BMX makes one reminisce

Got this in an email today. Pretty good feeling I got I admit. Thanks Zul!

Hello there..

Zul here... I came across ur webbie on bmx... Cool website... I'm 24 years old now and after browsing at the pictures from your webbie, it reminds me of those time when I used to ride a bmx bike and my 1st bmx bike was Kuwahara, a birthday gift from my late grandfather in 1994. In 1999 when I was in Sec 3, I then save up my money and got myself a Specialized Fatboy and used to riding with my friends. My Fatboy was my trusty mode of transport since my sec school days till my poly days. I'm now working and my Fatboy has been collecting dust in my store room for almost 5 years and I last rode it in 2004. But after looking at ur pics, I miss riding my Fatboy and yesterday I just sent it for servicing after years. Keep up with the BMX revival... Cheers

SE Racing's Big Ripper

Someone posted this picture of SE Racing's 29'er BMX called the Big Ripper on VintageBMX. That is what it basically what it is, an oversized PK Ripper. I wonder what these things will go for? I must say they look really cool!

Some good BMX resources on the web

Most of the folks in Singapore do not know what BMX racing is about. I know, I know. I have been through this before. Just the other day, I received an email from a school teacher asking us if we can give some BMX lessons to their schoolkids. John and myself thought that it was a great idea to introduce it. A little late perhaps but better late than never. So I asked the teacher to check out some BMX resources on the net to get a better understanding what BMX was all about and I asked him to go to some of the links on this website. While checking through the links, I came upon this website that I stumbled upon in 2000 when I first set up the website. It was the website of New Jersey BMX and it was the very first BMX website set up, in 1995 no less! That website and BMX Mania are examples of some of the great BMX website available for people to know about our beloved sport. You can check the links on the right --> for more links to other great BMX websites.

Diamondback Turbo cranks

These puppies used the same bottom bracket spindle as the RedLine 400s, i.e. a slightly larger tapered-spindle than could be found on conventional bikes. Harry Leary used to run these on his bike and these are pretty hard to come by. I would love to have a pair of these but as they say, c'est la vie!

Next old-school BMX gathering - 12th July 2008

Dear fellow BMXers,

Kindly be informed that there is a gathering for biking and "talk talk" on Saturday 12 July 2008. Dinner cue "talk talk time" @ Blk 177 coffeshop - 7 pm to about 7.45pm.
Then to the SKATEPARK @ Blk 175 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 (S)650175. You may bring you bike there or simply go there for "talk talk".

Looking forward for your presence there.

Thanks,
EddyMeng

More details found here

New Profile Rasta hubs

Profile, I must admit, are taking the whole design thing very seriously. These are their hubs called the Rasta hub because of the paint scheme. Still the same old dependable mechanism you can expect from Profile. Thanks to DigBMX for the heads up.

The alternative to Shimano DXRs

Some people swear by the Shimano DXR cranks for racing, despite cheaper offerings by other crank makers. I do not know about the rest of you but these Shimano DXR cranks are way over-priced. For those of you who insist on using aluminium cranks, use these. They are Primo Powerbite cranks. They are cheaper than the DXRs and I dare say stronger. Plus you can have the flexibility of using chainwheels, unlike the Shimano DXR

Sports certificate? Big deal!

That is what some people with sports diplomas here seem to think about themselves. Look guys. You may have the best sports certificates, sports diplomas or even degrees but if you know jackshit about BMX, sorry. All those certs and degrees will get you nowhere. You need the basics first. Telling everyone that you have all those degrees, and that you can make BMX happen in Singapore, you are in fact making people in the know laugh about you. Get real already!

Where is Steve Veltman?

I have a picture of him here when he used to ride for Magna. What very few know is that the bike he was riding was in fact a custom-made Kastan. In this picture, it looks like he is preparing for a race. Those look like TNT cranks that he is using on his bike, along with 48-spoked wheels. Steve Veltman always chose durability over lightness, something that I do as well. Looks like he retired. It is shame really. He was one of the most consistent riders around.

The old-school gathering was a blast!

As usual, the gathering was lots of fun. We managed to get a new member there and his name is Kenneth. There were some new bikes to be seen. First of all, Selvan showed up with a beautiful Redline PL-24 with 401-series Flight Cranks and Sonlite hubs. Then came Rick with a beautifully restored Kuwahara Nova which he powder-coated orange. It was personal preference I am sure. I do not think he was rooting for the Dutch who were playing against Russia for Euro 2008 that very same evening. In any case, you can find out more pictures here as I posted them up this morning. Hope to see more old-schoolers at this gathering. Keep Singapore old-school BMX alive folks!