Minneapolis Moto update - I placed an order for the first 10 frames today. I can't say who's building them, but I can say they're American made in one of the finest small shops in the country.

They will be ready for delivery in early May.

I'll be out of contact until Feb. 1st. I plan on riding on Fridays when I return. See you all then.

Some of my DC collection...


DC in the back of Steve


DC Rondo Classic


1980




Rondo Classic


1981 Brooklyn Park


2007


JT

Nice, I will have to try your ride and see if that was the difference in me trailing you last Friday night. See you in Feb.

I rode it around the track a couple times (NY day). to me it feels like a MTB, which I love. For bmx, it was to big for me, but that's me, I'm a low rider. I'm sure Shawn sat on my bike and went, WTF? I will say though, I'm much more daring over jumps/stumps, etc with a 26" MTB, so who knows. I kinda dug the shock. With my sore arm and hand I couldn't even feel a landing and his bike had clips, so I wasn't to hard on it.

Brad, I was thinking about making a smaller frame - but it kind of defeats the purpose so I nixxed the idea. It's like the whole 29" bike thing. It's only good for riders who are taller than about 5'9', it's all diminishing returns after that.

I shock on the 24 would be the way to go, but there aren't any quality shocks out there in that size.

I will probably do a 24" frame right after the 26", but I need some time to work on the geometry and design first. I'll talk to my friend B-Rose (he's a shock guru) to see if we can put together a worthwhile 24" shock from some NOS parts he has.

How about a 26"/24" combo?

A 24/26 combo,, first in history.. Very odd idea. Would you put the big wheel on the front or back?

Back on topic (is there a topic?),

I wanted to apologize to Scott about the final race the other night, my goal for the night was to keep things clean and keep things safe. The move he had to make was dangerous.

So here's what happened, I started out of lane 1 and when I finally made it over heading to the second jump - I looked down and had all of about 12" of track under me with the edge feeling like it was pulling me over.

You'll notice in the videos that I'm already pulling my foot off as I'm coming down the backside, when I pulled up next to Scott I went to put my foot back on and bobbled a bit. My elbow was in front of his, so I just started pedaling trying to get out of the way and give him the room he needed to make the jump

As you can see in the pics and the vids I did get over to the middle, but Scott made a move to jump off just as I got over (I never did get clipped back in, I was unclipped for the rest of the race you can see my foot come off at the finish).

Anyway, I'm glad Scott came off clean. Sorry to create a dangerous situation, it wasn't intentional.

I don't think it would be helpful, I do have an old Cannondale Hyena (26/24) - and the best bike I rode at Interbike this year was a 29/26. The advantage is easier rolling over jumps and quicker acceleration, but I don't think it would add up to a better ride for BMX.

The advantage I like with the 26/26 are that it's smoother and more forgiving (so it's safer), it jumps better, and it actually turns sharper. The latter is a result of the geometry getting tighter as the fork compresses, sticking better with the shock, and the control you get drifting the larger wheels/tires.

It just feels more natural to my riding style after spending 99% of the time on MTB's.

It's racing. I have a little to confess then. I'm not even sure who it was, but in the second straight I seen some guy coming up next to me. I actually rode over a few feet so he couldn't pass me,, on the same jump, Scot went off of. I'm surprised this guy I cut over didnt' go off.. HA.... But, nobody got hurt, only me,, My knee is still all swelled. At work, i'm walking all weird still....So I got what I deserved I guess. I just hit my knee on the handlebars.. Now I see why all you guys wear all that equipement.... The full face helmet I had to wear actually was'nt the bad....

I just spotted this cruiser.. I really like the look..
http://www.sebikes.com/2008/bike-detail.asp?id=41

On my MTB I fab'd a flange on the inner shock tube and made it a double spring. Its really stiff now. I don't like the sponge feel. Its gotta be way firm.

Ya, I could cut the trees on a 26" down to lower the bike down/ 24" wheel. I should try that on my Rock Shock that's toasted. Actually I wonder what a 26" shock would feel like on a 24" bmx. I could just buy some MTB bars to drop the handlebar height down.. Hmmmm.

You'd have to cut down both the stantions and the springs.

The key to a stiff shock is heavy oil and stiff (heavy) springs.

Didn't the OM run 26/24 BITD?
Either way, I like how 26" ride.

Agree. I bought the stiffest springs Answer had and I don't know the weight. Its great now though. You might be okay with the springs as is, but for certain the stantions would need 2-3" off. I can try it. I have access to anything machine shop. I do plan to buy a tig welder this year and start doing cool stuff again. My MIG welder was stolen...Long story.


Mikko, you talk'n Dubs on the Volv-yo here...? Its all about the ride.

22's on a wagon are more Rodleys style...
You see his R sitting outside last Friday?

Th "R" has 12's on it.


The 26/24 frame you're thinking of was made by Normura. Very rare, very nice.

Typical DC behavior....get everyone all worked up and excited......then leave town.... the little %*@&(**^#^!

Sheely-I need to ride that bike next time and try it out

Any time Mark - I'll be going on practice nights starting in Feb. I'll make sure to bring some flat pedals

Just for fun. If we were going to establish a MN BMX Hall of Fame, who would your nominees be. Consider two categories, one for racers and one for non-racers. Keep your selections to a very elite few, maybe three per category. Can be somewhat regionally biased but keep the big picture in mind.


I'll start...

Dave C. - Put us on the map early and set the tone as the state's first accomplished pro.

Sandberg - Probably goes for anyone who once wore a Tremco, Tahoe and Rondo jersey, especially when they still fit 30 years later. Nicest guy you'll ever meet but relentless inside the helmet.

Rob Butterfield - Most naturally gifted racer ever, period. Maybe never took himself seriously enough to make this kind of list but I vote yes.

Tahoe Jack - I don't have any personal knowledge of Jack, other than he was the Godfather.

Dean Kuhlman and Steve Jungers - founders of Moose Jaw BMX. The track that made it real in northern MN

Don Rivard - The barn still feels a little mid-school / new school but it is an institution with enough history that has helped make a lot of MN kids household names on a national level.

There are plenty of others but this would be my inaugural class vote.

Tough One! So Many to pick from...

Dave C.- Same reason as you, putting MNBMX on the map nationally!

Howie Manning - All the photos that he took, and being everywhere to support all Minnesota riders

Rydjor Bike/Dan & Pat- For start the 1st organized racing in MN

Tahoe Jack D.- He boosted the whole sport forward

Gary Erdman - He took care of many of us as growing up

Sandberg - Always an entertainment factor!

Don R. - For keeping the sport alive yearround

Jeff Manning!

I smell Arizona BBQ.....

Minnesota BBQ, hold the secret sauce. Those clowns have their own island now where that can lather each other up all day long...

"Remeber how cool I was... Oh you forgot, let me remind you."

HOF :

There have been some obvious picks, but you have to add Doug Carlson. Nobody has been doing it, and doing it well for so long.

Also, Gary Carl - keeping it real and keeping it non-profit at the Shorewood track when others only saw dollar signs.

He kept the grassroots thing going longer than anyone else, organizing the other non-profs and growing the sport. The non-profs were the only ones bringing new riders to the sport, even when things went into a slide in the early 80's.

Gary was also instrumental in getting the track in Maple Plain through the legal hurdles at the time, a track that will live again this summer.

His kid would make a good inductee as well, the only World Champ from MN.

Shop wise, it would have to be Bill and Jean (BJ's).

Guess I'll be bringing the chicken then

Does Boecker look thin in this photo. or is it just the angle?

Someone needs to name these riders, cuz I am not remembering them all other then the blonde fro one, Dougie and Anderson(where is he BTW?)

Cannon Falls? Sandberg, Tim Krone and Ruud? (where is Scott Ruud now, GREAT old schooler!)

I love that shot, perfect time of day, jamming around that corner...

Calrson, Anderson, Sandberg, Butterfield, Boecker. The 2 on the end? no clue. I remember the faces though.

Anderson went on to be a potential Tour De France rider, but I heard he got hurt riding. Not sure. Sandberg might know. I saw a pic of him at Penn a few year ago and I asked about him there.

That's not Butterfield. Pat Sorenson with the stache.

What's funny are the "Z"'s - the hardware store's in Richfield ran out of Z's so some guys are running a sideways N. Looks like Mike A. and JS must have been holding hands when they signed up for the NBA.

You got me. I wasn't sure if that was Rob or not... sorry

MN HOF - Interesting topic. How about all the people that showed up at the Condo this year. You pretty much had the history of MN BMX racing in attendance.

During my time in the sport, the three riders that I remember always drawing the attention of the crowd were Sandberg, Sheely, and Butterfield. I never missed watching these guys race.

Non-racers: I never got that involved to really know the people that made it all happen. I would say any of the track operators are worthy of this honor.

Great photo's, keep them coming guys! I agree with Mikko, that late afternoon racing pic is perfecto.

Happy Birthday old man Conley!

I have been busy in the kitchen all day baking.

That's right! Happy Birthday you old noot zach!!! Balllllz!!!

Non racers! Marv Lembke, no doubt in my mind..

Happy B-day, Mc Spammer!!

Happy B-day MC. Did you get your birthday goat yet??

Welcome DC. Its about fuggin' time.

Did I ever tell you that you're my Hero!!

Mikko- You ROCK!

I'm not rocking too hard today, Manning. I am at home w/ the flu. The little chic had it on Sunday and daycare was closed today because of it. But I did get to watch Sesame Street, put together puzzles and stuff. Belle was super cool all day, I don't know how we got so lucky.

I have been dreaming of summer all week... riding Peg with the wind in my hair, 40 in hand, beach towel getting caught in the spokes of the front wheel...

I'm sure it's just the cocktail flu you picked up at Moe's Tavern.

Get on your rollers and sweat it out! It'll be gone in no time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-BMXAction-BMX-PLU...1QQcmdZViewItem

KOP- do you have this Mag?

I was at that race in NJ, so was DC..

If you have it, do you want to sell it?

I may have asked this question last winter and I thought Sheelys name came up...
Was there ever a bike called "the Coke Machine"? This ranks up there as being #3 of BMX legends I heard as a kid, I have never seen one.

Do I have that mag? Who do you think I am? Of course I do.. I have a few. That is one of the most wanted BMX issues in existance.. Just for that cover....
I also acquired a new bike today. I traded one of my new Haro's for this older Haro... If MC drives to Waseca, I'll let him have it for his birthday.. But you have to bring a pizza too...

That photo of the Penn team at the first Rondo Classic, left to right:

On bikes: Doug Carlson, Mike Anderson, me, George Rollendellie, Scott Boeker, Steve Pint and Denny Merdakis. Standing are Pat Sorenson and his dad Elmer (the guy who founded Penn Cycle). Look at the numbers (Doug is #46)...we all signed up the same day. That was the number plate I was running at Condo Classic last weekend.

Springer: Sweet cake you baked for Condomly. I rolled when I saw it.

More HOF racers: Willie Huebner, Gary Mercado

Happy Birthday, Mark! Fat Inc. Replica all the way, baby.

Thats My Patterson jersey the "Hammer" is wearing, I wish I still had that jersey.

Do I have that mag? Who do you think I am? Of course I do.. I have a few. That is one of the most wanted BMX issues in existance.. Just for that cover....
I also acquired a new bike today. I traded one of my new Haro's for this older Haro... If MC drives to Waseca, I'll let him have it for his birthday.. But you have to bring a pizza too...


Want to sell that magazine? I think I'm in the centerfold playing caboose..

Funny you say that Jeff, Doug was wearing that the last time I was over there for beers. He was like "Jeff tells me he wants this back! Ha!" Just kidding...