When word came out that Sunday was doing another signature frame, this time for the everfluorescent Aaron Ross, I figured it would be more of the same, only brighter. But the spy photo posted on Sunday (check out the stamped caps!) and the fact that the frame is in for "testing" makes me wonder:
What could be changed for the better? It always seemed ridiculous to me that, in the interest of having multiple 'signature' frames, companies would offer a line of four or five "different" frames that differed so slightly that you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference. Hell, the welders could probably barely tell the difference. And if one frame wound up being more popular than another, well, there went the profits. Sunday, I thought, they had it right. It was like skateboarding. Just change the graphics, keep the basic product the same.
Then they released the Ian frame, with the built-in post, and OK, I sort of understood that. If you were just going to run your seat slammed anyway, there was no need for a separate post and clamp. I guess. And the rest of the geometry was the same, so it was more or less still just a Sunday—kind of like the signature T1 Barcodes from a ways back (there's still a new 21" Garrett under my bed).
But this, I'm not sure. What could they change? I'm pretty sure Ross's FBMs were 74.5 degrees with conventional rear end lengths and whatnot. Maybe a lower toptube? GPS? Built-in ice-cream scoop?
Let the rampant speculation begin!
EDIT: Added the second photo. Apparently the frame will be called the "Funday", which is totally awesome.
30 comments:
I have my beloved Schwartz frame here, and it shares the same smaller dropouts with stamped caps and grub screw chain tensioners. The chain stay bridge is different from my first Sunday as well. I reckon these are little details that will come out across the line. Let the internet speculation begin...
this is exactly how signature frames should be, stamped!
Sunday caps have always been stamped. Are the ones on the Ian frame stamped "Ian" and "Schwartz"? I'm just curious.
The ross frame has a lower bb and shorter chain stays then the regular sunday frame. Aaron ross said it himself.
My Sunday!
I'm in love.
i think about this all the time. signature frames are for established A-List pros. i figure if ross is sponsored by etnies, it's okay, but the randy taylor signature "loosefer" frame? wtf? dude rips, but... i dunno. how young is he? what could he possibly know about frame design that hasn't been addressed fifty times already? a sig colorway is the perfect way to acknowledge "rising" pros. the forced, un-clever titles seem like a good indicator that things are not as they should be. if the rider's name is not iconic enough to stand on its own (e.g., the hb taj, the s&m stricker and bennett, the macneil ruben, the t1 garret), perhaps the signature frame is a little premature.
ian quit fly over a signature colorway issue. bmx, all the prima donnaism of skating, none of the money or pull! gotta love it.
^WTF? The thread for it on the WTP forum is buried beneath weeks of posts by now. I have no clue what you're on about.
what does ross being on etnies have to do with anything? and, he doesn't know jack shit about bikes, design or engineering. jim c is overrated in this area too, G should be thanked for all the Sunday stuff being what it is.
schwatz frames are stamped sunday on the caps
Maxi make a post about this on the wtp forum!!!
this frame is actually the progression of the GSport frame that I made a few years back
tiger 1
tiger 2
tiger 3
there's the sunday gusset on the down tube. is the sunday downtube hoydroformed?
Once again this post above is not by me... had to create a frigging blogger account to clear this crap up... to prove my point I have changed the images. Originals are still on the site just add 1 on the end.
George
first, i agree that a "signature" part should hold the signature of a prominent professional whithin their industry. too many upstart companies feel the need to throw a "signature" on the first set of pegs they make based all too often on a local hero who can do pedal wheelies and smoke a Winston at the same time. second, i honestly think that a signature part should have just one option, that being the exact size & color the namesake uses. if Chris Doyle rides a 21 inch frame in blue then all Kink Farside frames should be twenty one inches and always blue, for example. no nineteen and a half white ones, with or without tabs, brake mounts or not...one way & one way only and that would be the same frame he is riding. why not have six or seven different Van Homen grip shapes? what if i really like Van but don't like the one model Duo offers? and don't even get me started on pro model sprockets. it makes me laugh everytime i hear a company tell me they're "working on the new signature sprocket"...unless it's gonna be square then the work is done, no need for R&D. this rule of course would not apply to shoes and/or clothing. there are some skateboard pro's that have over a dozen different decks, each a little different in size and graphic...insane.
here are some pics of the new jim chinlessski sig frame
new sunday!
new sunday 2!
new sunday!
new sunday 3!
new sunday 4!
jeez this is so rad
those frames are almost identical
well said Todd..... how's the weather up there?
tcarfueTodd nails it. "Pro Model" has been bastardized beyond recognition at this point. Although I will say that different colors are fine, IMO.
The problem, as they say, is choice. There is so much choice that it has actually homogenized frame design to a rather boring point. If something looks a little different, people aren't down with it. Look at the Mutiny Nocturnal frame. I am pretty sure that down tube scared off lots of kids.
How come no one has tried to cash in on a signature seat post yet? Or stem?
...and since i have mis spelled Van Homan's name it would appear as though i must not be too much of a fan, huh? either that or i am a complete jackass too caught up in the moment of my own rant to worry about such details as proper spelling. yessirrr, the second choice is a winner. sorry Van.
I also registered an account to protect myself.
Sweet!
I agree that a signature frame should be what that particular person rides—thought it was quite funny that you could get the Vinnie frame with brake mounts. Some company should do a signature part for a rider that doesn't even ride that part, like Ian Schwartz pegs, or Edwin Delarosa brakes, or a Sean Burns sprocket that's only available in 22 and 25.
Although I'll admit, I would be PSYCHED to get a signature part endorsed by the local hero who could do pedal wheelies and smoke Winstons at the same time. Especially if it were a number plate or screw-on pegs.
Good point, Stephen. I have yet to see another rider, local or otherwise, ride around here with a Nocturnal frame. Of course, that's half the reason I bought mine (the other being that it comes in 21.5 - sweet!). Since everyone else is straddling an S3, I like my bike to be a bit unusual, though admittedly the fact that my seatpost is visible sets me apart anyway.
Too much speculation! My head hurts! Leave! BMX! Alone! (bad Cris Crocker "leave britny alone" joke...check!). I know its not funny but I couldn't resist. But seriously, this kind of stuff dosnt matter.
shit, they even had the colour rite!! the droppouts r identical too
Hey not trying to hurt anyone's feelings, but the whole deal of a company only selling what the rider exactly rides is very idealistic. The world is not perfect and riders barely make anything. If a company can put some more money in the riders pocket while fulfilling a need then do it. Obviously this goes with some reason like an Ian Schwartz cruiser frame probably won't come out.
I always use the reference when John Heaton ride for MacNeil. John rode a 20" frame and that is what it came in. What if a rider who is 6' wanted to support John? He couldn't do it by buying his frame because it would be way too small. John's sales were probably limited due to the size of the frame. I could add more to this, but I can't figure a way to say it with out it sounding like shit talking or creating more shit talking. So I will stop there.
A Sunday cruiser would be pretty wild.
edwin doesnt even ride his signature bars. last thing i saw of him he had bobs on. AWESOME!
the kid from "Home Improvement" rides?
I love the idea of the Loosefer—a 20.666" frame is hilarious—but I'll admit to having next to no idea who Randy Taylor is.
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