Just read on Ride's facebook page that Robbie Morales, Chase Hawk, and Roche are off of Fit.
I thought Robo was Fit.

Rumor is they are riding for a company called Cult.

Wow!

Nothing stays the same. Everyone involved seems like good dudes to me.

I know but I'm still kinda bummed. I need some room to grieve.

Next shoe to drop is what happens with Van Homan and Brian Foster. Those guys should get a check from the government every month just for being awesome.

srsly

Rumors been around for awhile.. Same with Blk Market.

Dehart has also left now. Bummer.


Doug

I know this to be true and I'm a grown-up and a business man and I know how these things work. I'm sure all parties involved will move on and I'll still be fans of certain riders and their style.

but...

I've been a Robbo fan for a long, long time. For me he sort of defined what I loved most about riding. He didn't have a ton of tricks but he has style and flow. He actually codified what I would have aspired to if I had the ability and what I never thought possible: The "Pro" trail rider. No contests, no results, no finish lines just travel all over the country (world maybe) riding trails. I always wished I could find that dream reality where somebody would send me a check (wherever I happened to be at that time) for traveling around riding trails all over the place. I was a fan of the Trail Boss and the Progression. When the Fit deal hit not only was it Robbo's company but it brought together a bunch of my favorite riders. Robbie Morales, Brian Foster and Chris Moeller. Then Mike Aitken fully blossomed and reached a lot of his potential and I was a fan. Chase Hawk defied logic and has become the next generation jaw dropper. It's funny because I think the only Fit product I've actually bought is chain tensioners, HA!

Anyway, I haven't really been that big of a fan of the whole "urban" street direction Fit and Robbo have taken. I'm decidedly rural and I like dirt but I can respect it. I actually long for the days of Auburns and Standards and endless lines at East Coast trails in the woods. What can I say? I'm nostalgic. I'm old, we get that way.

Like I said, I know everyone is going to land on their feet but I can't help but think that Fit was something special. Whatever happens will happen and I agree I'm sure they're all good dudes. Fit was a great thing and I think it helped to make S&M (from which I've bought a lot of product) very very successful.

Thanks for letting me take a trip.

What exactly is going on?
I understand that S&M (Moeller), Fit (Moraels), and Black Market (Holland) are all connected somehow, but I don't know the details.
Who is upset with who and why?
Does S&M hold controlling interest in the other two companies?
I was planning on getting a Blk Mkt Riot frame for Christmas.

Does Robo plan on starting another company?
and Carter Holland?

As I understand it, Chris was basically the bankroll behind those companies. I think Black Market has moved out of the S&M building, but is still doing some frames and parts for Carter. Fit still had the aftermarket stuff like frames, bars, and I am sure there is some other stuff made by S&M while the completes were made overseas. I think Fit will continue on with some new faces.. Will some of the other riders continue where they are at or follow Robbo or go in a new direction?

Maybe it's just the mindset of some people... Always looking for something new to do... It sounds like that's what Robbo wanted... Remember how shocked we all were when Taj left T1, a company he helped start?

I think has brought a lot to the S&M table, especially with all the Fit completes I see at the local park. I don't see that changing...

Brian

Vital has a team update for Fit...

Linky-linky

Brian

The way I've always understood it, and actually got a little insider info on this very topic recently is this:

S&M and FIT are Moeller's brands. Morales was the Manager, brains, TM and face of FIT, but Moeller owns the company just as he does S&M. Black Market is and always has been Carter Holland's company, but S&M aided in the brands development, and manufacturing and was the roof over their head. That has since changed since Moeller essentially kicked Black Market to the curb for a few different reasons. Since then Carter Holland is 100% free of S&M and is expanding his brand further and further... Check the BlkMrkt site for a look at the new stuff.

I am actually very excited to see what Robbo has up his sleeve.

This is my understanding as well. The Black Market / S&M tie was severed a long time ago from what I understand. Robbie Morales worked for S&M as Fit's brand manager. He quit that job.

I pulled this from the comments on the Ride site (quote from Brennan Brown...maybe). I haven't seen Brennan's name around in a long time. It's funny because I can recall some negative comments being made about him awhile back as well.

This has apparently been coming for quite some time. Aaron Ross and CHase live together, I hear things from Aaron. NO, I do not hang out with him and NO, we don`t have long talks on the phone. I`m just privy to some insights because Aaron is a straight up good guy.

(Coincidence that I`m selling my Lurch to buy an LTF? )

Having known Robo since the old days of racing him when he rode for Auburn... Actually, at one of the first Woodward nationals they had when I was 17, The very first time I did good in a moto, Robbie took me out, lol. first turn, 3rd place, here comes Morales sliding under me, took out my front wheel, we both go down, he gets up looks at me, and just pedals off... my wheel is in shambles... he still claims it was my faoult. BUT, I like the old Robbie better... as in at least 5 years ago. I have seen him off and on, and always said hi, traded tales, and such... but the last 3 years, he kinda just blew me off. Running around with every big-name street kid in site, the whole look right throug ya thing, or says hi, but then goes right on by and starts talking and backslaping with some other dude... ya know. Just wierd. Plenty of other old riders, and new riders have Never done that to me, so it struck me as wierd.
In fact, point of reference, last year Nora cup. I have NEVER met Justin Inman... kinda hard, since he lives in complete opposite area of me.. I have seen him at contests here and there, and maybe an Interbike or two, but never met him. I think once I walked by the Fit setup when he was in there, but no reason to stop and introduce myself, not a fanboy or anything... lol. I completely respect his riding, and his video parts.
Buty anyway, hanging at Nora Cup, Some buddies, I dont even remember who was there, sitting at a table, waiting for it to start... girl was sitting there, I introduced my friends and I, asked why she was there, she said she was with her boyfiriend,,, and up walks Justin. So I introduce myself, say my name, He says, I know who you are. That blew me away... Fit rider I have never met, knows me, but Morales blows me off.
It just struck me as wierd, and it also struck me as wierd that the trail boss from back in the day, now has a bike that looks like the local 13 year old wannabe down the street rides it... slammed seat, no brakes, no pegs, 29 inch wide bars... etc. Robbo seems all image now. kinda sad, to me.
But whatever. If he can sell bikes, and have a good time for him, that is cool.

Read this on ESPN.

Everybody knows who Nate Strieby is.


Good article. I know that not everything to be said about Robo is positive but I think it's important to remember the impact that Fit has had under his direction.

I hadn't followed Blck Mrkt since I left Marzocchi... But hearing them and S&M parted ways doesn't surprise me... Having met both Carter and Moeller, I could see personality conflicts there..

It would be hard to deny the impact Fit made under Robo's direction. Hell, almost every little kid I run over at the local park is riding a Fit.. LOL He brought some serious talent up through the ranks. I haven't seen Robo in a few years, but last time I saw him, he was still cool with me.

From the sound of things, it seems he had a new direction he wanted to go in that didn't fit in the current Fit business plan. When Moeller decided he wasn't going to help fund it, Robo found someone who would. And some of the riders who are loyal to Robo went with him. It will be interesting to see what happens with this new company and if Robo can do it again...

Brian

HAHA!!! Awesome!

Woah so woodysbmx is Nate Streiby?! Sweet! Does his brother Adam post on here?

I too have nothing but good to say about what Fit has done for the current state of BMX. What an influence! Actually as soon as I heard this news my initial thought was "there's going to be a lot of FIT frames for sale on e bay as soon as rob o's new company gets started"

BUT, I cant help but think that FIT is/was to BMX kids what Ed Hardy clothing is to trendy douch bags.

Awesome! Quote of the day.

Might be overstating it a bit, but Fit really brought bikes that had a hardcore look and feel to a price point that was affordable for new riders to get and opened the door for many other smaller rider owned comapnies to enter the complete bike market.

Brian

Even more so I think their legacy is to add to the "lifestyle" quotient of riding and away from contests. Riding for riding's sake.

I have 2 different names for Robbie's new company. I have heard Cult and Culture. personally I like the name Culture better. The name Cult reminds me of Manson or something.

Did somebody say Cult?

Brian

So where does Metal/Jimmy Levan fit in to the whole Moeller empire (for lack of a better term)? Aren't Metal bikes made by S&M?

I don't think they are anymore. Someone correct me if I'm wrong....



Doug

S&M was a big help to Metal Bikes in the beginning, but has since kicked them to the curb. Metal is now it's own brand overseen by Levan and Sean Burns.

I thought it was very clever of Moeller to have the Fit line as a down-market outlet instead of muddying the S&M brand identity.

In fact all said and done Moeller is just smart about his business.

(Aside: I was watching a Nate part in an old Transit just yesterday. "I know him," one of the voices in my head exclaimed.)

Agreed... Moeller may be one of the most business savy people in the bike game today. You got to respect what he has done in BMX.

Brian

Whaoh. I knew I had ESP, but I didnt know it reached that far....

Looks like Van Homan is going to Stay Fit...

http://blog.defgrip.net/2009/10/a-statemen...oman/#more-6445

Brian