FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

The [url=//fatbmx.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=925]RedBull Backyard Build-Off[/url] in [url=//fatbmx.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=798]Matt Bischoff's[/url] yard was a unique event and the video that Anamorphosis produced about the ramp building contest is different too. The builders are in the spotlight, more so than the riders. The riding actually is only one chapter on the entire video which isn't enough if you ask me. With all those riders there shredding the place apart it could have had at least 3 chapters. But it's cool to get the ramp builders in the spotlight as Brian Kachinski states in one of the interviews. The video could run on TV the way it's made. Nate Wessel is the main presenter interviewing the three ramp building teams and checking in with them every day on the progress. They only had 3 days to build a section and with rain, defect generators, builders not showing up and jokes being played on the teams it is amazing they did pull it off. One day Wessel himself worked on the ramps for 22 hours straight or something ridiculous like that.

This past weekend in Santa Cruz , CA 2-Hip bikes held the premiere of their new video titled "Under the radar". The Rio theater in downtown Santa Cruz was rented out and filled up with kids bikes fans. Unfortunately 2-Hip owner and flashy dresser Ron Wilkerson could not be present for the premiere since he was booked into a local hospital. He is on the mend and I heard even tried to make a valiant attempt to escape the hospital to attend. Editor/Rider/Filmer Jarrod Allen introduced the video and called Wilkerson from the stage putting the microphone to his cell phone so that we could all hear him.

The video itself reflected the unique approach the company has towards bmx sometimes being a bit off the wall.

This is the second version of the 4Q-Baked Pitchfork XLT. Because of all the changes the price is higher but after all the testing the S&M riders have done, they feel the extra expense is more than worth it. The changes to the new forks are:
1. The insert. This is what keeps the fork from bending where most forks bend just above the lower bearings. Because it's aluminum it adds very little weight. And because of its shape, it works from all angles unlike other companies steel insert plates that only work front to back. What are the odds your bike hits the ground with the front wheel perfectly straight? Whether you're on the bike or not, you're going to have the wheel turned slightly. This insert works from all angles.

We've been slacking on BMX and DVD reviews but sometimes there is simply not enough time available. This BBN review comes from England. The photo was taken in London and the white background is from the Ibis bath tub. The business mag was read on the plane ride and while taking a bath this morning. It's not too much of a read but interesting indeed. Dennis McCoy showed up this morning and had not seen the issue yet, in fact, he does not receive the magazine himself after trying multiple times to get on the list. Can anyone at Transworld take care of that please? Anyway, back to the mag. The cover news is about Shimano getting back into BMX with a BMX specific DXR component line. Blame the Olympics for that one. The other cover story covers the Olympics with Doug Martin being interviewed on the latest race situation. Next page has a story on Intense entering the complete bike market for 2007. Tim Gallant (QBP) writes this issue's editorial.

The 69th issue of FreedomBMX arrived and it's got a new format. The bigger pages and a stronger cover are a good change. Kay's ultra sharp pictures have a bigger canvas now. Gregor Podlesny went to Lisbon and scored the cover of issue 69. The issue isn't short of news (P.8 - P.12) and has got the summer dates on page 14 (FAT-JAM: 19 August!). The crew collected a whole bunch of DVD's and the reviews include Transcend, animal, SquareOne, Mutiny, Sentenced to Life, Props, Soul and ManMade. BoySetsFire were on the Deconstruction tour last year and the band gets some love in the Media section. The article about Contests is interesting. They ask riders why they compete and what it means to them. G&S traveled to Lisbon and Freedom was there. Mark Koenig had been around for ages and finally gets his interview in Freedom (page 30-35). Flatland is pretty strong in Germany and the Battle in da Club report shows that. Gallery 69 has cool pics from many photographers. 

The suns has been out lately and you have been riding loads. Your hat has suffered from the sweating you've done and it's starting to stink. The inside turned yellow and when you tried to wash the hat in the washing machine, it didn't stink any longer but the shape was gone. You've now got a problem because you want a new hat.

Without a chain, your bike would be worthless. You might not worry too much about what chain you run but you should check out KMC, they makes some good [url=http://www.kmcchain.nl/kettingen/01c1e496f31360c10/index.html]BMX chains[/url]. With weight being an issue these days, KMC have listened and manufactured a SL (Super Light) version of the K710 Kool Chain. This saves almost 20% (365 grams against 420 grams for the K710 version). It's got a Pin Power of 250 kilograms and a Breakload (min) of 950 kg. They come in both Gold and Silver and have a length of 100 links that fits anything from a 48-16 or less.