I’ve had the pleasure of riding many great BMX bikes over the years. In recent years I’ve chosen DECO, then Standard Byke Co, then GT and now DECO again. My current bike is a Deco 10yr. Self Titled build…my best setup ever!
But that’s what I say about all my bikes at the time. I’m inspired by legends like Rick Moliterno, Dave Freimuth, Chad DeGroot and Brian Kachinsky, and my bike builds are always a way of showing respect for those men and their respective brands.
Why did you choose this particular frame fork set up?
It’s thanks to my life-long friend, Chad DeGroot, that I have my new DECO 10yr Self Titled 21″TT raw clear frame. I’m just under 6′ tall so I like the reach of a 21″ TT. The 75 degree head tube angle works well for all my hang fives and G-turns.
I love the 12.75″ rear stays. Running my back wheel slammed all the way into the dropouts makes my manuals easier to pick up and control.
What sort of riding does your F+F set up suit?
My frame and fork set up is dialed in to suit the needs of my flatland and mini ramp cravings.
What’s the steering set up like (i.e. Stem, Bar rake, Bar height etc)
The steering set up has DECO Genius 9.5″ 4-piece bars on a Profile 48mm Push stem with the bars pushed forward just a hair past parallel with the head tube.
Which parts of your set up are “Old man friendly”?
A 250mm pivotal seatpost up about 4.5″ high and the fat GT BK signature pivotal seat are best suited to my 46 year old man status.
Brand loyalty. What makes you run the brands you use?
I’m loyal to many brands because I own a small bike shop called Active Bike & Fitness LLC in Appleton, WI, so there’s always variety. We are very BMX friendly and driven to keep the local scene going strong.
My bike is always leaning against the racks at the shop for people to hop on and try out. It’s common for me to show a new rider how to do a pick-up bar spin as they shop for bikes or parts. The shop is going into its 7th year now and I work hard to keep it growing.
Is there a part of your set up that’s stayed fairly consistent with over the years?
There is one old part on my bike that’s remained consistent for the last 15 years or so: the Gyro. Dave Freimuth gave me a machined prototype sealed bearing Gyro and I’ve been running it ever since.
He and I rode a ton together back in the day and he has always been generous. I think it may be an early GTX design? Not sure, but I love that part. Thanks again Dave!
Is there one that has changed a lot?
Parts that continuously change on my bike are cables. I wear them out, sometimes break them, and so I experiment with new cable setups. This time I used a couple of steel tube “noodles” under the Gyro. They have a tight bend so I run Tri-Flow lube in them and light grease on the cables.
It’s been a while since I had dual lower cables to the back brake so this was a fun one. I found some old transparent “raw” clear cable casing to use and installed two Odyssey London Mods. The front London Mod is drilled out so a cable casing can pass through. The brake springs are tight and cable range is set to short lever movement for quick braking in all of my front and rear brake tricks.
My front brake cable is kept as short as possible to avoid catching a foot in it and my front brake pads are older ones so I can feather them. I don’t want the brakes to lock up at the wrong time.
How has your perfect set up changed throughout the BMX eras?
Ever since I first converted a Suntour coaster brake into a freecoaster with an Un-Brake, (late 1980’s?) I’ve loved riding a freecoaster. Man, if I had a penny for every foot I’ve rolled back on a bike, I’d have a ton of pennies! I’ve played around with all sorts of hubs.
Big pedal slack to little pedal slack. Today I ride a Profile Z-Coaster and its been awesome! As I roll up to a transition, I can tell if my freecoaster is disengaged or not.
If I hear the ratcheting pawls, I quick reset my stance. I have mine currently set to the least slack. If I want pedal pressure on a tail tap, I can have that too.
I have used many brands, but this is the most multi-functional freecoaster hub I’ve experienced so far.
Any custom made or custom mods on your bike?
Yes! A LEGO Star Wars Tie Fighter Pilot helmet drilled and threaded for the front valve stem.
My other custom mods are front and rear brake cable related. My front brake cable crimp has been drilled out to allow a bigger one to be installed.
I normally brake cables where they are clamped, so this helps the cable last longer. I can’t wait to get back into the skateparks and try out my new cable mods!
Set Up
Frame
2020 DECO 10yr. Self Titled Frame 21″ Raw
Fork
DECO fork with removable brake posts
Bars
DECO Genius 9.5″ rise
Stem
Profile Mulville Push 48mm flat black
Grips
Odyssey Aaron Ross flanged black
Seat
GT BK Signature fat pivotal
Seat post
Alone Bigger C
Seat Clamp
Pedals
DECO black platform with metal pins
Cranks
Profile 175mm spline drive raw clear with Ti spindle
Sprocket
Madera Jake Seeley Guard sprocket 25T
Chain
Eclat Stroke half link chain black
Tires
GT 20×2.35 gum wall logo tires
Front Wheel
Odyssey 7KA chrome with Profile Mini hub
Rear Wheel
Odyssey 7KA chrome with Profile Z-Coaster, Ti 9T driver
Front Brake
Kink Desist brake with mid-school Demolition brake pads
Back Brake
Odyssey EVO II with stock Odyssey brake pads
Levers
Dia-Compe Tech 77
Gyro
Pegs
DECO Action Bars 4.5″ pegs
