Interbike 2004

Interbike has come and gone.
New stuff, fun times, lame products, good ideas, parties, premiers, etc.
The Elementary Stem went over well. For many it was their first hearing about or seeing it, for some it was the first time to see what they have seen on the internet, in real life.
New for a lot of people was the Reloader freecoaster, Monolevers, Jimmy LeVan grips, Matt Beringer grips, Race Cassette, Race Vandero, and a new sprocket(yet un-named).

Hard Rock was the post-everything, everynight spot. You should have seen it….oh wait. What happens at interbike, stays at interbike.

Gary Young- NORA cup Ramp Rider of the year. Congratulations Gary! Gary was top four street rider of the year also.(Cory Martinez won that) Gary’s quote from his speech-(laughing)”have fun, I don’t know.”
Mike Aitken was in the top four Dirt riders of the year(first going to Cory Bohan, presented by Jimmy LeVan). Mike couldn’t been there anyway because he was busy getting Married! Congrats Mike! Pictures from his wedding to come……

Handlebars

*This article first appeared in Ride UK (#80) and is reproduced here by kind permission of Ride UK.

Handlebars, Bars, Steering wings. Call them what you like we all need them.

Personally I always find changing bars to be a bit of an ordeal. Not just because I have to wrestle the grips on and not because I have to switch the brake levers, and the cables are inevitably no longer the ideal length. Simply because it changes the feel of the bike so much and I find it hard to adjust. When I finally decided to cut my bars down to a more modern narrow width about 2 years ago it took me the longest time to get fully used to it.

View More

RIDE mag

The new issue of RIDE BMX has founds it way into our hands, and its a good one for us. The issue features a story on the European trip that the Odyssey team went on, so be sure to check it out, it has lots of cool photo’s.

Also, the Odyssey ad in there is going to bug you out. Ten bucks if you can tell me who the rider is (not really).

Also, Gary Young is running the Elementary stem in the Vans ad. check it.

We are all busy gearing up for interbike next week, so be sure to stop by our booth if you are attending the show.

Mike Aitken video

http://www.fitbikeco.com/news.html
Check the news for some Rob-o vide-o of Mike at the LG pomona contest.

LOOPY

Props to JC on doing the sketchy loop constructed at the FBM ghetto comp. Click the link for proof.
http://www.fbmbmx.com/stories/ghetto_04/ghetto_04_sun.htm

Bauer should be back today from the comp. He might even have some updates from the ghetto.

STAFF

Staff BMX has both of their custom pedals in. Call Bob and get them while you still have a chance.

http://www.staff-bmx.com/store/pedals/staff-jc_n.html

Its getting colder..

Now Available on the Online store…..
Retro sweatshirt.-Pullover, hoodie, pocket in front. Navy w/ mint green logo
Fader longsleeve.-50/50, Athletic Heather Grey w/ Brown to Black fade graphic
Tell your mom you will get picked on if she won’t buy you the new gear. And you will be so cold wearing t-shirts in October.(if you live in southern California, this second plea will not work.)

New Shipment

Got some new stuff in today, figured you’d want to know.

MIDWAY rims-A mid weight rim for those who miss the hazard but think the hazard lite is too lite. HARD Anodize Black.

Glow-in-the-Dark Linear Cables- To match your Glowing JC pedals

Silver/Raw JC pedals- The newest PERMANENT color. Not limited edition, Now the JC pedals are (always) available in Dark Red, Blue, Black and Silver.

Mr. Clampy- Small. Light. 2014 Aluminum. Holds the seatpost.

Bar Mitzvah- New 2-piece design. Hi(7″0 or Lo(6,125″), Zero or 3 degree sweep. 41 thermal. Lifetime Guarantee

We Just got them in today, so give them a week to get to distributors, and another week to get to shops. That is TWO weeks until you can buy these pieces.

Woozy Aitken


http://www.woozybmx.com/
Aitken clip from Cologne, Germany, check it out.

Bottom Brackets AGAIN!!!

*This article first appeared in Ride UK (#79) and is reproduced here by kind permission of Ride UK.

Once again I find myself writing about bottom brackets. Bollocks. I really don’t want to get labelled as some kind of obsessive dude who only thinks about bottom brackets all day long, yet I don’t seem to have much choice in the matter either.

View More

Elementary photo

Here is another angle of the Elementary stem on Jim’s bike.

Also, if you head over to http://www.bmxonline.com/bmx/features/article/0,15737,690528,00.html there is a cool little interview with Matt Beringer.

Elementary Stem

Concept and engineering by George French. Designed and manufactured by Odyssey BMX. US and foreign utility patents are pending.

– One bolt simultaneously locks the handlebars and steerer tube into place.

– Available with or without Gyro tabs.

– Replaceable hardware and internal components.

– Forged and machined 2014 aluminum main U-Frame.

– Extruded and machined 2014 aluminum inner components.

– 8 ounce weight.

– 50 mm reach.

– Black anodized finish.

– 8 mm allen wrench included.

– Available in late 2004.

Your questions answered;

1.”Why the secrecy?” Contrary to public opinion, the stem was not covered “to keep other companies from stealing it.” The stem has an abnormal configuration that evolved through three basic prototypes. Covering the stem allowed us to work at our own pace, keeping the pressure to deliver off of the people involved with creating and selling our products – namely our distributors, our shops and ourselves. It needed to be ride tested without people questioning its availability date, so the box was used, and a lot of imaginations wandered. “How different can it be?”, was the question heard the most often. Now you finally know.

2. “Isn�t that going to slip?” It has been repeatedly tested on virtually every possible fork and bar brand combination and ride tested for a year or more. It doesn�t slip.

3. “One bolt? Isn�t it hard to adjust the bars and stem at the same time?” It seems like it would be, but it�s actually easier. Only one bolt needs to be turned to clamp the bars and fork at the same time. The bolt takes an 8 mm allen wrench, so there�s no reason to be concerned about damaging that part either. It�s strong, and if you ever manage to strip the bolt or nut for some reason, all of the hardware is replaceable.

4. “Why does it look so strange?” You�ve probably never seen anything like it, so of course it looks strange. “Form follows function” is a motto repeated everyday in design and architecture schools around the world. This configuration couldn�t be a better example of form following function. In fact, it could be argued that its simplicity actually makes the traditional “block of aluminum stem” look strange.

5. “It�s like half the weight of a normal stem, so isn�t it weaker?” No, this is not a weaker lightweight alternative to the traditional part it�s replacing. It�s a full strength, full 50 mm reach, fully functioning stem that just happens to be half the weight of the “traditional” version. This was accomplished by rearranging and redesigning the stem�s assembly configuration.

6. “Why isn�t it a “drop” stem?” Drop stems are leftover from a time period when the only handlebars available were 8″ or higher. In 2004 there are literally hundreds of bar sizes to choose from. This stem allows you to run shorter bars, ultimately saving weight in that area of the bike also. Combine the Elementary Stem with Civilian Low Bars and a Race Fork and you�ve shaved well over 1 lb. of weight (or even more) from the front end, and that�s without any significant sacrifice in strength.

7. “How much does it cost?” It will be in the same price range as a “normal” stem.