Romain Mayet (FRA) Interview/Spad bike check

Feb 01, 2022

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 2134 times

Name: ROMAIN MAYET
Sponsors: SPAD BMX, NOLOGO, DIGTRACKS, BERINGER, AIM, MONKEY’S SAUCE, MICHELIN, GFORM, OGIO, HT, SPECIALIZED, RENNEN, SPORT RAD DISTRIBUTION

How long have you been running your own BMX brand now? 
Romain Mayet: Since September 2016. I created SPAD when I was injured (broken foot). I got time to develop the frame from the conception to the final product.

What can you tell us about your new parts brand?
 Romain Mayet: 1 year after I launched SPAD, I wanted to create the AIM BMX products brand, everything was ready. At the same time, I got the opportunity to get sponsored by Pride Racing Parts, so I chose to focus more on my carreer as an athlete rather than spending time to develop another brand.

Can you explain how it works to get a new product made? Your new stem for instance? 
Romain Mayet: First of all, you need to think about what customers need. Since 2016, I’m selling frames and customers are always asking where they can buy the parts to build their bike. For the stem I got into contact with many manufactures, I send them my own stem design, I got samples,

I did testing on the track, I did new samples again and after a few months (tadaaa), here is the final product.

What bike are you on yourself? 
Romain Mayet: SPAD frame Pro XXXL

How does sponsoring work in your eyes? Can you explain a bit what is expected from the athlete that you are sponsoring? What is the idea behind it?
Romain Mayet: I’m on both sides. As an athlete who gets sponsored by brands, and as a brand owner who sponsors athletes. For me, helping an athlete as a sponsor is all about the feeling you have with this person. If they share me their story, their goal and I feel that I can help him or her on this journey, let’s go. Of course, when you sponsor someone you spend money. To make the brand work, if I spend time and money on a rider, I need to get return of investment by selling more products through results, social media etc..

Who are on your team for 2022? 
Romain Mayet: I got Injured in March of 2021 at the first UCI BMX World Cup of the season in Verona. Since that time, I got a lot of time to finally create the SPAD PRO TEAM with:
-Doménica Azuero
-Sïmba Darnand
-Tom Won Fah Win (Jr)
And myself Romain Mayet
 
Do you have any team sponsors? 
Romain Mayet: Yes! SPAD BMX, NOLOGO, DIGTRACKS, BERINGER, AIM, MONKEY’S SAUCE, MICHELIN, GFORM, OGIO, HT, SPECIALIZED, RENNEN, SPORT RAD DISTRIBUTION

Where do you get product feedback? From your riders? Your dealers? Do you test yourself? 
Romain Mayet: From the manufactures, myself, and riders. Specially with Sïmba, he’s 1,87m and weighs 104kg. Sïmba’s feedback is the best, especially when I develop a new frame, carbon fork and more.

Being French, do you have to use Michelin tires?
Romain Mayet: Since they are supporting the Team, I do.

Usual tire pressure?
Romain Mayet: Around 6 and 7 bars, tubeless. All depends on the track.

Do you have anything customized on the bike, any prototype products?
Romain Mayet: I don’t. All I use, customers can buy.  

Do you always have a clean bike (to set the example)?
Romain Mayet: Since Monkey’s sauce are helping the team YES! Those products are the best! Available on the Pro BMX store.

What is the geometry and length of your frame?
Romain Mayet:
-Top tube: 562mm
-Chain stay: 395mm

What's a bike part you change on the regular?
Romain Mayet: Tires, grips, pedals, chain.

Please take us through your parts list:

Frame - SPAD Pro xxxl
Fork - AIM 20mm
Bars - AIM 8’’
Grips - ODI RUFFIAN
Stem - AIM 54mm
Headset - AIM

Brake lever - SHIMANO XT
Brake - SHIMANO XT
Cranks - BERINGER
Pedals - HT sx1

BB - AIM

Chain - KMC
Seat - AIM pivotal
Seatpost - AIM
Front hub - AIM 20mm
Rear hub - AIM 10mm
Front rim - AIM
Rear rim - AIM
Tires - MICHELIN
Tubes - TUBELESS, SEALANT MONKEY’S SAUCE
Chain tensioners - AIM