PROLLY IS NOT PROBABLY

Posts Tagged ‘FBM’

Amen

FBM_bmx-655

It was great seeing you in Austin, Steve. Amen, brother.

Beautiful Bicycle: My FBM Sword SQ Track

This bike has been in the works for a while now and I’m not talking about the weeks the frame sat in the box while I accumulated the parts. I’m talking about since I first saw one in person, at Post Bikes in Brooklyn. The original Sword wasn’t what I would consider a true track geometry. It was more of a fixed cruiser, marketed not only at the kids wanting a street bike to thrash, but also to the older BMXrs who wanted a quicker way around town.

Steve and John Paul began working on the Sword SQ. They talked to various people in the “industry”, including Josh “Big Red” Hayes and Kyle Kelley, who worked on the Sword’s geometry, making it what it is today. This Sword SQ represents a lot of things to me. Mostly, a company, who in the wake of Taiwanese fabrication, still make their bikes in America, for an affordable price and have never taken a penny from an outside investor.

While I’ve already got a kick-ass track bike, this Sword will go through many variations. I’m already planning on putting a Cetma on it to carry my photo bag in the summer and will probably throw risers on it at some point to encourage some throwback FGFS. It’s a little small, compared to what I’m used to riding, so the saddle to bar drop is much more race-fit than my Icarus. I’ve dialed in the fit now and it looks a lot more reasonable than the first Instagram photo I posted.

I tried to use as many American companies as possible. Profile Fix / Fix hubs laced to H+Son Archetype rims (fucking love these rims!) and a 18t Phil Wood SLR cog. Thomson stem, post, 1960′s Unicanitor Saddle, Ritchey Classic Curve bars and Newbaum’s tape. I was tempted to buy a set of the Phil Wood cranks, but went with the tried and true SRAM Omniums with an extremely rare, purple 44RN 144#47 ring. My White Industries pedals got a new life and the Toshi single straps are just right. Finally, a black KMC Cool Chain and 28c Continental Gatorskins finish off the build, with a 3/4″ mini Viking decal on the stem.

I’m very happy with this bike and it’s been nice to ride a track bike around, since my Icarus’ fork has been at the painter’s for a few weeks.

Many thanks to FBM for this beast and I can assure you, this won’t be the last time you see it here on the site!

Perspective

Perspective has many applications, especially with reference to this site. PiNP made its impact through covering track bikes and FGFS in NYC and beyond. Still, cycling commentary, of all sorts filled the pages. Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time riding road bikes, been out bicycle camping, touring and the content all shifts depending on what’s going on.

Sometimes, looking at things a little differently can change your perspective and even a new track bike can bring back the nostalgic past. Shooting the Sword today made me really miss the days of bombing NYC traffic with my friends and wheeling down the avenues.

Even before I pushed hard on domestically-produced bikes and components, the Profile fixed hubs were the best thing money could buy for the street-thrashers and they look so bitching on this bike.

What I’m trying to say is, I fucking love this bike.

More to come…

FBM: Steady Rollin in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico looks like a rad place to spend some time with your riding buds and who better than FBM to show us why.

FBM: Thousand Yard Stare Full Video

This was one of my favorite BMX DVDs this year and FBM‘s just uploaded the whole thing online. Check out Thousand Yard Stare above. So brutal!

FBM: Road Trip to Texas

One of the raddest things that Texas Toast brought about were all the team road trips but I don’t think anyone documented their travels as well as the FBM family. Check out part one of their Road Trip to Texas video above and part two below! For more photos, hit up Crandall’s Least Most Blog.

FBM: Steady Rollin Trails Redux

It’s been pissing rain here in Philly but don’t let those soggy trails get ya down. Check out this video FBM made for Tioga!

Guest Gallery: What Makes FBM Tick – Photos by Steve Crandall

I’ve long been a fan of Steve Crandall’s photography. His role at FBM doesn’t just stop at company owner and co-founder. The man hustles and is always thinking, usually with a camera in hand. With so many BMX companies going over seas, FBM has kept its resources here in the States. Not for any other reason than it’s an American company and making frames here is the right thing to do! I reached out to Steve and asked if he’d be interested in a Guest Gallery and the photos he submitted tie right in with those ideals.

FBM: Characters with Bikes

I’m really digging the latest from FBM, which should appeal to all cyclists who appreciate products that are made in the USA. Hell, this should appeal to all cyclists. Period.

“Bikes with Character, Characters with Bikes”, is a new series, featuring FBM riders, staff, friends and Industry types and why they choose FBM. In this First look, Neil Hise joins FBM’s welders Joby Springsteen, and Cowboy Paul in a journey from the FBM machine Shop to the streets…

“…Hey I’m Neil Hise, I’m 28 years old, live in Richmond Virginia, and I work at Bunnyhop Bikeshop.
I’ve been working at bike shops for 10 years, what I have learned working in the shop is, that I honestly have to believe that what I am selling isn’t garbage. You really learn about the quality of bicycles from trial and error, and personal experience.

It was definitely an incredible experience going to the FBM warehouse, and seeing people I know making the bikes that I ride… And making them well!”

Filmed and edited by Steve Crandall