Why did you choose this particular frame fork set up?
The story goes like this. Last year (or was it the year before last?) S&M bikes dropped me like a bad habit (actually they just stopped producing the IntriKat range) leaving me needing a new frame.
I went back to a Benny L for a while but quickly cracked the rear end and was flexing all over the place. Literally the same day it completely gave up the ghost Amos hit me up and said Grant has just sent him a new BSD ALVX frame and I could have his old one. I drove straight down to Hastings and built it up on the spot.
I loved it from the off, It was so stiff and well balanced. I loved it so much I bought the newest version a few months later and still absolutely love it. I now run a lot of BSD parts to match.
What sort of riding does your F+F set up suit?
The AVLX is aimed at tech street. I’ve always tried to steer clear of flatland specific parts as they always tend to have some unnecessary gimmickry (yes still!!). The ALVX fits the bill perfectly. I don’t think my bike has a single flatland specific part on it.
What’s the steering set up like (i.e. Stem, Bar rake, Bar height etc)
Is it bad I that I don’t know without looking it up? I’m a simpleton, I don’t do all this ‘I need a 2.3.333mm off set” crap. I can see by looking at something if it’ll work for me or not.
Which parts of your set up are “Old man friendly”?
A tight chain and bars at 90%.
Brand loyalty. What makes you run the brands you use?
Because they work. I can’t really say I’m loyal to one particular brand but I wouldn’t buy or use a brand I didn’t believe in and happy to represent, same goes for where I shop.
Is there a part of your set up that’s stayed fairly consistent with over the years?
No! I change parts sometimes just for the sake of change. I’m a firm believer if you don’t change your bike set up your riding won’t change. Stale bike, stale riding. Fresh bike F.R.E.S.H riding!
Is there one that has changed a lot?
I have a rubber fetish. I’m always changing tyres, size, style everything. It goes back to trying to keep things fresh. Tyres really change the way your bike feels and responds so I like to play around with that and keep myself on my toes. I think it’s over looked how much better wheels and tyres are now they just roll!!
How has your perfect set up changed throughout the BMX eras?
Hmmmm… I’m definitely a follower of fashion when it comes to my set ups. When the light bike fad came in I took it to the extreme. Then the big bars, I had to have the biggest, Slammed seat, Fat tyres and so on and so on.
You can take the piss all you want but these things come in because they actually work for current riding trends and those who dismiss them are going be stuck in whatever time period their bike is set up in. (which is fine if that where you wanna stay)
Any custom made or custom mods on your bike?
There’s very little need these days but I still have a couple of subtle mods.
I recently developed a habit of landing on the side of my pedals for a split second before my foot slaps down onto the pedal face.
Do that 10 times in a row and your foot doesn’t want to land on the pedal anymore.
So I rounded the back side of the parallelogram.
My feet are landing with confidence again.
And finally, Neil’s favourite…. bar ends!!
For me bar ends are a very important part. I spend a lot of time grabbing, hanging or landing on the end of my bars in awkward positions, so they have to be right.
I have tried them all, there just isn’t such a thing as the perfect bar end they all have their own problems, rattling lose. Sharps bits, grub screws slicing me up.… I swear I could write an essay on my bar end findings. But I’ll spare you, and cut to the chase.
I now just use cheap plastics push in ones (actually I currently have the BSD ones with the hard plastic outer ring) these are perfect for my delicate hands but there not the most rigid, they start moving or coming out when I’m pulling on them so I’ve put a discreet screw under my grips to keep them in place. Easy bar end replacement and no sharp metal bits, everyone’s a winner.
Set Up
Frame
BSD ALVX. 20.3 TT
Fork
BSD Jonesin
Bars
BSD Safari 9.1
Stem
BSD Levelled
Grips
BSD Leezus
Seat
BSD Baller
Seat post
BSD
Seat Clamp
Built in
Pedals
BSD Jonesin with added parallelogram angle x
Cranks
Profile 165mm
Sprocket
errrrrrrr?? it’s black and has 25 teeth
Chain
United
Tires
S&M Trackmark 2.10
Front Wheel
Cinema rim profile hub
Rear Wheel
Cinema rim Fareast freecoaster hub
Front Brake
Somewhere in 1997
Back Brake
See front brake
Levers
None
Pegs
BSD
BARENDS!!!!
BSD with hidden screw technology
TT Pad
Bicycle Union