BIKE CHECK
Nick Watt’s
Deco Jackpot
19.5 TT.
Why did you choose this particular frame fork set up?
The DECO Jackpot looked so nice and shiny with the classic chrome plating. I just couldn’t resist. Kip Williamson from MASTER BLASTER PLANET was awesome in helping me out with getting it all the way to me safely and quickly!
I was also looking for a 19.5 TT as I had just come off riding a Colony 19” Prody which was a tad too short for my liking.
The Jackpot is a nice compromise between modern and mid-school geometry while still being light, but not too light. I’ve found that if the bike’s too light it literally lifts off the ground when I’m whipping the frame which won’t end end well!
What sort of riding does your F+F set up suit?
Strictly flat as it’s too small for street or anything else really. I miss the days of riding anywhere and anything and not being limited by the bike you rode.
What’s the steering set up like (i.e. Stem, Bar rake, Bar height etc)
It’s nice and twitchy with super fast steering compared to the bikes I rode of yesteryear. The 1.75 tyres filled with 110 PSI make for even faster steering. I’ve never really paid any attention to bike geometry and always went for a rider owned brand as I knew it would be designed by someone in the know and be of great quality.
DECO is no exception as It’s run by Chad Degroot who I really respect. I figured I couldn’t go wrong and luckily I was right.
Which parts of your set up are “Old man friendly”?
Brakes! Well only old men know how to use em! My newly acquired Dia-Compe AD990’s are definitely a collector’s item and I’ve always run Tech 77 levers with the locking pins cut out of them. I guess you could say I’m “set in my ways!” I still run 15mm offset forks which is old-man friendly also?
Brand loyalty. What makes you run the brands you use?
I’ve always loved ODYSSEY parts and still run a lot of them these days. They have always been reliable.
Most of the brands that were around in the 90’s are still my favourite today. I also run some Colony gear that has always been solid and worked without any problems.
Is there a part of your set up that’s stayed fairly consistent with over the years?
Dia-Compe Tech 77 Levers with AD990 brakes. Can’t keep a good thing down! I’ve always liked offset forks too. I tried the zero offset “Kore” forks in the late 90’s but they weren’t for me.
Is there one that has changed a lot?
Tyres!!!!
I usually go through a front Odyssey Frequency G Tyre every 6 weeks and a rear every 3 months or so. It’s damn expensive at 45 bucks a tyre. Haha
How has your perfect set up changed throughout the BMX eras?
Well the jump from what I rode before my 15 year hiatus (Hoffman Big Daddy days) until now has been massive. The weight of the bike I’m riding now has literally been halved so It’s been a steep learning curve to adjust.
I’m only really now starting to be comfortable with the modern geometry.
Any custom made or custom mods on your bike?
I did get some custom pegs made from Jeff DesRoche who owns Pegasus Bmx. They were a work of art and exactly what I thought I wanted. But in the end they were way too thick which he warned me against time and time again! Haha.
Defiantly hit Jeff up for any of your custom part’s needs. He’s a perfectionist so you won’t be dissapointed!
Set Up
Frame
Deco Jackpot 19.5“
Fork
Deco Fu Forks 15mm Offset
Bars
Hoffman Low Drag 4.43 Bars
Stem
Colony Official Stem
Grips
ODI Longneck SL Flangeless / Odyssey barends
Seat
Odyssey Monogram Pivotal
Seat post
S&M Long Johnson
Seat Clamp
NA
Pedals
Haro
Cranks
Odyssey Thunderbolt 165mm
Sprocket
Odyssey Flatware 22t
Chain
Odyssey Frequency G 1.75
Tires
Odyssey Path 1.85
Front Wheel
Odyssey 7ka Rim / Odyssey Vandero Pro Hub
Rear Wheel
Odyssey 7ka Rim / Odyssey Clutch V2
Front Brake
Dia-Compe 990’s
Back Brake
Odyssey Evo 2
Levers
Dia Compe Tech 77
Gyro
Shadow Conspiracy Sano Detangler
Pegs
St Martin Hollo Pegs