Do you experiment much with sizes of your frame, stem, bars to find the right set-up?
Emilio Falla: I try to use the same bars and stem so I don’t feel such a big change when adjusting to a new bike. Sometimes I play with spacers under the stem or I turn around the stem. Depends on the frame geometry.
Do you have something customized to make your bike more personal and perfect for you?
Emilio Falla: I've been riding the 6”4 Tangent flat iron bars for a while so I believe that’s a must on my bike setup.
What happens with your old bikes when you're done with them?
Emilio Falla: Depends if they meant something special for me I’ll keep them. I have the bike I started on, the one I won Worlds as an amateur, Junior main, and my two Olympics bikes.
Is it hard for you to get the best parts for your bike?
Emilio Falla: Well if I’m in Ecuador it is hard to get bike parts but in the States it’s easy and the team basically got my setup this year.
When's your next race going to be?
Emilio Falla: That’s a good question, mm Rockhill? But I want to say Grands will be the only race I believe will happen this year and it will be perfect for me since I’ve never raced it. So hopefully we get the chance to race that. The team asked me to race Bakersfield for team points, hopefully that one runs too.
Please take us through your parts list:
Frame - Speedco M2 Alloy frame pro Xl +
Fork - Avian Carbon tappered carbon fork
Bars - Tangent flat iron 6”4
Grips - Odi Lock On vans
Stem - Avian 60 mm
Headset - Avian integrated headset
Brake lever - Shimano
Brake - Box
Cranks - Avian Cadence 172.5mm
Pedals - Shimano but in the picture Avian flat pedals
Sprocket - Box
BB - Avian sealed bb 86
Chain - Shadow race half link
Seat - Tioga spyder
Seatpost - Elevn
Seatpost clamp - Avian quick release
Front hub - box hollow hub 20 mm
Rear hub - Ónix ultra SS 10 mm
Front rim - Bombshell aluminum
Rear rim - Bombshell Aluminum
Spokes - Normal black ones
Tires - Tioga Powerband 1.85
Tubes - sunlite standard tube
Chain tensioners - Avian comes with the frame
Numberplate - box
Weight - No idea, I have to check that one soon
Thanks to: Everybody who has supported me through my career, my family, Ecuador and the J &R team
Name: Emilio Falla
Sponsors: J &R Bicycles, Speedco, Avían, Odi, Tioga, TroyLeeDesigns.
Mechanic: I try to do everything myself, I still have to learn how to build a wheel.
How long have you been riding the SpeedCo frame that you are currently on?
Emilio Falla: I’ve had this bike since February
How many BMX bikes do you think you've had during your career?
Emilio Falla: That’s a good question, so I’m going to say around 30 to 35. I started young in the sport.
You have probably gone from Cro-Moly to Aluminium to Carbon. Does weight matter much to you?
Emilio Falla: I believe weight matters the most when you are a kid, now for me the most important thing is trying to get comfortable and the right setup.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.