Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Death Gap

For a while there I was starting to think I got laid off. Then I realized that a) I don't work for anyone, and b) I don't get paid anyway. So, uh, sorry.

Actually, the real truth of the matter was that I got bummed out one day when I looked at BMXfeed and realized five different sites were reporting that Morgan Wade had left Mutiny. I guess there are hundreds of news sites—if not thousands—that report the same exact thing every day, but this somehow seems different. It shouldn't have affected me at all, because it's not like I really care about sponsor changes. But, for whatever reason, it did.

Then there's the little matter of my being an epic procrastinator and the kind of person who just lets things snowball. Like with e-mail—if I respond to something right away, I'm fine. But if I put it off, each day that passes makes it harder and harder for me to respond at all. Then all of a sudden a week (or month) has passed and I'm totally fucked. So this, um, lag in updates is probably due to a combination of things. My bad. I've been away so long that Steve Crandall and Chris Berman are now technically co-workers.

Unfortunately, my absence had nothing to do with working on some sort of tremendously clever post that required weeks of research (or even thinking). Even after two weeks, I'm just winging it. Making it up as I go along. You'd think that after being a professional writer for damn near two decades now that I'd have a more effective and established process. And you'd be wrong.

Now pardon me while I clear out some tabs that have been open in my browser forever.

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Let's say you really want an Eastern Grim Reaper, but you can't afford one. There are plenty of things you could do, ranging from having someone talk you out of it, to seeking professional help. One option you should NOT consider is grabbing a router or a Dremel and making your own. Of course someone did just that.

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I'm sorry, but unless you're Brian Foster circa 1997, these bars look really silly. Yes, I know I shouldn't really be judging aesthetics—that they're a matter of personal preference—but if you want giant bars, why would you ever get four-piece ones?

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I'm not sure what company is responsible for this (it was on the Snafu blog), but the entirely seatless BMX bike can't be far behind. I hope the complete bike is called The Vestigal.

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When WTP started éclat, I figured it marked the end of aftermarket WTP-labeled parts. I figured wrong.

No sir, I don't get it.

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22 comments:

Maxime Rousseau said...

Howto: turn a perfectly good 500$ bike into an expensive way to commit suicide.

Also, where are the SPRFLS tees?

Unknown said...

Lord, finally a new post! Jesus is it just me or are those four piece bars actually kinda... awesome? I dunno. I'd ride 'em.

Russ said...

Four-piece bars with that big a box look like race bars. I actually like the taller WTP Everlasts, but don;t know why they're not éclats.

nate said...

Oh man, it was totally worth the wait!! That grim-reapered home job looks like complete arse!! I'd wager that the dude buys a new frame within the year, either because he breaks it or gets fed up with the nasty grinder marks on the head tube.

Whatever, it's not my bike. Why should I care? Yet I find myself getting all worked up over it. Weird.

Nate said...

my friend did the same thing to a fit... looks horrible, but he has been riding it for like a year and a half now with no problems

Craig said...

And of course that miniscule weight saving is going to make a huge difference in the ride...

A few grams vs. that nagging feeling that this may be the last time you use your legs. Priceless

Fuck BMX. said...

Remember when Mat Sparks ran this http://albes.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/10/side.jpg fine?

wade said...

A bit off topic, but a warning about one of the featured (implied) sprfls products on page one:
I've tried the KHE bars for the past two weeks, and they are scary bad. Not that they don't feel OK to ride, it's that they flex more than any other part I've owned in 28 years of BMXing (and I've had Z Rims). If you turn the bars 90 degrees, so that the crossbar is parallel to the top tube of your frame and rock the bars as if to check the tightness of your headset, they flex more than an inch on each side with no effort at all. It scares people when you show them. There needs to be more material connecting the two sides of the stem.
Also, and BMX Plus! seems to have had a similar problem when they tested them, there is not enough material on the clamp at the back. There are already stress marks in the aluminum where it would snap if I wasn't taking them off to return them today.

trask said...

Looks like "Kenston" is responsible for the seat, as well as that really scary looking narrow seat tube. I'm thinking they must be a mtb company (cause of the disc brakes, and what's with those odd 990 looking things on the 2nd bike? like someone put a front brake on the rear...hmm)

Or maybe, disc brakes are the new brakeless. *sigh*

bk said...

that WTP stem was out before eclat was around.

disc brakes will never get anywhere in BMX. in addition to most riders being too tuff for brakes in general, they're heavier and you'd render them useless after your first grind. they would, however, keep your powdercoated rims looking clean.
only the most fashion-conscious trail rider would desire them, but i don't think they exist.

Chad said...

I did see a kid using a pivitol seat and the top half of a kicktand attached to the seatstays. I think that means he wins.

Stephen said...

I think there was an old ad that had the premise that during a rad maneuver, one should not have to worry about the fortitude of their parts.

I think that is still relevant.

Blessed / Cursed said...

I'm still waiting for the come back of CW bars. Just a matter of time.

digahole said...

that "grim reaper" was poetry in motion. the eastern version looks bad enough, but thats...

just cut the frame in half and then it'll weigh about half the weight of a regular frame

Jammin Salmon said...

...and on the 14th day, Russ didst posteth a new update.

>>choir sounds<<

newrider3 said...

DECEASED ONLINE LITERARY OUTLET

Turtle Dick said...

Sweet updates....

Lettusdude said...

Where's the updates, Russ? You even missed your one year post. This blog is going down hill...

Nothin_personal said...

So here is Russ! To bad I am not into bmx bikes. Just thought I'd say hi!

Unknown said...

SPRFLS! Last update was like 3 weeks ago! I though bloggers were supposed to be writing new shit every hour. Come on! Feed my bmx nonsense need!

Anonymous said...

is it official?

James said...

I was hoping this blog would rise from the dead after Easter Sunday.