sharrock: Personally I don't mind it, sometimes it can be difficult when your new bike/frame may be a different length or have different head or seat angles. However, it's also a little exciting trying new things that could work better for you.

What is the geometry and length of your frame. Do you know without looking it up?
Paddy Sharrock: The only thing I have looked at when getting new bikes is top tube length. So currently I'm running a 22” top tube, I don't really worry about much else.

Do you have a separate bike for trail / skatepark riding?
Paddy Sharrock: Yes 100%, I think coming from a trail riding back ground I have always had 2 separate bikes. I also have no idea how people ride trails comfortably on a race bike, I hate it.

What's the main difference between the two?
Paddy Sharrock: Either the height and width of my handle bars or the frame size, I think the top tube is only 21” and I would never think about riding that on a race bike...

Do you experiment much with sizes of your frame, stem, bars to find the right set-up?
Paddy Sharrock: Yes, I would love every company that makes a frame to be the same top tube sizes but unfortunately they don't. So if I come onto a new set up I try my hardest to get it as close as my last set up unless I'm switching frames for it to be longer or shorter. Coming from my Supercross to the Rift I tried to get it exactly the same, I felt that size worked for me so I just replicated as much as I could. Handlebar back sweep is always one I've looked closely at, I prefer less back sweep.. it feels stronger for me out of the gate.

Do you have something customized to make your bike more personal and perfect for you?
Paddy Sharrock: No, the only thing that isn't stock is my handlebars. I always cut down the width.

If 2 minutes before your race you need to grab someone else's bike for whatever reason, who's bike would you pick?
Paddy Sharrock: This is tough because we all run completely different set ups, however when i jump onto Tre Whyte’s bike it feels comfortable and his top tube length and stem length equal out exactly the same as mine. So i would have to pick Tre’s bike.

Usual tire pressure?
Paddy Sharrock: 100psi. I'm light, I need all the help I can get!

Brake lever on the left, or brake lever on the right?
Paddy Sharrock: Right.

What matters most regarding your bike? Strength, weight, or looking good?
Paddy Sharrock: I would love to say looking good is what matters the most because everybody loves a good looking bike. But recently coming off a carbon frame, strength/stiffness and weight was something that I worried about. It had been over 5-6 years since I rode a non carbon frame. So if I had to put them in order, it would have to go strength, weight and then looking good. Saying that, my Rift ticks all three of those boxes!

Please take us through your parts list:

Frame - Rift RS20 3xl
Fork - Tangent 20mm
Bars - Tangent flat Iron
Grips - Odi/Tangent
Stem - Tangent pro split stem
Headset - Tangent
Brake lever - Shimano
Brake - Shimano
Cranks - Shimano DXR 175
Pedals - Shimano DXR
Sprocket - Tangent
BB - Tangent
Chain - Unsure of the make.
Seat - Tangent remix Saddle
Seatpost - Tangent
Seatpost clamp - Tangent
Front hub - Onyx 20mm
Rear hub - Onyx
Front rim - Ice fast
Rear rim - Ice fast
Spokes - Ice fast
Tires - Maxxis DTH
Tubes - Any that I can get my hands on.
Chain tensioners - Tangent torque converters single bolt

Number plate - Tangent

Weight - Very light, ha I have no idea...

Thanks to: Big shoutout to Tangent/Rift for the amazing bike, I am super happy with how it rides and would recommend it to everybody! Also a big thank you to you for the interview.