Blue Falcon, Orange Cranks, and Green Clovers

Working on something longer for tomorrow (here's a hint), so just some quick hits today, I fear.

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The latest entry for "What Does A Real Bike Look Like?," courtesy of the Blue Falcon:

I particularly like the inverted frontload drop stem with high-rise bars and a spacer underneath. Time for a new Fit topload stem? Also please note the visible seatpost, big dirt front tire, metal pedals and dress-unfriendly standover height. BFF!

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Hey look, a new Profile color. No way!


Still somewhat surprised that Profile keeps banging out new colors of the Race Cranks without trying a bigger, hollow spindle or a two-piece design or something. While I do respect the "if it ain't (that) broke, don't fix it" mentality, I also think there would be a huge market for a Profile crank that's stronger than the Race but not quite as massively overbuilt as the SS/DJ. American-made, 22mm, 48-spline chromoly cranks? How could they miss?

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If you ever wanted to knock off your own Pivotal setup, here's your chance. Or at least you can see how many patents are involved. From an interview Tunney did with Darcy at Macneil. (I would love to know how much revenue the Pivotal patents bring in annually—not that anyone will ever tell me. Bastards.)

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Ben Ward at Odyssey sent me this along with my monthly check (kidding!)—that's a gen-you-wine SPRFLS sticker on the bike rack in front of the PDX's own Goods. Holla. (I'm gonna get more made soon, promise.)

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Finally, how could something right be so wrong? Don't get me wrong, it's totally awesome that Vans gave Tobias Wicke a signature shoe, especially since they seem to be hard to come by these days (signature shoes for BMXers, not Vans).


But a full-length visible airbag on a pair of Vans? For serious? It's like Ian MacKaye rocking a fauxhawk or a vintage Ferrari with spinners or Metallica...well, doing pretty much everything they did after 1990. Come on Vans, you're better than that! Leave the gimmicky nonsense for companies like DC, please.

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Pollcraft

Just from checking BMXfeed compulsively on an hourly basis (more often than it gets updated, I think), I've noticed there have been quite a few polls in BMX lately. Profile asked what limited color you all want to see next—personally, I couldn't decide between "waiting room beige" and "vulva pink"—and Orchid posted a bingo-card like offering of former models and (gulp) colorways for potential re-issue in recognition of their fifth anniversary:


My reaction to that one was swift: Orchid has been around for five years?

Polls have been part of BMX forever, of course—from reader polls to NORA Cup voting. I think I may have even voted for Greg Hill and Mike Dominguez once. And if I didn't, I definitely meant to. This recent rash of polling made me think: why don't more companies look for direct input? Instead of telling us what we want, why don't they ask us? I've come up with poll suggestions for a variety of companies. Some are too late, but others could still do some good.


• EASTERN: What part of our frames should we cut full of holes next?

a) Downtube
b) Toptube
c) Seatstays
d) Whatever Kyle Busch thinks is best

• S&M: Should we destroy the 21" Stricker by lowering the toptube and eliminating the anchor brace?

a) Yes
b) No

Additional question: What country's flag should we wrap around our stems next?

a) Canada
b) France
c) China
d) Angola

• Odyssey/G-Sport: What part should George French entirely re-imagine?

a) Headset
b) Handlebars
c) Grips
d) Bolt-on framestanding platforms

• Fly: Should we keep re-inventing the bottom bracket?

a) Yes
b) No
c) Dude

• Terrible One: Should we manufacture the Barcode overseas?

a) Yes
b) No
c) You still make the Barcode?

• Primo: Which rider should we kick off the team next?

a) Tony Neyer
b) Josh Stricker
c) E-Man
d) Someone who isn't even on the team yet

Additional question: Do you think Josh Stricker would ever run plastic pedals?

a) Hahaha
b) No, seriously, hahaha

• Giant: 我們為什麼要作出為BMX自行車?

a) 為愛
b) 為錢
c) 為犬

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Great song whether you know where it's from or not.

Rasta La Vista, Baby

I do believe that these are the worst-looking hubs I've ever seen in my life.


These LIMITED EDITION Profile Mini hubs are called "Rasta", but look more like something you'd buy at Party Time. Are they supposed to be covered in streamers? Were they designed by a four-year old? Hell, they look more Mardi Gras than Rastafari. Regardless, they're the worst-looking (allegedly) Rasta-themed bike part ever, and that's saying a lot given what there's been, both in mountain:

• Chris King headsets:


Salsa skewers:


• Paul derailleurs:



(When it comes to pure unadulterated '90s disgustingness, nothing beats mountain bike parts.)



And BMX:


• Demolition pedals (I always thought they should have done a Neapolitan version):


• Fit DLR (and DLD) stem:



And, my favorite of all, the 10-year-old Rigid street frame, a Nate Wessel creation (as was the Demolition pedal 'colorway', actually). I looked all over the internet for photos and couldn't find any, so I decided to shoot the spread straight out of Ride (June/July '98). You might even be able to read it:


(Nice sprocket, Nate.)

I really wish I had a scanner—maybe I should buy one of those "limited edition" hubsets and flip 'em on eBay. Too bad I don't think I'd make a profit. I'd be better off re-selling these, 'cause those hubs are gonna be a dog. Since they're both terrible AND late.

(I don't even want to get into how silly it is to run Rasta parts on your bike if you don't at least have a basic understanding of Rastafari. It's not all just about smoking weed and listening to Bob Marley. That said, I'm gonna get a Star of David sprocket to show my love for The Fiddler on the Roof and Uzis.)


EDIT: How did I miss this? Jersey Mike Taylor must have been a fan of that Rigid:

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I haven't even watched all their videos yet, but Portland's Your Inn is my new favorite BMX crew. Company. Whatever. Anyone co-sponsored by a local vodka distillery is A-1 by me. Next time I'm in the PDX, I'm paying a visit.