SUBSTANCE CATALOGUE VOL . 4
WINTER 2011-2012
These intros normally follow the same path, from possibly Vol.2 we questioned how relevant a print catalogue is, and spoke about how Substance has always ‘evolved’ for us. If that is the case, Vol.4 somewhat ties together all of its predecessors. Rather than throwing a few quick top fives at a selection of riders or embarking on a lavish road trip, we decided that a couple of in-depth interviews along with bike checks, photo galleries and an overview from each of our brands just about ticks all the boxes we want to see, and hopefully some of you do also. With the help of Dan Benson & Rhys Coren, plus a trip to Sweden, we’ve filled these pages with what we feel is some great content, something that you want to read or look at, and possibly come back to. So we can keep moving with the times and create something that is truly ‘mixed media’ we have placed a small QR code at the bottom of this spread, which will whisk you off to the world wide web and provide you with more information on all of our available products. As always we’d like to thank our riders, dealers & friends whose support helps to keep this dream alive.
SUBSTANCE CATALOGUE VOL . 4 | WINTER 2011-2012
01 | INTRO & CONTENTS
CONTENTS 03-10
JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW
11-12
S&M BIKES
13-18
MARV BIKE CHECK
19-20
ANML
21-24
JIMMY RUSHMORE INTERVIEW
25-26
UNITED BIKE CO.
27-30
BEN LEWIS INTERVIEW
31-32
FIT BIKE CO.
33-34
COXIE’S BACK GARDEN SETUP
35-36
TERRIBLE ONE
37-38
FBM
39-40
TIMEEL LEWIS INTERVIEW
41-42
SKAVENGER
43-44
BICYCLE UNION
45-50
PHOTO FEATURE: FIT UK IN SWEDEN
For up to date pricing on all our available products, including those featured in this catalogue, visit our online products section at 4downdistribution.com, or scan this QR Code with your smartphone to be taken straight there.
INTRO & CONTENTS | 02
JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW Words: Rhys Coren | Photos: Daniel Benson
I met James at the Hate House in Sheffield, when he would travel down from up North and I would travel up from down South. From 2002–2006, riders from all over England would go there, like it was the Austin of England, and meet up to ride and party. Before long, during one summer, we were sharing a bed top and tail, and our mutual love of Family Guy and Frank Sidebottom brought us together. I recently took time out to chat with my old mate about hopping a 30” high 360 on his 30th birthday, riding for S&M Bikes and his new career in the world of antiques.
Newrick ‘WAFT’s this whip hop gap at that famous spot in Newcastle...
03 | JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW
JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW | 04
Jim has the hardway on lock. Here’s the pegs-up-pegs hardway variation.
I imagine it will be mostly young people reading this. So, firstly, what’s it like being able to grow a moustache? It’s alright man. It took me a while to be able to do it like, but now I am fully going for it...But I think my hair will probably all be gone by the time I can grow a proper thick one.
wearing them. The sole is real narrow and I have these weird heels that kind of go inwards. It meant one side of the sole would wear away and it would form a weird wedge on the bottom of my shoe, which would then give me loads of problems with my feet.
turning 30? Marv’s going through that process now. He stayed at my house at the weekend and I noticed he had a real nice denim shirt. He said he was smartening up. I was expecting him to have a real nice leather brogue though...
What trainer can you wear then? So you haven’t had similar ideas?
Really? Both your moustache and hair look fine from here.
I have converted to either the Adidas Gazelle or the Busenitz.
Aye, it’s just a cheeky comb-over.
They seem to all be the trainer of choice with the slightly elder, more stylish gent.
Nice. I’m waiting for my moustache to join my beard so that I can have a proper Fu Manchu one. What is your favourite brand of trainer?
Aye, they can double up as your going out shoe and your riding shoe.
Probably the Adidas Samba, but I had to stop
Have you smartened up your look a bit since
05 | JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW
Nah, not really. I still wear backwards caps and daft t-shirts. How did you see in the big three-O? My intentions were to do a backflip, but the foam pit in Gateshead wasn’t finished yet, so I did my highest ever 360 bunny hop for my birthday instead. I made a hop-o-meter.
that’s 24” plus 6”… 30 inches! You 360 hopped, from flat, your age in inches on your birthday!
Troy McMurray, Zac Sprinkle, Mike Griffin, Dave Clymer, Boyley, Shaun Butler… Have you been able to meet Chris Moeller personally yet?
Oh aye, yeah! Who’s your favourite BMX rider of all time?
No, not yet. But me and Alex Leech are planning a trip to go on holiday to America just to meet him. We’ll see… I have a business to run now.
I can’t say one person without thinking of a load of others too. I’d like to say Bob Scerbo… But I’m probably going to go with the Gonz. In fact, you might as well put Mike Griffin in there as well.
Yeah, you’re the David Dickinson of the North East, dealing antiques and such! Talk us through your day job…
And your favourite trick?
Do you want a weekly run down?
To watch or to do?
Yeah, go on…
Either.
Ha, aye, done a few of them in my time.
Monday morning: Get up, do a bit of Ebaying, look about at some bits and bobs, answer some questions. Then I’ll head out to the second hand furniture shops in the area, trawling those for a while. Then, in the afternoon, go into my shop to do a bit of restoration. Tuesdays I go to auction, have a look around, take down a few item numbers. Then, on Wednesday, it’s bidding day.
How about your favourite BMX video section?
What’s bidding day?
I’m going to throw in bit of a wild card here... The New Jersey Scene Report on Props. It was very inspirational to both me and my mates from Sunderland. The sort of stuff they did in New Jersey was like what we did. We also didn’t have any skatepark facilities growing up, so we just rode street.
It’s a real auction, where you bid on stuff… on furniture to restore and sell.
Hmmm, feeble hardway…Or a well executed three hop. I bet that’s what you wanted me to say? What about a WAFT? (Whip hop first try)
Is that why you aren’t very good at peg stalls on quarter pipes? Oi, I’m pretty good at them, actually! But, I don’t really trust transitions to be fair. Your current bike…What is it? S&M ATF.
I bet you really flourish in that room full of strangers… Ha, nah, you can get away with bidding quite covertly. Just stand in the corner and sneakily raise your little thing, or pop your finger up. So you’re now a face on the North East auction scene? I guess so. I go every week to two different auctions. Do you get an adrenaline rush when you win on an item?
What does that stand for? ATF? How high was it?
It used to stand for Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, not too sure about it now.
Stem height. I got a skater kid who was at the spot to take a picture of me on my phone holding my bike next to it.
How does it feel being on S&M, the biggest, most visible company from when you were growing up?
I want to see that! (Newrick shows me the picture on his phone, confirming it was stem height).
It’s pretty mental. It’s amazing. Growing up I would watch all the Hastings scene videos and my favourite video growing up was S&M’s BMX Inferno. I never thought I’d ever be riding for them… I remember having a Dirt Bike, and set it up exactly how Boyley had his red Dirt Bike. I just loved their style of bike at the time, and loved the riders that were on the team. They all looked like really cool, good characters and were fairly loose and up for a laugh.
How high is that? Dunno. Well, measure your bike now. Measure how high your stem is. What with? I guess I could hold some 12” records up next to it...OK, it’s two and a half records, so
Like who, for example?
Nah. I did the first few times, but the fun has gone out of it now. I get a bit worried in case I can’t make rent and things. There’s a pressure…It’s about getting stuff and selling it on now. The best bit of it all is the restoration to be honest. How often do you have to do that? A lot. Quite often the furniture you get has something wrong with it, which you then have to fix up…That’s the most satisfying bit. Where did you learn to do all of that? Is it in your blood, this old antiques game? My Dad was in the business for about 30 years, and had his own shop in Sunderland. I was always around it, subconsciously, you know? My Dad watching The Antiques Road Show and constantly going on about it…
JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW | 06
Having to meet him after school to help with house clearances for cupboards or pianos and that.
What do you mean in my ‘heyday’? This is my flipping heyday! Hahaha. Tell us about the glory days of Sheffield and the Hate House?
So you’re getting by OK? You’re making a living as a full time antiques dealer? Yeah, it’s my only job. Between my Ebay business and my shop… Do you dress the part of the antiques dealer? Sheepskin jacket? I might go as far as wearing a shirt.
Just seeing Marv, Joe Cox and Jersey absolutely feed off each, doing the most mental shit. They weren’t scared at all. Just jobless and riding all the time, getting competitive with each other to help push each other, doing crazy stuff down rails. No one else was really doing that in England, that’s for sure. It was great, man. Just riding and eating shit, cheap food. The shower didn’t work, the toilet got blocked. There was no fridge or washing machine.
Oh, I pictured you in my head looking like Lovejoy. I get a lot of that… Do people get put off by seeing a scruffy BMXer sat behind the counter?
I know, at one point we had a big hole in the bathroom sink. And I used to wash my clothes in the bath for about three months. Classic BMX houses. You couldn’t ever really go back to that now, but it was amazing whilst it lasted. Hey, I watched The Shining last night (a Hate House classic)
Do I look scruffy? Did you? Jack Nicholson, absolute classic. A little bit. All BMXers do. I probably wouldn’t wear this Motley Crüe t-shirt in my shop. You still making films? Aye, it’s my main passion I think. Working on any new BMX videos? Yeah, still working on one. Who’s on it? The Count been shredding much?
It was on real late and I was up working on the John Dye interview for The Albion. Now there’s your classic example of a rider who is still cool! Timeless rider. I remember I went to Bike ‘98 once, soon after I got my first BMX. I went with a school friend who was a Mountain Biker, but he just went off on his own to see Mountain bike stuff and I went to see BMX stuff. I saw this bike on a stand and thought, F*ck, that looks just like John Dye’s bike from an old copy of Ride! It had a pink set of A.M.E. grips on it, and Powerlite bars. I didn’t even know it was a Cyclone or Union stand or whatever. There was just this young girl on it. I said to the girl, “That’s John Dye’s bike! Why is John Dye’s bike here?” And she said, “Because that’s John Dye behind you!” I said “Jesus f*cking Christ!”
He got four clips tonight! For one he jumped over a rail and down 20 stairs! Did you go up and talk to him? To flat!? Aye, and doing about 100 miles per hour. Who’s managed to be cool for a long time in BMX? Probably somebody who quit a long time ago when they knew their time was up. Vic Ayala, Mike Ocoboc… Lou Rajsich… Mike Griffin… Griffin rode, was real cool, quit, and is still probably really cool!
Did I hell. I was too scared. I remember once seeing Jamie Bestwick at the Bug Jam in Milton Keynes and I just went and sat near him on this grassy mound. It was his lunch break and he was eating an apple. I sat 20 feet from him and just looked at him a bit. It was his body armour phase, with a Surfers Against Sewage sticker on his bike. Who was the first pro you had the bottle to go and speak to? Umm, Mark Theaker.
What about someone who still rides now? Where? Ralph Sinisi. And the least cool? Dunno. I am ill prepared. I haven’t engaged in any intense BMX politics for some time. Who’s got the biggest half-cab out of you and Ben Lewis? Him, probably.
At a Bristol BCR comp. We went down there but got there pretty late and everyone was out on the lash and stuff. I was young and real new to going to clubs or pubs in them days, but we went to this bar anyway. I saw this dude on the dance floor with 2 pints. Ollie (Olsen) goes, “That’s Mark Theaker.” I couldn’t believe it so I went and had a chat with him. I was pretty stoked. I think I went and bought two pints, just like him afterwards and got proper drunk and was sick all over the Bristol BCR spine mini. Those were the days. Sleeping in a skatepark the night before comp. We’d go down the vert in our sleeping bags and that!
Really? Yeah, did you not see that sequence of him a while ago in Ride? You could have done that in your heyday.
07 | JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW
I remember! Anyway, the morning afterwards, when I was in a real bad place, throwing my guts up, this little lad with a helmet on was brushing the bottom of the ramp, sweeping the sick off it, shouting “Who was sick on the spine mini ramp!?” IT WAS OWAIN CLEGG! HAHAHA!
Crank arm grind between auctions. JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW | 08
09 | JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW
Newrick has been talking about this 360 gap from the garage roof for a while now. Finally it gets put to rest... JAMES NEWRICK INTERVIEW | 10
S&M BIKES
Location: Santa Ana ,California | Brand Website: sandmbikes.com
S&M Bikes is one of the most iconic brands in BMX, and having recently celebrated their 25th birthday, they are also one of the most established. S&M use their deep knowledge and experience of BMX to ensure that they’re always at the forefront when it comes to product design and manufacturing, which is all carried out at their in-house machine shop in Santa Ana, California. Along
with the tried and trusted Pitchforks, Slam Bars and Redneck Stems (to name just a few of S&M’s huge successes), they continue to develop high-quality American-made BMX products that push the progression of BMX forward, but always hold on to the rebellious D.I.Y. ethics that the company was built on.
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Randy Brown V2 frame
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Grunge t-shirt
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Hoder bars
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Mike Hoder BTM frame
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Redneck stem
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Perfect 10 bars
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ATF frame
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Race stem
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Ameoba t-shirt
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Logo t-shirt
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P-Rail padded kevlar seat
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Pitchforks
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Logo grip
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Brains t-shirt
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Shield pitched ziipper
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Randy Brown grip
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Pitched trucker hat
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S&M BIKES | 12
MARV BIKE CHECK Words: Rhys Coren | Photos: Daniel Benson
When I first met Marv back in 2003, I had heard about some drum and bass loving bad-ass who would send himself down the scariest rails and ledges whilst also still retaining the ability to superman seat grab barspin. I felt I would have to show off instantly to earn his respect, and decided to whisk the OG Hate House Homies off to a hell hole discotheque in Sheffield with my recently acquired student loan. After losing my shoes in an excellently deployed dance floor based Homer Simpson floor spin, I was wrestled up and out by a bouncer. Suitably impressed, Marv launched into an attack on the bouncer and got thrown around like a cowboy on a bucking bronco. From that day on I have all but failed to live up to that moment and slowly disappointed him. However, he’s the reason I still ride a bike and have a pair of Scerbos on. I spent some time to chat to him in the wake of his signature frame release.
13 | MARV BIKE CHECK
A very close fence hop in Sweden...
What do you and your bike have in common? We’re all steel and sex-appeal. What are the main differences between you and your bike? 72 nipples > 2 nipples Tell us a bit about your new signature frame? It has a short back end, normal front end and a reasonably high stand-over height. It’s called The Duke of Wellington after my favourite pub. And the colourway? Is that blue a special blue? It’s going to come in matt black, raw and metallic baby blue. Which is the colour the Hoffman Taj came in back in the day and I always thought it looked good. It might even have a positive effect with downside whips and slaying handrails! How cool was UGP/Road Fools One era Taj? The height of his beanie alone was something else! Yeah I thought he was great then. I’d look like an idiot if I wore my hat like that now, but he looked well cool. Who does inspire your beanie position? (The upside down Nike tick) Hahaha! I think it was Trim who dropped that beauty, in his Roll Deep days. can you remember? I got to be pretty drunk to flex that look. You have been a big patron of grime on BMX videos. Think you may drop the Dizzee hat-trick on your upcoming video?
The jury is still out. If I do, it would have to be something off his first two albums. The rest is pretty much garbage. I still love all the old grime, haven’t listened to much new stuff, if there is any. I think it would be sick to have some old early 2000 grime, even as a cameo. I think you owe it to Dizzee. Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming video? It’s the third one you’ve filmed and edited, right? I don’t owe anything to Dizzee Rascal, but if i find a good bit of old grime that fits, I’ll use it. The video is the final part of the trilogy, haha! It’s going to be pretty similar to my old video, Fairplay, based around London and various holidays. Short, quick and to the point, with riding from Dan Benson, Timeel Lewis, James Singam, James Cox, Jon Gorrigan, Mike Mills and myself with cameos from the HHH and various London locals. The working name is Standard Procedure. Where did you get that term from? It sounds like a John Dye-ism! Nah it doesnt have anything to do with John specifically, everyone says it. “What you doing tonight?” “Going to The Welly then blah blah blah” “Standard Procedure” I started hearing it everywhere and then thought it applied to the video pretty well. It’s just what happens when we’re out riding. The Duke of Wellington features highly in both your day-to-day life and your riding doesn’t it! The Welly is great, I go there a lot. It helps that it’s three doors down from Jon and Millsy’s house, but even if they moved I’d still go there all the time. It’s just a nice friendly pub that isn’t overrun with hipsters. It’s an essential part of the local community.
MARV BIKE CHECK | 14
15 | MARV BIKE CHECK
The Magnum stick got a bloody good stroking before this high speed gap to smith. MARV BIKE CHECK | 16
So, you’re 29 now and showing no signs of slowing down. Does London prolong a career do you think? Yeah I guess so, it helps that there is loads to ride and we find new stuff all the time. It definitely has for me. But everyone has a job, and riding comes second to most people, sometimes third. Work, social life then riding. So how you feeling about your frame? Who do you think would be more proud, Shaun, the landlord of The Duke of Wellington, or your mum? My old dear wil probably be proudest, although Shaun’s got to be pretty happy that someone loves his boozer so much they’d name something after it. I personally feel a bit nervous about it, like whether I actually deserve it, but I’m also pretty psyched that it’s happening. It’ll be interesting to see someone I don’t know on one. I think you are pretty deserving. This is the only time I am going to be this complimentary about you, so listen up...I think you’re are a good person to get one. You constantly put out good sections, and a lot of them, you work hard on proper video projects rather than flap about trying to impress with web edits, seeking out fresh new terrain rather than playing any sort of game of one-upmanship on tired spots, and you can do superman seat grab barspins. If that isn’t a good basis for a signature frame, I don’t know what is! All you need to do now is tidy up your appearance a little bit. Would you like to share the ethos of ‘Project Man?’ Well thanks very much. I don’t think I could one-up anyone any more, that’s probably why I try and find new stuff to ride. As for Project Man, think I’ll keep that one between friends. If you had to choose between riding a brand new, super long, super slick flat bar that was only available to ride between the hours of 3.00pm and 4.45pm, or going to The Welly for Man Utd v Liverpool in the F.A Cup final, which would it be and why? I’d go to The Welly for the first half to watch Stevie get a hat-trick. Then, hopefully, the flat bar is near The Welly so go and ride that for the rest of the time, checking the score on my phone. If anything dramatic happened I’d go back to The Welly. If not, just go back once the final whistle had gone and get pissed up for the presentation of the cup. Wow, you’d be a man on a mission that day...So, if you could swap one of your tricks, which you’d then lose forever, for £10,000, which would it be out of barspins, tailwhips, or turndowns? F*cking hell are you going to make up any more impossible scenarios? I’d prefer to hang on to all of them but if I had to, then it would have to be the turndown. What ambitions do you still have for riding? What’s next? I don’t really know. Put out a Butcher-esque hammer section! I don’t really have any ambitions left. When I was a kid I wanted to get good and have a
photo in a mag, have a video section and maybe make a video. Since then I haven’t really had any specific ambitions. Just to keep riding and learning new stuff I guess, and age well. And continue to film and put out videos too? You’ve been part of some video project or other continuously for at least ten years or so. From NSF 2/CCC stuff, through Voices, Nang, Tomorrow We Work, Fairplay, and now your new one. Videos must be quite important? Yeah definitely, I love filming and making videos. CCC 2 was a serious video, shout outs to Beau and Higgins! I’d not really thought about it like that, it’s almost 10 years since NSF 2 came out. I guess they are pretty important to me, I always loved videos when I was a kid. It probably has something to do with that. I really like a certain style of filming, I dont think it will ever get old for me. But you haven’t ever tried to make money from making videos. They have all been works of passion, a bit like Scerbo’s stuff. When you start to get subbed off by Fit, would you ever move into full time filming? Try and make it a job? Get to go on Ride 2 Glory? Nah that’s not something I’m interested in at all. I wouldn’t like to film people I don’t know/like, I’d find that weird. Filming is fun but if I had to take it seriously I think that would take away the fun for me. Plus all my equipment is old and companies want edits in HD which is another thing I’m not interested in at all. Are you going to keep it TRV and VX till the bitter end? Definitely, I love those cameras. I couldn’t imagine you filming with anything else...I suppose we should finish this off with a couple more bike related questions. How would you describe your bike setup? Four pegs and four piece bars. I guess the front end is kind of low by today’s standards too. Tell us about the ubiquitous Magnum lolly stick in the spokes I’m quite a superstitious person and I’m also pretty sketchy, so I have to touch wood before I try anything. I always have a Magnum stick in my front wheel on the left hand side. Apart from your shiny new frame, what part on your bike would you never be willing to change? The handlebars. Finally, what would your words be to anyone on the fence regarding buying one of your frames? C’mon man, I’m not a salesman. Perfect, thanks Marv.
Frame: Fit Duke of Wellington 20.75” Forks: Fit Blade Lite Bars: ANML Bob Scerbo Stem: ANML Jump Off Front Wheel: ANML Javelin hub/ANML RS rim Rear Wheel: Bicycle Union hub/ANML RS rim Pedals: ANML Hamilton plastic
17 | MARV BIKE CHECK
Cranks: United Value Sprocket: Fit Crossfit Seat: ANML Cush Post: ANML Grips: ANML Edwin Delarosa Tyres: ANML T.W.W Pegs: ANML Lino
MARV BIKE CHECK | 18
ANML
Location: New Jersey | Brand Website: animalbikes.com
Here at 4Down we are proud to support some of the best names in UK street riding, so it only seems fitting that we carry one of the best street orientated brands in BMX. ANML is virtually unchallenged in designing and producing some of the highest grade street-orientated parts available. Owned by the well
known street rider Ralph Sinisi, ANML is run from New Jersey-one of the best street riding environments on the planet. With ANML backing the likes of Edwin Delarosa, Tyrone Williams, Butcher and Nigel Sylvester, it doesn’t get much more street than this.
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Akimbo cranks
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Micro Wedge-post
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Hyrone bars
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Edwin Delarosa grips
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High Bridge zipper
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Zeros beanie
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Tom White Wall tyre
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Javelin hubs
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Butcher plastic pegs
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RS rim
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Bedford quilted wallet
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Barrett forks
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Nigel Sylvester Pivotal seat
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Rundown shirt
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Jump Off stem
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Hamilton plastic pedals
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Skid Row shirt
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Logo t-shirt
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Counter t-shirt
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Grand shirt
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ANML | 20
JIMMY RUSHMORE INTERVIEW Words: Rhys Coren | Photos: Daniel Benson
How often are you required to write the introductory piece to an interview with a person who’s actual, real name you don’t 100% know? I mean, I know roughly what it might be...I think his name is James. But, after being raised by a pack of wild wolves (Cyclone/Bicycle Union boys) in the jungle (Essex/ East London) just like Mowgli from Jungle Book, it’s hard to tell which bits of his name were legally there from birth and which, inevitably, would have
21 | JIMMY RUSHMORE INTERVIEW
been assigned as a nickname as he plied his trade on a BMX. Either way, one thing’s for certain, the man with many names also has many skills, and can often be seen flying around at tremendous speed at high altitude with his long, blonde, Heartbreak High-esque locks flowing behind him in the wind like the tail of a kite.
Mid-line can can, Epsom. JIMMY RUSHMORE INTERVIEW | 22
You support Tottenham, but you have a red bike. How come? Secret Arsenal fan? Yid Army! Technically my bike is red but it’s a sweet red and not dog’s nob red like those Woolwich squatters Arsenal! Plus BMX is not football, so...It don’t matter! What’s your favourite trick beginning with the letter T? And why? The table, because it’s like an opinion, everybody’s got their own! But, of course, some are more valid then others.
then launched me out the back of the shop and left me there until Ray felt sorry for me and came and untied me! Needless to say, I wasn’t as cocky for a little while! Once you’d grown up and got much bigger than all your previous tormentors, did you feel inspired to maybe turn tables and tie up one of them in a revenge attack? Or did you follow the example set by them and join forces with your teachers and pick on the younger lads?
Knees together and over the top tube, feet still kind of attached to the pedals and bars turned. Of course the higher you go helps cement the validity.
No way maaan, it’s all part and parcel of growing up and learning to know your role! I mean you can’t walk around at 15 giving it Billy Big Spuds, thinking you know it all when you clearly haven’t got a clue! It pisses me off when kids think you’re bullying them or being harsh because they’re too stupid to keep it schtum. Just think before flapping your gums! It’s just guidance, in my opinion.
I’d like to cement your validity...you’re a fairly strict rider. Strict about tricks and how riding should be, which I like. But how did that come about?
Tricks-wise and maybe bike setup wise, what lessons were most significant? I know these Union/Cyclone boys like a tight set up and tricks have to be legit!
I was lucky really…When I was a kid, my local BMX shop was Cyclone Cycles. Probably the most legit BMX shop at that time. John Dye worked there, and I was there every day, so I pretty much grew up around the strictest fools in BMX. They showed me the ropes. I’m just a product of my environment, maaan!
I guess that’s an outsider’s perception… But, as far as tricks go, if it feels good to do I’m into it and if other people doing a trick looks good, I’m into it! I mean, come on, Aitken doing a three lookback…
Having Dye run a shop near my house is only something I have come to appreciate in the latter of my riding years. I couldn’t even imagine the stick I’d have got with the mouth I had on me as a young’un. Did you learn lessons the hard way around the Cyclone boys? Or did you manage to sneak by without getting too much stick or a nickname off of all of them?
Gap to tooth, gnarly Dom Mach.....Ooooorrible!
Valid? Ha, what makes a table valid?
The hard way, of course! I think when you’re young it’s impossible to think before you talk… Well, it was for me! So I ended up saying a lot of dumb shit and, with those strict fools, I got pulled up multiple times and rewarded with a new nickname, a bashing or just told to rattle the f@ckin cups! But it’s the way it should be. How else are you going to learn if you don’t get told you’re a dumbarse!? I was subject to both serious tongue-lashings and some physical abuse...as well I should, looking back. I was once picked up and thrown deep into a thorn bush at the trails when I was about 16. It was excruciating and I was close to tears. My brand new Standard STA was covered head to toe in luminous paint once too. I’d saved up a year for that. What’s one of the most memorable ‘lessons’ the Bicycle Union/Cyclone boys taught you? I can’t remember why it happened, but it was probably because I was being a cocky kid in some way and needed putting in my place! But, anyway, we was in the shop chilling and next thing I know I got grabbed, cable tied round the ankles, with my arms behind my back and then they drew a beard on my face in permanent marker. They 23 | JIMMY RUSHMORE INTERVIEW
Compared to Dom Mach doing a gap to goofy toothpick?
Haha! So, I mainly see you at the bowl and hear about your exploits at the trails...So where did all the big street stuff come from in your This Is United section? Big street stuff…That whole section was 99.99% down to James Cox. We’d get to a spot he’d basically hypnotize me and convince me I could do it and that was that, The power of James Cox. He obviously didn’t want to have to trek through any woods so Derren Browned you into doing huge rails! “Rushmore, you don’t want to ride trails today, you want to take me to the biggest rail to hop over you can find!” Haha… Something like that. What’s your favourite run around Clissold bowl? I don’t really have a favourite run…Just cruising around in that bowl is splendid! How often do you and John Dye go out dancing around Shoredtich? Haha, shhh…Don’t tell everyone, but probably three times a week at least. I love the vintage hipster vibe! Thought so. Thought I’d seen you cutting the rug down Shoreditch with the other Essex folk. Have you got some proper Essex mates like the ones off The Only Way Is Essex?
Right…First things first, I’m from Hertfordshire not Essex! But, yeah, course I have some Essex mates! Essex is sweet! Ever go down The Battleship with the Essex mates? Not really anymore, I did however go massive in Ibiza on an ‘Essex as f*ck’ stag trip. Ibiza is not very Rushmore friendly...F*ck Ibiza… WHAT? I really want to hear about that! When was it and did you go to any of the big clubs and that? Haha, what happened in Ibiza stays in Ibiza, maaaan! It was a few years ago and it farkin sucked. What do you do for a living? As little as I can. I’m a carpenter by trade, but work as little as possible. Did you know that James Newrick is an antiques dealer? Maybe you could go into business with him, helping him restore bespoke furniture? Maybe 4Down could run its own wood-based businesses on the side? No, haha, I didn’t know that! Sounds like an alright deal to me…Have his people contact my people and we’ll hook it up! Haha, talk us through a typical day when you do work and also a day when you swerve it in order to ride? Wake up about half seven, go to work, get the tools right out, then finish about 4:30 or 5.00pm, take the Duke out (Rushmore’s dog), maybe get a couple hour’s ride in if it’s dry, or go chill with Hitomi (the girlfriend) if it ain’t. If I ain’t working I’m living the dream! Get up around 10.00am, sort my shit out, figure where to go ride and see who’s about, then go ride until it’s dark or I’m too tired! Then…Home and sleep! Few cheeky jars to help ease away the aches of riding? Yeah, sometimes, but normally jars prolong pains or create fresh ones! Where do you find yourself riding most these days and whom with? During the weeks we normally ride Clissold Bowl and Scott’s ramp. At the weekends we normally ride Epsom. Mostly ride with John Dye, Glenn, and The Witch if he gets out of bed. And meet a couple of different people at different places. Any other interests outside of riding? You used to love a bit of footy didn’t ya? Yeah, maaan! I’m still into football. I ain’t played for a while, but I still enjoy watching a good game with a few mates coupled with some pig’s ears and a good old sing! Football chants are the best. What is a yeti?
A fully validated table at Clissold Bowl.
A yeti is a large HAIRY creature that resembles a human or bear! I hear yetis roam the BMX shops of East London supping Vicker’s Nipple ales and wrestling the beasty!
What’s your favourite meal? This is tough! I reckon pie, mash & liquor. But you can’t beat a good steak. If there ain’t meat in it, I ain’t eating it! Would you ever consider getting an undercut?
There’s been a few yeti sightings around the bread16 area!
Depends on the terms and conditions, but I reckon I could be convinced!
Which is your favourite toy up on Snake Mountain in Volt?
What was your school shoe of choice?
Moss Man, because he is in control of all plant life.
Jimmy Rushmore Bike Check Frame: United x Union Collab 21.25” Forks: United Squad V2 Bars: Bicycle Union (prototype) Stem: Bicycle Union Roam Front Wheel: Bicycle Union hub/Sun rim Rear Wheel: Bicycle Union hub/Odyssey rim Pedals: Odyssey Trailmix
Some form of crocodile loafer, pretty smooth!
Cranks: United (prototype) Sprocket: United Squad Seat: Bicycle Union Map Post: Bicycle Union Token Grips: Bicycle Union Fingerprint Tyres: Odyssey Aitken Pegs: United Squad Brake: Bicycle Union Claw
JIMMY RUSHMORE INTERVIEW | 24
UNITED BIKE CO
Location: Hastings, England | Brand Website: unitedbikeco.com
the biggest set in the line. Every item in the range of United branded & signature parts, completes and soft goods is painstakingly tested and tweaked to make sure that the end product is the best it can possibly be for your ride, and something they can be incredibly proud of. If you want further proof, take a look at their most recent DVD, ‘This Is United’ to see exactly what the product is designed to stand up to.
The aim with United has always been to be among the best bike companies out there, and never to stop researching how they can produce better looking, harder wearing, more responsive BMX products. The team features the likes of Corey Martinez, Nathan Williams, Geoff Slattery & Kye Forte, and they strive to design products that even top pros such as these guys can rely on, no matter whether they’re tooth hanging a 17 stair rail, or want to 360
4. 3.
1. 12. 10.
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8. 23. 9.
22.
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11. 21. 5.
25 | UNITED BIKE CO.
6.
1.
Nathan Williams Mothership bars
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Football 3/4 t-shirt
19.
Corey Martinez Beacon frame
2.
Geoff Slattery The Voyage bars
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Squad Pivotal post
20.
Nathan Williams Mothership frame
3.
Nathan Williams Mothership bars
12.
Navaho t-shirt
4.
Classic beanie
13.
Squad Slim Pivotal seat
21.
Etnies x United Barge LS (Ashley Charles) collab shoe
5.
Duffle bag
14.
Nathan Williams grips
22.
Etnies x United Portland (Corey Martinez) collab shoe
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This Is United DVD
15.
Squad hub guard
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Bird t-shirt
16.
Cerveza zipper
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Etnies x United Jameson 2 (Nathan Williams) collab shoe
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Simplicity t-shirt
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Dinero forks
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Metro sprocket
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Geoff Slattery The Voyage frame
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18. 16. 14.
17. 13.
15.
UNITED BIKE CO. | 26
BEN LEWIS INTERVIEW Words: Rhys Coren | Photos: Daniel Benson
Ben has been a UK enigma ever since NSF 2. For over 10 years his skills have been wildly mythologised about throughout the UK street scene. And now, whilst he still remains the UK street rider’s rider of choice, his run of good form post injury has seen him kicking some mother-funking global ass and transcending to world hero status. Whilst he likes to party a little more
27 | BEN LEWIS INTERVIEW
and pray a little less than his cousins from across the Atlantic, he’s continuing to push BMX to unique new levels, and does so on his trusty signature steed. I managed to have a chat about Quantum Leap and Liverpool FC just before he jetted off to the States once again.
What do you and your bike have in common?
How about you, you close?
We are both a bit rough around the edges.
Ha close but no cigar.
And do you both support Liverpool FC?
OK, did you ever watch Quantum Leap on TV?
We do.
Yeah, every once in a while.
Talk us through how LFC have influenced your Benny L frame?
What would be worse, Quantum Leaping into an Everton supporter’s body or into the body of someone who couldn’t barspin or icepick grind?
Only in the colour and the headtube badge, the frame was influenced more by the city… It’s responsive and sleek. Is it responsive because in Liverpool you may need to dodge trouble at any given moment? Well mostly for spins and manuals but trouble in the form of cars and other situations too. Light gears for quick acceleration don’t hurt either. You’ve got your own frame now with your own specific, tailored specs, have you had to self-mod frames and bike parts in the past? Yeah, I always cut in the back end as much as possible and had to dent the tubes with a ball hammer to make space for the tyre etc. You’re a warranty nightmare! Did you go through frames a lot? Do you have to mod anything on your bike these days? No I don’t change anything on frames now, purely because I got to design my dream frame. Never really went through many frames either because I couldn’t afford new ones, had an STA custom 19 inch TT for like 6 years, that was heavily self modded.. And destroyed haha! We’ve gone way beyond the era when we started riding and modifications were not just common, but necessary. Bars cut down, filing stems for gyros, steerer tubes, drop outs, seat posts, bend brake levers, trim seats etc...Do you not even cut your bars down? Hahaha I forgot about all that sh*t, didn’t even think about it being a mod as it was so standard! Nowadays I don’t do my bars but I do grind most of the grip off my plastic pedals on the nearest curb when I put them on. I heard about that...Why? Remember when Newrick used to sand his actual grips down? Yeah I heard that too, makes sense, gets past the initial harsh grip phase that tears your hands apart. The reason I grind my pedals down is because I find grip hard to manage, I like my feet to move around and not feel tied down. That sounds insane! I mean, I know that feeling, when you happen to have new shoes and new pedals and you feel like you might loop out of a manual, it doesn’t feel like you’ll get your feet off. But equally, I case my nuts if I slip my pedals...Don’t you ever tap the boys and knock them out of the barracks? Haha, nah, I rarely slip a pedal unless jumping off massive sh*t, which again is very rare! Have you still got the un-x-up to ice and crank flip? Crank flip, yeah, but I left the un-x a while ago. Half-cab crank flips or oppy-half-cab barspins? Oppy-half-cab barspins! What’s your favourite trick right now? Ice hard way. Think the ice grind hard 3 will ever be possible? Very soon if not already done.
Definitely the person who couldn’t icepick, nightmare. In what order would you be sad to see the following get knocked down: Rowley School, Krazy House or the Brookside set? Rowley school, Brookside, Krazy house .. Haha, why that order? Love the school, don’t care about Brookside, and only go to the Krazyhouse once a year for my girlfriends birthday, she loves the place for some reason! So, I’ve also noticed your clothes have got a bit baggier lately. You getting a bit more gangster in your old age? Ha, originally it was because I wanted to start wearing kneepads after I shattered my kneecap and needed the extra space skinny jeans didn’t offer. Now I just wear real slim G30 pads and I just enjoy the comfort of a baggy tee/pant. I’m loving the XL tee look though. How are things with your knee? You’ve been quite unlucky over the last few years but seem to be shredding at the moment. Would you say you’ve re-encountered your NSF 2 form? I think I’ve surpassed that luckily, it took me nearly a year an a half after I snapped my knee to get back to the form I was at. The knee is in good condition otherwise. It was just depressing spending so much time chillin’ and going to the gym! That’s ace to hear! Your Baker’s Dozen section was pretty insane so I’d agree that maybe you’d give your NSF2 self a run for his money! hahaha. How did you pass the time off your bike? It must have been hard not to just get on it constantly? Yeah, I pretty much got on it constantly for like half a year, got real burnt out on it. Feel like I did enough partying to last me a lifetime! After that my leg was good enough to do physio and I basically stopped smoking and drinking and lived for the gym/yoga/swimming. That drive to get better and ride again kept me sane! What was your toughest yoga move? The plank takes a lot of energy to hold as do some of the warrior poses. I can’t remember the name of some but they make your thighs burn like f*ck! Also I wore a Skavenger vest and shorts so it’s not like I dropped lycra. Ha, reppin Skavenger in the yoga dojo! What about now, still doing a load of the exercises you learnt during that period to keep fit, or just pure bike riding? And do you think that forcing yourself to exercise and get strong in the gym might have helped with your improvement on a BMX? Yeah I think it did in terms of just feeling stronger and more confident. It was definitely what I needed at the time. As for the exercise regime I dropped it once I was able to ride again, but noticed a big drop in performance after a while. Recently I’ve started to do as much as I can again, between trips an shit it’s hard to fit in what I want though. Thanks Ben, I feel inspired to get fit! Good luck in America!
BEN LEWIS INTERVIEW | 28
29 | BEN LEWIS INTERVIEW
180 bar over bench from a makeshift bump-jump.
Ben Lewis Bike Check Frame: Fit Benny L 20.5” Forks: Fit Shiv Bars: Fit ‘Shitty’ Prototypes Stem: Attila Frontin’ Wheels: Bicycle Union hubs/ANML RS rims Pedals: ANML Hamilton plastic
Cranks: Fit Sprocket: Fit Crossfit Seat: ANML Nigel Sylvester Post: United Stump Grips: Fit Tech Tyres: Fit FAF 2.25 Pegs: ANML Butcher
BEN LEWIS INTERVIEW | 30
FIT BIKE CO
Location: Santa Ana ,California | Brand Website: fitbikeco.com
Just a quick look at the arsenal of products pictured on this spread is a reminder that Fit are a true force in BMX. Their range of always progressively designed after-market parts, signature frames and completes offer something for every rider, no matter what standard or
discipline, whilst always maintaining the high-standard of workmanship and design that we’ve all come to expect from Fit. With team riders such as Mike Aitken, Van Homan, Brian Foster and Ben Lewis on board, you know Fit is a brand you can rely on.
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2.
12.
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8.
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7. 6. 31 | FIT BIKE CO.
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Inman frame
8.
Brush t-shirt
15.
Marv Duke of Wellington frame
2.
Van Homan VH3 frame
9.
Brian Foster BF stem
16.
Icon Pocket t-shirt
3.
Brian Foster BF frame
10.
DLD stem
17.
Blade Lite forks
4.
Crossfit sprocket
11.
S4 stem
18.
Inman bars
5.
Shiv fork
12.
Germano flannel
19.
Sky High bars
6.
Script beanie
13.
S4 frame
20.
Emblem t-shirts
7.
Logo t-shirt
14.
Ben Lewis Benny L frame
13.
14.
16.
15.
18. 17. 20. 19.
FIT BIKE CO. | 32
COXIE’S BACK GARDEN SETUP Words: James Cox | Photos: Daniel Benson
The idea to build a ramshackle arrangement of pallets and salvaged wood at the bottom of my garden was a passing thought one morning, during my ritualistic 9.00 a.m black coffee. As summer was fast approaching, I had decided to sit outside for a change. I was blankly staring at the fairly large mini ramp at the end of the lawn, which I had watched slowly rotting for the past year or so. For a lot of people I suppose a ramp at the end of the garden would be a dream come true, but for me it seemed more of a burden. I felt like my reluctance to ride such an obstacle was not only an example of my laziness, but also a middle finger to my childhood self, who would have given their best Poor Boy T-Shirt for a ramp in the comfort of their own home. Unfortunately I just don’t like ramps. I haven’t liked ramps for years, but this structure at the end of the garden was beginning to make me feel obliged to dredge up a tired old bag of tricks from the late nineties just for proximitiy’s
33 | COXIE’S BACKYARD SETUP
sake. Something had to be done. What if I could squeeze something back there that I actually wanted to ride? Maybe the feeling of ungratefulness would subside. You never know, I might even enjoy myself. The notion of being able to have a few sketchy obstacles in the privacy of my own home was a very appealing thought, as there isn’t an abundance of street here, and Hastings skatepark is uncannily close to my idea of hell. The huge concrete transitions, razor scooters, noisy, tunnel visioned children and a whole host of other nasties add together to make a location that I will only visit if forced to do so. With this in mind, construction began... The main aim of the setup was to make something fairly unique and quirky to ride. In favour of the perfect six foot transition on the mini ramp, I cobbled together crudely angled pallets covered with pieces of salvaged ply, which instantly kinked into a 50p shape upon being screwed down. Probably the
hardest thing in the garden to ride, but definitely one of the the most fun. Facing that is what can only be described as a ‘bump’ to bar height sub, sandwiched between two flat banks. One of these flat banks runs directly into a tree. That’s fine, it adds character. The place isn’t about tricks anyway, it’s about learning to ride the spot, learning to get along if you will. And at first, believe me, she’s a real bitch. The whole setup consists of approximately 50 pallets and 90% rotten wood, found in skips or under the existing mini ramp. A few sheets of ply were bought new and used to cover over some of the patchworking, which has resulted in the floor and various banks becoming rather more ‘multi-levelled’ than I had first planned.
extending the area. Friends would drop by and help to build, salvage pallets for me and donate wood. This fine show of teamwork proved to be as much fun as riding the end result, and for everyone’s help I am truly grateful! Although there are rough plans for phase two, involving a ledge, a wallride and some grinds on the flat bottom of the mini ramp, they have been put on hold for now, in favour of riding the existing area. It’s been awesome to see the likes of Ben Lewis, Fathead and Jimmy Rushmore all riding the pallets in such different ways, overcoming the fact that it feels like an old boat and actually doing some really interesting stuff down there, whilst enjoying some music, a few beers and most importantly, a distinct lack of the general public. Perfect.
The project became a labour of love very swiftly, and before long I became obsessed with finding the locations of more pallets and wood to continue
COXIE’S BACKYARD SETUP | 34
TERRIBLE ONE
Location: Austin, Texas | Brand Website: terribleone.com
Cleggy Rowlands, pegs to wallride, Leeds.
Hailing from Austin Texas, Terrible One is one of the most reputable brands in BMX. Owned and run by pioneering BMX legend Joe Rich, there’s no mistake that Terrible One is a company who’s priority is the riders themselves, and T1 have always proved their commitment to provide fellow bike riders with some of the best frames and parts available. Their branding and artwork is carried out by none other than
35 | TERRIBLE ONE
Paul Robinson photo
the well known artist Michael Seiben, who’s recognisable style ensures that T1 products always look just as good as they feel. Boasting such high quality products, core ethics and a team consisting of some of the most influencial names in the game, T1 is about as deep-rooted in BMX as you can get.
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Danny Hickerson frame
5.
Crest t-shirt
2.
Garrett Byrnes frame
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Pom Pom beanie
3.
Logan Runs sprocket
7.
Mummy zipper
4.
T1 bars
8.
Cursive t-shirt TERRIBLE ONE | 36
FBM
Location: Binghampton, NY | Brand Website: fbmbmx.com
In FBM’s own words, “The fundamentals are simple - bike riding is fun, fun is awesome, let’s have fun every day...Let’s ride bikes!” This mentality has remained the same since FBM began in 1993 when the company was born in Steve Crandall’s parents’ basement, as he and his friends found inspiration in early BMX magazines, punk rock music and of course, riding BMX bikes. As time passed, they gained notoriety through their t-shirts and videos and soon became
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Steadfast Anthem Edition frame
6.
6’er sprocket
2.
Headbanger bars
7.
FBM hub guard
3.
Tallboys bars
8.
Slim Pivotal seat
4.
Belmar bars
9.
Cuffed beanie
5.
Crown Royal 2 Topload stem
a brand that people associated with getting wild both on and off the bike, along with with plenty of fire, beer and mayhem! Fast forward again and FBM still do what they do for all the right reasons, and now also manufacture a whole range of BMX parts from their own machine shop, alongside producing a whole range of complete bikes to get new generations of riders shredding.
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Adam Blyth photo
FBM’s Tom Blyth tucks into a pretty meaty wallride... FBM | 38
TIMEEL LEWIS INTERVIEW Words: Rhys Coren | Photos: Daniel Benson
Timeel (or Teddy The Fresh Prince of Southbank to his friends) hails from the
of his native Eastend, or lurking along the dance floor of his favourite Den
island of Montserrat. But, as a very young lad, he moved with his family to
discotheque with his high-top fade, then bossing the kids at SB. However,
the Tower Hamlet borough of London, where he was inducted, immediately,
this new recruit to the UK Skavenger setup has earned his street stripes and
into the school of Southbank. There, years before he could walk or even talk,
wears his new Edwin Bridge with genuine pride. I managed to distract Teddy
he perfected the hop 3 and alley-oop wallride. Now, considered a General of
long enough from his job assisting fashion photgraphers, photographing hot
the bank at the ripe old age of 24, he spends more time cruising the streets
babes to get him to talk about LDN life and his new found love of the grind.
39 | TIMEEL LEWIS INTERVIEW
Night-tme noz at Timeel’s dojo, Southbank. What do you and your bike have in common?
OG London and you are forced to show all of us immigrants around.
Well we’re both black, we can take a decent knock and we both like the streets. My bike is set up the way I like it and it’s short and sweet like me. What can I say, me and my bike go pretty well together.
Great thing about the school of SB is that nobody rides the same. Everyone develops their own style, especially considering it ain’t much once you look at it. It’s crazy, the lines and different things I’ve seen the kids do down there. OG London? Hahaha...People who come into town have showed me spots I’ve never even seen. Marv shows me something new on a regular basis. I don’t go looking for spots too much and I’m always lost for where to go when I do go and ride street, even though I know there’s a ton of stuff in a three mile radius from my house. It just depends who you’re out riding with really.
What’s the difference between you and your bike? My bike is a girl. Her name’s Zizi. She treats me badly sometimes but I keep going back to her. Love of my life and all. She’s the only black girl that gives me the time of day cause apparently I’m a coconut. You’re white on the inside? No way! So, you and that bike of yours hit the streets? Where abouts? Well, recently I’ve been staying in East London a lot, not getting too far out the ends. Seems to be a lot of spots popping up all over the place, or that I haven’t seen before. There’s a few new skateparks, and also the usual haunts like Southbank and The Nip when I just want to relax and take in the scenery. Summer is pretty much over now, so I imagine me and the bike will be spending a few cold nights at Southbank in the coming months.
What if you are out riding with Singam? The boy likes a flat ledge! Oh, Singam! He’s the only reason I still have pegs on my bike. Before him I kept taking them off and putting them back on, but now I love them, they are a permanent fixture and I cant imagine having a bike without pegs really. The boy does love a ledge. Whenever we ride it’s just ledges and flat rails, which is sweet really. He’s taught me a whole bunch of grind combos, so I have him to thank for my progression peg-wise. Grinds are probably a must have for a Skavenger rider?
You love Southbank! Why do you love the scene down there? Is it all the passing tourist chicks?
Yeah, it probably is a must but then again Jack Maddock rides for Skavenger and he’s totally pegless. So, I guess it isn’t really a requirement.
The scene’s been slacking lately, but I know when I go down there I’ll ride with a bunch of people I’ve ridden with for years. Kids that I’ve seen progress over time are now making it to drinking age, so that’s pretty awesome for one. Another thing is it is a prime place for chicks. You can just go to the Costcutter get some beers, sit down there on a sunny Saturday and watch them walk by. Maybe a little bit of heckling too. I hate the place but I love the place. It’s a weird relationship. To think that some concrete banks could have shown me so much in life that I’d never have seen anywhere else…
What does Skavenger mean to you?
School of Southy B? How’s it been growing up in East London? You’re
Interesting… I guess it means the realest of the real. Built on a street riding background, tuff as nails and well we all pretty much ‘skavenge’, don’t we? When it comes to life and BMX. When you go looking for spots you’re skavenging for something that’ll make you want to ride your bike, find a spot that makes your heart race and your brain tingle. So, being on Skavenger seems pretty fitting for me. Plus I’ve been watching Edwin’s video parts since I started riding so it’s a real honour to ride for his and Vinnie’s company. TIMEEL LEWIS INTERVIEW | 40
SKAVENGER Location: New York | Brand Website: skavenger.com
Skavenger is the brainchild of ANML’s Vinnie Sammon and Edwin Delarosa. Originally run from a small website, just producing a few t-shirts and stickers, we’ve seen Jersey based Skavenger and its popularity go from strength to strength, and to be honest we’re not suprised. The products and soft goods (which feature
1.
Vinnie Sammon Tunnel frame
6. Beanie
2.
Edwin Delarosa Bridge frame
7.
Fight t-shirt
3.
Swift bars
8.
Flat Iron forks
4.
B Ball shorts
9.
Manhole t-shirt
5.
Surfer t-shirt
10.
Sticker pack
photographs taken by Edwin himself) show a huge amount of inspiration from the city Vinnie and Edwin ride and live in, and represents a legitimate passion for true street riding in its absolute rawest form.
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41 | SKAVENGER
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SKAVENGER | 42
BICYCLE UNION
Location: London, England | Brand Website: bicycleunion.com
Born and raised in the City of London, Bicycle Union has always stood for pedalling fast, jumping high and taking no prisoners. Since its birth in 1993, Bicycle Union’s owner John Dye has always ensured that his brand has only produced products that he and his crew believe in.
Starting out with clothing, Union then moved into products such as hubs, stems, bars and more recently even a collaboration frame with United. It’s a safe bet to say that like its team, Bicycle Union has no plans on slowing down.
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United x Union Collab frame
7.
Token Pivotal post
13.
Process rear hub guard
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Depender backpack
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The Claw brake
14.
Cuff Less glove
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Map Pivotal seat
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V sprocket
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Map glove
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The Shadow kneepads
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Process rear hub
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Sticker pack
5.
2z shinpads
11.
Fiend front hub
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Multi Map t-shirt
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Roam stem
12.
Fiend front hub guard
18.
Blast Off t-shirt
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14. 16. 43 | BICYCLE UNION
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Jazz Clarke photo
Bicycle Union’s Robbo getting kicked out at his local trails, Villij. BICYCLE UNION | 44
PHOTO FEATURE: FIT UK IN SWEDEN Words & photos: Daniel Benson
With Scandinavia proving such an entertaining location for last years annual FIT UK trip, it didn’t take much to convince us to travel a few hundred miles west to the city of Stockholm for 2011’s jaunt. The same niggling problems occurred from the outset, like dealing with terrible, weak lager from strange government run off licenses and expensive food. But all these minor problems fade into insignificance when you remember just how damn nice Scandinavia is. Stockholm is a veritable example of modern living, with a smorgasbord of spots, none of which ever come across as sketchy. You couldn’t be further away from places like the Winstanley Estate in Peckham, or the Pembury Estate in Hackney, both melting pots for brewing riots, not the ne plus ultra society you only get in Scandinavia. Whether you wanted to
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jump (naked) from bedrock clifftops from the one of the many islands that spread out to form the archipelago, or grind rails in a city with zero security, Stockholm had all bases covered. This year the team took care of the job at hand with the usual zeal of enthusiasm you get when a group of friends go away together. Some a little injured, some mind bogglingly better than the previous year, all a little older, all a little wiser. It’s been said before, but the team is tight. Take away the sponsor and I’d like to think I’d continue traveling and riding with all the guys on the team, but whilst 4Down foot the bill, I think we’ll continue doing it this way for that little while longer. Enjoy!
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