Bike Check: AJ Anaya's S&M, By BdJ

May 25, 2014

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 9954 times

Name: AJ Anaya

Age: 29
Hometown: Denver, Co
Hookups/Sponsors: S&M Bikes, Freegun Underwear, Vp Components, Epic Bikeshop, Yellow Designs

Frame: S&M ATF 21"
Forks: S&M Pitch fork XLT
Stem: Profile Push Top Load

Headset: FSA
Gyro: 34R
Bars: Fit Dugan
Grips: Fit Tech
Bar ends: ODI
Brake lever: Odyssey Mid
Seat: Fiend
Seatpost: Fit
Sprocket: S&M L7 28th
Cranks: Fit 19mm 170 long
BB set: Mid
Pedals: VP69
Chain: Shadow Half link

Brake: Demolition
Brake pads: Koolstop clear
Brake cables: Odyssey
Front hub: Profile Elite
Front rim: Gspot Birdcage
Front tire: KHE Dirt
Rear hub: Profile Elite 9th Ti Driver
Rear rim: Gspot Birdcage
Rear tire: KHE Webbie

Modifications: I did add some upgrades to the bike a lot of Ti stuff. Ti spokes from Albes, Ti bolts and Gsport hex allow nipples.

How did it feel when you found out your bike was stolen?
AJ: I thought it was a joke. Once I realized that it was gone and not coming back it was a shitty feeling. More than anything I loved that bike so much. At the time it was the best bike I have ever had in my life. It was hard to get over it and move on lol. Felt like a break up that I wasn't ready for. It's crazy to think out of the 13 years I have been riding that was the first time I had left my bike in someone else's care over night and it was gone within a few hours of them having it. Well never doing that again. lol

How long did it take for you to build a new one up?
AJ: Well from the moment that I got it stolen to when I got the bike that I has happy with it took a while. I was on a trip out of the country for 2 weeks. Got my bike stolen within the 24hrs I was there. Got a back up bike brought to me by the homie Daniel Sandoval the following week. When I got home I had to order a whole new bike, the old bike wasn't cutting it. New bike took about a week. Everyone involved made moves like a champ.

What was one of the parts that you had to have (at all costs) when you were getting a new ride together?
AJ: Haha a lot of parts I feel the longer and older you get the more picky you become. Hands down for sure my wheels (Profile elites with ti spokes and Gsport rims) those wheels are so fast.

Could you simply ride someone else's bike in a final contest run (when your bike is broken) or are you specific in your bike set-up?
AJ: Yeah I could make it happen but I know I wouldn't be able to throw down like on my bike. I went through this when my bike was stolen and had to use the back up bike for a contest. I really like the way my bike is set up. It has taken me a long time to figure out how I like my bike to feel for the style of riding that I do.

How much would your bike be if you wanted to build it up like this without being sponsored/hooked up?
AJ: Buddy, I have learned the hard way not to ever answer this question. My wheels are expensive as shit if you want to start there.

Thanks to: Thanks to all my fans out there I really enjoy your support and comments you guys leave me online.

Follow me @ajanayalater Thanks to all my sponsors for helping me keep the dream alive. S&M, Freegun underwear, Vp pedals.

All the homies that helped me build this new bike. Daniel Sandoval, Tyler Halvorsen, Ryan Russell from S&M, Matt Coplon from Profile, Phu from Epic Bikeshop, Nuno from Odyssey, Flip from Albes and Eric from VP Pedals. You guys helped me out in a time of need and that mean a lot to me. Thanks for reading hope to see you guys on the ramp somewhere.